Jordan, Frank John, 95, Police Constable.

Early Life.

Frank John Jordan was born on the 10^th June 1887 at Guildford and baptised there on the 11^th September 1887.

His father, Jesse Jordan a labourer, married his mother, Jane Shilling in 1880 at Cardiff. They had eight children although sadly, two died before the 1911 census:

1. William James born in 1880 at Guildford.
2. Ellen Janetta Kate born in 1882 at Barfrestone, Kent.
3. Henry Joseph born in Albert 1884 at Barfrestone.
4. Albert Jesse born in 1885 at Guildford.
5. Frank John.
6. George Clarence born in 1894 at Guildford.
7. Elizabeth Emma born in 1889 and died in 1890 at Guildford.
8. Marion Jane born in 1892 and died in 1893 at Guildford.

During the 1891 census the family were living at 4, Lyons Gate, Holy Trinity, Guildford. Frank’s father died in 1896 at Guildford. By the time of the 1901 census the family had moved and were living at 6, Park Street, Sparkes Row, Guildford. Frank was employed as an errand boy. The 1911 census records that they were still living at the same address, but Frank had left home and joined the Royal Navy.

Early Military Service.

Frank’s Royal Navy Record has survived and shows that on the 8^th September 1903 he enlisted at Chatham for 12 years’ service as Private 13060 in the Royal Marines Light Infantry, Portsmouth Division. The following was recorded: He said he was born on the 10^th June 1886, (in fact he was a year younger), in Guildford, Surrey. He said his trade was a general labourer, his religion Church of England and gave his next of kin as his mother Jane, of 6 Park Street, Guildford.

His description on enlistment was recorded as: Height: 5 feet 6 7/8 inches. Complexion: Fair. Hair: Brown. Eyes: Brown. Marks: FJ on left forearm and ring on third finger left hand tattooed. His description on final discharge was identical except he had grown and was now 5 feet 10 inches.

His real age clearly came to light, but he was allowed to stay in the Marines and his record was endorsed that as he was underage his initial service did not count towards his engagement, good conduct badges or his pension. He became of age on the 9^th June 1904.

After an initial posting at Deal, where his ability to swim was tested, he served on numerous ships and for a period at Malta, returning to Portsmouth between postings. He served on the following: HMS Good Hope a Drake Class armoured cruiser. HMS Egmont a shore base located at Fort St. Angelo, Birgu, Malta, he returned to the UK aboard SS Sailor Prince. HMS Spartiate a Diadem Class protected cruiser. HMS Argonaut another Diadem Class protected cruiser. HMS Venus an Eclipse Class protected cruiser. HMS Edgar a first class cruiser of the Royal Navy, and lead ship of the Edgar class. He was  shown aboard in the 1911 census. HMS Ariadne a Diadem Class protected cruiser. HMS Jupiter a Majestic Class pre-dreadnought battleship.

He was discharged from the Marines, still as a Private, on the 15^th August 1912. Throughout his service his character and ability were both assessed as being very good and he was awarded two good conduct badges.

Little is known about his life after the Royal Marines other than he was employed as a baker by L.D. Watson of 78, High Street, Barry, Cardiff.

Marriage.

Frank married Violet Matyear on the 20^th July 1914 in Cardiff. They had a daughter, Winfred A., who sadly was born and died in 1916 at Guildford.

About the time of his marriage he probably applied to join the Hertford County Constabulary.

Police Service.

Parts of Frank’s Police Service Record, including his original application and some pension documents, have survived and the following details recorded: He said he was born on the 10^th June 1887 at Guildford. His height was 5 feet 9 inches, chest: 37 ½ inches, complexion fresh, eyes brown and hair brown.

Frank was Appointed as Constable 95 on the 12^th October 1914 and started his Probationer training at Police Headquarters on £1/4/6 per week. During his training he would have been Attested and on completion he would have been taken on to the Roll and posted to a Division.

General Order 14 of 21^st January 1915 confirmed Frank’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 95 Jordan F.J. posted to C Division at Watford from the 22^nd January 1915 and instructed to occupy the house being vacated by PC 193 Francis on the 4^th February 1915. (PC 193 Matthew William Francis is shown on Electoral Rolls as living between 1912 and 1914 at 80A, Benskin Road, Watford).

Army Service During The War.

His Army Service Record has not survived but from his Medal Roll Index Card and Medal Rolls we know the following: It is not known what his date of enlistment was, but he joined the Royal Army Service Corps as Private S2/SR/04013 probably in early to mid-1915. It is possible that with his background as a baker that he may have made use of his skills in the Army. He disembarked in Egypt on the 5^th August 1915. He was demobilised and transferred to Class Z on the 29^th June 1919 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

He was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War and Victory medals.

Like every other soldier Frank 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. Having passed this, 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 188 of the 29^th August 1919 announced that the undermentioned having been released by H.M. Army are re-appointed to the Force with effect from date shown: PC 88 Hunt J.W. G Division station Redbourn on 28^th August 1919 on £3/18/0 per week PC 95 Jordan F.J. G Division station Colney Heath on 28^th August 1919 on £3/18/0 per week. These officers must be formerly 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.

General Order 235 of the 4^th December 1919 informed Frank 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.

The 1920 Electoral Roll lists Frank Jordan as living at Colney Heath.

General Order 171 of the 19^th October 1921 informed Frank 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.

The 1921 and 1922 Electoral Rolls record that Frank John and Violet Jordan were living at Smallford.

Transfer.

General Order 61 of the 16^th May 1922 instructed Frank that from the 25^th May 1922 that he was being transferred from G Division at Colney Heath to B Division at Hertford and to occupy the house being vacated by PC 260 Winchester. The 1922 to 1929 Electoral Rolls lists Frank John and Violet Jordan as living at 92, Tamworth Road, Hertford. In 1924 they were also joined by a Lionel Alfred Knight who was possibly the son of PC 46 John Knight, in 1926 by Violet’s parents, Thomas and Sarah Matyear and in 1929 by Thomas Matyear alone.

General Order 131 of the 18^th October 1922, General Order 183 of the 5^th November 1923 and General Order 168 of the 25^th October 1924 informed Frank that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £4/4/0 to £4/6/0 per week from the 12^th October 1922, from £4/6/0 to £4/8/0 per week from the 12^th October 1923 and from £4/8/0 to £4/10/0 per week from the 12^th October 1924.

Another Transfer.

The record has not survived but as the 1930 Electoral Roll lists Frank John and Violet Jordan as living at the Police Cottage, Stanmore Road, Stevenage it is safe to assume that he had been transferred from B Division at Hertford to E Division at Stevenage.

The Final Transfer.

As before the record has not survived but as the 1939 Register records that Police Constable Frank John Jordan (also ARP, First Aid and Billeting Officer) and his wife Violet were living at 2, Police Cottages, Pickford Road, Hemel Hempstead it is again safe to assume that he had been transferred from E Division at Stevenage to D Division at Hemel Hempstead.

Retirement.

Frank retired as Constable 95, D Division, on the 25^th January 1940 on completion of his service on a pension of £247/13/7 per annum. His pension record shows that he lived at  “The Retreat”, Moorgreen, Cowes, Isle of White.

Frank John Jordan died on the 30^th June 1947 on the Isle of White.