Early Life.
Raymond John Rogers was born on the 18th February 1917 at Peckham, London.
His father was John Robert Rogers, who was also known as Jack, who was born on the 2nd June 1891 at Amersham. On 22nd July 1914 he was appointed as a Constable in the Hertford County Constabulary having previously served in the Royal Navy. Having barely started his Police Training, and not yet issued with a Warrant Number, he was recalled to the Navy on the outbreak of WW1. [His Life Story appears on the website, simply search for Rogers. Ed.]
Raymond’s mother was Mabel Georgina Matilda Blake who was born on 21st January 1893 at Camberwell, London.
Mabel and John married on the 28th January 1915 at Camden Church, Camberwell. They both gave their address as 37, Jocelyn Street, Camberwell (her family home) and John was described as a Stoker in the Royal Navy.
Other than Raymond they had another son, Kenneth Norman born on the 5th August 1918 also at Peckham.
In the 1921 census the family are shown as living at 46, Tilehouse Street, Hitchin and John is shown as working as a Police Constable.
Both boys attended St. Mary’s Church School, Hitchin.
It is not recorded on any surviving record for Raymond but between 1931 and 1937 his brother had been a Boy Scout with the 1st Holwell Troop so in all probability Raymond had been a member as well.
In February 1933 he passed the St. John Ambulance First Aid Certificate.
On leaving school Raymond worked as an Estimating and Builders Clerk for P.H. Barker & Son Ltd. Bancroft, Hitchin for 2 ¼ years until 11th September 1937, and then for H.C. Janes Ltd. 32, Victoria Street, St. Albans for 6 weeks until 6th November 1937. He then applied to join the Hertfordshire County Police. It was clearly a joint decision with his brother to do so as they were both subsequently appointed on the same date of 26th March 1938.
Police Service.
On the 8th November 1937 he completed a Form 2 Hertford County Constabulary Conditions of Service form which has survived. He completed the Declaration of Candidate in which he stated his age: 20 years 9 months, date and place of birth: February 18th, 1917, Peckham London and his physical description. Height: 5ft 10 ins, Chest: 35 ins, Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Grey, Hair: Dark brown. He said he was single, his religion was Church of England, he had no children, and he was British.
He then gave details of his previous employment as given above. He signed a declaration and gave his address as 89 Beaconsfield Road, Hatfield, which was his parents’ home which was a Police owned property, his father retired from the Police on the 21st July 1939.
Raymond provided details of six people who would recommend him and who signed the Form 2 and stated how long they had known him. They were each spoken to by Sergeant 130 F. Futter of Hitchin Police Station who certified that their signatures were correct and that their recommendations were worthy of confidence. The six were: Alice E.A. Payne, Chesham House, 5 or 6 years, H.W. Melot, St. Mary’s School, Hitchin, 1927 – 1937, Geo. T. Wilson, Calton, Offley Road, Hitchin, 1932 – 1937, Ernest E. Wiggs, 1 York Road, Hitchin, 1927 – 1937, Harry Cannon, 2 Walsworth Road, Hitchin, 1931 – 1937, R. Crawley, 29 Grays Lane, 1932 – 1937.
On the 25th November 1937 Raymond was examined by the Constabulary Surgeon who found him to be fit for the duties of the Constabulary. The Surgeon [name illegible Ed.] completed a Medical Certificate to that effect.
He had started his Probationer Training on Monday 13th December 1937 at Police Headquarters Hatfield earning £2/2/0 per week. He was in the 59th Class of Probationers under the instruction of PS 206 Hales.
On Saturday 26th March 1938 Raymond John Rogers was Appointed as Police Constable 26. His pay was increased to £3/2/0 per week.
The following information was recorded on his Hertfordshire County Police Personal Record: His date and place of birth and physical description were all shown, which included some distinctive marks: scars on the left side of his chin and mouth and moles on his face. As well as his secondary education, religion and previous occupations.
On completion of his Training, he was posted to C Division at Rickmansworth. In the 1939 Register Raymond was recorded as being employed as a Police Constable and living at 80 Ebury Road, Rickmansworth where he is lodging with a Mr. and Mrs. Day.
On the 26th March 1939 his pay was increased to £3/5/0 per week.
On 16th October 1939 he was transferred to B Division at Hoddesdon.
Misdemeanours.
On the 14th and the 27th February 1940, he was accused of Disobedience of Orders (Discipline Code 3) for which he Reprimanded by the Chief Constable [in the scale of punishments available this was the bottom rung of the ladder Ed.]
On the 26th March 1940 his pay was increased to £3/7/6 per week [his disciplinary offence did not prevent his pay increase Ed.]
On the 26th March 1941 his pay was increased to £3/10/0 per week.
Another Misdemeanour.
On the 9th May 1941 he was accused of Neglect of Duty (discipline Code 4) for which he was fined £1 by the Chief Constable.
On the 26th March 1942 his pay was increased to £3/12/6 per week.
Marriage.
On the 30th May 1942 at Rickmansworth Raymond John Rogers married Kathleen Selina Arymar born 20th May 1920 at Rickmansworth, a shorthand typist of 221 High Street, Rickmansworth. They had three sons.
On the 6th August 1942 Raymond John Rogers joined H.M. Forces.
Military Service During World War 2.
Raymond’s Territorial Army Record of Service Paper has survived and contains the following information: He was deemed to have enlisted for the duration of the Emergency under the provisions of the National Service (Armed Forces) Acts 1939 and 1940. His Army number was: 14249921 and he was initially Posted to the General Service Corps. His Military Service was counted towards his Police Pensionable Service.
After his name and he gave his address as 80, Stanstead Road, Hoddesdon, Herts. He stated that he was born in Peckham, he was British, his parents were English, he was born on the 18.2.17 and he was married. He gave his wife’s details and when and where they were married. He went on to state that he had never served in the Military before.
His description was recorded as: Height 5 ft 10 ¼ ins, Weight: 134 lbs, Eyes: Hazel, Hair: Brown, Chest fully expanded: 35 ins, Range of Expansion: 4 ins, Religion: C of E, Distinctive marks: Scar left jaw, several moles on face 4 small on back of neck, Medical Grade: One, Equivalent Army Medical Category: A1.
His Occupational Classification on Enlistment was 443/1 and his Industry Group was ZH and written next to that was Policeman. His Hometown and County were recorded as Croxley Green, Hertfordshire and his address on is return to the Police as Police Cottage, 14 Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbotts, Herts.
His Military History Sheet shows that from 6th August 1942 until 8th June 1944 he served at Home (1 year 307 days), from 9th June 1944 until 1st January 1946 he served in North West Europe France (1 year 207 days) and from 2nd January 1946 until 28th January 1946 he served at Home (26 days).
On 6th August 1942 he was deemed to have enlisted as a Private at Norwich into the General Service Corps and was posted to No/. 52 Primary Training Wing of No/. 2 Infantry Training Centre.
On the 16th September 1942 he transferred to the 15th Royal Artillery and then posted to the 34th Signals Training Regiment.
On 19th December 1942 he was posted as Gunner to the 3rd Field Training Regiment Royal Artillery.
On 4th January 1943 he was transferred from the Royal Artillery (Field Branch) and posted to No/. 2 Signals Training Centre Royal Signals Reception Camp at Whalley.
On 16th January 1943 he was posted to the 2nd Technical Training Battalion for Training as Electrician Signals at Prestatyn.
On 19th April 1943 he Passed test and mustered as Learner [illegible Ed.]
On 5th May 1943 he was reallotted Trade of 1 Mech [illegible Ed.]
On 14th May 1943 he was posted to the 1st Technical Training Battalion. On the same day he was A.O.P. [meaning unknown Ed.] from the 2nd Technical Training Battalion at Catterick.
On 26th June 1943 Class 9 [remainder illegible Ed.]
On 27th June 1943 he was posted to 3 Holding Battalion.
On 12TH August 1943 he appointed an Unpaid Acting Lance Corporal [location illegible Ed.]
On 28th August 1943 Proceeded with 71 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Signals Detachment.
From 12th August 1943 granted Paid Acting Lance Corporal.
On 21st September 1943 Affiliated to 106 Anti-Aircraft Brigade HQ Signals Section at Bickley.
On 30th December 1943 he was Disaffiliated from 106 Ant-Aircraft Brigade HQ Signal Section With Effect From 30/12/43.
On 31st December 1943 he was Affiliated 1 L [illegible Ed.] Signals With Effect From 31/12/43.
On 3rd January 1944 as part of 106 Anti-Aircraft Brigade he was Appointed Unpaid Acting Corporal With Effect From 3 Jan 44.
On 20th February 1944 as part of 71 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Signal Detachment he was Affiliated [illegible Ed.] A.F. Signals.
On 2nd Apil 1944 as part of 71 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Signal Detachment he was Granted War Corporal in the field.
On 9th June 1944 as part of 71 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Signal Detachment he Embarked UK for North-West Europe.
On 9th July 1945 Posted to 3 Independent Admin Company Royal Signals North-West Europe.
On 20th July 1945 Posted to 16 Equipment Section.
Awarded 1939/45 and France/Germany Stars under conditions of AC/829/45.
On 24th October 1945 posted to 1 Corps District Signal Park.
On 26th October 1945 Admitted to 6 Brigade General Hospital North-West Europe 10 x 2 List. [possibly refers to Casualty List Ed.]
On 6th November 1945 To S from X 2 List [unclear what this means Ed.]
31st December 1945 Posted to X V111 List enroute to UK for Cl B Release.
2nd January 1946 disembarked UK Depot Battalion.
28th January 1946 Released to Class W(T) Territorial Army Reserve (Class ‘B’ Release) rank War Corporal.
Discharged on completion of engagement; authority: TA Regs para 234-1. Allocated to the Army General Reserve Group P and eligible for recall to age 45. Authority: Navy Army and Air Force Reserves Act 1954. 10 Feb 1954.
Discharged from Reserve Liability 30 Jun 1959 Auth: Navy, Army and Air Forces Reserve Act 1959.
He was awarded the 1939/45 Star, France/Germany Star, Defence Medal and the War Service Medal.
He was later awarded his Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Re-joined the Police.
On 26th March 1943 and 26th March 1944, he received pay increases of £3.15.0 and £3/17/6 per week respectively. Then on 1st September 1944 he received a War Supplement of 19/- which was included in his Pensionable Pay taking it to £4/16/6 per week. Then on the 22nd December 1944 the Supplement was increased to 23/- taking his weekly pay to £5/0/6. On the 26th March 1945 he received his annual increase of pay to £5/3/0 per week. On 1st April 1945 a New Scale of Pay was introduced taking his weekly wage to £5/8/0. On the 26th March 1946 he received his annual increase of pay to £5/11/0. On 6th November 1946 another New Scale of Pay was introduced taking his weekly wage to £6/6/0. On 26th March 1947 he received his annual increment taking his weekly pay to £6/9/0. His Military Service was deemed to count towards his Police Pensionable Service.
On the 3rd January 1946 his Police Service Record shows that he returned to the Police Force and transferred to A Division at Stanstead Abbots.
On the 21st January 1947 he was placed on Wireless Maintenance duties.
In April 1947 he passed the St. John Ambulance Voucher First Aid qualification.
On the 31st May 1947 he returned to Patrol Duties and transferred to Ware.
On the 26th March 1948 he received his annual increment taking his pay to £6/12/0 per week.
In March 1948 he passed the St. John Ambulance Medallion First Aid qualification. Then in January 1949 he passed the St. John Ambulance 1st Label First Aid qualification.
On the 1st July 1949 a new scale of pay was introduced giving him an annual salary of £400.
In December 1950 he passed the St. John Ambulance 2nd Label First Aid qualification.
On the 15th May 1951 he transferred to D Division at Berkhamsted.
Between the 31st October to the 1st November 1951, he attended a Civil Defence Course.
On the 3rd August 1951 a new scale of pay was introduced giving him an annual salary of £470.
Between the 21st and the 22nd February 1952 he attended a Road Safety Officers Course.
On the 16th April 1952 he qualified to drive Police vehicles of Class 5. He had only been driving since that year.
On the 26th March 1953 he received an annual increment taking him onto an annual salary of £486. On the 14th January 1954 a new scale of pay was introduced giving him an annual salary of £525.
On the 15th February 1954 he was suspended for 3 months from driving Police Vehicles [a punishment often given as a result of being involved in an accident Ed.]
On the 8th September 1955 a new scale of pay was introduced giving him an annual salary of £640. Then on the 1st February 1957 another new scale of pay was introduced giving him an annual salary of £660.
On 9th March 1957 he passed the Part 1 of the examination for promotion to Sergeant. Despite three attempts he was unable to pass Part 2 of the examination.
On 24th June 1957 he was transferred to B Division at Hatfield.
On the 22nd April 1958 a new scale of pay was introduced giving him an annual salary of £695.
On 4th June 1958 he was transferred to R Division at Headquarters on the Traffic Department.
On the 1st September 1960, 1st September 1962, 1st February 1963 and the 1st September 1964 new pay scales were introduced giving him annual salaries of £970, £1005, £1030 and £1105 respectively.
Between the 3rd and 12th February 1968, he suffered an Appendicitis and was treated at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital and then from the 13th February attended the Police Seaside Home for 2 weeks.
Retirement.
On 31st March 1968 he retired on completion of his 30 year’s service.
On the 27th January 2010 Raymond John Rogers died in Norwich age 92 years.
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