Sergeant 338 Albert Prentice
Mrs. Doreen Isabel Moy was the daughter of Albert Prentice who served in the Hertfordshire Constabulary between 1920 and 1945. In May 2000 she wrote to the then Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Constabulary, Paul Acres, offering her father’s medals to the Force Museum. Mr. Acres arranged to meet Mrs. Moy and later took possession of his medals together with several photographs, personal documents and newspaper cuttings and an abbreviated account of his life.
Her account, her father’s Military documents, other official records and genealogical research have now been put together to form the life story of her father. In summary she described him as not being a “natural” Policeman. He disliked some aspects of Police work and would have left the Force, quite early on, if other suitable employment had been available. He was conscientious in all he undertook, and the promise of a pension kept him going. Here is his story.
Early Life.
Albert Prentice was born on the 16th October 1899 at 28, Charles Street, Tring.
His father, Frederick Prentice was born in 1876 at Tring and was employed as a house painter and decorator on the Rothschild Estate, Tring Park. In 1896 he married Eliza Edwards who was born in 1875 at Marsworth Bucks. They had 6 Children all born in Tring:
1. Harry was born in 1898 and served as Private 2910 in the 2nd/1st Bucks Battalion and was Killed in Action on the 19th July 1916 in France. 2. Albert 3. Kate born in 1903. 4. John born in 1904. 5. Walter born in 1906. 6. Arthur born in 1908.
In the 1901 census the family were still living at 28, Charles Street, Tring and Frederick Prentice was still working as a painter and decorator. By 1904 Albert was attending the Tring Church of England school. By the 1911 census the family had moved to 49, King Street, Tring, Albert’s father was still a painter and decorator.
Cash & Co. Tring. Albert Prentice is on the left.
By 1914 Albert had left school and was employed as a shop assistant at Cash & Co. a boot and shoe manufacturer in Western Road (in 2000 it was an Estate Agent’s next to the Library in High Street), Tring. Around 1916 he entered Lord Rothschild’s service as a Nursery Footman in their London House.
Military Service During World War 1.
Albert enlisted on the 20th November 1917, aged 18, in the Royal Flying Corps. His Service Record has survived but contains only scant details. He was allocated Service No/. 316671 and on 21st November 1917 he was sent to number 50 Cadet Wing at Farnborough.
Cadet Albert Prentice Royal Flying Corps.
Then on the 5th December 1917 he was moved to number 20 Cadet Wing at St. Leonards near Hastings then on the 16th December 1917 he moved to Hastings. The next entry states that on the 29th January 1918 he was sent to the 19th Reserve Battalion of the London Regiment.
His Army Service Record has not survived but from his Medal Roll Index Card and Medal Roll, together with Mrs. Moy’s account we know the following. Initially he was Private 97047 in the 19th Battalion London Regiment, and he served in France between the 31st July 1918 and 7th August 1918. He then transferred to the 4th Battalion London Regiment as Private G/92270, later changed to 284134 under reorganisation, still in France until the 7th February 1919. [The 4th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) was a Volunteer unit of Britain’s Territorial Army (TA) recruited originally from East London. Ed.]
Albert’s Army Form Z21, Certificate of Transfer to Reserve on Demobilisation states: 284134 Private Albert Prentice of the 4th Battalion London Regiment enlisted on the 20th November 1917 for the Royal Flying Corps. He also served in the 19th Battalion London Regiment. At this time, he had not been awarded any medals but had served overseas on active service. His place of re-joining in case of emergency was Crystal Palace, his Medical Category was “A”, he had no specialist Military qualifications, and his year of birth was erroneously given as 1900. He was transferred to Army Reserve on 10th March 1919.
His Army Form B2067 Serial No. 4th Lon. 47612 Character Certificate of 284134 Private Albert Prentice 4th Battalion London Regiment. This is to certify that the ex-soldier named above has served with the Colours for one year four months and his character during this period was good. Date of discharge 31st March 1920.
The last entry on his now Royal Air Force Service Record is Transferred to Class “G” Army Reserve 8th January 1919 which is in conflict with the other sources.
He was later awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Like every other soldier Albert would have been granted 28 days leave after his demobilisation during which time he would have looked for work.
After The War.
Mrs. Moy understood from Albert’s youngest brother Arthur that Albert returned to Lord Rothschild’s service when he left the Army. This is supported by the 1919 and 1920 Electoral Rolls that record Albert as living at Tring Park. He was ambitious though as he applied to join the Hertford County Constabulary.
Joining The Police.
Albert’s Police Service Record has not survived but from a few pension records, Mrs. Moy’s account, photographs, newspaper articles and some other official Police records we know the following.
Constable 338 Albert Prentice.
Albert was Appointed as Constable 338 on the 22nd November 1920. He probably would have applied to join some time before this but as the Constabulary was recruiting quite hard in the early years after the war, he would have had to wait for some time. To be accepted he would have had to provide a minimum of three references, undergone a medical, a written exam of English and Arithmetic as well as an interview. Once accepted he would have had his Probationer Training at Police Headquarters at Hatfield.
One of the photographs provided by Mrs. Moy is a group photograph of ten Constables, including Albert, and a Superintendent and a Sergeant, which she believed was either taken in C or A Division. Closer examination though has identified the Superintendent as George Thomas Knight, who was the Deputy Chief Constable at Headquarters, and the Sergeant as George Thomas Sharp DCM, who was an Instructor at Headquarters. Other research has identified nine of the ten Constables, and it is believed that the group is in fact Recruit Class 21 and the photograph was taken at Headquarters Hatfield in early 1921.
Recruit Class 21 c, 1921 PC Albert Prentice is on the far left.
First Posting.
General Order 80 of the 18th May 1921 announced the Posting of three new recruits: The undermentioned Recruit Constables having been brought on the Roster for duty are transferred from Headquarters to Divisions as follows:
PC 346 Mantle F.A. B Division Bishops Stortford on 17th May 1921. PC 344 Bygrave A. C Division Watford on 17th May 1921. PC 338 Prentice A. C Division Watford on 17th May 1921.
Each Constable must be Attested. Superintendents concerned will report when this has been done showing Viz: Date and place of Attestation and before whom taken.
The 1921 census records that Albert was living at the Police Station St. Albans Road, Watford with PC’s John Henry Harris and Robert Henly Thetford. The 1921 to 1923 Electoral Rolls also show him at the Police Station.
General Order 196 of the 9th December 1921 announced that Albert would receive an increased rate of pay with effect as follows: PC 338 Prentice A. C Division from £3/10/0 to £3/12/0 per week from 22nd November 1921.
A Minor Misdemeanour.
Albert was Cautioned by the Chief Constable on the 10th February 1922 after he was reported by Superintendent W.J. Olding for being absent without leave in that he did on 1st February 1922 absent himself without leave from St. Albans Road Police Station Watford from 8 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. that being his place of duty. Contrary to Para. 10 Discipline Code. Order 166/1920.
A Repeated Misdemeanour.
General Order 164 of the 30th November 1922 stated that Albert was again in trouble as he was Reprimanded by the Chief Constable on the 29th November 1922 after he was reported by Sergeant 144 Downing for being absent without leave in that he did on 14th November 1922 absent himself without leave from St. Albans Road Police Station Watford from 8 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. that being his place of duty. Contrary to Para. 10 Discipline Code.
Although serious these breaches of discipline were not enough to prevent Albert being given his next incremental pay rise, as can be seen in General Order 167 of the 13th December 1922 which announced that Albert would receive an increased rate of pay with effect as follows: PC 338 Prentice A. C Division from £3/12/0 to £3/14/0 per week from 22nd November 1922.
Commendation.
General Order 14 of the 26th January 1923 states: At the Watford Petty Sessions on the 23rd January 1923 the chairman, Henry Brown Esq., complimented Constable Albert Prentice 338 C Division on the manner in which he affected the arrest of Stephen Brown, alias Arthur Jackson, on a charge of being in possession of house breaking implements by night at Watford on the 13th January 1923 at 4 a.m. Reports in the case show that the Constable was keen and alert that he acted with initiative and exercised his power of arrest on reasonable suspicion. The Chief Constable hereby commends Constable Prentice for his action and directs that the papers in the case shall be placed with the Constables records.
General Order 38 of the 23rd February 1923 reference order 14/1923. At the Herts Assizes on Tuesday 13th February 1923 the Judge, the Right Hon. Sir Charles J. Darling complimented Constable Arthur [an error should be Albert Ed.] Prentice, 338 C Division on the intelligence shown by him in stopping Stephen Brown alias Arthur Jackson at Watford at 4 a.m. 13th January 1923 and insisting on his being searched which led to this discovery that Brown was in possession of house breaking implements. The Chief Constable has much pleasure in directing that an appropriate entry be made on the Constable’s record sheet.
Mrs Moy supplied a newspaper cutting which is from an unknown newspaper of an unknown date but is entitled: Watford Constable Commended. Early Morning Capture Of Would Be Burglar. High commendation was bestowed by his lordship upon PC Prentice, one of the youngest members of the Force in the Watford Division, for the initiative he showed in interrogating and detaining a stranger whom he saw in the streets of Watford at 4 o’clock in the morning.
Stephen Brown (otherwise Jackson), aged 32, a fitter, pleaded guilty to stealing a bicycle, the property of William King, between the 1st and 2nd of January, at Watford; also to being found by night having in his possession without lawful excuse certain implements of housebreaking on January 18th at Watford.
Mr Tyndall Atkinson prosecuted. PC Prentice was on duty at Watford crossroads when he saw the prisoner walking along the path at the back of the pond. He stopped the prisoner and asked him if he was going to work. As he was not satisfied with the man’s replies, the Constable took him to St. Albans Road Police Station, where he was searched. A brace and bit were tied with a piece of string, round his waist, and on him there were some keys and various tools that might be used for housebreaking purposes.
Subsequently, a cycle, which had been reported as stolen was traced as having been in the prisoner’s possession.
What Did He Do In The War?
Narrating the antecedents of the prisoner, Superintendent Moles said that he was a native of Cheshire, he went to school at Eccles. Apprentice to the engineering he served five years with a firm at Manchester. In 1907 he was employed by Pettars of Somerset, for 12 months. After that he was employed for short periods by various engineering firms, with varying results as to character. He was employed at Woolwich Arsenal from February 6 to March 12 1915. He returned to the Arsenal on October 25th 1915, and remained there until March 13th 1918. Then he appeared to have been out of work until June 1920, when he was employed at Newbury, where he continued to work until July 1921. Since then, the prisoner had not been doing any work; he had been travelling the provinces and returning to London from time to time. There were no previous convictions.
His lordship: How did he escape service in the war? Witness: He was in the service for a short time but left to go to Woolwich Arsenal. He was a fitter. Has he ever given any explanation of how he came to be in possession of these implements of burglary? No.
Answering questions by the judge about the bicycle, Superintendent Moles said it was taken from a shed about 14 days before the prisoner was arrested.
Superintendent Moles, at the request of the Judge, produce the tools etc. found on the prisoner including a piece of wire which, said the Superintendent, was of the kind used for drawing bolts after a hole had been cut in a door.
Prisoner’s Plea.
Prisoner addressed his lordship at some length and pleaded for mercy. He said that the tools which had been produced belonged to him and had been used by him in his trade. Unfortunately, owing to being out of work, he had had to sell the greater part of his tools to find means or providing the necessities of life. On the morning of the day on which he was caught with tools in his possession he had the misfortune to have his pockets picked and had lost all his papers. He decided to leave London and make his way to Coventry or somewhere in the Midlands in an endeavour to find work. Unfortunately, he was stopped by the Constable and this case was the result. There was no intention to commit a felony.
“My unfortunate position is to entirely to the many months of unemployment I have suffered,” proceeded the prisoner. “I am not a man of criminal instincts. I never was I never shall be. I’ve travelled about a good deal in endeavouring to find work in my own line or any other line. I’ve been in custody 5 weeks. I’ve had a long time to think over the seriousness of things and feel my position acutely. I’m sorry I’ve got myself into this trouble. I yielded to temptation. I am sorry for it.
The cutting is incomplete and ends here.
Marriage.
Albert Prentice age 23 years, a bachelor Police Constable living at the Police Station St. Albans Road, Watford married on the 25th August 1923 at the Register Office, Watford, Winifred Isabel Church, age 22 (born 19th May 1901) a spinster of 23 Charles Street, Tring. His father Frederick Prentice was a painter and decorator, her father, Ernest Albert Church deceased had been a gardener. They had three children:
1. Doreen Isabel who was born in 1924 at Watford. 2. Victor John who was born in 1928 at Watford. 3. Philip who was born in 1935 at Ware.
Mrs. Moy states that her parent’s first married home was 6 Neal Street, Watford although she was too young to recall what it was like. The 1925 to 1927 Electoral Rolls show them at 6 Neal Street, Watford.
General Order 200 of the 10th December 1923 announced that Albert would receive an increased rate of pay with effect as follows: PC 338 Prentice A. C Division from £3/14/0 to £3/16/0 per week from 22nd November 1923.
General Order 114 of the 15th July 1924 announced that Albert would receive an increase in his Rent Allowance from 10s1d to 12s per week from the 29th June 1925.
General Order 206 of the 27th December 1924 announced that Albert would receive an increased rate of pay with effect as follows: PC 338 Prentice A. C Division from £3/16/0 to £3/18/0 per week from 22nd November 1924.
Social And Sporty.
Superintendent Harry “Dick” Wright founded the Police Minstrel Troupe which ran for several years at Watford, they performed on local concert platforms and at social gatherings. Mrs. Moy remembers that her father Albert was a member of the troupe and performed as a baritone soloist. Albert was also clearly very fit, as can be seen in a newspaper cutting from The West Hertfordshire and Watford Observer provided by Mrs. Moy. It carried a lengthy report on the annual athletics sports organised by the Hertfordshire Police held at Cassio Road, Watford. It is of an unknown date but Albert, who was shown as being from Watford, entered the one mile flat handicap race and came second.
General Order 5 of the 14th January 1926 announced that Albert would receive an increased rate of pay with effect as follows: PC 338 Prentice A. C Division from £3/18/0 to £4/0/0 per week from 22nd November 1925.
General Order 169 of the 15th December 1926 announced that Albert would receive an increased rate of pay with effect as follows: PC 338 Prentice A. C Division from £4/2/0 to £4/2/0 per week from 22nd November 1926.
Transfer
In 1928 Mrs. Moy recalls that her father was transferred to Ware where they lived in the Police Cottage in Bowling Road. The 1928 to 1930 Electoral Rolls list them as living in Bowling Road, Ware. She has memories of a semi-detached house, with a box room for storage upstairs and three bedrooms and a large garden. It had no bathroom but there was a large bath installed in the “scullery” which served as a kitchen and there was an outside toilet with a covered access.
Mrs. Moy remembers that whenever Albert was transferred, they were lucky to get a fortnight’s warning. She would find herself in a new bedroom, in a strange house, in a town she had never visited before. Her parents were taken in advance to see their new accommodation.
A Road Death.
Published in the Hertfordshire Express on Saturday 6th July 1929 under the headline: Hitchin Mother’s Heroism. Gave Her Blood In Endeavour To Save Son’s Life. Shocking Motorcycle Accident At Crossroads. The Inquest Story.
A tragic and sad story was unfolded at the Coroner’s Court at the Shire Hall, Hertford, on Wednesday, when the Hertford Coroner, Mr. Philip R. Longmore, together with a jury, inquired into the death of Mr. Robert Max Warn-Brumm, aged 26, of 69, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, who died in the Hertford County Hospital on Monday as the result of injuries received in an accident at the Amwell crossroads, near Ware, on Sunday night. Mr. H. M. Gisby, solicitor, of Ware, appeared for the parents; Mr. G. B. Gardiner, solicitor, of London, for Mr. F. J. Hedges, the driver of the motorcar concerned in the accident, and Mr. G. Swainson (barrister) for Mr. Hedges, the owner of the car.
Mother’s Unavailing Sacrifice.
Mrs. Alice Amelia Warn-Brumm, of 69, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, said her son was employed at an iron foundry. He left home on Saturday last on his motorcycle at about 4.30 to go to Roydon and intended returning on the Sunday night. He had ridden a motorcycle for eight years. She was informed of the accident in the early hours of Monday morning, and at once went to the Hertford County Hospital. An operation was performed, and her son’s leg amputated, and later the doctors took a pint of blood from her arm for transfusion to her son. This, however, was of no avail, and her son died.
Francis John Hedges, of Crow Wood House, Waltham Cross, said he was driving a car along the main road from Ware to Hoddesdon at about 10.45 p.m. Sitting beside him was his sister, and beside her a friend, Mr. T. W. Hamilton all in the front seat. He knew the crossroads where the accident happened very well, and on approaching slowed up and sounded his horn. When on the corner he looked either way and seeing nothing coming continued his way and accelerated. When he was about half-way over the crossroad, he heard something and did all he could to pull up.
The Coroner: How long did it take you to pull up? Witness: About 37 yds, Do you know what happened to the motorcycle? I took that in front of me. Continuing, witness said he had his head lights on; they were very strong indeed, and he could see for 200 yards. When he pulled up, he found the deceased on the other side of the road near the A.A. box.
Three People In Front Seat Of Car.
Answering Mr. Gisby, witness said the car was fitted with four-wheel brakes, and they were in good order. There was plenty of room with the three people in the front seat of the car; the gears and hand brake were on the right hand side. He had spent the evening with some friends at the Canons Hotel, Ware. At the time he accelerated he could not see anyone in view and did not hear any horn and was travelling at about 25 to 30 miles per hour.
Mr. Hedges told Mr. Swainson that he only had one glass of beer with some biscuits at nine o’clock that night. Thomas William Hamilton, of Gwendoline House, Waltham Cross, a passenger in the car, told the Coroner that he did not see or hear anything until they were about half-way across the crossroad. The motorcycle was then on top of them.
William Walter Ray, of High Street, Stanstead Abbots, who was walking from Hertford Heath towards Stanstead Abbots, said the car seemed to be going at a speed of about 50 miles per hour, but he only had it in his view for about ten yards.
PC Albert Prentice, stationed at Ware, said he found a long skid mark, 117 feet long, commencing in the centre of the road and terminating at the near rear wheel of the car. The motorcycle was completely wrecked, and the front part of the radiator of the car, lamps and wings were badly damaged. The cycle was in top gear.
A Leg Amputated.
Dr. William Donald Bedford, resident surgeon at the Hertford County Hospital, described deceased’s serious injuries. It was (he said) extraordinary that he was conscious. He was treated for shock and his leg amputated. He recovered slightly but next morning as a last resource they performed a blood transfusion from his mother, who very nobly gave three quarters of a pint of her blood. Unfortunately, this did not do very much good, and he died at 1.30 on the Monday.
The Coroner said he thought they would all desire to express their deep sympathy with the mother of the deceased, in her sudden loss, and also to express their admiration of the mother’s action in giving a large amount of her blood in an endeavour to save her son’s life.
The jury retired, and, after being absent about fifteen minutes, they returned stating they found a verdict of “Accidental death.” They associated themselves with the Coroner’s remarks of sympathy.
Mr. Gardiner expressed his sympathy with the relatives of the deceased at the opening of the inquest.
At the funeral at Hitchin on Thursday afternoon, the firm of Messrs, Innes Son & King deceased’s employers, were represented by Mr. H.W.M. King. Mr. H. Day represented deceased’s fellow employees.
Theft From Employer.
Published in the Hertfordshire Mercury on the13th February 1931 under the headline: Milton’s Paradise Lost – Girl’s Serious Lapse. Dorothy Milton,17, factory hand, 37 Kibes Lane, Ware, was charged with stealing clothes, etc., on various dates between November 1930 and January 17, 1931, the property of Miss Dorothy Halfhide, value £3 12s. 6d.
Defendant pleaded guilty and Miss Dorothy Halfhide, of 4 Jefferies Road, Ware, stated her mother employed the defendant as domestic help until January 17. During the time she was with them witness missed an umbrella, then fur lined gloves, a fur necklet, and other clothing, valued at £3 12s. 6d.
In company with a Police Officer, she was shown the articles (produced) at the house were the girl lodged. PC Prentice said that when charged and cautioned, the defendant said, “I took them, do forgive me.”
The Chairman told the girl she had been charged with a very serious offence and it was very sad she would resort to that sort of thing. The Bench would place her on probation for 12 months.
A Tragedy.
On the 6th January 1934 Albert and Winifred’ son, Victor John, died at home from meningitis.
Published in the Bucks Herald on Friday 12th January 1934 in the Deaths Announcement’s: PRENTICE. On January 6th, at Police Cottages, Ware, Herts, Victor John, son of Albert Prentice, aged 6 years. Interred at Tring Cemetery.
Also in the Memoriam Announcement’s: Mr. ALBERT PRENTICE and MR FREDERICK PRENTICE WISH to thank all friends for sympathy in their loss, and also for beautiful floral tributes received. 49, King Street, Tring, Herts.
Transfer.
Mrs. Moy recalls that in May 1935, following the birth of her brother Philip in March, her father was posted to E Division at Knebworth, and they occupied a house called Elginhurst in London Road, Knebworth. The house was an attractive detached property with a cellar used as a larder. The dining room housed the telephone and acted as an office when required.
Mrs. Moy had only been at Ware Grammar School for two terms when they moved to Knebworth, and she was transferred to Hitchin Girls Grammer School where every item of uniform was different. It took several years to make the complete changeover. Scholarship children still had to pay school fees, according to their parents means. Some paid the full fee of five guineas per term, her father as a Constable was assessed as being able to afford two guineas a term.
Mrs. Moy has memories of her father working 3 day shifts, one night finishing at 2 a.m., one night starting at 2 a.m. and one night indoors. He often dealt with accidents on the Great North Road. He was also required to patrol the bridge over the railway whenever the Royal Train passed through Knebworth. He was also responsible for Old Knebworth where Lord Lytton lived.
Coronation Medal.
In 1937 Albert was awarded the Coronation Medal. The King George VI Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal, instituted to celebrate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
This medal was awarded as a personal souvenir of King George VI’s coronation. It was awarded to the Royal Family and selected officers of state, officials and servants of the Royal Household, ministers, government officials, mayors, public servants, local government officials, and members of the navy, army, air force and police in Britain, her colonies and Dominions. The United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to each of the Commonwealth countries and Crown dependencies and possessions. The award of the medals was then at the discretion of the local government authority, who were free to decide who would be awarded a medal and why. Mrs. Moy states that her father believed the reason why he was selected to be awarded a Coronation Medal was that he held the highest number of Commendations (five) at that time. She does not recall him ever talking about them though and other than the one from 1923 no other details have been found.
PC Albert Prentice’s medals – British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1937 Coronation Medal.
Promotion To Sergeant And A Transfer.
Mrs. Moy’s memory may be inaccurate as she states that her father Albert was promoted in 1938 whereas the newspaper article below makes it clear it was after the outbreak of World War 2 in 1939.
Published in the Hertford Mercury and Reformer on Friday 22nd September 1939: PC A. Prentice, formerly stationed at Knebworth, has been promoted Acting Sergeant and transferred to Hatfield. At Stevenage Court yesterday (Thursday) the Chairman, Major-Gen. C. H. Tindall Lucas, congratulated Sergeant Prentice, stating that no promotion was more thoroughly deserved.
Mrs. Moy recalls that they moved to a Police Cottage near the Police Station which was later damaged by enemy action. The 1939 Register, which was compiled on the 29th September 1939 records that Police Sergeant Albert Prentice, his wife and two children were living at 89 Beaconsfield Road, Hatfield. This was a tiny cottage in a row of four. They were occupied by an Inspector, a Sergeant. A Constable and a part-time Constable/cleaner. Albert’s duties included drilling new recruits and putting down stray dogs!
Mrs. Moy remembers that the occupants of the four cottages dug themselves an air raid shelter on ground at the back of their gardens. There was sitting room for about 8 adults and 2 children could sleep in deckchairs slung across the ceiling.
Fortunately, the move to Hatfield didn’t mean that she had to change schools it simply meant a longer train journey to Hitchin, from seven miles to fifteen, so she had less interruption than some children. However, owing to the conditions and the fact she was studying for her A Levels Mrs. Moy went to live in digs at Knebworth for some of this time.
Eventually Albert had a larger shelter built against their house, with 4 proper bunks, but by then enemy activity had decreased.
Albert was the sole Sergeant on outside duties the remaining Officers were all Headquarters staff. He had to patrol at night whenever the air raid sirens sounded. Fortunately, enemy activity was fairly light but on one occasion he spent 3 nights in the Mortuary, after bombs fell near Hatfield Aerodrome, to allow relatives to identify remains. On another occasion a landmine fell in the grounds of Hatfield House which was then in use as a Hospital.
On 10th October 1944, a V1 flying bomb landed on the playground of St. Audrey’s School, Hatfield behind the Police Headquarters. Eight people were killed and twenty-six injured including several Police Officers and members of their families.
Considerable damage was done to Headquarters. Also, four Police cottages in St. Albans Road were almost wrecked and the residential quarters in the Police Station Yard and the Police cottages in Beaconsfield Road were severely damaged.
Whilst at Hatfield Albert’s wife Winifred occasionally had to provide Prisoners with meals. Not being allowed to have employment, Police Officer’s wives were expected to support their husbands in their work, for example answering the telephone and taking messages. They could also be expected to search female prisoners, although Mrs. Moy can recall that once when they were at Knebworth, her mother refused to search a female prisoner.
Albert apparently volunteered for a scheme which would see the exchange of Metropolitan Police Officers with County Officers, in order to allow them to get some rest, but it never happened as it was decided the County Officers would have insufficient local knowledge of London.
Transfer.
Mrs. Moy believed that in 1942 Albert was posted to Bishops Stortford. There were two Sergeants stationed here and they alternated working a fortnight of day duty and a fortnight of night duty. They lived at 5 Orchard Road in Bishops Stortford which was a reasonable semi-detached house. Whilst here they were issued with a Morrison Table Shelter, which Mrs. Moy described as a large steel contraption, under which a mattress could be laid.
Fare Dodger.
Published in the Herts and Essex Observer on Saturday 11th November 1944 under the headline: Travelled Without Paying Fare. At a Special Court on Saturday morning, James Williams (62), of no fixed address, was charged with travelling by train from Broxbourne to Bishop’s Stortford without paying his fare. Albert John Diss, of Bishop’s Stortford, acting Ticket Collector on the LNER, said that after a train had been in the station some while he asked Williams for his ticket. Williams said he had no ticket and had come from Broxbourne. When asked for the fare of 2s. 2d., he said he had no money. Sergeant Prentice said that Williams, whom he saw detained at the Railway Station told him he had been “on the drink the previous night” and hadn’t any money. In court Williams pleaded guilty to the offence. Superintendent Smith stated that he had numerous convictions for travelling on the railway without paying his fare. “He is well known to me, and I fancy I am well known to him in various parts of the county,” the Superintendent added. Williams was fined 20s., or in default 14 days imprisonment. His request for time to pay was refused. Magistrates in attendance were Mr. K F. Cooper and Mrs. C. C. Blondel, Inspector Goodridge, of the L.N.E.B. Police, Cambridge, appeared for the railway company.
A Shoplifter.
Published in the Herts and Essex Observer on Saturday 24th March 1945 under the headline: Charge of Stealing Cigarettes. Mrs. Doris Cowland (48) cook housekeeper, of Rye Street, Bishop’s Stortford appeared on remand, on bail, charged with stealing three packets of cigarettes value 7s., from the shop of Mr. Bryan Markwell at Northgate End, Bishop’s Stortford, on March 15.
Mr. Bryan Markwell, of 28 Hadham Road, said that when he suspected that cigarettes were being stolen from his shop at 22, Northgate End, some packets were marked by a Police Officer and placed on a shelf which could be reached by stretching over the counter.
Detective Sergeant Hall gave evidence of marking some packets of cigarettes and placing them on a shelf behind a counter.
Police Sergeant Prentice stated that while in a room at the rear of the shop, he saw, through a reflection in a picture, Mrs. Cowland lean across the counter and reach towards the shelves on which were the marked cigarettes. She had purchased a packet of cigarettes from the assistant and then asked for some washing powder, for which the assistant had gone to the back room. She afterwards handed him two of the packets and he found a third one in her shopping bag. On the previous morning, the Sergeant said, Mrs. Cowland had made a similar request, and after she had left the shop, he found three packets of cigarettes on the floor behind the counter.
When asked by the Chairman if she had anything to say, Mrs. Cowland, who had pleaded guilty, replied: “I don’t know why I did it. It has worried me and will do for the rest of my life. I am very sorry.”
Miss Harries, headmistress of Chantry Mount School, Bishop’s Stortford, said Mrs. Cowland had worked for her for the past 16 years, and had been in a position of trust. She had had no reason at all to doubt her and could give her the highest possible character.
The Chairman said that in view of the good Character given her, Mrs. Cowland would not be convicted. She would be bound over in the sum of £5 to be of good behaviour for a year and would have to pay 7s. for the cigarettes and £1 coats.
Anti-social Behaviour.
Published in the Herts and Essex Observer on Saturday 30th June 1945 under the headline: Firework Costs 5s. For letting off a firework on the highway, Mrs. Edith May Perry, housekeeper, of Barnards Road, Sawbridgeworth, was fined 5s. Police Sergeant Prentice said he was in Hockerill Street at 10.25 p.m. when he saw the defendant light a firework and place it on a windowsill, where it exploded with a loud report. The defendant told him she was “only having a bit of fun.” In a letter to the Court the defendant stated that she thought It was simple thing “for which to summon a soldier’s wife.” The Chairman did not adjudicate in this case, saying that the defendant was employed by his wife. Capt. Pawle, in the chair, said fireworks had been a great nuisance in the town and he hoped this case would be a warning to others. “We are very tired of fireworks,” he added, “and any future fines will be heavier.”
Retirement And Life After The Police.
Albert Prentice retired as a Sergeant on the 31st December 1945 after the completion of his 25 years service and received a pension of £185/18/0 per annum. Mrs. Moy recalls that in January 1946 Albert and Winifred moved to 49 King Street, Tring a small cottage where his mother and mother-in-law lived. Late in 1946, after months of work on the cottage and miscellaneous employment, he became a Houseman at Tring Zoological Museum. This was the old Rothschild museum which had been given to the British Museum of Natural History. His duties included cleaning in the morning and patrolling the galleries in uniform during open hours.
Commended Again.
In 1957 he received a letter of commendation from the Trustees of the British Museum after arresting a 15 year old Luton schoolboy, one of seven who had been stealing birds’ eggs from a display cabinet over a period of two months. Most of the eggs were recovered. Six boys were fined £1 each and one was put on probation for two years.
There was then a long period which involved numerous house moves. Albert and Winifred moved to 11 Beaconsfield Road, Tring in June 1946. They then moved to 10 High Street, Tring in April 1949 before moving back to 49 King Street, Tring in September 1953.
Albert and Winifred then moved to “Alwyn” Bunstrux, Tring in January 1954 and to 8 Station Road, Tring in August 1955 and then to “Alwyn” 32 Miswell Lane, Tring in June 1959.
On the date of Albert’s 60th birthday on the 16th October 1959 his pension was increased to £277/0/5 per annum.
Albert and Winifred final move was to 12 Mill View Road, Tring in December 1964. He retired from the museum in 1965 and devoted himself to his home, his garden and choral singing.
Albert Prentice died on the 15th January 1982 at his home address 12 Mill View Road, Tring. The cause of death was 1a. Bronchopneumonia, b. Uraemia, c. Carcinoma of prostate.
Winifred Isabel Prentice died on the 19th May 1997.
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