Early Life.
Edward John Cannon was born on the 18th October 1917 at Berkhamsted.
His father was Herbert John Cannon born on the 17th January 1881 in Berkhamsted and his mother was Ethel Daisy Huggett born on the 14th April 1884 in Eastbourne, Sussex.
Herbert and Ethel married on the 19th July 1910 in St. Peters Church, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. They had three children all born in Berkhamsted.
1. Sibyl May Cannon born 9th May 1912. 2. Herbert Bob Cannon born 10th June 1914. 3. Edward John Cannon.
In the 1921 census the family were living at 51, Shrublands Avenue, Berkhamsted. Herbert John Cannon was recorded as being a Clerk employed by Benskins Watford Brewery Ltd, Brewers and Wine and Spirit Merchants.
Edward attended the Victoria Church of England School, Berkhamsted.
On leaving school he was employed as a Printer until he applied to join the Hertford County Constabulary.
In April 1939 he passed his St. John Ambulance First Aid Certificate.
Police Service.
Edwards Hertfordshire County Police Personal Record has survived. Besides his name and date and place of birth it records that his height was: 5 ft 10 ½ ins, Eyes: Blue, hair: Browm, and Complexion: Fresh, as well as his education and employment as given above.
He started his Probationary Training on Monday 4th September 1939 at Police Headquarters at Hatfield.
In the 1939 Register Edward is recorded as a Probationary Police Constable and lodging with a Mr. and Mrs. Cain at 34 Stonecross Road, Hatfield along with another Probationary Police Constable Frederick G. Hedges.
On Thursday 19th October 1939 Edward John Cannon was Appointed as Constable 52 and posted to B Division at Hatfield.
Marriage
Edward John Cannon married Theodora Archer at Henley in Oxfordshire on the 7th March 1942. They had two sons.
Military Service During WW2.
The only details known of Edward’s Military Service during WW2 are contained within his Police Service Record. It states that he left the Police on the 11th August 1942 and joined the Royal Navy as a R.P.O. or Regulating Petty Officer [In the Royal Navy during the Second World War, an RPO was a Regulating Petty Officer. This role was essentially that of a naval policeman or disciplinarian within a ship or shore establishment, serving under a Master-at-Arms Ed.]
He was awarded the 1939/45 Star, the Defence Medal and the War Service Medal.
He was later awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Re-joining The Police.
His Police Service Record shows that he returned to the Police Force on the 6th August 1946 and resumed duty at Hatfield Police Station. On the 16th November 1946 he transferred within B Division to Stanborough.
In January 1947 he passed the St. John Ambulance Voucher First Aid qualification and then in January 1948 he passed the Medallion First Aid qualification.
Between the 22nd August and the 24th September 1949, he had a Primary Driving Course which he passed.
On the 8th August 1949 he was transferred to A Division at Sawbridgeworth.
In February 1951 he passed the St. John Ambulance 1st Label First Aid qualification.
Between the 15th and the 20th December 1952, he was on a Plan Drawers’ Course.
On the 3rd April 1954 he was Authorised to drive vehicles in Group 1 as a Class 2 driver.
On the 10th January 1956 he was transferred to C Division at Rickmansworth where he undertook Foot and Motor Patrol duties.
Then on the 29th August 1958 he was transferred to R Division Headquarters at Hatfield where he worked in the Information Room [or Control Room Ed.]
Retirement.
Edward John Cannon retired on pension on the 31st May 1970 having completed 30 year’s service.
He was temporarily employed as a Casual Usher at Police Headquarters in Welwyn Garden City between the 11th May and the 16th June 1987.
Edward john Canon of 100 Roestock Lane, Colney Heath died on the 15th January 1995
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