Chief Superintendent Denis Armitage West
Early Life.
Denis Armitage West was born on the 29th December 1917 in West Ham and was baptised on the 24th February 1918 at All Saints West Ham.
His father was Robert Henry West born on the 13th June 1889 in West Ham, a Surgical Instrument Maker. At the time of the baptism, they were living at 48, Church Street, West Ham.
His mother was Mary Hilda Buttrey was born on the 28th September 1892 in West Ham. Robert and Mary married on the 25th January 1917 in West Ham. They had four children:
1. Denis Armitage West.
2. Robert James West born 1927 in Hitchin died 1936 at Hitchin.
3. Hilda Ethel West born 11th February 1928 at Hitchin.
4. Christine Edythe West born in 1933 at Hitchin.
At the time of the 1921 census the family were still living at 48 Church Street, Hoddesdon and Robert is described as a Brass Finisher, Electro Plate and Metal Worker running his own business.
Denis attended the Central School, Leicester Road, Manchester for a year before moving to Westbury and Pixmore Schools, Letchworth.
In September 1933 Denis passed his Intermediate and Medallion Royal Life Saving Society qualifications.
On leaving school Denis was employed by the Full Fashioned Hosiery Co. Ltd., Baldock, Herts from June 1932 to March 1936 as a Machinist. Then between April and June 1936 he was employed by Letchworth Bacon Co. Ltd., in Letchworth. Since October 1936 he had been employed as a Milk Roundsman, driving a motor vehicle, for the Letchworth, Hitchin and District Co-operative Society Ltd., Eastcheap, Letchworth.
He then decided to join the Herts County Constabulary.
Police Service.
As a first step he completed a Hertford County Constabulary Form 1 Conditions of Entrance Form. He completed it in his own handwriting by giving his full name: Denis Armitage West, Address: 58, West View, Letchworth, Herts., Age: 19 years 1 month, Occupation: Milk Roundsman, Married or Single: Single.
Then on the 10th February 1937 he attended Hitchin Police Station where Police Sergeant 310 E Lionel Whitenham filled in the following: Height (Bare-footed): 5 ft 10 inches, Weight 11 stones 9 lbs, Chest Deflated: 36 ins, Inflated 37 ¾ ins.
Denis then wrote a brief account of his employment, as previously described, since leaving school.
The Form was date stamped 12th February 1937 as having been received in the Chief Constable’s Office.
He was then given a Hertford County Constabulary Form 2 Conditions of Service Form and asked to complete the Declaration of Candidate,
Age: 19 years, Place and Date of Birth: West Ham, Essex, 29th December 1917, Height: 5 ft 10 inches, Chest 36 ins – 39 ¾ ins, Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Dark, Marks: Brown birth mark on left calf, Married or Single: Single, Nationality: British.
He stated that he had not completed any Public Service, but he had been a Boy Scout in Salford, Lancs and in the 3rd Letchworth and he had and was still employed as a Milk Roundsman as given above. He said he had never been previously rejected by a Police Force for any cause.
On the 17th February 1937 he signed a declaration stating his replies had all been truthful and that he agreed to comply with all the conditions of service as shown on the form.
On the 24th April 1937, the Constabulary Surgeon [name illegible Ed.] certified that he had examined Denis A. West and considered him fit for the duties of the Constabulary.
Denis also provided details of four persons who were happy to recommend him as a candidate for employment in the Hertford County Constabulary and for how long he had been known to them. The four were:
1. Frederick W. Bunn, 7 Baldock Road, Letchworth. 1930 – Present
2. George Thomas, Council Office Letchworth. 13 years
3. James I. Boorer, Headmaster Westbury School, Letchworth 1925 – now
4. John William Skells, 99 Spring Road, Letchworth 1925 – now
On the 21st February 1937 Sergeant 96 Joseph Wallen certified that the signatures of the above persons were genuine and that their recommendations were worthy of confidence.
His Hertfordshire County Police Personal Record contains all of the same information of his Form 1 and Form 2 together with further information as follows below.
On the 1st March 1937 Denis stated his Probationary Training at Police Headquarters Hatfield earning £2/2/0 per week.
On 6th July 1937 he was Appointed Constable 274 and posted to D Division at Hemel Hempstead earning £3/2/0 per week.
In December 1937 he passed his St. John Ambulance First Aid Certificate.
On the 3rd August 1938 he transferred to B Division at Hoddesdon. Then a year later he was placed on Motor Patrol Duties.
In the 1939 Register Denis was recorded as a Police Constable lodging with a Mr. and Mrs. Hammond at 6 East View, Hoddesdon.
Marriage.
Denis Armitage West married Helen May Pimm, born on the 24th November 1916 at Hammersmith, Middlesex, on the 31st August 1940 at Hitchin. They had two sons.
His Police Personal Record shows that on the 6th August 1942 he began Service with H.M. Forces.
Military Service in WW2.
There is very little information available about his Military Service other than what is recorded on his Police Service Record which shows that he served with the Durham Light Infantry.
The Supplement to the London Gazette of the 28th September 1943, Edition 36186 Page no. 4295, states that the Undermentioned Cadets were to be 2nd Lieutenants, 285841 Denis Armitage West Duram Light Infantry.
His Police Service Record shows that his rank on discharge from the Army was that of Major.
He was awarded the Defence Medal and the War Service Medal.
He was later awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
His Police Service Record shows that he was Discharged from the Army on 28th August 1946.
Re-joining The Police.
His Police Service Record shows that he re-joined the Police on the 29th August 1946. It is not recorded but it is assumed he was posted back to Hoddesdon.
Somewhat curiously his Police Service Record shows that he passed both Part 1 and Part 2 of the Promotion Exam to Sergeant on the 25th May 1946 some 3 months before he re-joined the Police. It is possible that he was discharged and re-joined the Police in 1945 and 1946 is an error.
Promotion To Sergeant.
On the 24th February 1947 Denis was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred to R Division Headquarters where he worked in the General Office.
Between the 12th January and the 20th March 1948, he attended a Detective’s Course at Stanley Grange [a Police Training establishment at Houghton, Lancashire Ed.]
On the 29th May 1948 he passed Part 2 of the Inspectors Promotion Examination and on the 5th February 1949, he passed Part 1 of the Inspectors Promotion Examination.
Between the 17th and the 29th October 1949, he attended a Sergeants Refresher Course at Pendley Manor [Pendley Manor an Educational Centre near Tring now a Grade 2 listed Hotel – see Course photograph under Pendley Manor category Ed.]
Promotion to Inspector.
On the 29th September 1952 Denis was promoted to the rank of Inspector and transferred to C Division at Oxhey. As an Inspector he would have not had a Warrant Number so his number 274 would have eventually been issued to another Officer. However, due to a change in policy he was later issued with a new Warrant Number of 991.
In November 1952 he again passed his St. Johns Ambulance First Aid Certificate.
Lord Chief Justice Goddard at the opening of Oxhey Pol Stn in Jan 1953. Insp Denis West just behind Lord Goddard
On the 17th January 1953 he was authorised to drive Police vehicles in Group 3. He had been driving motor cars since 1935 and motorcycles since 1940. On the 23rd April 1955 he qualified as a Class 4 Police Driver.
In November 1953 he passed the St. Johns Ambulance Voucher First Aid qualification. Then in November 1954 he passed the Medallion First Aid Qualification.
On the 8th March 1954 he attended War Duties Course No. 2 at Witney [presumably at the No. 5 District Police Training School Eynsham Hall – now a grade 2 listed hotel Ed.]
Between the 4th January and the 18th March 1955, he attended a Senior Officers Course No. B/1/55.
On the 11th September 1958 he was transferred to A Division at Bishop’s Stortford.
On the 30th August 1962 he was transferred back to C Division but this time to North Watford.
Promotion To Chief Inspector.
C/Supt Denis West c. 1967
On the 1st November 1962 Denis was promoted to Chief Inspector and transferred to E Division at Stevenage.
Between the 27th October and the 7th November 1963, he undertook a Civil Defence training course in Police War Duties at Sunningdale [presumably the Civil Defence Staff College at Sunningdale Park, Berkshire Ed.]
Promotion To Superintendent.
C/Supt Denis West c. 1967
On the 1st September 1964 Denis was promoted to Superintendent and transferred to A Division at Hertford.
On the 7th September 1965 he was transferred to R Division Headquarters in charge of the Traffic Department.
Promotion To Chief Superintendent.
C/Supt Denis West c.1967
On the 20th May 1967 Denis was promoted to Chief Superintendent and transferred to D Division at Hemel Hempstead where he was the Divisional Commander.
Retirement.
He retired on Pension after 32 year’s service on 14th February 1969.
Denis West at a reunion event at Oxhey Police Station c. 1993
Denis Armitage West died on Saturday 24th March 2001. The funeral was held at Hereford Crematorium at 1.20 p.m. on Monday 2nd April 2001.
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