The surname BISHOP is not a common surname but, neither uncommon. In My years of researching the Dorset Constabulary and coming across the surname BISHOP, meant it was always a little difficult to work out who was who.
You see, when you have a name like SWATRIDGE, researching and tracing ancestry is far easier.
Anyway after several years of being confused who was who, when PC BISHOP attended court etc, here is my up to date notes on the BISHOPS of the Force.
Some are not 100 per cent correct and need to be changed when establishing who is who !
| BISHOP | ? | 1950’S | 381 | Dog handler hq 1967 | |
| BISHOP | ARTHUR HARRY | AROUND JAN 1939 | supt poole 1967 | 27 | RTC WEYMOUTH 1930/pc weymouth 1949 july |
| BISHOP | BENJAMIN | ? | 39 | BETWEEN 1856-1888 | |
| BISHOP | CHARLES | ? | 90 | BETWEEN 1856-1888 | |
| BISHOP | CYRIL | 266 | Weymouth pc 1969 john wayfield info later 1266 | ||
| BISHOP | DAVE | 1947 | during 1973 | 83 | TRUMPETER WITH HABGOOD died 17 feb 2017 poole |
| BISHOP | FRANCIS J | 1926 | 99 | aug 1928 moved fm dorch to weymouth after 2 and half years | |
| BISHOP | FRANK | MARCH 1890 | Mar-05 | 63 | |
| BISHOP | J JAMES | FOUNDER | B4 OCT 1859 | 71 | BETWEEN 1856-1888 |
| BISHOP | ROBERT VICTOR | 1906/7 | 1906/7 | 48 | RESIGNED |
| BISHOP | SAMUEL | FEB 1891 | 1919 ? | 64 | |
| BISHOP | THOMAS | 1864 COURT SHAFTSB | 50 | BETWEEN 1856-1888 | |
| BISHOP | WILLIAM | 1950’S ? | 1958 BEAMINSTER PC |
I will start with PC 50 Thomas BISHOP. 28/02/1839 – 21/09/1877
In 1877 Thomas BISHOP was the Bere Regis constable. He had 16 years experience and was a first class merit constable , with no blemishes on his record, so a model policeman. Before he joined, according to the 1861 census, he was a shoe maker and appears to have joined the Constabulary in November 1861. He was a constable stationed at Charminster, Toller, Kington Magna and Puddletown, previously to being posted to Bere Regis which was a senior constables town.
In 1870, in “General Orders”, dated 19th October, whilst he was the Puddetown constable, it says, that he shared a reward for the apprehension of a wanted man, and received a pound. But it does not list who he shared the reward with. At the time he was a 2nd class constable but the following month he was promoted to 1st class.
The papers reported that he had been stationed at Bere Regis since 4th January 1875 with his wife and son.
Woodbury Hill Fair which was an annual event, it was to start on Friday 21st September 1877. The night before, when on duty in uniform PC BISHOP was patrolling the streets and pubs, as there were many more men in town when he was violently attacked . Woodbury Hill Fair was when all the local horse traders from the south west would gather for several days , which was just to the east of the town. It meant extra policemen were drafted in to help the local policeman as it had a history for drinking and fighting, especially late at night. At the time PC BISHOP was in the town by the Drax Arms in company with PC 63 John SANSOM, who was a first class PC with ten years service and was the Lulworth constable. Also there that night were, Sgt James HILL and Sgt Stephen STILLMAN. The offender was a local man called LOCK and was given 10 years for manslaughter of PC BISHOP.
But lets go back in time a bit to look at Tom BISHOP’S career.
Continuing the above report:
Deputy Chief Constable, George PLUMMER and HQ Sgt Major Charles AIRES , with help from a few local constables scoured Dorchester and then drove out as far as Puddletown to search the area. At Puddletown they met PC BISHOP, who informed them that there had been a few odd characters in the town and one was presently oddly dressed and eating blackberries from a field hedge nearby. PC BISHOP then went and “fetched” the male who was questioned by DCC PLUMMER and after checking his clothing their was evidence that he was a prisoner, so PC BISHOP put the bracelets on him.
Three years later he was also made a merit class constable for no doubt, consistent good work at Puddletown and on 4th February 1875 he and his family were moved to Bere Regis, which in those times was a town where promotion to Sgt was almost guaranteed afterwards.
Whilst the Bere Regis constable, Thomas continued to gain respect and be a model policeman. He treated the locals well and was lenient when necessary but dealt lawfully with the various problem people. Henry LOCK was one of those problems, a young labourer who could not hold his drink.
This incident occured on the 10th February 1877.
I was also very interested in Arthur BISHOP, who retired as the Poole Superintendent.
I did not know his joining date, his collar number when he joined, not even what he looked like, but eventually found one of his daughters Sue PRICE, so after many emails between us, I established he joined and was given collar number PC 27 when he joined in early 1939 and the great photos she has let me use will be shown below.
My grand father Vic was PC 27 before him, and was promoted in january 1939, so Arthur obviously took over the number more than likely in Januray 1939.
ARTHUR HARRY BISHOP
BIRTH: 29 AUG 1918 • Wimborne.
DEATH: 22 FEB 2000 WIMBORNE MyTreeTags™
Now I know you cannot see his Force number, but this is PC 27 at his first station, Swanage. How do I know, well I recognise that drain pipe anywhere, its 100 per cent Swanage.
PC 27 , BACK ROW number 8 taken about 1942 at Poole.
Great photograph the type that always makes you wonder who they were !
What a another fab photo !
A few obvious familiar faces, but several not known and I am wondering who some are ! I reckon Arthur was obviosly a young Insp at Poole in the 1950’s. The Chief Ron GREENWOOD was in charge between 1955 – 1961 andhe should be obvious to anyone who knows a little about the Force.
Arthur as an Inspector either Poole, Wimborne or Bridport.
Arthur as a Chief Inspector, so must be about 1965 at the bar in Dorchester HQ. I do not know anyone else in the photo !
Arthur BISHOP, when promoted to Superintendent in 1966.
All the above are photos lent to me by Sue BISHOP, of her father Arthur BISHOP.
ARTHUR’S CAREER
Before joining the Dorset Constabulary he was a clerk in a solicitor’s office in Wimborne. Sue BISHOP wrote: I don’t know the exact date he joined the Force but know that : In1939 He was a PC, living at the Police Station in Swanage. (From 1939 Census)
After his marriage in 1942 he and mum lived in rented accommodation in Whitecliffe and then Oakdale (Poole), where he was, presumably, stationed.
1945: Moved to Walford, in Wimborne, stationed at Wimborne
1947: Moved to Weymouth as a DC.
1953: Moved to Dorchester (lived in one of the 3 houses at the station, fronting onto Weymouth Avenue) on promotion to DS
1954: Moved to Poole on promotion to Prosecuting Inspector initially, and then as an ordinary Inspector
1961: Moved to Wimborne
1963: Moved to Bridport (lived on the station)
1964: Moved to Dorchester (via Upwey) ? on promotion to Chief Inspector?
1966: Moved to Blandford ? on promotion to Superintendent
1967: Promoted to Chief Superintendent of Poole Division late in the year and moved into his own house in Wimborne.
1971: Retired and joined the SEB as something in security.
On 18 April 1950 he received the Royal Humane Society Award for saving a young girl in Weymouth Harbour on 19 March 1950.
The BISHOP brothers were Frank and Samuel and were born in Overmoigne in 1868 and 1870 respectfully. You might not know where Overmoigne is, as unless you live in the area it is, what I thought a strange name for a village in Dorset, Frank and Samuel were in a family of 9 children all born at Overmoigne from 1866- 1880.
Frank was the first to join the Dorset Constabulary in February 1890, he was promoted to Sgt on 5th Oct 1902 and retired in 1920
Samuel joined on the 28th February 1891, was promoted to Sgt on 7th May 1906 and retired in October 1919 after the war.
TO BE CONTINUED !