Early Life.
Daniel Gallen was born on the 14th July 1877 at Leaght, Donaghmore, Donegal and baptised on the 17th July 1877 at Killygordon, Donaghmore, Donegal.
His father, Andrew Gallen, married his mother, Bridget Doherty. Nothing else is known about his early life, other than he was a saddler and harness maker, until he applied to join the Hertford County Constabulary.
Police Service.
Daniel’s Police Service Record has only partially survived in the form of parts of his pension record and some letters but from these and other sources we know he was Appointed as Constable 162 on the 22nd January 1901 and was posted to Watford. He would have undergone his Probationer training under the guidance of a senior experienced Constable whilst being overseen by the Divisional Superintendent.
Foul Language.
Published on the 30th March 1901 in the Watford Observer:
William Burgin, of 5, Ballard’s Buildings, was charged with using obscene language, on the 16th March. Police Constable Gallen proved the case. The defendant was in the lower part of High Street and persisted in using bad language. Fined 10s., including costs; in default, seven days imprisonment. Allowed a week to pay.
During the 1901 Census Police Constable Daniel Gallen is recorded as boarding with the Haskell family at 15, Charles Street, Watford.
A Drunk.
Published on the 15th June 1901 in the Herts Advertiser:
Mary Ann Maxwell, of Watford, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly at Watford, on June 4th. Defendant pleaded not guilty, PC Gallen said that on June 4th, at about 9.15 p.m., he saw the defendant in Water Lane, very drunk and using obscene language. She wanted to fight a woman named Freeman, of Ballard’s Buildings, and witness told her to go away, but she would not until after a great deal of persuasion. Defendant said she had had a little drink but was not drunk. When the policeman pushed her, she thought it was too hard. Fined 15s., including costs.
Published on the 27th July 1901 in the Watford Observer:
William Carpenter, Watford, was summoned for leaving a donkey and cart unattended on the footpath in Stratford Road. Police Constable Gallen said that defendant was a wood dealer and was serving customers 600 or 700 yards away. Defendant gave a wrong name. Carpenter, who did not appear, was ordered to pay the costs, 6s.
A Watford Rioter Brought To Justice.
Published on the 13th September 1902 in the Herts Advertiser:
A case arising out of the riot which occurred at Watford in June last was heard, Herbert Henry Cresswell, of 140, St. Albans Road, Watford, being charged with doing wilful damage to the windows of Mr. Fisher’s and Mr. Longley’s shops, and further with assaulting PC Gallen. Inspector Draper gave evidence as to arresting the defendant in the St. Albans Road. PC Gallen said he was on duty in the Market Place at the time of the riot on June 26th, and saw the prisoner taking a leading part in the disturbance. He was throwing stones at Mr Fisher’s and Mr. Longley’s shops. He also assisted in pulling down the boarding in front of Mr. Longley’s shop, and said, “Come on boys don’t mind the police; let the ——– police have it.” He struck witness several times with stones on his helmet. Defendant said the constable had made a mistake, but the constable said he knew the defendant perfectly well. Evidence as to identification was also given by PC Pitcher and PS Appleby, whilst the damage was proved by Mr. Fisher and Mr. Longley. The Bench sentenced the defendant to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.
General Order 50 of the 19th November 1901 and General Order 20 of the 6th May 1903 informed Daniel that he would receive an increased rate of pay with effect from 23/11 to 25/8 per week from the 31st October 1901 and from 25/8 to 26/10 per week from the 16th April 1903, respectively.
Out Of Control Children.
Published on the 9th May 1903 in the Watford Observer: Watford Petty sessions Tuesday, May 5.
Arthur Groom, a boy, of 62, Acme Road, Watford, was summoned for playing football on the highway on April 22. Louisa Groom, his mother, was summoned for default in exercising due care of the child. The case against the boy was taken last week. It was alleged that when the police constable spoke to the mother she said, “I will not stop him playing football in the street, I do not care for the police or the magistrates.” Police Constable Gallen, cross-examined by Mrs. Groom, said he did not say one boy must suffer for the rest. Clara Hosler said that she did not see the boy playing, but she saw the constable talking to Mrs. Groom, who rather “sauced” him. The Chairman said that one object in summoning the mother was to give publicity to the new law which rendered parents liable for neglecting the care of their children. Both parents had in this case acted most discreditably. The boy would have to pay 2s. 6d., costs remitted. The woman would not be fined because she might have been ignorant of the new law. The Chairman hoped that the reporting of this case in the Press would be a warning to parents.
Minor Trouble.
General Order 6 of the 1st March 1904 announced that PC Gallen 162 C, having been reported for using his truncheon without cause, was reduced to 23/11 per week and transferred at his own expense.
The B Division Bishops Stortford Telephone Message Book records the following message sent on the 1st March 1904 from Chief Constable to B & C Divisions – PC Gallen 162 C and Seabrook 111 B will exchange stations tomorrow 2 March 04.
General Order 22 of the 23rd August 1904 informed Daniel that he would receive an increased rate of pay with effect from 23/11 to 26/10 per week from 7th July 1904 re-instated.
Marriage.
Daniel married Ada Helena Grayland on the 26th October 1905 at Bishops Stortford. There is no record of them having any children.
Transfer.
General Order 37 of the 7th October 1905 informed Daniel, who was shown as PC Gallen 162 D, that he was being transferred to Cupid Green in D Division.
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 A
Return of Officers and Men detailed for duty in the Mid or St Albans Division on Wednesday 17th January 1906.
Div. Rank No. Name Station Place for Duty
D PC 162 Gallen D Cupid Green Redbourn
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
D PC 162 Gallen D Cupid Green Ware
Schedule D
Return of Officers and Men detailed for duty in the Northern or Hitchin Division on Thursday 25th January 1906.
Div. Rank No. Name Station Place for Duty
D PC 162 Gallen D Cupid Green Hitchin
General Order 10 of the 8th April 1907 informed Daniel that he would receive an increased rate of pay from 26/10 to 28/- per week from the 14th March 1907.
A Public Brawl.
Published on the 13th July 1907 in the Watford Observer:
John Millington and Alfred Carrington, both of Hemel Hempstead, were charged with committing a breach of the peace by fighting on the 24th ult. They admitted the offence. Police Constable Gallen said that on the 24th ult., about 12.15, he received information about a fight in a footpath leading from Chapel Street to Cherry Bounce. He went there and saw the two defendants there with their coats off and fighting. They were under the influence of drink. Before he got to them, they were parted. He understood it arose out of a quarrel in the Brewer’s Arms about them talking in Hindustani. The Chairman: Do you understand it? The constable: No, sir. The Chairman: Are they old soldiers? The constable: One was a Militiaman. Defendants were ordered to pay 2s. 6d. each.
Transfer.
General Order 16 of the 27th May 1908 instructed Daniel that he would be transferred at once from D Division at Cupid Green to B Division at Brent Pelham. It is unknown if he actually served at Brent Pelham or if he did it was only for a short while as by 1910, he was shown as living at High Wych and being stationed at Eastwick.
General Order 24 of the 23rd July 1909 informed Daniel that he would receive an increased rate of pay from 28/- to 29/2 per week from the 1st July 1909.
General Election.
General Order 2 of 13th January 1910 gave instructions to dozens of Police officers in connection with the General Election of January 1910. Voting was carried out over several days and schedules were drawn up detailing where and when officers would perform duty. The following excerpts refer to Daniel.
Schedule A
Return of Officers and Men detailed for duty in the Eastern or Hertford Division on Wednesday 19th January 1910.
Div. Rank No. Name Station Place for Duty
B PC 162 Gallen D Eastwick Hertford
Schedule D
Return of Officers and Men detailed for duty in the Western or Watford Division 27th January 1910.
Div. Rank No. Name Station Place for Duty
B PC 162 Gallen D Eastwick Watford
The Electoral Roll of 1910 lists Daniel as living at High Wych and during the 1911 Census Police Constable Daniel Gallen and wife Ada are again listed as living at High Wych.
Coal Strike.
General Order 16 of the 1st July 1911 instructed that a detachment of the Hertford County Constabulary would proceed to Cardiff on Wednesday 5th July 1911 for duty. It included one Inspector four Sergeants and 25 Constables one of whom was Daniel. They were given the following orders:
The Deputy Chief Constable will superintend the departure from Paddington Station. The detachment will parade in Paddington Station at 11 a.m. on 5th July. The train will leave at 11.30 a.m. arriving at Cardiff at 2.22 p.m. Every man will take a change of clothing, second suit of uniform, great coat, helmet, cape, leggings, night belt and lamp, truncheon & warrant card, whistle and chain and handcuffs. PC Reynolds will act as Clerk to the Detachment. The men detailed for duty have been carefully selected and any neglect of duty or misconduct tending to bring the Hertfordshire Constabulary into disrepute on the part of any Officer or Constable of the detachment while on duty in another County will meet with the severest notice of the Constable. Special arrangements will be made for the payment of fares to and from Cardiff. Inspector Sullivan will be given a special advance from which he is authorised to pay back officers a sum not exceeding 5/- per week and this advance will also be available for any necessary expenditure of an extraordinary nature. Receipts to be submitted to the office. The wives of officers proceeding with the Detachment will be paid £1 per week from the officers pay during their absence. Food and lodgings will be provided.
Transfer.
The Electoral Rolls of 1912 and 1913 list Daniel as still living at High Wych. However, and the record has not survived to confirm this, at some time between 1913 and 1914 Daniel appears to have transferred again from B Division at Eastwick to A Division possibly to Chipping.
Keen To Enlist in The Army.
A letter dated the 29th October 1914 was sent from the War Office, London S.W. to the Chief Constable of Herts. Constabulary Headquarters, Hatfield which said:
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 1st November 1914, a letter was sent from the Chief Constable, County of Hertford, Constabulary Headquarters, Hatfield to The Recruiting Office, The Barracks, Hertford which said:
I enclose a copy of a letter received from the Director of Recruiting, War Office, S.W. with regard to Police Constable Daniel Gallen of this Force. Police Constable Daniel Gallen has been directed to report himself to you on Wednesday, 4th November 1914, for enlistment.
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 162 Gallen D. A Division who enlisted into the 70th Field Company Royal Engineers on the 10th November 1914.
Army Service During The War.
Although part of the burnt collection Daniels’s Army Service Record has survived, and the following was recorded:
Daniel enlisted on the 10th November 1914 at Hertford for short service of three years with the Colours as Sapper 56767 in the Royal Engineers. He said he was born at Killygordon, Donaghmore, Donegal and was 37 years old. He said his trade was a Saddler, he was not an apprentice, he was married, had never been sentenced to imprisonment and had never served in the Military.
He was medically examined the same day at Hertford and the following recorded:
Apparent Age: 37 years. Height: 5 feet 10 ¾ inches. Weight: 169 lbs. Chest: 41 inches expansion 4 inches. Complexion: Fresh. Eyes: Grey. Hair: Light brown. Identifying Marks; Scars from removal of varicose veins.
He said his religion was Roman Catholic and his next of kin was his wife Ada Gallen of Chipping, Buntingford.
Daniel joined at Hertford on the 10th November 1914 and was posted to the 3rd Depot Company Royal Engineers. His Trade and Special Qualifications was recorded as Harness Maker and his Classification was shown as skilled.
On the 19th November 1914 he was awarded a Certificate of Trade Proficiency which was endorsed: I certify that recruit D. Gallen has been tested in the workshops of Army Ordnance Department at Chatham and proves himself a skilled harness maker.
On the 21st June 1915 he transferred to the Royal Engineers Training Depot at Aldershot. On the 1st August 1915 he landed in France and the following day he transferred to the 3rd Field Squadron.
On the 6th May 1916 it was certified that No. 56767 Gallen D. successfully executed a piece of work which in my opinion is equivalent to the test defined in Corps memo for the Superior rate of Engineer Pay (1/8 a day) as a saddler. Rate to take effect as of the 6th May 1916. His Trade and Special Qualifications were recorded as Harness Maker and his classification as Superior. On the 11th February 1917 he returned Home.
Published on the 24th February 1917 in the Herts Mercury under the headline Herts Constable’s Fine Record:
Lance Corporal D. Gallen, R.E. before the outbreak of war a Constable in the Herts County Constabulary, has been specially selected and recommended for a commission in the Regular Army. He is now at home from France at Chipping, Buntingford on a month’s leave pending instructions from the War Office to go to an Officer Cadet Unit for training. He is in the unique position of being able to say that since joining the Royal Engineers he has had an infantry and cavalry training and is waiting to undergo a third course of training at a cadet unit. He left his unit, 3rd Field Squadron, R.E., on the 9th inst., after spending nearly two years at the Front, having had charge of working parties of cavalry in most parts of the British lines, and has been commended by Generals for good work in the firing line. Lance Corporal Gallen was the first volunteer from the Herts Police to be accepted by the Army council under the Police Constables’ Naval and Military Service Act 1914, for general service.
On the 31st July 1917 Daniel was Discharged from the Royal Engineers on appointment to a temporary commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers.
On the 1st August 1917 he was Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant 25th (Service) Battalion (2nd Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers. On the 1st September 1917, his Commission was published in the London Gazette.
The War Office Daily Casualty List No. 5557 published on the 4th May 1918 listed 2nd Lieutenant D. Gallen Northumberland Fusiliers had been wounded. Entitled to wear a “Wound Stripe” as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by being named in this list. – Forces War Records.
His Medal Roll Index Card and Medal Rolls show that he was awarded the 1914-15 Star whilst serving with the Royal Engineers and that he was awarded the British War and Victory medals whilst serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Like every other soldier Daniel 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 would have had to have undergone a Medical Examination by the Force Surgeon to ensure that he was still fit enough for Police duties.
Re-joining The Police.
General Order 54 of the 26th February 1919 stated that the Chief Constable regrets to announce that on demobilisation from H.M. Army the undermentioned Police Officers have been certified by the Constabulary Staff Surgeon to be unfit for further Police Service.
PC 266 Cripps W.P. E Division. Examined 13th January 1919.
PC 162 Gallen D. A Division. Examined 24th January 1919.
PC 88 Gray H.W. A Division. Examined 22nd January 1919.
General Order 83 of the 1st April 1919 announced the Award of Disablement Pensions:
Subject for any Pensions awarded from Army funds the following Disablement Pensions have been awarded to Police Constables Demobilised from H.M. Army and subsequently found to be unfit for further police service, viz:
1. PC 162 Gallen D. Completed 18 years of approved service £75/18/4 per annum from 22nd January 1919
2. PC 88 Gray H.W. Completed 13 years of approved service £66/9/7 per annum from 9th February 1919
3. PC 266 Cripps W. P. Completed 4 years of approved service £49/0/0 per annum from 27th January 1919
The 1919 Electoral Roll lists Daniel and Ada Gallen as still living at Chipping, but the 1920 to 1922 Electoral Rolls record them as living at The Garrison, North Building, Purfleet.
Daniel Gallen died on the 4th July 1965 in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada.
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