Early Life.
Arthur Edward Boud was born on the 20th September 1875 at St. Pancras.
His father, James Boud married his first wife, Caroline Croll, in 1849 at Croydon. They had three children all born in St. Pancras:
1. John Croll Boud born and died in 1852.
2. Annie Caroline Boud born in 1854.
3. Sarah Mary Boud born in 1862.
Caroline died in 1869 at St. Pancras.
The 1871 census recorded that a James Bound aged 44, a widower and employed as a Wine and Beer retailer was living at 83, Hampstead Road, St. Pancras with his father John Boud and his mother M.A. Bound and his daughters A.C. Bound aged 16 years and S.M. Bound aged 8 years.
Arthur’s father, recorded as James Boud, then married his mother, Maria Clara Mores on the 16th May 1872 at Old St. Pancras. They had two children:
1. William James Mores Boud born in 1873 at St. Pancras and baptised on the 13th January 1875 at St James, Hampstead. They were living at 83, Hampstead Road, St. Pancras and his father was recorded as being a Wine and Beer Retailer.
2. Arthur Edward Boud.
Arthur’s mother died in 1876 at St. Pancras aged 36 years and his father died on the 3rd October 1879 at St. Pancras aged 53 years. His probate record gave his address as ‘Gladstone’ Beer house 81 – 83, Hampstead Road, Middlesex.
During the 1881 census Arthur’s half-sister Annie and his brother William were listed as living at 4, Carlton Street, St Pancras but no record could be found for Arthur. At the time of the 1891 census though Arthur, who was working as a Brass Finisher, was recorded as living at 80, Osnaburgh Street, St Pancras with his half-sister Annie, her husband, and his brother William.
Early Army Service.
The next record for Arthur was found when he enlisted on the 8th July 1893 in London as Private 3661 into the Dragoons of the Line for short service of 12 years. The following details were recorded: He stated he was 18 years 9 months old and he was born at Marylebone, London. His trade was as a Brass Finisher, he was not an apprentice, was not married, had never been sentenced to imprisonment and was not already serving in the Military.
On the same day he was medically examined at London and the following recorded: Apparent age: 18 years 9 months. Height: 5 feet 10 ¾ inches. Weight: 130 lbs. Chest: 33 inches maximum 36 inches. Complexion: Fair. Eyes: Hazel. Hair: Brown. Distinctive marks: Scars on neck and back of left hand. Mole on right shoulder.
He said his religion was Church of England and his next of kin was his older brother William James Boud of 80, Osnaburgh Street, Regents Park, London.
On the 11th July 1893 he joined the 1st Royal Dragoons at York and began his service at Home. On the 8th July 1895 he was granted his 1st Good Conduct Pay award and then on the 8th July 1899 he was granted his 2nd Good Conduct Pay award.
On the 31st October 1899 he started service in South Africa. After 278 days he returned Home on the 5th August 1900. On the 22nd October 1900 he was appointed as an unpaid Lance Corporal.
During the census held on the 31st March 1901 he was listed as living at Shorncliffe Military Camp, Cheriton, Kent.
On the 28th May 1901 he reverted to Private. Then on the 5th August 1901 he again served in South Africa taking part in the Boer War. After 1 year 14 days he returned Home on the 19th August 1902.
He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps South Africa 1901 and 1902 and for Transvaal, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith and Laing’s Nek and the King’s South Africa medal with clasps South Africa 1901 and 1902.
On the 8th December 1902 he was transferred to the 1st Class Army Reserve on expiration of his period of Army Service. He was paid a War Gratuity of £6.00 issued under Army Orders 134 and 163 1902.
On the 7th July 1905 he was finally discharged as a Private on the termination of his 12 years’ engagement.
Police Service.
Arthur’s Police Service Record has not survived but from other sources we know that he clearly planned ahead because, during a period of leave on his on his return from South Africa, he applied to join the Herts County Constabulary. He was successful as on the 8th December 1902 he was Appointed as Police Constable 191. He was posted to C Division at Watford. He would have undergone his Probationary training there in line with the policy in place at the time.
General Order 55 of the 17th December 1902 confirmed his appointment when it announced that PC Boud 191 was appointed on 23/11 per week from the 8th December 1902.
General Order 29 of the 30th June 1903 informed Arthur that he would receive an increased rate of pay from 23/11 to 25/8 per week from 11th June 1903.
A Drunk Woman.
Published in the Watford Observer on Saturday 27th June 1903 under the headline: ON THE HOLLY BUSH DOORSTEP.
Mary A. Stevens, described as late of the Holly Bush beer house, Watford, was summoned lor being drunk and disorderly on June 18. She did not appear.
Police Constable Lees stated that 10.45 p.m., while the lower part of High Street he heard a row at the Holly Bush. There was a lot of swearing sad shouting. Witness went there, and saw the defendant, who was a drunken condition. She was in the doorway. He asked her to be quiet and to inside, but she refused to go for about ten minutes. Her husband also asked her to go in, and eventually they got her inside, but she started the row again. Police Constable Boud then arrived and knocked at the door. Defendant’s husband opened and asked him to take her away. After some time they persuaded defendant to go to bed quietly. Police Constable Pitcher, who came on the scene about 10.55 p.m. corroborated the latter part of the previous witness’s evidence. Fined £1 and costs 7s.
A Minor Blemish.
General Order 6 of the 1st March 1904 reported that PC Boud 191 C having been reported for missing his Conference Point on the 18th February is admonished.
General Order 4 of the 13th January 1905 informed Arthur that he would receive an increased rate of pay from 25/8 to 26/10 per week from 22nd December 1904 viz.
A Busy Day At Court.
Published in the Buckinghamshire Examiner on Friday 17th February 1905 under the headline : OBSCENITY.
Mark Wilson, Butchers Yard, Watford, was summoned for using obscene language, on February 5th. He pleaded guilty. Police Constable Boud proved the case. Fined 2s. 6d. and costs.
Samuel Kirkham, 29, Trinity Road, Penge, was charged with a similar offence. He pleaded guilty. Police Constable Boud stated the facts. Defendant had been drinking and missed his train home. Fined 2s. 6d. and costs.
Marriage.
Arthur married Minnie Ethel Elizabeth Horne in 1905 at Watford. They had four children:
1. Marie Therese Elizabeth born in 1906 at Watford and died in 1915 at Willesden.
2. Arthur William George born in 1910 at Watford. He enlisted in 1939 as Private 918413 in the Royal Artillery. On the 15th August 1944 he was wounded whilst serving in the 86th Field Regiment.
3. John Edward born in 1912 at St. Albans.
4. Laurence Francis Thomas born in 1914 at St Albans.
Parliamentary Elections 1906.
In General Order 1 of 1st January 1906 instructions are given to dozens of Police officers in connection with the General Election of January 1906. Voting was carried out over several days and schedules were drawn up detailing where and when officers would perform duty.
Schedule B
Return of Officers and Men detailed for duty in the Eastern or Hertford Division on Friday 19th January 1906.
Div. Rank No. Name Station Place for Duty
C PC 191 Boud A E Watford Hertford
Schedule C
Return of Officers and Men detailed for duty in the Western or Watford Division on Tuesday 23rd January 1906.
Div. Rank No. Name Station Place for Duty
C PC 191 Boud A E Watford Watford
General Order 7 of the 6th February 1908 informed Arthur that he would receive an increased rate of pay from 26/10 to 28/- per week from 16th January 1908.
Transfer.
General Order 35 of the 4th October 1910 reported that Arthur had been transferred on the 22nd September from C Division at Watford to G Division as Superintendents Clerk at St. Albans.
General Order 4 of the 1st November 1911 informed Arthur that he would receive an increased rate of pay from 28/- to 29/2 per week from the 12th January 1911.
During the 1911 census Police Constable Arthur Edward Boud, his wife Minnie and children Marie and Arthur were listed as living at 22, Royston Road, St. Albans.
General Order 89 of the 29th May 1915 was entitled Police Constables (Naval and Military Service) Act 1914. Police (Emergency Provisions) Act 1915 and stated:
Lieutenant Colonel P. Malcolm A.A. and 2 M.G. 2/2nd London Division T.F. having applied for the services of Police Constable A.E. Boud, “G”, as a Clerk in that Division, the consent for enlistment in the Army is hereby given to Police Constable Boud, as required by the above Acts. Police Constable Boud will report himself at the Headquarters of the 2/2nd London Division, Wharf House, Bishops Stortford, at 10.30 a.m. on Monday next, 31st May 1915, for enlistment. Police Constable Boud will be paid up to and including 30th May 1915 and will be struck off the strength of the establishment of the Force as from that date.
Lieutenant Colonel Pulteney Malcolm MVO DSO had been the Chief Constable of Cheshire and no direct link has been found between him and Arthur Boud but was it possible that Malcolm asked Chief Constable Law for a ‘good man’ for his clerk?
General Order 118 of the 21st July 1915 is a list of 96 officers which included the Chief Constable, 43 Constables who were Army reservists who were recalled and 50 Constables and 2 Sergeants who volunteered for military service. Arthur is shown as PC 191 Boud A.E. G Division who enlisted in the Army Service Corps on the 31st May 1915.
Army Service During The War.
Arthur’s Army Service Record has not survived but from his Medal Roll Index Card and Medal Roll we know the following: Arthur Edward Boud enlisted as 2420 Acting Warrant Officer Class I joining the 2nd London Division, Staff Colonel, Army Service Corps (Territorial Force). He transferred on the 1st September 1916 as Acting Company Quarter Master Sergeant T4/240292 in the Royal Army Service Corps. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
Like every other soldier when he was demobilised Arthur was granted 28 days leave. He would have used this time to arrange his re-joining of the Police. Part of this process would involve him being medically examined by the Force Surgeon to ensure he was fit enough for Police duties.
Re-joining The Police.
General Order 74 of the 21st March 1919 announced the re-appointments to the Force of five Police Soldiers who had been released from H.M. Army. Arthur was shown as PC 191 Boud A.E. posted to G Division at Harpenden from the 27th March 1919 at £2/12/0 per week. Each officer had to be formally re-attested. The Superintendents concerned had to report when this had been done showing the date and place of attestation and before whom taken. Arthur was re-Attested the same day.
Transfer.
General Order 77 of 24th March 1919 instructed Arthur that he was being transferred from G Division at St. Albans to E Division at Hitchin on the 27th March 1919. The Electoral Rolls of 1919 to 1922 list Arthur and Minnie Boud as living at the Police Station, Bancroft, Hitchin.
Promotion.
General Order 106 of the 3rd May 1919 informed Arthur that he was being promoted from the 1st May 1919 to be Acting Sergeant and that he would remain at E or Hitchin Division. He would have received an increase of pay to £5/0/0 per week with his promotion.
General Order 85 of the 8th May 1920 announced that Arthur would be confirmed in the substantive rank of Sergeant from the 1st May 1920.
General Order 103 of the 10th June 1920 and General Order 73 of the 7th May 1921 informed Arthur that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £5/0/0 to £5/2/6 from the 1st May 1920 and from £5/2/6 to £5/5/0 per week from the 1st May 1921 respectively.
On Monday, the 6th June 1921 Arthur started a week long Course of Instruction for Sergeants at Headquarters, Hatfield.
The 1921 census shows Sergeant Arthur Edward Boud, his wife and three sons living at the Police Station, Bancroft, Hitchin.
Transfer.
General Order 51 of the 16th April 1922 instructed Arthur that he was being transferred on the 3rd May 1922 from E Division at Hitchin to D Division at Great Berkhamsted, to occupy the house vacated by Inspector Lawrence. The Electoral Rolls of 1922 to 1926 list Arthur and Minnie Boud as living at the Police Station, High Street, Berkhamsted.
General Order 58 of the 8th May 1922, General Order 102 of the 25th May 1923 and General Order 88 of the 23rd May 1924 informed Arthur that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £5/5/0 to £5/7/6 per week from the 1st May 1922, from £5/7/6 to £5/10/0 per week from the 1st May 1923 and from £5/10/0 to £5/12/6 per week from the 1st May 1924 respectively.
Suicide.
Published in the Buckinghamshire Examiner on Friday 31st July 1925 under the headline: SAD AFFAIR. Follows a Nervous Breakdown.
General sympathy is felt with Mr. John Harding, of Broad Street, Chesham, and his family, in the sad and sudden bereavement they have sustained by the death of Mrs. Helen Harding.
The painful nature of the death serves but to increase the people’s sympathy with the bereaved. Deceased’s badly mutilated body was found upon the line of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, a short distance from the railway station, Berkhampstead, and the evidence adduced at the inquest made it quite clear that, in her mental state caused by a nervous breakdown, Mrs. Harding had gone to the line with a view of placing herself before a train.
THE INQUEST.
Mr. Lovell Smeathman, Coroner, for the district, conducted an inquiry into the circumstances of the sad occurrence on Saturday evening. The Coroner sat at the Urban Council Chamber, without jury. Supt. W. Stacey, of the Herts Police, was present. Dr. Jas. William Turner stated that he saw the body of deceased that (Saturday) morning. The mutilation of the body was extensive, and portions were missing. The injuries were quite consistent with deceased having been run over by a train. From such injuries death must have been instantaneous.
A Nervous Breakdown and Delusions.
John Harding, 59, Broad Street, Chesham, a retired assistant overseer, stated that deceased was his wife. She was 68 years of age. Witness last saw her alive on Friday morning. She left home between 12 and 1, and previously she had been out shopping. Witness thought when his wife left home that she was going to the house of a relative. He was not aware that she was going to Berkhampstead. The relative witness thought she intended to visit was a sister-in-law in Vale Road. Witness had ascertained that deceased did not call at his sister’s. He was not very much surprised that she did not return to dinner.
Sometime afterwards a neighbour (Mrs. Reynolds) called in and said her daughter met deceased upon the Ashley Green road, walking towards Berkhampstead. To turn up to the Berkhampstead road deceased would have to branch off the main road before she reached Vale Road. Deceased left home at 12.45 and Mrs. Reynolds called before 2 o’clock. Witness followed deceased up and a bus overtook him and be boarded the bus and arrived at Berkhampstead at 2 o’clock.
At Berkhampstead witness made inquiries about deceased and went up and down streets searching for her. He saw nothing of her, and so went to a friends at Ashley Green – Mr. Darvell – thinking she had gone there. Witness did not mention the matter to the police, as he did not think it was necessary. After finding that deceased had not called at Mr. Darvell’s, he called upon Mrs. Potter at Orchard Leigh, and found that she had not seen anything of deceased. Witness returned home and ascertained that deceased had not returned.
Information as to deceased’s death was sent to Chesham at about 6.45 p.m., and witness proceeded to Berkhampstead again. Witness did not see deceased but was shown a hat and spectacles and identified those as his wife’s.
Mrs. Harding had a nervous breakdown four or five years ago. Recently she had appeared better and was allowed to go out. Witness had a housekeeper and had had such assistance since his wife was taken ill. Other occupants of the house were witness’s daughter and a son who returned at weekends. The daughter was away at business during the day.
When deceased had the nervous breakdown she was attended by Dr. L. W. Johnson, of Chesham. Recently she had not been attended by a local doctor, but she had treatment in London. In recent months deceased had been very much better, although her treatment in London appeared to make no difference. Deceased never really recovered from the serious breakdown. Latterly she had not required watching; previously she was watched and was not allowed to go out alone. Deceased had been out by herself for two or three months.
Witness had never heard deceased threaten to destroy herself and had no suspicion that she might do herself an injury. When witness had deceased watched previously he did so because she had delusions, and one delusion was that her grandchild was being tortured, and she complained to the Police about that. The delusions did not take the form of attempting her own life. On the day before this occurrence, July 23rd, deceased was away from home at dinner time, and he found that she proceeded to Berkhampstead by bus and returned by that method. When deceased returned she was quite cheerful and talked about visiting the Market. No suggestion was ever made that witness should place deceased under control. The doctor never suggested any kind of restraint. Deceased had no friends in Berkhampstead. She gave no reason for having visited the place. The farthest deceased had been away by herself was Berkhampstead and Chesham Bois Common. There were very happy relationships at home, and no disagreements at all.
On the first day (Thursday) deceased visited Berkhampstead, she only had twopence. She had a glass of milk and a cake at Berkhampstead, and she never paid her bus fare, and when she returned asked for money for the driver. She had no money with her on Friday. There was no insanity in the family.
Too Near to Engine to be Avoided.
William Davies, engine driver, Wolverhampton, stated that he was employed by the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Company. He was driver of the passenger train which left Euston at 4.45 on Friday, for Wolverhampton. As the train was passing through the Berkhampstead area at about fifty miles an hour, some few hundred yards beyond the station, witness saw a woman dive across the line and beneath the train. She came from behind something, and like a flash dived underneath the engine. The engine was not above ten yards from deceased when she was first seen. It was impossible to draw the train up or reduce speed to avoid her. The whole of the train passed over deceased. Witness shut off the engine and applied the brakes and pulled up within about 400 yards. When witness stopped he sent his fireman back to the guard to inform him that he (the driver) had driven over something. Witness examined the engine and found signs that the engine struck a body. It was absolutely impossible for witness to avoid deceased.
The Guard’s Story.
Albert Ernest Viney, railway guard, in the same employ, and upon this particular train, stated that soon after the train passed Berkhampstead Station the brakes were applied rapidly and witness knew that something was wrong from the way they were put on. Witness jumped down, and after receiving information from the fireman, first took steps to protect the train, and then went back with the fireman to investigate. Witness first found a woman’s hat upon the line, and some distance away the mutilated body. The fireman was sent to the station for help, and a man from the Gas Works communicated with the Police. The time when the brakes were applied was 5.7.
Waiting by the Canal.
Henry Sear, in the employ of the Grand Junction Canal, and living at Lock 52, stated that the lock was about one hundred yards from where the body was found. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon of Friday witness was walking along the towing path of the canal and saw a woman sitting under a tree. She was a stranger to witness. The tree was upon the railway side of the canal, about 200 yards from the line. Witness returned about 4 o’clock and the woman was still sitting in the same place. The woman would have to cross the lock gates to reach the spot where she was sitting. Witness never passed that spot again until after deceased was killed. The woman he saw was wearing a black hat, similar to that produced.
Footmarks Direct Towards the Line.
Sergeant Boud, Berkhampstead, stated that information reached the Police Station of the affair at about 5.15 p.m., and witness proceeded to the line. The spot where deceased was found was six or seven hundred yards from the West end of the platform. Portions of the body were scattered about for a distance of a hundred yards upon the line and by the side of the line. The train stood nearby. Witness had the remains conveyed to the mortuary. They were not identifiable. The tree spoken of by the lockkeeper was about fifteen yards from the railway track and about three yards from the canal. Witness found footprints across the garden ground, leading straight up to the line, the garden ground being situated between the railway fence and the line. If deceased was sitting underneath the tree as described she would be able to both hear and see the London train coming along. Deceased’s husband was able to identify the hat and jewellery found upon the line. There were plain signs upon the engine that a body had been struck.
Mr. Ballam, of Berkhampstead, had heard that there was somebody missing from Chesham, and from the description he gave, witness communicated with Chesham. The Coroner: Your theory is that deceased heard the train coming and scrambled up the bank and ran on to the line ? Witness: Yes. The Coroner: Is there a telegraph pole behind which she could have stood? Witness: No, sir, but she would not have been seen until she was almost on to the line.
The Coroner’s Sympathetic Reference.
The Coroner said he should return a verdict to the effect that deceased met her death as a result of being run over by a passenger train. The evidence made it perfectly clear that that was so, and the only question which arose was what was the state of mind of deceased at the time of the occurrence. From what Mr. Harding had told them it was clear that deceased was not in a sound state of mind, and he was justified in returning a verdict amounting to suicide while of unsound mind. It seemed almost a pity that Mrs. Harding was allowed to go about so much alone, but it was easy enough to be wise after the event, and in saying that he was not blaming Mr. Harding, because as she got better there was no doubt that there did not seem so much need to watch her as when she was first ill. He (the Coroner) sympathised very much with Mr. Harding and his family in the loss they had sustained.
As regards the driver, there was not for a moment any blame attaching to him, because at the rate the train was travelling and the nearness of deceased it was quite impossible to pull up the train so as to avoid her. The Coroner returned a formal verdict that deceased committed suicide while in an unsound state of mind.
On Monday 1st February 1926 Arthur started a week long Course of Instruction for Police Sergeants at Headquarters, Hatfield.
A Royal Visit – Mutual Aid To Luton Borough Police.
General Order 156 of 14th November 1926 announced orders for an Inspector, two Sergeants and 18 Constables with regard to the visit of HRH The Prince of Wales to Luton on the 17th November 1926. Arthur was listed as one of those detailed to attend. In command of the Hertfordshire contingent was Inspector G.T. Sharp of R Division who would act under orders as laid down by the Chief Constable of the Borough of Luton. The detachment was instructed to report at the Borough Police Station Luton at 9 a.m. The men were ordered to take the following dress and equipment: Great Coats 1925 issue, Cloth jackets 1926 issue, Dress trousers 1926 issue, Cloth helmets 1926 issue, Whistle and chain, Handcuffs, Pocket Book, Truncheon, Black woollen gloves and Capes.
Retirement And Life After The Police.
Arthur retired on the 7th December 1927 as Sergeant 191 on pension after completing his 25 years’ service.
The 1928 to 1930 Electoral Rolls list Arthur and Minnie Boud as living at 2, Elm Grove, Berkhamsted and the 1939 Register records them as still living at the same address. He is shown as being employed as a Club Steward at the British Legion.
Arthur Edward Boud died on the 11th September 1945 at Berkhamsted.
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