Barber, Walter James, 256, Police Constable.

Early Life.

Walter James Barber was born on the 14th June 1895 at Sotterley, Suffolk and was baptised on the 11th August 1895 at St. Margaret’s Church, Sotterley.

His father, Robert Barber an agricultural labourer, married his mother, Caroline Blake in 1884 at Wangford, Suffolk. According to the 1911 census they had 14 children although only 13 have been identified. Of these four sadly died before the 1911 census:

1.    Dorcas Elizabeth born in 1884 at St. Margaret’s South Elmham, Suffolk.                                                                      2.    William Robert born in 1886 at Melfield, Suffolk.                                                                                                                    3.    Florence Caroline born in 1887 at Melfield.                                                                                                                              4.    Maud Mary born in 1888 and died in 1889 at St. Cross, South Elmham.                                                                        5.    Enoch Frederick born and died in 1890 at St. Cross, South Elmham.                                                                                  6.    Charlie Enoch born in 1892 at Homersfield, Suffolk.                                                                                                          7.    Gertrude Maud born in 1893 at St. Cross, South Elmham.                                                                                                8.    Walter James.                                                                                                                                                                              9.    Daisy Kate Maria born in 1896 at Sotterley.                                                                                                                          10. Hilda May born in 1898 at Sotterley.                                                                                                                                      11. Ernest George born in 1899 at Sotterley.                                                                                                                                  12. Albert Victor born in 1901 at Ashley, Norfolk.                                                                                                                      13. William Robert born in 1908 at Mutford, Suffolk.

During the 1891 census the family were living at St. Margaret’s Road, St. Cross, South Elmham, Wangford, Suffolk. By the time of the 1901 census they had moved and were living near St. Olaves Station, Herringfleet Hills, Herringfleet, Mutford, Suffolk.

At the time of the 1911 census they had moved again and were now living at Hill Cottages, Shipmeadow Beccles, Suffolk. Walter had left home and was employed as a House boy by an Elizabeth Watson and was living at Croft Lodge, Barton Road, Grantchester, Cambridge.

Little is known about Walter’s life for the next few years, other than he was also employed as a Gardener by a Mrs. J. Birch of Rickmansworth. Then in 1914 he applied to join the Hertford County Constabulary.

Police Service.

Walter’s Hertford County Constabulary Form 3 Record Sheet has survived and it shows the following: He was Appointed as Constable 256 on the 10th August 1914 and commenced his Probationer Training at Hatfield Police Headquarters earning £1/4/6  per week. World War One had started a few days previously and the Constabulary had already lost a large number of men, who were Army Reservists, who had been recalled to the Colours. Walter was one of a large number of replacements to be Appointed Constables although he probably had applied to join the Force well before the War started and had been waiting for a vacancy to arise.

His age on joining was 19 2/12 years. He said he was born in Sotterley, Suffolk on 14th June 1895 and was 5 feet 8 ½ inches tall, his chest measured 34 ½ – 35 ½ inches, he had a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair, he had no identifying marks. He stated his religion was Church of England, he was educated to the 6th Standard, he could ride a cycle but could not swim. He gave his next of kin as his father, Robert Barber, Burgh St. Peter, Beccles, Suffolk.

He had been examined by the Police Surgeon, L. Drage, on the 7th August 1914 who completed the following certificate: I hereby Certify that I have examined the above Candidate as to his health and bodily strength and consider him fit for the Constabulary of this County subject to Dentists Certificate.

Attested And Posted.

On the 24th August 1914 Walter was sworn in as a Constable before Arthur L. Stride J.P. and R.B. Fellows J.P. at Hatfield.

On 9th September 1914 Walter was taken on the Roster and Posted to Hitchin Police Station. During October 1914 he passed his Ambulance Certificate [First Aid Certificate Ed.] a very important qualification which allowed him to wear a badge on his lower left tunic sleeve.

Transfers.

Walter’s Police Service Record shows that on the 26th November 1914 he was transferred from E Division Hitchin to B Division at Bishops Stortford. Then a few months later both his Service Record and General Order 59 of the 10th April 1915 show that he was being transferred from B Division at Bishops Stortford to C Division at Watford from the 12th April 1915. Both moves were probably de to the manpower shortage caused by Police Constables enlisting in the Army.

Pay Awards.

General Order 133 of the 18th August 1915 informed Walter that he would receive an increased rate of pay from 24/6 to 25/8 per week from the 10th August 1915. Also, on this Order were Constable’s 73 Human, 132 Wallman, 139 Freeman and 192 Skeggs who all received the same increase of pay on the same date and all were Appointed on the 10th August 1914.

General Order 144 of the 20th September 1915 unusually repeats that Walter was to receive the pay increase shown above. However, it also included Constables 55 Harrowell and 317 White, who also received the same increase of pay on the same date and also were Appointed on the 10th August 1914.

On reaching his 21st birthday on the 14th June 1916 Walter’s pensionable service would have begun.

Enlistment.

From his Police Service Record, we know that Walter enlisted on the 10th December 1915, but he was immediately transferred to the Section B Army Reserve and returned to his Police duties. This was part of what was known as the Derby Scheme. Thousands of men around the country including dozens of Hertfordshire Police Officers enlisted under the scheme. The Hertfordshire Officers mainly enlisted between the 9th and the 11th December 1915. Every Section B Reservist was issued with an individually numbered Khaki Armlet with a red Crown displayed on it which was to be worn on the upper left arm to demonstrate they were a Reservist and were waiting to be mobilised.

Marriage.

Walter married Kate Mildred Cornwell on the 16th December 1915 at Lode, Cambridgeshire. They had six children:

1.    Kenneth Walter Owen born in 1917 at Watford.                                                                                                                2.    Joan Mabel born in 1919 at Watford. She married in 1942 at Berkhamsted a John Dennis Rolls son of Police Inspector 288 George John William Rolls.                                                                                                                                  3.    Douglas Robert born in 1921 at Hinxworth.                                                                                                                        4.    Kathleen Mary born in 1923 at Hinxworth.                                                                                                                              5.    Geoffrey Wilfred born in 1926 at Hinxworth.                                                                                                                          6.    Mary Elizabeth born in 1928 at Welwyn Garden City.

Pay Rise.

General Order 97 of the 12th August 1916 informed Walter that he would receive an increased rate of pay from 25/8 to 26/10 per week from the 10th August 1916.

Mobilised.

General Order 15 of the 16th February 1917 was entitled Police Constables (Naval and Military Services) Act 1914 Police (Emergency Provisions) Act 1915: The undermentioned Police Constables attested under the Group System having been called upon to report for Military Service in accordance with the Order of the War Cabinet dated 5th February 1917 de-badging all men aged 18 to 22 years on 20th January 1917 The Deputy Chief Constable hereby extends to them the provisions of the above Acts. They will be released from the Police Service granted leave of absence and paid up as set forth in the schedule appended.

Name                               Date to be              Date                    Leave                         Recruiting                                                                                              released                 Police Pay           of                                Office                                                                                                    Police Service        Ceases                Absence

PC 184 Edwards F.         19/02/1917            19/02/1917        18 & 19/02/1917        Hertford 10 a.m. 20/02/1917              PC 256 Barber W.J.         21/02/1917            21/02/1917        20 & 21/02/1917        Watford 10 a.m. 22/02/1917

Army Service During The War.

Walter’s Army Service Record has survived and from this and his Medal Index Card and Medal Roll we know the following:

When he enlisted on the 10th December 1915 at Watford he gave his address as 11 Liverpool Road, Watford which was later amended to 68, Neal Street, Watford. He gave his age as 21 years 6 months, his occupation as Police Constable and said he was unmarried although he married four days later. He said that he had not previously served in the Military.

His description on his enlistment was recorded: Apparent Age: 21 years 6 months. Height: 5 feet 9 inches. Chest: 36 inches 2 inch expansion. He said his religion was Church of England. His marriage details were recorded later, and his wife was given as his next of kin.

He underwent a medical examination on the 12th December at Watford and some additional details were recorded which were that he was born at Sotterley, Suffolk and his weight was 133 lbs.

On the 22nd February 1917 he was mobilised at Watford and the following day he was Posted as Gunner 206135 in the Royal Horse Artillery Depot. PC 184 Frederick Edwards having been mobilised two days earlier became Gunner 206125 Royal Horse Artillery. Other than during their basic training they did not serve together.

On the 6th November 1917 Walter was sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. On the 17th November 1917 he was posted to ‘B’ Battery Royal Horse Artillery.

On the 1st July 1918 he was taken by the 93rd Field Ambulance and admitted to Hospital with Otitis Media an ear infection possibly due to a perforated eardrum. On the 30th August 1918 he returned to Base.

On the 2nd September 1918, his wife notified her change of address to Wayside, Lode, Cambridgeshire. On the 6th September 1918 he was posted to ‘A’ Battery 47th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

On the 31st October 1918 he was granted leave to the UK via Calais and on the 15th November 1918, he returned to France. On the 20th December 1918 he was posted to Shorncliffe for release [unreadable Ed.]. He embarked on the SS Princess Victoria and returned Home the following day.

On the 17th January 1919 he transferred to Class Z Army Reserve on Demobilisation at Woolwich. Home address was given as 68, Neal Street, Watford.

Army Form Z22 Statement as to Disability recorded: Unit: A. Battery, 47th Brigade. Regiment: Royal Field Artillery No: 206135. Rank: Gunner. Name: Walter James Barber. Address: 68 Neal Street Watford. Age last birthday: 24. First joined: 10th December 1915 at Woolwich. Medical category: A1. Medical examination: 16th December 1918 in the field – I do not claim to be suffering a disability due to my Military Service – signed W.J. Barber.

Army Form Z11 Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity recorded: Name: Walter James Barber. No: 206135. Rank: Gunner. Record Office: Woolwich. Unit: A. 47 Brigade. Regiment: Royal Field Artillery. Pay Office: Blackheath. Address for Pay: 68, Neal Street, Watford, Herts. Theatre of War: France. Year born: 1894. Medical category: B1. Place of re-joining in case of emergency: Woolwich. Issued by: No. 1 Dispersal Unit Shorncliffe 20th December 1918. Granted a 28 day furlough.

He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.

Like every other soldier Walter was given 28 days leave when he was demobilised, and he used this time to arrange his re-joining of the Police. This would have involved a Medical Examination to ensure he was still fit enough for the duties of a Constable. His Police Service Record shows that he was finally Discharged from the Army on the 12th January 1919 after 1 year and 10 months services as a Gunner in the Royal Horse Artillery.

Re-joining The Police.

General Order 15 of 14th January 1919 announced that nine Police Soldiers, having been released from H.M. Army, would be re-appointed to the Force. Walter was shown as PC 256 Barber W.J. posted to C Division at Watford on £2/7/0 per week from the 13th January 1919. Each officer had to be formally re-attested and the Superintendents concerned had to report to the Chief Constable when this had been done with the date and place of attestation and before whom taken.  The Electoral Rolls of 1919 and 1920 list Walter James Barber as living at 68, Neal Street, Watford.

Pay Awards.

Walter’s Police Service Record shows that on the 1st April 1919 he received an increase in his pay, as part of a national pay award, to £4/0/0 per week. In conflict with this General Order 182 of the 20th August 1919 informed Walter that he would receive an increased rate of pay with from £3/18/0 to £4/0/0 per week from the 10th August 1919.

Transfer.

Walter’s Police Service Record shows that he was transferred from C Division at Watford to E Division at Hinxworth on the 30th July 1920. The 1921 census records that Walter and his wife Katie with children Joan aged one and Douglas aged under one month were all living in High Street, Hinxworth. The Electoral Rolls of 1921 to 1926 list Walter and Katie Barber as living at the Police Station, Hinxworth.

The following General Orders informed Walter that he would receive a pay increase from the 10th of August of the year of the Order:                                                                                                                                                                          General Order 142 of the 18th August 1921 from £4/2/0 to £4/4/0 per week.                                                                        General Order 113 of the 24th August 1922 from £4/4/0 to £4/6/0 per week.                                                                        General Order 148 of the 16th August 1923 from £4/6/0 to £4/8/0 per week.                                                                        General Order 149 of the 1st September 1924 from £4/8/0 to £4/10/0 per week.

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. Walter was one of the Constables named in the list but there was no record of him having been called out.

Transfer.

General Order 152 of the 5th November 1926 instructed Walter that from the 16th November 1926 he was being transferred from E Division at Hinxworth to B Division at Welwyn Garden City and to occupy a cottage at 46, Knella Road, Welwyn Garden City. The 1927 to 1930 Electoral Rolls list Walter and Katie Barber as living at 46, Knella Road, Welwyn Garden City.

Qualification To Sergeant.

General Order 12 of 19th January 1927 announced the results of the Promotion Examination for Constable to Sergeant held on the 18th December 1926. Walter was one of 23 successful candidates. There is no record to show he was ever promoted.

Commendation.

At Welwyn Petty Sessions on the 8th June 1928 the Chairman G.T. Ansell Esq. commended Walter for his abilities in effecting the arrest of two men for obtaining cigarettes by means of a trick.

Injury On Duty.

Walter suffered a grazed knee and was off sick from the 27th July 1928 for 14 days, the injury was classified as having been suffered whilst on duty.

Pay Rise.

Walter’s Police Service Record shows he received a pay rise on the 10th August 1931 to £4/12/6 per week.

Transfer.

Walter’s Police Service Record shows that on the 21st November 1933 he was again transferred, this time from B Division at Welwyn Garden City to D Division at Great Berkhamsted.

A Minor Blemish.

On the 12th July 1935, the Chief Constable fined Walter £1/0/0 for failing to make the necessary entry in the Guardroom Occurrence Book at Great Berkhamsted of a report of dangerous driving received by him by telephone at 5 p.m. on the 26th June 1935 and for failing to take particulars of the licences etc of a motor car and the licence of the driver against whom a report of dangerous driving had been received. His Police Service Records makes it clear that his pay was actually reduced on the 13th July 1935 from £4/12/6 to £4/10/0 per week. It was re-instated to £4/12/6 on the 13th July 1936.

The1939 Register lists Police Constable Walter Barber and his family as living at 18, George Street, Berkhamstead.

Pay Rise.

Walter’s Police Service Record shows he received a pay rise on the 30th July 1941 to £4/15/0 per week.

Injury On Duty.

On the 8th May 1942 Walter suffered a head injury which was classified as having occurred whilst on duty. He was off sick for 26 days.

Retirement.

Walter was pensioned on account of ill health on the 25th April 1945 and received a pension of £208/11/5 per annum.

Walter James Barber collapsed and died in the garden of his home address at 26, St. Marys Avenue, Northchurch, Berkhamsted on the 18th January 1979. His cause of death was recorded as Coronary Insufficiency, Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension.