Futter, Frederick, 130, Police Constable, Sergeant, Inspector, Chief Inspector.

Early Life.

Frederick Futter was born on the 5^th November 1893 at Sunderland, Docking, Norfolk.

His father, William James Futter a Foreman Railway Platelayer married his mother, Eliza Loverington in 1886 at Mitford, Norfolk. They had six children:

1. Mary Eliza born in 1887 at North Elmham.
2. William Frederick born in 1888 at North Elmham. Served as Leading Aircraftman 221149 RNAS/RAF.
3. Eliza born in 1891 at North Elmham.
4. Frederick.
5. Annie born in 1897 at Docking.
6. George born in 1899 at Docking. Served as Aircraftsman 2^nd class 253568 RNAS/RAF.

During the 1901 census the family were living at Sunderland, Docking, Norfolk. The 1911 census records them as living at Gate House, Railway Crossing, Sunderland, Docking, Kings Lynn, Norfolk and Frederick was employed as a gardener.

Little is known about the next three years except Frederick was working as a Gardener for W. Bailey Hawkins Esq. at Stagenhoe Park, Welwyn. He then applied to join the Hertford County Constabulary.

As part of that process Frederick underwent a Medical examination on the 8^th August 1914 by G.A. Upcott Gill, Police Surgeon, who signed the following certificate: I hereby certify that I have examined the above named candidate as to his health and bodily strength, and consider him fit for the Constabulary of this County. He would also have been interviewed and told to wait for a date of Appointment.

Police Service.

Frederick’s Form 3 Hertford County Constabulary Record Sheet has survived and shows that he was Appointed as Constable 130 on the 12^th October 1914 on £1/4/6 per week. It also recorded that he said his age on joining was 20 11/12 years and he was born at Docking, Norfolk on the 5^th November 1893. His height was 5 feet 8 ½ inches, chest 36 – 38 inches, complexion ruddy, eyes blue and his hair dark brown. He said his religion was a Practicing Methodist and his next of kin was his father W.J. Futter of Sunderland, Docking, Kings Lynn. He said he could both ride a pedal cycle and swim.

He underwent his Probationer training at Police Headquarters at Hatfield. On his twenty-first birthday on the 5^th November 1914 his Pensionable service commenced. At the completion of his training he was Attested on the 20^th January 1915 by C.W. Gaussen J.P. and Theo Bassett J.P. at Hatfield. On the 22^nd January 1915 he was taken on to the Roster and posted to C Division at  Watford.

General Order 14 of 21^st January 1915 confirmed Frederick’s posting by announcing that he was one of 22 Recruit Constables who had been brought on the Roster for duty and were being transferred from Headquarters. He was shown as PC 130 Futter F. posted to C Division at Watford from the 22^nd January 1915.

In May 1915 he passed his Ambulance certificate, an important qualification which entitled him to wear a badge on his lower left tunic sleeve to show he was trained in basic First Aid.

General Order 175 of the 7^th November 1915 and General Order 126 of the 26^th November 1916 informed Frederick that he would receive an increased rate of pay   from £1/4/6 to £1/5/8 per week from the 12^th October 1915 and from £1/5/8 to £1/6/10 per week from the 12^th October 1916, respectively.

General Order 47 of the 14^th June 1917 was a list of 16 Constables, including Frederick, who had signified their desire to sit the examination for promotion from Second Class to First Class Constable. The necessary examination papers were prepared and forwarded to the Superintendents concerned. The examination was held in accordance with the rules laid down in Order 192/1915.

General Order 68 of the 6^th August 1917 announced the result of the Examination for Promotion from Second Class to First Class Constable. Frederick was one of those that qualified having taken the exam on the 22^nd June 1917 in the office of his Superintendent.

General Order 94 of the 4^th November 1917 informed Frederick that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £1/6/10 to £1/7/5 per week from the 12^th October 1917.

Army Service During The War.

Frederick’s Army Service Record has survived and from this we know the following: Frederick enlisted on the 10^th December 1915 at Watford and on the 11^th December 1915, he was transferred to Section B Army Reserve and returned to his Police duties. This was part of what was known as the Derby Scheme. Thousands of men around the country including dozens of Hertfordshire Police Officers enlisted under the scheme. The Hertfordshire Officers mainly enlisted between the 9^th and the 11^th December 1915. Every Section B Reservist was issued with an individually numbered Khaki Armlet with a red Crown displayed on it which was to be worn on the upper left arm to demonstrate they were a Reservist and were waiting to be mobilised.

The following was recorded: He gave his address as the Police Station King Street, Watford, Herts., his age as 22 years and his trade as Police Constable. He said he was not married and had not served in the Military before.

His description on enlistment was recorded as: Apparent age: 22 years. Height: 5 feet 9 inches. Chest: 38 inches expansion 2 ½ inches. Distinctive marks: Vaccination marks 1 right 3 left arm. He said his religion was Primitive Methodist and gave his next of kin as his father William James Futter of Sunderland, Docking, Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

His Medical History Army Form B178 recorded that he was examined at Watford on the 10^th December 1915 and it noted the same information as his description on enlisting with the addition that he said he was born at Docking, Norfolk, his weight was 147 ½ lbs., his hair dark Brown, complexion, fresh, eyes grey and his physical development as good.

On the 23^rd April 1918 Frederick was one of fifteen Hertford County Constabulary Police Constables who were Mobilised at the same time. Five joined the Coldstream Guards and ten, including Frederick as Guardsman 32197, joined the Grenadier Guards. They were given consecutive Army Service numbers. The others were 32193 William Sturman, 32194 Charles Spencer, 32195 Horace Human, 32196 James Childs, 32198 George Reed, 32199 Thomas Abrathat, 32200 George Cooling, 32201 Leonard Wackett and 32202 George Berry.

Other than perhaps their initial training there is no evidence to show that they served together. During 1918 he was appointed as a Signaller.

Marriage.

Frederick married Daisy Susan Crouch on the 7^th August 1918 at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Eastworth, Chertsey. They had a daughter, Daphne born in 1920 at 14, George Street, Hertford.

The end of the war arrived before Frederick could be posted overseas and consequently, he did not receive any medals. On the 6^th January 1919 he ceased to be attached to the London District Signal Centre.

On the 14^th February  1919 he was transferred to the Army Reserve. On the 31^st March 1920 he received his final discharge.

His Statement as to Disability Army Form Z22 recorded: Regimental No.: 32197. Rank: Guardsman. Name: Frederick Futter. Address: St. Anns Hill, Chertsey, Surrey. Age last birthday: 25. First joined for duty: 24^th April 1918 at Caterham. Medical category: A. I do not claim to be suffering a disability due to my Military Service, signed F. Futter. Examined: Chelsea Barracks 15^th January 1919. Employer: Hertfordshire County Council Police. Industrial Group: 35. Trade: Constable.

General Order 20 of 19^th January 1919 was entitled Allowances to wives of Police Soldiers. It announced that the Chief Constable had considered the position of each individual Police Soldier under the new scale of pay and found after taking into consideration the total income of the family from allowances, including the value of the soldier’s food and clothing, that in 16 cases the families were in a worse financial position then they would have been had the man remained in the force. These cases were put before the Standing Joint Committee and they authorised extra payments, with effect from 1^st July 1918. PC 130 Futter F. C Division was awarded £0/0/5 extra per week with £0/9/8 to be paid retrospectively with the allowances for the week ending 22^nd January 1919.

Like every other soldier Frederick would have been granted 28 days leave on his demobilisation and he would have used this time to apply to re-join the Police. He underwent a Medical Examination by the Force Surgeon on the 15^th February 1919 to ensure that he was still fit enough for Police duties. He would have been re-Appointed on the day following the date of the end of his leave period.

Re-joining The Police.

General Order 43 of the 17^th February 1919 announced that Frederick having been released from H.M. Army, he was being re-appointed to the Force to C Division at Watford from the 14^th February 1919 on £2/7/0 per week. He had to be formerly re-attested and his Superintendent had to report to the Chief Constable when this has been done showing the date and place of attestation and before whom taken. The Spring 1919 Electoral Roll lists Frederick Futter as living at the Police Station, St. Albans Road, Watford.

Frederick’s Police Service Record was endorsed that the period of Army service from 16^th April 1918 to 13^th February 1919 was to count as Police Service for pension purposes vide Standing Joint Committee Resolution 35 dated the 9^th October 1914.

Transfer.

General Order 50 of the 23^rd February 1919 instructed Frederick that he was being transferred from C Division at Watford to F Division at Hertford from the 27^th February 1919. The Autumn 1919 Electoral Roll lists Frederick Futter as living at 23, George Street, Hertford.

Frederick’s Police Service Record shows that on the 1^st April 1919 he was awarded a pay increase from £2/7/0 to £3/18/0 as part of a national increase. General Order 213 of the 17^th October 1919 informed Frederick that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £3/18/0 to £4/0/0 per week from the 12^th October 1919. His Police Service Record then shows a further increase from £4/0/0 to £4/2/0 per week from the 12^th October 1920.

The 1921 Electoral Roll records Frederick and Daisy Futter as now living at 14, George Street, Hertford.

General Order 174 of the 20^th October 1921 informed Frederick that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £4/2/0 to £4/4/0 per week from the 12^th October 1921.

Promotion To Sergeant, A Pay Rise And A Transfer.

General Order 51 of the 16^th April 1922 instructed Frederick that from the 27^th April 1922 he was being transferred from B Division at Hertford to A Division at Bishops Stortford and to occupy the house being vacated by PC 290 Pestell. The Electoral Rolls of 1922 to 1925 record Frederick Futter as living at 36, Jervis Road, Bishops Stortford. The move was due to the very next General Order, 52 of the same date, announcing that from the 26^th April 1922 he was being promoted to be Acting Sergeant and with it came an increase in pay from £4/4/0 to £5/0/0 per week.

In March 1923 he again passed his Ambulance certificate.

General Order 89 of the 3^rd May 1923 announced the confirmation of Frederick’s promotion to the substantive rank of Sergeant from the 26^th April 1923. Wiith it came an increase of pay from £5/0/0 to £5/2/6 per week.

General Order 86 of the 20^th May 1924 informed Frederick that he would receive another increase in his rate of pay with from £5/2/6 to £5/5/0 per week from the 26^th April 1924.

Tragedy.

Frederick’s wife Daisy sadly died on the 8^th February 1925 at The County Tuberculosis Hospital, Ware.

General Order 75 of the 7^th May 1925 informed Frederick that he had been granted an increased rate of pay from £5/5/0 to £5/7/6 per week from the 26^th April 1925.

Transfer.

General Order 137 of the 8^th October 1925 instructed Frederick that from the 21^st October 1925 he was being transferred from A Division at Bishops Stortford to D Division at Hemel Hempstead and to occupy the house being vacated by Police Sergeant 197 Hagger.

Marriage.

Frederick married Mary Marguerite Sharpe nee Pasmore on the 4^th August 1926. Mary had previously married Wilfred Sharpe in 1915 but had been widowed in 1920. She had a daughter, Mary Marguerite born in 1916, from her first marriage. The 1926 Electoral Roll records Frederick and Mary Futter as living at 13, Christchurch Road, Hemel Hempstead.

General Order 2 of the 9^th January 1926 announced that Frederick had passed the promotion exam sat on the 14^th November 1925 and was now qualified to the rank of Inspector.

Frederick attended a week long Police Sergeant Refresher Class held at Police Headquarters Hatfield starting at 9 a.m. on Monday 15^th February 1926.

General Order 67 of the 16^th May 1926 informed  Frederick that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £5/7/6 to £5/10/0 per week from the 26^th April 1926. His Police Service Record shows he received a further increase from £5/10/0 to £5/12/6 per week from the 26^th April 1927.

The 1927 Electoral Roll lists Frederick and Mary Futter as living at 53, Bennetts End Lane, Hemel Hempstead.

Transfer.

Frederick’s Police Service Record shows that on the 7^th June 1927 he was transferred from D Division at Hemel Hempstead to G Division at Harpenden and the 1928 to 1930 Electoral Rolls record him and Mary living at the Police Station Vaughan Road, Harpenden.

Commendation.

Frederick was commended by the Chairman of the Herts Quarter Sessions, Sir Joseph Priestly K.C.D.L., for his plucky and able conduct in affecting the arrest of Bernard Howe, George Fisher and J.H. Wright on a charge of shop breaking at Welwyn Garden City vide General Order No. 92/1928.

Transfer.

Frederick’s Police Service Record shows that on the 20^th February 1931 he was transferred from G Division at Harpenden to E Division at Hitchin.

Indecency.

Published on the 5^th May 1939 in the Hertfordshire Mercury under the headline Hitchin Man for Trial: At Hitchin Court on Tuesday, Stanley Alexander Osborne, aged 27 of 46, Balmoral Road, Hitchin, summoned for alleged indecency at Hitchin on April 27, was committed for trial at Herts Quarter Sessions. Evidence for the prosecution was given by PC Lawrence, PS Futter and Special Sergeant J. Cannon, of 7, Stormont Road, Hitchin. Osborne declined to give evidence or to make a statement. Accused was remanded in custody, his application for bail being opposed by the Police.

Promotion To Inspector, A Pay Rise And A Transfer.

Frederick’s Police Service Record shows that on the 2^nd June 1939 he was promoted to Acting Inspector and received a pay increase from £5/12/6 per week to £320 per annum and from the 7^th June he was transferred from E Division at Hitchin to C Division at Watford. The 1939 Register records Police Inspector Frederick Futter and his family as living at the Police Station Inspectors Quarters, King Street, Watford.

Frederick’s Police Service Record shows that on the 2^nd June 1940 his promotion to the substantive rank of Inspector was confirmed and he received an increase of pay from £320 to £330 per annum.

Transfer.

His Service record shows that on the 27^th November 1940 he was transferred for the final time from C Division at Watford to E Division at Stevenage. It also shows that he received increases of pay to £340 per annum on the 2^nd June 1941, £355 per annum on the 2^nd June 1942 and £365 per annum on the 2^nd June 1943.

Retirement And Life After The Police.

Frederick retired on medical grounds as a Chief Inspector on the 31^st December 1944 after 30 years’ service receiving a pension of £306/13/4 per annum.

Frederick’s wife Mary Marguerite died on the 5^th December 1971 and he died on the 28^th February 1980 at Barchester Tower, 31, De Cham Road, Leonards on Sea, East Sussex.