Early Life.
Hugh Victor Maylin was born on the 5th April 1891 at Buntingford.
His father, Joseph William Maylin a general dealer and meat salesman, married his mother, Caroline Emma Trett, on the 16th July 1879 at St. Mary the Virgin, Camden. They had eleven children:
1. Joseph William born in 1880 in Hitchin.
2. James Ernest born in 1882 at Hitchin.
3. Louisa Elizabeth born in 1884 at Hitchin.
4. Lina Mabel born in 1885 at Buntingford.
5. Ethel Alberta born in 1887 at Buntingford.
6. Maud Caroline born in 1889 at Buntingford.
7. Hugh Victor.
8. Albert George born in 1893 at Buntingford. Enlisted as Private 8257 Scots Guards in 1912 discharged in 1917.
9. Blanche Violet born in 1895 at Buntingford.
10. Victoria Adeline born in 1897 at Buntingford.
11. Margaretta Martha born in 1900 at Buntingford.
During the 1901 census the family were recorded as living at High Street, Aspenden, Buntingford but by the time of the 1911 census they were living at High Street, Barkway. Hugh, like his father, was employed as a meat salesman.
Nothing further is known about Hugh for the next few years, but he clearly applied to join the Hertford County Constabulary.
Police Service.
Hugh’s Police Service Record has not survived, and his date of Attestation is unknown but due to the lack of other information about him, he almost certainly must have joined in late 1914 or very early 1915. Unfortunately, there is a gap in the records that have survived for this period so this cannot be verified. However, he would have undergone his Probationer training at Police Headquarters at Hatfield and then it is known that he was posted to D Division and, as a new recruit, he would probably have been posted to the main station at Hemel Hempstead.
Resignation.
The first record that exists is General Order 52 of the 31st March 1915 which announced: Police Constable 68 Hugh Victor Maylin “D” having submitted an application to resign his appointment as a Constable of the Hertford County Constabulary, for the purpose of enlisting in the 1st Life Guards, the resignation is accepted to take effect on 31st March 1915. Police Constable Maylin will be paid up to and including 31st March 1915 and will be struck of the establishment of the Force from that date.
The only other record is General Order 118 of the 21st July 1915 which 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. Hugh is shown as PC 68 Maylin H.V. D Division who enlisted in 1st Life Guards on the 1st April 1915.
Army Service During The War.
Hugh’s Army Service Record also did not survive but from his Medal Roll Index Card and Medal Roll we know that he joined the 1st Life Guards as Trooper 3748. He then later transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 200599. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. He obviously remained in the Army after the war as there is a note on his Medal Roll that his medals had been forfeited as he deserted on the 11th April 1920.
He did not re-join the Hertford County Constabulary.
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