William Henry Hussey
Early Life.
William Henry Hussey was born on 27th August 1892 at Back Lane, Bushey and was baptised on 23rd October 1892.
His father, also called William Hussey, aged 24 a bachelor bricklayer of Bushey, married Frances Ann Dobson, aged 20 a spinster of Bushey, on the 25th June 1892 at Bushey Parish Church. They had nine children all born in Bushey:
1. William Henry. 2. Bertha Lydia was born in 1893. 3. Alice Maud was born in 1895. 4. Helen was born in 1897. 5. Edmund John was born in 1899 and died in 1900. 6. Frederick Charles was born in 1901. 7. Frank was born in 1902. 8. Elizabeth May was born and died in 1905. 9. Horace was born in 1908.
In the 1901 census the family were living at Grove Cottages, 7 Falconer Road, Bushey and William senior was a bricklayer. By the time of the 1911 census, they had moved to 14 Merry Hill Mount, Bushey. William senior was still employed as a bricklayer and son William was a general labourer.
By 1913 the young William was employed as a Gardener by Lord Aldenham at Aldenham House. [Aldenham House is in Elstree, near Aldenham village, Herts. It was the Gibbs family seat, who were the Barons Aldenham. It is now the main building of the Haberdashers’ Boys’ School. Source Wikipedia Ed.]
Early Military Service.
His early Military Service Record has not survived but it is known that William joined the 9th Battalion Middlesex Regiment Territorials. [The 9th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment was an infantry battalion of the British Army. Part of the Volunteer Force, later the Territorial Force (renamed the Territorial Army in 1920), the battalion was part of the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) and recruited from the north-western suburbs of London. Source Wikipedia Ed.] He served for 239 days and was discharged on the 16th December 1913 meaning he probably enlisted in April 1913.
Also, in 1913 William applied to join the Hertford County Constabulary.
Police Service.
His Form 3 Police Service Record has survived which shows he was Appointed as Police Constable 306 on the 1st December 1913 earning £1/4/6 per week. Prior to this he would have had to supply details of a least three referees and undergone both a medical and interview. His record shows a Police Surgeon’s 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, signed G.C. Upcott-Gill Surgeon 19th November 1913. He would probably have been interviewed on the same day and informed of his success by letter instructing him to wait to be told his starting date.
The following was recorded: He gave his name as William Henry Hussey and his age on joining was 21 3/12 years and he was born on the 27th August 1892 at Bushey, Watford. His height: 5 feet 9 ¼ inches, chest: 36 inches, complexion: fresh, eyes: blue, hair: dark brown, marks: cut scar right knee mole bend left forearm. He gave his religion as Church of England. He said that he could ride a cycle, but he could not swim. He provided details of his last employer, Lord Aldenham, and his Military Service with the Territorials. He gave his next of kin as his father, but this was later amended to be his wife.
He underwent his Probationers Training at Police Headquarters at Hatfield. He was Approved and sworn in at Hatfield before C.W. Gaussen J.P. and G.L. Whately J.P. on the 23rd February 1914. On the 26th February 1914 he was taken on the Roster and posted to A Division at Ware.
William Henry Hussey
A Minor Misdemeanour.
William’s Police Service Record shows that on the 18th May 1914 he was reprimanded by the Chief Constable for omitting his Conference Point at 4.00 a.m. on the 8th May 1914. [Having no means of communication with their station whilst out on patrol, Constables were told how to patrol their Beats. Throughout their shift they would be told to be at certain points, Conference Points, at set times so that a supervisory Officer could meet them to check on their welfare, that they were actually out on patrol and to pass on any messages. Ed].
William’s Police Service Record shows that on the 10th June 1914 William passed his Ambulance Certificate. Training was carried out by St. John Ambulance and having passed Constables were given a circular badge which was worn on the lower left sleeve of their tunic, which showed they were trained in First Aid.
A Repeated Misdemeanour.
Again, his Police Service Record shows that on the 6th July 1914 William was severely reprimanded by the Chief Constable for omitting his Conference Point at 11.00 p.m. on the 30th June 1914.
Transfer To Headquarters And The Armed Guard At Libury Hall.
William’s Police Service Record shows that on the 9th September 1914, probably due to his Military Service in the Territorials, he was transferred back to Headquarters to form part of an Armed Guard at Libury Hall.
[The outbreak of the war saw a wave of xenophobia sweep the nation and many Germans nationals who were considered a threat to the nation were sent to internment camps for the duration of the war. Libury Hall, Great Munden, Ware became the county’s largest internment camp. Prior to the war the manor house had been converted into a German Industrial and Farm Colony to provide work and housing for unemployed and destitute German men. It was therefore a logical move that it should be expanded and during the course of the war 566 men of ages 60-90 were interned in the camp. The pre-war director W. Müller remained in charge of Libury Hall under the supervision of a British commandant and an Armed Police guard. The Police were housed in a farm cottage on the site. Source Herts At War website Ed.]
A Misdemeanour Whilst On Guard Duty.
William’s Police Service Record shows that on the 13th October 1914 the Chief Constable fined him 10s., severely reprimanded him and instructed him to return to his station for 1. Disobedience of Orders on discharging a service carbine when on duty. 2. Killing game without a licence.
William’s Police Service Record is clear that he remained at Libury Hall contrary to the Chief Constable’s instructions, possibly as so many men had been recalled to the Colours or had volunteered for the War, that there was no one to replace him. In addition, General Order 45 of the 26th March 1915 informed William that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £1/4/6 to £1/5/8 per week from 25th February 1915. At this time Officers had to apply for a pay rise, it would normally be awarded on the anniversary of their Appointment, and the application would have to be supported by the man’s direct supervisor and final approval made by the Chief Constable. So, it was a few months late but he did receive the pay rise, so his misdemeanours were perhaps not so great.
Transfer.
However, due to a change o policy Police Constables were withdrawn from the Armed Guard. William’s Police Service Record shows and General Order 63 of 15th April 1915 instructed William, and his colleagues, to return to his normal duties: Consequent upon the Military Authorities having undertaken to provide a Military Guard at the German Farm Colony, the undermentioned officers of this Police will resume ordinary duty and will proceed to their respective stations, as under, on 15th April 1915:
PS 70 Bowman W. B Division Bishops Stortford PC 306 Hussey W.H. A Division Ware PC 307 Markwell J. C Division Watford PC 298 Smith G. E Division Hitchin PC 62 Allen W.J. F Division Hertford PC 137 Dowty F.W. G Division Harpenden PC 276 Deer H.F. E Division Little Munden
William’s Police Service Record shows that between the 18th and 20th September 1915 he was sick with a cold.
Transfer And A Pay Rise.
William’s Police Service Record shows and General Order 187 of 6th December 1915 informed William that he was being transferred from A Division at Ware to C Division at Watford from 9th December 1915. Two days later General Order 189 notified him that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £1/5/8 to £1/6/10 per week from 1st December 1915. This being the anniversary of his Appointment.
Enlisted In The Army.
William’s Army Service Record has survived and shows he was Attested on 10th December 1915 at Watford. On 11th December 1915, which is supported by his Police Service Record, he was transferred to Section B Army Reserve and resumed his Policing duties waiting to be mobilised, as were numerous other Hertfordshire officers.
Each Section B man was issued with an khaki armlet with a red Crown stamped on it. They were worn on the upper left arm to show that they had enlisted in the Army but had been placed in Section B of the Army Reserve. Each armband had an individual serial number on it which was recorded on their Army enlistment record. In William’s case the top of the original copy of his Army Form B2512 is stamped “Armlet Number” and to the left of that, rather indistinctly, is written a number, possibly 16771 which is probably for his armband.
William’s Police Service Record shows that between the 14th and the 22nd January 1916 he was off sick with tonsillitis and between the 21st and the 26th June 1916 he was off sick with a severe cold.
Promotion Exam.
General Order 124 of 18th November 1916 was a list of 16 Constables, including William, who had signified their desire to sit for examination for promotion from Second Class to First Class Constable. The necessary examination papers were prepared and forwarded to the Superintendents concerned. The examination was held in accordance with the rules laid down in Order 192/1915.
General Order 137 of 21st December 1916 announced the result of the Examination for Promotion from Second Class to First Class Constable. Five officers, including William, did not qualify but they would have had to do so at some point.
William’s Police Service Record and General Order 141 of the 28th December 1916 informed William that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £1/6/10 to £1/7/5 per week from 1st December 1916.
Mobilisation.
General Order 5 of 22nd January 1917 announced details of Constables, including William, who were being mobilised by the Army: Police Constables (Naval and Military Service) Act 1914 and Police (Emergency Provisions) Act 1915. Enlistment in H M Forces. Reference Order No/. 148/1914 and Subsequent Orders on the Same Subject. Consequent upon the demand for men of military age for service in H M Army the Standing Joint Committee have reconsidered the strength at which it is necessary to maintain the force and have authorised that a further 20 members shall be released for Army Service. Of this number 5 have been accepted provisionally by the Army Council for service in the Military Mounted Police viz:
1. PC 11 Pearman C.H. A Div. Wormley 2. PC 34 Bolter F.L. B Div. Albury 3. PC 49 Smith A. C Div. Watford 4. PC 249 Burns A. E Div. Hitchin 5. PC 255 Stroud T. E. E Div. Graveley
Further instructions with regard to these men will be issued as soon as received.
In accordance of the resolution of the Standing Committee dated 5th January 1917 the Deputy Chief Constable hereby gives the necessary consent as required by the above Acts to the undermentioned Constables for the purpose of enlisting in H M Army.
1. PC 297 Kempthorne T.R. A Div. Ware 2. PC 9 Emery A.C. A Div. Ware 3. PC 139 Freeman A. A Div. Hoddesdon 4. PC 265 Camp H. B Div. High Wych 5. PC 299 Trussell H. B Div. Bishops Stortford 6. PC 261 Wallen J. C Div. Watford 7. PC 132 Wallman H. C Div. Watford 8. PC 306 Hussey W.H. C Div. Watford 9. PC 133 Mansfield A. C Div. Watford 10. PC 320 Collett W.C. D Div. Hemel Hempstead 11. PC 324 Bozeat W. D Div. Great Berkhamsted 12. PC 266 Cripps W.P. E Div. Baldock 13. PC 129 Burch S.G. E Div. Stevenage 14. PC 300 Jones H.B. E Div. Hitchin 15. PC 150 Darton W.C. F Div. Welwyn
The Constables enumerated will be released from the Police Service as from Thursday 1st February 1917 inclusive and will be paid up to and including the 31st January 1917.”
General Order 8 of 25th January 1917 granted the same 15 Constables mentioned above leave of absence on 30th and 31st January 1917.
Army Service During The War.
In the Army Service Record of PC 133 Arthur Mansfield are hand written notes, dated 1st February 1917, listing 4 names: Harry Wallman, Joseph Wallen, Arthur Mansfield and William Hussey, stating that they are four Police Officers having enlisted at Watford and would they be accepted together into the Royal Horse Artillery at Woolwich. They were accepted and have consecutive service numbers – Wallman 205951, Hussey 205952, Wallen 205953 and Mansfield 205954. However, they did not remain together as after their initial training they all served in different units.
William’s Army Service Record together with his Medal Roll Index Card and Medal Roll show the following was recorded: He gave his address as the Police Station, Watford, Herts. He stated he was 23 years 4 months old, his occupation was a Police Constable, he was not married, that he had previous Military service of one year in the 9th Territorial Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.
His description on enlistment in 1915 was recorded as; apparent age 23 years 4 months, his height 5 feet 10 inches and his chest 39 inches with a 2 inch expansion. He stated he was Church of England. His next of kin was recorded as his father, William Hussey 10, Titian Avenue, Bushey, Herts. and Theresa Florence Buck of 20, Banbury Street, Watford.
From William’s Medical History Army Form B 178 we know that he had also been examined on 10th December 1915 at Watford and the following additional information noted: his height was 5 feet 10 inches; his weight was 160 lbs, and his chest was 39 inches with a 2 inch expansion.
William’s Police Service Record states that he enlisted in Army for the period of the War from 1st February 1917 whereas his Army Service Record states that on the 2nd February 1917 he was mobilised as Gunner 205952 and the following day posted Depot Royal Horse Artillery. Then on the 16th February 1917 he was posted to R Battery R.H.A.
Marriage.
On the 9th April 1917 William Henry Hussey married Theresa Florence Buck, born on the 11th January 1898 at Watford, at the Parish Church of St. Michaels and All Angels, Watford. They had four children:
1. Eustace William George born 1919 at Bennington. 2. Peter Stanley born 1921 Royston. 3. Thomas Frank born 1923 at Royston. 4. Anthony Robert born in 1927 at Bishops Stortford.
Theresa Hussey in the Land Army
On the 30th May 1917 William was posted to France and on the 26th July 1917, he joined B Battery R.H.A. 15th Brigade. On the 30th November 1917 he was posted as “Missing”.
Prisoner Of War.
On the 9th January 1918 William’s wife Theresa replied to a letter presumably from someone in the Royal Horse Artillery. Writing from her home address of 20 Banbury Street, Watford she says: Sir, Many thanks for letter received. Enclosed please find Post Card which I received from my husband Thursday January 3rd, other one War Office January 9th. Yours faithfully T.F. Hussey.
The post card referred to is not included but an entry on William’s Service Record refers to it and records that he is a Prisoner of War at Dülmen, Germany.
Reiterating this is the War Office Daily List No. 5488, received from various sources and dated 9th February 1918, which shows Gunner 205952 W.H. Hussey, Royal Horse Artillery as a prisoner of war in German hands.
From the records of the International Committee of the Red Cross we know that William was not wounded when he was taken prisoner at Cambrai on the 30th November 1917 and was at Dülmen Camp on the 7th January 1918 having been previously held at Le Quesnoy. On the 24th April 1918 he is recorded as being held at Freidrichsfeld Camp.
On the 9th December 1918 having been released he arrived at Dover. On the 17th February 1919 he was transferred to Class Z Army Reserve at Woolwich. He gave his address as 20 Banbury Street, Watford.
On the 20th January 1919 he was issued a Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity Army Form Z11 and granted a 28 day furlough.
Back home the families had not been forgotten as can be seen by General Order 20 of 19th January 1919 entitled: Allowances to wives of Police Soldiers.
It announced that the Chief Constable had considered the position of each individual Police Soldier under the new scale of pay and found after taking into consideration the total income of the family from allowances, including the value of the soldier’s food and clothing, that in 16 cases the families were in a worse financial position then they would have been had the man remained in the force. These cases were put before the Standing Joint Committee and they authorised extra payments, with effect from 1st July 1918. PC 306 W.H. Hussey C Division was awarded £0/0/5 extra per week with £0/11/10 to be paid retrospectively with the allowances for the week ending 22nd January 1919. William’s Police Service Record states that he was discharged from the Army on the 10th February 1919.
On William’s Police Service Record is a brief summary of his Military Service headed: Record of Army Service. Enlisted in Royal Horse Artillery 8th February 1917, Gunner. Served on Western Front from 1st May 1917 to 30th November 1917. Prisoner of war in Germany from 1st December 1917 to 5th December 1918. Medals War, Victory, wound badges nil. Demobilised 17th February 1919 Rank Gunner.
He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Re-joining The Police.
William’s Police Service Record states and General Order 38 of 11th February 1919 announced that having been released from H.M. Army PC 306 Hussey W.H. C Division was re-appointed to the Force with effect from 11th February 1919 on £2/8/0 per week. Prior to his re-appointment he would have had to have a medical to ensure he was still fit enough for Police Duties. Having passed that he would also have had to have been re-Attested.
William’s Police Service Record shows that between the 27th March and the 7th April 1919 he was off sick with influenza.
William’s Police Service Record shows and General Order 92 of 11th April 1919 informed William that he was being transferred from C Division at Watford to E Division at Bennington on the 17th April 1919. The Electoral Rolls of 1919 and 1920 list William as living at Stoopers Hill, Bennington. [Stoopers Hill is no longer in use as a street name in Bennington, but it is believed to have been what is now Town Lane. Ed.]
General Order of 21 of the 5th February 1920 informed William that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £4/0/0 to £4/2/0 per week from 1st December 1919 which is shown on his Police Service Record.
Another Misdemeanour.
A very brief entry on William’s Police Service Record states: January 1920 Omitting Conference Point C.C. 394/1920. Pleaded Guilty. Admonished.
William’s Police Service Record shows that between the 12th and the 20th July 1920 he was off sick with a chill.
General Order 3 of the 5th January 1921 informed William that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £4/2/0 to £4/4/0 per week from 1st December 1920 which is shown on his Police Service Record.
Transfer.
There is no General Order showing William’s transfer from E Division at Bennington to E Division at Royston, but his Police Service Record shows he was moved there on the 16th December 1920. The 1921 census records him, his wife and sons as living at 45, Kneesworth Street, Royston. The Electoral Rolls of 1921 to 1924 list him at the same address.
William’s Police Service Record shows that between the 17th to the 26th March 1921 he was off sick with a sprained ankle.
William’s Police Service Record shows and General Order 199 of 10th December 1921 informed him that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £4/4/0 to £4/6/0 per week from the 1st December 1921.
Arrest Of Burglars.
Published on the 15th September 1922 in the Herts. & Cambs. Reporter & Royston Crow under the headline: The Motor Van Burglars. Exciting Chase and Capture at Royston.
On Friday morning two men in a Ford van who had been carrying out a series of house breaking raids in the neighbourhood of Hatfield were stopped at the Cross, Royston. Unfortunately, one of the men escaped and is still being hunted for.
When the fact became known that a burglar had been arrested there was considerable excitement in the town and a large crowd assembled outside the Police Station hoping to catch a glimpse of the prisoner. This of course was denied them once the doors closed on him. But the Ford van stood in the yard of the Police Station, and this was to be seen every time the gates were opened.
Superintendents, Inspectors, Sergeants and other officials were continually coming and going during the afternoon and excitement ran high, every fresh car that drove up raising the hopes of the public that it might contain the other man.
The first raid was made at Woodside, the Hatfield residence of Sir William Selby Church, Bart., K.C.B., the well-known physician, on Thursday evening, September 8th. The house was entered by a bedroom window, to reach which a ladder had been removed from the stables. Sir William Church and his daughter had just finished dinner when a maid discovered that there was someone in one of the bedrooms. A man was seen to come out of the room and to enter another room, through the window of which he made his escape. An effort, in which Sir William, who is over 80 years of age, joined, was made to investigate the matter, but the thieves had gone in the motor van, taking with them a jewel case, and a dressing case containing articles valued at about £200.
The second raid was made on a house near Welwyn. After making a dash from Sir William Church’s residence the men and the van went off northwards, and when nearing Welwyn left the Great North Road and proceeded by private road to “Sherrards,” The residence of Mrs. Grey Hill. An attempt to break in was frustrated by the butler, who, hearing a noise, discovered the men near the house. He gave chase, but the men succeeded in reaching their motor van and made off.
A third raid was made on a garage at Woolmer Green. The burglars continuing their dash northwards came to Woolmer Green and entered a garage belonging to Mr. William Lisles, and took away 2 tins of petrol, 2 tins of oil, a motor car tyre, 2 cycle tyres and a parcel of sparking plugs. The men continued on their journey, but in the meantime the Chief Constable and the Deputy Chief Constable (Superintendent Knight) had been notified and instructions had been telephoned to all stations, and a special control of all roads was soon in force. These special controls instituted by the Chief Constable have been particularly effective on other occasions, and captures have been successfully accomplished. A cordon of police was formed at Stevenage and soon a Ford was seen approaching. The driver ignored the command and signals to stop, and dashed through the cordon of constables, but not before the number XK7036 was observed. The car was chased by a motor cyclist but was eventually lost sight of.
Capture At Royston.
The chase was continued throughout the night, and police everywhere were on the alert and were anxious looking for a Ford van bearing the identification marks XK7036. At 12.15 noon, on Friday, PC Hussey, who was stationed on the Cross, Royston, saw the Ford van coming up Kneesworth Street. There was no mistaking the number, it was an easy one to remember and all the police in Hertfordshire had been repeating it for the past 12 hours – “KX seventy thirty-six,” that was how they said it. PC Hussey signalled the van to stop, and this time the signal was obeyed. The constable told the two men inside of his suspicions concerning them, and jumping on to the footboard, ordered the men to drive to the Police Station.
The van proceeded up the High Street, and at the top, the command “Turn to the left,” was ignored, and the van dashed up the London Road with the men beating at the constable’s arm in an endeavour to throw him off, but the constable pluckily stuck on. In the struggle the glass wind screen of the van was smashed. The constable all the time had his eye on the magneto switch, and at last he was able to reach this and dexterously switched off the current and at the same time removed the key. The van was swung round and stopped of its own accord opposite the old green lane near the water works. With an exclamation of “We’re done now!” the two men, knocking the constable on one side, dashed out of the van and bolted up the green lane with the constable close on their heels. The younger man attempting to break through the hedge got entangled in some barbed wire and was secured. The elder man then doubled on his tracks, crossed the London Road and although there were several people about it is not quite certain where he disappeared, but it believed he went through one of the garden gates of the houses opposite and eventually made his way over the top of London cutting and has not yet been recaptured.
PC Hussey With The Burglars Car At Royston Police Station
The captured man, the younger of the two, and the motor van were taken to the Police Station and the hunt for the other man began. A number of the Special Constabulary Reserve, Boy Scouts and others joined in the chase. Mr. Hunt, the proprietor of the Cinema, had his car at the Cinema and at once put the vehicle at the disposal of the police. Useful work in the search was done by Mr. Peter Ryland in the fields, on horseback, and the police wish to thank these and others for the ready assistance given them. Mr. Hunt drove his car himself and accompanied by PC Sturman went up the London Road and by the Reed Joint to Barkway. From that village they took the road leading to Buckland and when nearing Buckland Church about 3.15 p.m. a man, carrying a small parcel was seen to come from the hedge on one side of the road and without any signs of haste pass over and get over a gate into a field. When the car reached the gate, which was of course in only a few seconds of time, the man had disappeared, and although a thorough search was made of the field by the Constable and Mr. Hunt not a trace of him could be found. His footmarks could, however, be seen near a culvert on the side of the road from which he was first seen coming. News came in later that a man answering the description was seen at Wyddial, and a bicycle was stolen from that village which it is thought the man got away on.
The description of the man is given by the police as follows: –
“Known as Arthur Edwin Young, aged about 35, height 5ft. 8in., thin build, brown hair and eyes, clean shaven, has an abscess mark on right side of neck, large feet, walks quickly but with an awkward gait.”
The missing man is well known to the police and is said to be able to climb a 20 feet wall and trees like a monkey. He is well known at fairs and race meetings as a caterer. The Ford van in which the men were driving belongs to Young and was not stolen and was used by him to go from place to place. The bundle, seen in the photograph above, on top of the van is the supports of his stall, and the van when captured contained a quantity of food stuff, tea, sugar and crockery.
The other occupant of the van who was captured is William John Holmes, nothing more than a lad, about 17 years of age. On him was found a few gold broaches and earrings, the greater part of the proceeds of the burglary evidently being in the possession of the elder man. From information given by the prisoner the larger articles, including the dressing case, stolen from Woodside, together with the articles taken from the Garage at Woolmer Green, were recovered from their hiding place in a field at Stevenage.
The van was taken to Hatfield by road on Saturday morning and the prisoner was conveyed by train by PS Megaughey and PC Hussey and brought before a special Bench and remanded until Monday, when he was brought up again and remanded until September 18th.
How the van came to be coming from the direction of Kneesworth on Friday morning has been remarked upon, but from enquiries in various places where a van answering to the description was seen it would look as if the route taken by the burglars after leaving Stevenage was by Weston, Walkern, Red Hill, Slip End, Ashwell Station, the Mordens, Bassingbourn, Kneesworth to Royston.
Since Thursday night two other burglaries in the county have been reported to the police and from the nature of means of entry and certain marks left behind there is reason to believe these were committed by the wanted man. During Sunday night Hawkshead House, North Mymms, the residence of Mr. A.C. Clauson, K.C. was broken into and a quantity of jewellery stolen. Mr. and Mrs. Clauson were away in Scotland. A similar entry was also made during Sunday night at Melham Manor, about two miles away from Hawkshead House.
More recent reports, however, do not seem to confirm the idea that these later burglaries could have been the work of the same man who stole the bicycle from Wyddial, because a bicycle found abandoned near Epping Forest has now been identified as the one taken from Wyddial.
Commendation.
General Order 125 of 22nd September 1922 announced that William had been commended: Rex. – V – William J. Holmes – Burglary. At Hatfield Special Petty Sessions on 18th September 1922, the Chairman, Colonel W.J. Halsey O.B.E., commended Constable 306 W.H. Hussey of the E or Hitchin Division for initiative and courage displayed in boarding a moving motor car and effecting the arrest of Holmes on a charge of Burglary. The Chief Constable endorses the Commendation and directs that an appropriate entry shall be made on the Constable’s record sheet.
The entry does appear on William’s Police Service Record.
Burglary Update.
Published on the 22nd September 1922 in the Herts. & Cambs. Reporter & Royston Crow under the headline: The Motor Van Burglars. No News Of Missing Man.
Nothing further has been heard of Arthur Edward Young, the elder of the two burglars, who escaped from the motor van, which was stopped at Royston by PC Hussey on Friday, September 8th.
Prisoner Committed For Trial.
William John Holmes, of 6, Rokeby Street, Stratford, E., who was captured at Royston, was brought up again on remand at Hatfield on Monday last and charged with breaking and entering the residence of Sir William S. Church, at Woodside Place, Hatfield, on September 7th. PC Hussey gave evidence of arrest at Royston. PS Megaughey produced a long statement made to him by the prisoner at Royston –
In the course of this prisoner said that he, his father and uncle Alfred Edward Young, went to Barnet Fair on September 4th, and found trade very bad. On September 7th his father left them for home, and later he and his uncle left in a motor car with the intention of going to Doncaster races. They found that they had only about two or three gallons of petrol and no money. So, his uncle suggested that when they got to Woodside Place they should stop and look for some petrol. They could not find any, and his uncle put a ladder which they found lying on the ground against an open window. His uncle entered and soon came down again with a portmanteau. His uncle put the portmanteau into the van, and they left. When they were about eight miles away, they got out to find some petrol. His uncle broke into a garage. Each of them went inside and took 12 tins of petrol, lubricating oil, a motor tyre, two cycle tyres and some sparking plugs. Further along the road three policeman tried to stop them, but they managed to get through, and went into a bye-road, and then into a field where they stayed the night. They hid the can of oil and the tyres. The following morning, they were disturbed, and travelled on again to the point at Royston where they were stopped by a policeman. The police took the jewellery out of the van, but the portmanteau had been left with the tyres.
Evidence was also given to the effect that prisoner accompanied a policeman to the spot where he had hidden the articles mentioned and they were found.
Asked if he any questions to put, prisoner said: “It is given in evidence that I did feloniously enter the house. But according to my statement I remained outside.”
Prisoner was then charged with breaking and entering the garage at Woolmer Green and committing a felony there.
Evidence was given by Joseph Lloyd to the effect at about midnight on Sept. 7th, he saw two men coming from the direction of the garage towards the motor van, which stood in the road. Witness went up to the van and took the number, which was XK7036, and then informed the proprietor of what he had seen. The proprietor at once communicated with the police.
Prisoner was committed for trial on both charges at the Quarter Sessions.
Published on Monday 16th October 1922 in the Pall Mall Gazette under the headline: Motor Thieves’ Dash, Constable Commended for Smart Bit of Work.
At Hertford Quarter Sessions today, William John Holmes, who was concerned with another man not in custody in the motor thieves’ dash through Hatfield to Royston on September 7, was sentenced to six months imprisonment. After stealing jewellery at Sir William Church’s house at Hatfield the men dashed away, after discovery, to Welwyn, where they broke into a garage. They drove their car through the Police cordon at Stevenage and were pulled up at Royston by PC Hussey jumping on their motor car and putting the mechanism out of gear. Holmes was arrested, but his companion escaped. PC Hussey was commended by the Bench. Sir Alfred Reynolds stated that the prisoner, who was only 17, had a very light sentence owing to his age. He was working with an experienced criminal and Sir Alfred advised him to break away from such company.
Published on the 20th October 1922 in the Herts. & Cambs. Reporter & Royston Crow under the headline: The Motor Van Burglars.
William John Holmes, the younger of two motor van burglars who was captured at Royston on Sept. 8th, by PC Hussey, was at the Herts. Quarter Sessions on Monday last sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. In passing sentence, Sir Alfred Reynolds said that, on account of his age, Holmes would only have a very light punishment. He had evidently been working with an experienced criminal.
It will be remembered that the prisoner with his uncle, a man named Arthur Edward Young, on the night of September 7th, entered the premises of Sir William Selby Church, at Hatfield, and stole jewellery to the value of £200. The men then drove off and raided a garage at Woolmer Green, taking away tins of oil, petrol and motor tyres, etc. They then drove through a cordon of Police at Stevenage and eventually reached Royston about noon the following morning by a round-about way, where the motor van was stopped. Unfortunately, the elder man escaped and has not yet been captured.
The second offender, Albert E. Young aged 30, was eventually arrested and sentenced at Hertford Quarter Session to five years penal servitude for burglary and theft of jewellery, valued at £200, at Woodside, Hatfield the residence of Sir William Selby Church, on September 7th, and for breaking into a garage belonging to William Lister at Woolmer Green and stealing tyres, petrol etc. on the same date.
General Order 169 of 28th December 1922 and General Order 14 of 16th January 1924 informed William that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £4/6/0 to £4/8/0 per week from 1st December 1922 and from £4/8/0 to £4/10/0 per week from 1st December 1923 both of which are shown on his Police Service Record.
Another Misdemeanour.
William’s Police Service Record shows that on the 18th March 1924 he was disciplined for discreditable conduct in that submitting a report of a motor collision at Reed stated thereon he examined driving licence of Mr. Edward Mildren knowing it to be the licence of another person. The Chief Constable reduced his pay by one grade at 2/- per week for a period of six months.
His rate of pay was reduced to £4/8/0 on the 18th March 1924 and re-instated to £4/10/0 on the 18th September 1924.
William’s Police Service Record shows that between the 1st and the 6th May 1924 he was off sick with influenza, then between the 6th February and the 17th May 1925 he was off sick for 102 days with cerebral trouble.
The Electoral Roll of 1926 lists William as living at 18, Heath Avenue, Royston.
William’s Police Service Record shows that between the 27th January and the 7th February 1927 he was off sick with influenza.
Transfer.
William’s Police Service Record shows that on the 6th April 1927 he was transferred from E Division at Royston to A Division at Brent Pelham. The Electoral Rolls of 1927 to 1929 show him and Theresa living at Police Cottage, Brent Pelham.
Misdemeanour.
William’s Police Service Record shows that on the 21st November 1927 he was reprimanded by the Chief Constable for being 25 minutes late in reporting for duty at Brent Pelham on the 3rd November 1927.
William’s Police Service Record shows that between the 11th and the 20th January 1929 he was off sick with influenza.
Retirement And After The Police.
On the 2nd and the 3rd July 1929 William faced further minor disciplinary offences of being 3 hours late for duty and missing a Conference Point. As a consequence, the Chief Constable suspended him from duty pending an examination by the Staff Surgeon. The Staff Surgeon certified that he was unfit for further service and the discipline was not proceeded with and subsequently on the 14th August 1929, William retired, after 16 years’ service, on a Medical Pension of £70/7/10 per annum.
On the 10th October 1932 the Hertfordshire County Council County Finance Clerk wrote to the Chief Constable: Dear Sir, I enclose copy of a letter [this has not survived Ed.] received by me today from Mrs. T. Hussey wife of Pensioner Ex-Police Constable Wm. H. Hussey notifying a change of address and explaining the difficulty experienced in obtaining her husband’s signature upon pension receipts in hospital. In the circumstances explained you would doubtless consider the duly attested mark of this pensioner acceptable while he is unable to sign his name unaided.
A hand written note on the back of this letter states: Supt C Division. Forwarded for enquiry and report as to condition of X Constable Hussey and how long he is likely to be incapacitated Chas Randall Supt & DCC.
On the 13th October 1932 Supt. E. Maskell wrote to the Chief Constable: Sir, In accordance with the above, I have to report that enquiry has been made respecting the condition of Ex-Constable Hussey. Enquiry has been made at the Watford Infirmary and it was ascertained that Hussey is in the Mental Ward there. The Chief Attendant stated that Hussey’s case is hopeless and that he will gradually get worse as he is suffering from a tumour on the brain, and it is impossible to operate. He also stated that Hussey will be incapacitated for life, he is unable to use his right arm.
On the 14th October 1932 the Chief Constable George Knight wrote to the HCC County Finance Clerk: Dear Sir, With reference to your letter of the 10th October 1932, enquiry has been made and I find that ex-Constable Hussey is a patient in the Mental Ward of the Poor Law Institution, Watford, suffering from a tumour on the brain and is not likely to get better. Hussey is unable to raise his right arm, and I think the best procedure to adopt will be to accept the signature of Mrs. Hussey and the certificate of the Medical Officer that he is alive. You will remember this is the procedure adopted in the case of ex-Constable Taylor.
On the 15th October 1932 the HCC County Finance Clerk wrote back to the Chief Constable: Dear Sir, I am obliged by your letter of 14th inst. relative to the payment of the pension of ex-Constable W.H. Hussey and note that it is proposed to adopt the same procedure as in the case of ex-Constable Taylor. I will write to Mrs. Hussey in explanation.
William Henry Hussey aged 40 years of 59 Fuller Road Watford, a Police Pensioner, died on the 23rd March 1933 at 60 Vicarage Road Watford. A Post Mortem declared the cause of death to be Cerebral atrophy due to arterial thrombosis and was natural causes. Certificate received from Stanley P. Thompson, Deputy Coroner for the Watford District. Inquest held on 28th March 1933 and adjourned to 25th April 1933.
Brain or cerebral atrophy is a loss of neurons and connections between neurons. Different conditions cause brain atrophy, including cerebral palsy, dementia and infectious diseases. Symptoms and severity of brain atrophy depend on the specific disease and location of damage. Some symptoms can be: Loss of reasoning ability, disorientation, difficulty with communication, whether vocally or in writing, memory loss, declines in reading comprehension and onset of learning disabilities.
In 1930 the Watford Union workhouse at 60 Vicarage Road was taken over by Watford Borough Council, who renamed it the Shrodells Public Assistance Institution (PAI) (‘Shrodells’ apparently means ‘shrubberies’ – many workhouses were renamed when they became PAIs to try to negate the association and stigma of the workhouse).
Published on the 3rd April 1933 in the West Herts. & Watford Observer under the headline: Police Pensioner’s Death. Inquest Adjourned For Pathological Report. The Deputy Coroner (Mr. S.P. Thompson) opened an inquiry at Shrodells Institution, Watford, on Tuesday, into the circumstances of the death of Mr. William Henry Hussey which occurred at Shrodells on March 23. Deceased was an ex-policeman, aged 40 years, and lived at 59, Fuller Road. He had been in the Institution since August.
Theresa Florence Hussey, the widow, said that she last saw her husband alive on March 22. For several years he had been depressed and thought everybody was against him. He had been like that since September 8, 1922, when he received an injury to his head and right shoulder whilst on point duty. He was then in the Herts. Constabulary at Royston. Apart from being moody, on occasions he was cheerful. Witness had never heard threaten to do himself any injury. The Deputy Coroner then adjourned the inquest until April 25. In the meantime, a pathological report is to be obtained.
Although William’s death was attributed to natural causes the family have always held that it was a direct result of his being assaulted at Royston.
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