Daniel Ernest Cattermole 1915
Early Life.
Daniel Ernest Cattermole was born on the 6th July 1885 at Framlingham, Suffolk.
His father, James Cattermole, married his mother, Mary Rebecca Catchpole in 1873 at Hoxne. They had seven children one of whom died prior to the 1911 census:
1. William Samuel Webster born in 1874 at Saxstead. Served in 2nd Leinster Regiment in India, Malta, Bermuda, West Indies, Canada and South Africa (Boer War).
2. Mary Rosa born in 1875 at Earl Soham.
3. Walter James born in 1877 and died in 1878 at Plomesgate.
4. Albert Edward born in 1878 at Earl Soham.
5. Bessie born in 1883 at Plomesgate.
6. Daniel Ernest.
7. George born in 1887 at Framlingham.
During the 1891 census the family were living at Badingham Road, Framlingham. James was shown as an agricultural labourer. Daniel was shown as Ernest. By the time of the 1901 census they were living at Brabling Green, Framlingham. James was still working as an agricultural labourer and Daniel was working as a bricklayers labourer. A year later Daniel joined a Militia.
Early Army Service.
His early Army Service records have survived and show the following. On the 20th January 1902 he Attested as Gunner 26007 in the Suffolk Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery Militia. He stated he was born in Framlingham, Witham Market, Suffolk and his age was 17 years 10 months. He said he was not married, had no children and was not an apprentice, had never been sentenced to imprisonment and had never been in the Military before. He said he worked as a farm labourer and his employer was Jos. Cattermole of Earl Soham, Framlingham, Suffolk.
He was medically examined the next day at Ipswich and the following recorded:
Apparent Age: 17 Years 10 months. Height: 5 feet 7 inches. Weight: 134 lbs. Chest: 34 inches maximum 35 ½ inches. Complexion: Fresh. Eyes: Brown. Hair: Dark. He said his religion was Church of England.
His Statement of Service only records that he undertook 49 days’ drill on enlistment and then on the 17th March 1902 he transferred to the 12th Lancers.
12th Lancers.
On the 17th March 1902 Daniel was Attested at Saxmundham as a Private signing up for 7 years with the Colours and 5 in the Reserve in the 12th Lancers. There are four Service Numbers recorded 5015, 5684, 5051 and 6543 the last three of which have all been crossed through.
The information recorded was almost identical to when he joined the Militia except that he said he was 18 years of age and was serving in the Suffolk Artillery Militia.
The next day he was again medically examined at Ipswich and the following differences were recorded. His apparent age was now 18 years, he had grown an eighth of an inch, put on four pounds in weight and his chest expansion had increased by an inch. Included this time were some distinctive marks of a tattoo of an anchor on his left arm and a scar on his forehead over his left eye, otherwise his physical appearance remained the same.
He said this time his religion was Wesleyan and gave his next of kin as his father, James Cattermole and brothers Albert and George Cattermole all of Framlingham, Suffolk and William Cattermole of the 2nd Leinster Regiment in South Africa.
On the 21st March 1902 he was Posted as Private 5684 in the 12th Lancers and five days later he was stationed at Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. On the 9th December 1902 whilst at Ballincollig he was disciplined for Dirty Parading for Riding School.
South Africa.
On the 5th April 1903 he was posted to Middleburg, South Africa and three days later he was transferred as Private 5015 to the 16th Lancers. It appears his Service Number was initially incorrectly recorded as 5051. On the 10th April 1903 he arrived in South Africa.
On the 21st October 1903 he was admitted to hospital for eleven days with a slight contusion on his back. A Court of Enquiry, held on the 16th January 1904, ruled that it was an accident on duty and would not interfere with his future efficiency as a soldier.
On the 1st April 1904 he was granted Class 1 Service Pay, and on the 15th April, he was permitted to extend his service to 8 years with the Colours. On the 10th November 1904 he returned to Home.
On the 14th October 1904 he was awarded a 3rd Class Certificate of Education and on the 11th December 1904, he was granted his 1st Good Conduct Badge.
On the 4th June 1905 he was reduced to Class 2 Service Pay for Musketry Inefficiency and then on the 4th June 1906, whilst at Ballincollig, he was disciplined again. The offences were 1. Irregularity at Stables. 2. Breaking out of barracks whilst a prisoner at large on the 4th June 1906 and remaining absent until 11.55 p.m. the 6th June 1906. His punishment was: Five days Confined to Barracks, forfeits 1 Good Conduct Badge and forfeits three days pay. Bizarrely he was granted Class 1 Service pay for increased Musketry Efficiency on the same day.
India.
On the 26th October 1906 he extended his Service to 12 years then on the 28th November 1906 at Aldershot Hospital he was examined for service in India and ‘Found Fit’. On the 5th December 1906 he was Posted to the 17th Lancers as Private 6543 and 22 days later landed in India and was stationed at Meerut.
On the 1st May 1907 he was granted Special Pay from 6d to 7d. On the 7th June 1907 his 1st Good Conduct Badge was restored.
Over the next year he was admitted to the Meerut Hospital on five occasions for bouts of Ague and Malaria varying between stays of nine and twenty-two days.
Kicked By A Horse.
On the 12th January 1909 he was again admitted to the Meerut hospital suffering from a Contusion in his groin. The disability was deemed to be of a mild nature and, in all probability, would not interfere with his future efficiency as a soldier.
His Commanding Officer reported he was in the Squadron Lines and was undoing the surcingle of his horse when it kicked him in the groin. He reported sick at once and was admitted to hospital. He considered Daniel was in no way to blame and recommended the remission of full hospital stoppages. Daniel was re-admitted on the 25th January as the injury had not healed, and his Commanding Officer again recommended the remission of full hospital stoppages.
On the 7th June 1909 he was granted a 2nd Good Conduct Badge and on the 10th January 1910 was awarded a 2nd Class Certificate of Education. On the 17th March 1910 he reverted from 7d Special Pay to 6d. On the 19th September 1910 he was admitted again to Meerut Hospital for 54 days with Pyrexia (fever).
During the 1911 census Daniel was listed as living at Edward Barracks, Sialkot, India with the 17th Lancers.
On the 29th November 1912 he was disciplined again for gross disobedience of orders in bringing his lance to engage when manoeuvring against ‘C’ Squadron. His punishment was two days Confined To Barracks.
Daniel clearly looked to his future as the end of his twelve years’ service approached and that for him meant joining the Police. On the 1st July 1913 he was examined at Sialkot Hospital on the behalf of the Hertfordshire Constabulary and was found to be fit. On the 1st September 1913 he was examined by an Ophthalmic Specialist at Sialkot Hospital and his vision was found to be good although he was recommended to stop smoking.
On the 12th November 1913 he returned Home and was Posted to the Home Establishment of the 16th Lancers as Private 5051.
Army Form B.2066 Employment Sheet dated the 3rd February 1914 recorded that Private 5015 D.E. Cattermole of the 16th Lancers was Attested on the 17th March 1902, his Military Character was classed as Exemplary with no cases of drunkenness on duty or otherwise. His character from a civilian point of view was said to be very good and he was steady, reliable and hardworking.
Army Form B.268 Proceedings on Discharge recorded that Private 5015 Daniel Ernest Cattermole of the 16th Lancers was Discharged on the 16th March 1914 at Curragh Camp, County Kildare, Ireland in consequence of the termination of his first period of engagement.
His description was shown as: Age: 30 years. Height: 5 feet 9 ½ inches. Chest: 38 inches expansion 2 ½ inches. Complexion: Fresh. Eyes: Brown. Hair: Brown. Descriptive marks: Scar on forehead over left eye. Trade: Labourer.
His intended address was given as Fore Street, Framlingham, Suffolk.
His Military Character was classed as Exemplary and his character, awarded in accordance with King’s Regulations, was described as a hardworking and painstaking man, sober, upright and trustworthy, clean and intelligent, a total abstainer a good groom.
Army Form D.489 the Sobriety Certificate referred to in the King’s Regulations, and the Instructions as to Civil Employment of Army Reserve and Discharge Soldiers was completed by the Major (signature unreadable) commanding the 16th Lancers at Curragh on the 16th March 1914. It stated: Private 5015 D.E. Cattermole 16th Lancers. I believe that Private D.E. Cattermole is thoroughly trustworthy and to the best of my belief he has never been under the influence of liquor during the last three years of his Army Service, which expired on 16th March 1914.
Police Service.
Daniel’s Police Service Form 3 Record Sheet has survived and reveals the following information: He said he was born on the 6th July 1885 at Framlingham. He was 5 feet 9 ¾ inches tall, his chest was 39 inches, his complexion fresh, eyes brown, hair brown and had distinguishing marks of a tattoo of an anchor on his left arm and a scar over his left eye. He said he could both swim and cycle.
He said his next of kin was his mother Rebecca Cattermole, Fore Street, Framlingham. He said his previous occupation had been as a bricklayer.
Daniel must have been on leave prior to his Discharge from the Army as he had another Medical Examination on the 28th February 1914 to ensure he was fit for the duties of a Police Constable.
He was Appointed as Police Constable 312 on the 9th March 1914 and started his Probationary Training at R Division Headquarters at Hatfield. He was in the 8th Class and his Instructors were Sergeant Cousins and PC Sharp.
He was Attested on the 4th July 1914 and five days later he was posted to C Division at Watford, possibly as a Groom.
On the 26th September 1914 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.
The following letter is contained in the Army Service Record of PC 162 Daniel Gallen. Dated the 29th October 1914 it was from the War Office, London S.W.
To: The Chief Constable of Herts, Constabulary Headquarters, Hatfield.
Sir, With reference to your letter No.5508/1914, dated October 1914, forwarding a list of Police Constables who have previous military service, I am directed to inform you that, PC. D. Gallen may be considered as possessing qualifications to enable him to gain the benefit of the Constables (Naval and Military Service) Act 1914 and may be accepted for enlistment in the Royal Engineers. In the case of the four police constables named in the margin, (PC D.E. Cattermole, PC H. Cody, PC A. Burns, PC W.J. Bethell) a further communication regarding these men will be sent to you in due course. The remaining constables mentioned in your list cannot be considered as possessing qualifications not possessed by ordinary recruits.
I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, (signed) B.J. Curling, Captain, for Director of Recruiting.
On the 24th November 1914 Daniel was transferred back to R Division Headquarter. General Order 69 of the 25th April 1915 informed him that he would receive an increased rate of pay from 24/6 to 25/8 per week from the 9th March 1915.
General Order 91 of the 3rd June 1915 entitled Police Constables (Naval and Military Service) Act, 1914 Police (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1915 announced:
The undermentioned Police Sergeant and Constables being desirous of enlisting in HM Army for the period of the war, the Deputy Chief Constable hereby gives the necessary consent, as required by the above Acts.
1. Police Sergeant 81 Corney W. C Division
2. Police Constable 302 Parker H.E. D Division
3. Police Constable 312 Cattermole D.E. R Division
Police Sergeant 81 Corney and Police Constable 302 Parker and PC 312 Cattermole will be permitted to join the Army at once and will be paid up to and including the date prior to that on which they commence to draw Army pay. The Superintendents concerned will report to Headquarters the date on which the officers are enlisted in the Army, and the officers will be struck off the strength of the establishment of the Force as from that date.
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. Daniel is shown as PC 312 Cattermole D.E. R Division who enlisted in the Hertfordshire Yeomanry on the 7th June 1915.
Army Service During The War.
Daniels WW1 Army Service Record has not survived but from his Medal Roll Index Card, Medal Rolls and his Police Service Record the following is known. He enlisted in the 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry on the 5th June 1915 and served with them in Gallipoli between the 28th August and the 29th November 1915 and then on the Western Front between the 11th December 1915 and the 6th June 1917.
Daniel was one of 23 Hertfordshire Police Officers who joined the Hertfordshire Yeomanry who posed for a photograph in 1915 believed at Colchester. The officers were:
1. PC 308 F. Clarke
2. PC 93. F. Potton
3. PC 189 J.W. Clark
4. PC 312 D.E. Cattermole
5. PC 285 G.H. Sirett
6. PC 105 H.M. Armitage
7. PC 313 H.H. Quarrie
8. PC 120 A.T. Day
9. PC 315 W.J. Thurley
10. PC 10 E.A.V. Elkins
11. PC 35 A.W. Reid
12. PS 20 H. Wright
13. PC 233 W.J. Bethell
14. PC 121 F.W.E. Perry
15. PC 274 H. Rowlingson
16. PC 19 H.W. Carder
17. PC 217 O.V. Lake
18. PC 316 A.S. Brown
19. PC 305 G. Archer
20. PC 301 G.A. Allen
21. PC 7 A.G. Capon
22. PC 321 N.J. Reid
23. PC 314 A.W. Corne
The photo included a regular Army Sergeant Jeffrey Arthur Riches who was an instructor.
He transferred to the Mounted Military Police as Lance Corporal P14903 (P14904 was PC 316 Arthur Samuel Brown) on the 6th June 1916 and served with them in Egypt between the 6th June 1917 and the 8th April 1919. He was discharged on the 23rd April 1919 as a Corporal. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star and the British War and Victory medals. Like every soldier Daniel would have been granted 28 days leave when he was demobilised. He would have used this time to arrange his re-joining of the Police. Part of that process would have entailed him having a medical examination with the Force Surgeon to ensure he was still fit enough to carry out the duties of a Constable.
Re-joining The Police.
General Order 105 of the 26th April 1919 announced Daniel’s re-appointment.
The undermentioned having been released from H.M. Army is re-appointed to the Force with effect from date shown, inclusive:
PC 312 Cattermole D.E. A Division Station Hoddesdon from 24th April 1919 at £2/8/0 per week.
The officer must be formally re-attested. The Superintendent concerned will report to this office when this has been done, showing, viz: Date and place of Attestation and before whom taken.
Daniel was medically examined the same day he was re-appointed, and he was re-Attested on the 1st May1919.
Commendation.
Hertfordshire Detachment To Luton Re Riots.
Daniel was part of a detachment sent to Luton to help quell rioting between the 20th July and the 5th August 1919.
General Order 177 of the 9th August 1919 announced that the following extract from a letter received from the Head Constable of the Luton Borough Police under date 4th August 1919 was published for information.
“I desire to express to you my high appreciation of the members of your Force on detached duty here for the riot. They proved to be excellent fellows in every way, gave a splendid account of themselves when need arose and conducted themselves in a manner which was credit to any Police Force.”
The Chief Constable is very gratified to have such a good account of the services of the detachment and congratulates Inspector Wright and the Sergeants and Constables. An entry of service on Riot Duty will be made in each man’s record sheet.
Daniel Ernest Cattermole 1919 Luton Riot Duty
To see the whole photograph go to the Mutual Aid category and the article Hertford County Constabulary Assist With Quelling Rioters.
The Electoral Rolls of 1920 to 1923 list Daniel as lodging at 45, Lord Street, Hoddesdon with the Moore family.
General Order 54 of the 28th March 1920, General Order 42 of the 21st March 1921 and General Order 43 of the 31st March 1922 all informed Daniel that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £4/0/0 to £4/2/0 per week from the 9th March 1920, from £4/2/0 to £4/4/0 per week from the 9th March 1921 and from £4/4/0 to £4/6/0 per week from the 9th March 1922 respectively.
Marriage.
Daniel married Florence Marian Dickerson on the 23rd September 1922 at St. Michaels Church, Framlingham. Daniel was shown as being a Police Officer residing at Hoddesdon. There is no record of them having any children, but Marian already had a daughter, Olive May Dickerson born in 1911.
General Order 50 of 17th March 1923 informed Daniel that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £4/6/0 to £4/8/0 per week from the 9th March 1923.
General Order 63 of the 3rd April 1923 informed Daniel that from the 13th April he would be occupying the house vacated by ex-PC Winchester at Hoddesdon. The Electoral Rolls of 1924 and 1925 record Daniel and Florence as living at 10, Duke Street, Hoddesdon.
General Order 46 of the 18th March 1924 informed Daniel that he would receive increased rates of pay from £4/8/0 to £4/10/0 per week from the 9th March 1924.
Transferred.
General Order 208 of the 31st December 1924 instructed Daniel that from the 9th January 1925 he was being transferred from B Division at Hoddesdon to C Division at Bedmond and that he was to occupy the house vacated by Constable 126 Webb. The Electoral Rolls from 1925 to 1930 list Daniel and Florence as living at Notley Croft, Bedmond, Abbots Langley.
Commendation.
Published on the 17th March 1925 in the Portsmouth Evening News under the headline Body in 180 Feet Well. Recovered by Constable After Two Hours’ Work.
After spending over two hours at the bottom of a disused well 180 feet deep, Constable Cattermole recovered the body of Mrs. Alice Ashby, a Bedmond, Hertfordshire woman. The woman’s husband, who was looking for her in the garden, noticed that the boards of the well, which had been closed for over two years, had been moved, and he summoned the constable, who lives next door. Villagers erected a special windlass, by means of which Constable Cattermole was lowered down the well, at the bottom of which he found 16 feet of water. He found the body, and secured it with a rope, which snapped when the body was being hauled up, and Cattermole was partially stunned. Returning to the surface, Cattermole was again lowered down the well, and this time the body was brought to the top. It was found that Mrs. Ashby had fractured her skull in her fall down the well. These facts were related at the inquest yesterday, when a verdict of suicide during temporary insanity was returned, and Constable Cattermole was commended by the Coroner.
General Order 45 of the 20th March 1925 announced Daniel’s Commendation.
At an inquest held on the body of Alice Louisa Ashby at Abbotts Langley on 16th March 1925, the Coroner, Mr. J. Kirby Riggall, commended Constable Cattermole 312 C Division in the following words: “Constable Cattermole acted in a most praiseworthy manner by three times descending into a well 180 feet deep with 16 feet of water at the bottom.” The reports in this case show Cattermole to have acted with courage and the Chief Constable has pleasure in endorsing the commendation and directs that an appropriate entry be placed on the Constable’s record of service.
In September 1925 Daniel might have thought history was going to repeat itself when a man aged 44, a labourer lodging at The Green Man Public House, Bedmond threatened to drown himself. Fortunately, Daniel removed the man to the Watford Poor Law Institution.
The General Strike.
General Order 62 of the 4th May 1926 concerned the Emergency Regulations of 1926 and instructions for 50 Hertfordshire Police Officers, made up of three Inspectors, seven Sergeants and 40 Constables, to be on standby should the Secretary of State call upon the County Force to draft men elsewhere at short notice. These included officers from A,B,C, D and E Divisions. Orders for equipment and clothing would be issued if and when necessary, but the men were advised that they would require some sort of haversack. Daniel was one of the Constables named in the list.
A Minor Blemish.
On the 25th July 1926 Daniel was cautioned by the Chief Constable for a minor disciplinary matter in that he stated he had examined the gun licence of Christopher Hodson of Bricket Wood on 6th July 1926 when in fact he hadn’t.
General Order 117 of 29th August 1926 concerned the Emergency Regulations 1926 and instructions for 50 Hertfordshire Police Officers to be on standby should the Secretary of State call upon the County Force to draft men elsewhere. The first 20 named would be required to proceed at 8 hours’ notice or less. These included officers from A,B,C and D Divisions and it would appear to qualify to be amongst the 20 you needed to have a motor bicycle available. Daniel was on the list but not named amongst the 20.
Called Out.
General Order 140 of 18th October 1926 declared:
EMERGENCY REGULATIONS 1926.
The following detachment of the Hertford County Constabulary is detailed for duty in the County of Derby as from 19th October 1926, inclusive:
There then follows a list of one Inspector, three Sergeants and 47 Constables which included PC 312 Cattermole, D. of C Division at Bedmond.
The detachment will proceed by nearest railway route to St Pancras, London Midland & Scottish Railway, reporting on the main departure platform at 2 p.m., when Inspector Digby will parade the party and call the roll. The detachment will proceed by the 2.25 p.m. train to Derby. On arrival at Derby, Inspector Digby will report to the representative of the Chief Constable of the Derby County Constabulary who will meet the train and provide omnibus transport to Ripley about 10 miles distant.
Dress: Greatcoats, cape, cloth jacket, 2nd cloth trousers, 1925 issue helmet, leggings, truncheons and handcuffs, woollen gloves, lamps, whistles and chains.
Divisional Superintendents will advance Railway fares if required and an account for same will be rendered to Headquarters Office for repayment. Inspector Digby will render a daily report direct to the Chief Constable’s Office each day, showing state of health of all members of the detachment and any matters of interest which may occur.
General Order 157 of 14th November 1926 THE EMERGENCY POWERS ACT, 1926.
THE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS, 1926.
COAL STRIKE
The Chief Constable is gratified to learn that the services of the detachment of the Hertford County Constabulary added temporarily to the Derby County Constabulary, were satisfactory, and he has much pleasure in publishing the following extract from a letter received from the Chief Constable of Derbyshire, under date 11th November 1926:
Begins: “The detachment has done very good work and I will be grateful if you will be kind enough to convey to them my warm thanks for their services. I may say that Inspector Digby did very good work indeed and was of great assistance to my Ilkeston Superintendent. Will you also give him my personal thanks”. Ends.
If this letter from the Derbyshire Chief Constable seems a bit luke warm it transpires 10 of the Hertfordshire Constables suffered food poisoning after eating food which was supplied to them on behalf of the Derbyshire Police Authority. The Hertfordshire Force Surgeon said that their illness should be classed as an injury on duty and the Chief Constable agreed and said no one should suffer any stoppages from their pay.
Another Minor Blemish.
On the 7th July 1927 Daniel was reprimanded by the Chief Constable for not immediately conveying a prisoner named Samuel Robinson, whom he had apprehended on the 25th June 1927 on a charge of being drunk whilst in charge of a horse and van on the public highway, to St. Albans Road Police Station, Watford.
The Final Transfer.
On the 23rd May 1934 Daniel was transferred for the final time from C Division at Bedmond to F Division at Harpenden.
Retirement And Life After The Police.
Daniel retired on pension on the 8th March 1939 on completion of his 25 years’ service with a pension of £149/10/5 per annum.
In the 1939 Register Daniel is shown as a Publican and with Florence and his step daughter they are listed as living at the Tally-Ho Inn, Wainford, Mettingham, Suffolk.
His Police Service Record shows him in October 1953 as living at 20, Valley Orchard, Holton, Halesworth, Suffolk and in January 1956 at the School House, Stawell, Bridgwater, Somerset.
Daniel Ernest Cattermole, a retired Police Constable and Licensed Victualler of School House, Stawell, Bridgwater, died on the 7th October 1956 at Trinity Hospital, Taunton, Somerset.
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