PC Patrick Shields Park - City of Glasgow Police

Biographies

This section is concerned with more detailed biographies of the officers’ whose medals are in other sections of the website.

I will add more biographies as time permits.

 

 

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City of Glasgow Police - PC Patrick Shields Park

City of Glasgow Police   1800 - 1975

PC (PS) Patrick Shields Park   Born 18 December 1882 Died 24 July 1954

 

 

How I acquired these particular medals

 

This article is part of a series of research in to recipients of the King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal, 1903, more commonly known as ‘The Visit to Scotland Medal’) and King George V (Scottish Police) Coronation Medal, 1911.

 

I bought this group from a dealer in Australia in November 2011. They are court mounted and may have been worn in this style. The medals are in good condition for their age and the ribbons appear to be original. The quality of the Court Mounting is not high and the 1914-15 Star although original, is silvered. The group consists of the following:-

 

Medal	Inscription
1914-1915 Star	‘11288 PTE.P.PARK. S.GDS’
British War Medal, 1914- 1920	‘11288 PTE P PARK S.GDS.’
Victory Medal, 1919	‘11288 PTE P PARK S.GDS.’
Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal, 1911	‘PC P PARK’.

 

These medals were issued to PC Patrick Shields Park of City of Glasgow Police. He joined the force in 1903, volunteered for Army service in the First World War in September, 1914 and re-joined the police on his discharge in 1919. He retired as a Police Sergeant in 1933.

 

The Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

 

According to Medal Yearbook, 2010, the Coronation (Police) Medal 1911 was issued to commemorate the Coronation of King George V and was designed by Sir Bertram McKennal, MVO, ARA.

 

It was issued in large numbers to the Metropolitan Police, (19,783), The City of London Police, (1,400), County and Borough Police (England and Wales), (2,565), London Fire Brigade, (1,374), The Royal Irish Constabulary, (585), the Scottish Police, (2,800), the Royal Parks, (119), the Police Ambulance Service*, the St John Ambulance Brigade* and the St Andrew’s Ambulance Corps* (*2,633 for all three organisations).

 

In fact, only 1786 were issued to the Scottish Police. 11 went to the Holyrood Park Keepers and 310 to the St Andrew’s Ambulance Association.

 

The Scottish Police medal in silver had the inscription ‘SCOTTISH POLICE’ on the reverse and was named to the recipient on the rim. [i]

 

The 1914 – 1915 Star

 

This medal was

 

“Awarded to those who saw service in any theatre of war between 5 August, 1914 and 31 December, 1915, other than those who had already qualified for the 1914 Star. No fewer than 2,350,000 were awarded, making it the commonest British campaign medal up to that time.”

 

It was issued in 1918 and is made in bronze with a height of 50mm and a maximum width of 45mm.  [ii]

 

The British War Medal 1914 - 1920

 

Awarded in 1919 to British and Imperial forces, the medal is of silver or bronze and is 36mm in diameter.

 

“This medal was instituted to record the successful conclusion of the First World War but it was later extended to cover the period 1919-20 and service in mine-clearing at sea as well as participation in operations in North and South Russia, the Eastern Baltic, Siberia, the Black Sea and Caspian. Some 6,500,000 medals were awarded in silver, but about 110,000 in bronze were issued mainly to Chinese, Indian and Maltese in labour battalions. It was originally intended to award campaign clasps, but 79 were recommended by the Army and 68 by the Navy, so the scheme was abandoned as impractical. The Naval clasps were actually authorised (7 July, 1920) and miniatures are known with them, though the actual clasps were never issued.”  [iii]

 

The Victory Medal

 

Issued in 1919, made of yellow bronze and 36mm in diameter, this medal was for:-

 

“All who had already got the 1914 or 1914-15 Stars and most of those who had the British War Medal, some 6 million are believed to have been produced. It is often known as the Allied War Medal because the same basic design and double rainbow ribbon were adopted by thirteen other Allied nations (though the USA alone issued it with campaign clasps). The Union of South Africa produced a version with a reverse text in English and Dutch (not Afrikaans as is often stated).”  [iv]

 

To see Patrick Shields Park's medals click here.

 

The Story of PC Patrick Shields Park

 

Patrick Shields Park was born on 18 December 1882 (although the birth was not registered until January 1883) in the Parish of Dalry in the County of Ayr.

 

He was the son of William and Mary Park; the middle child of seven with three brothers and three sisters. His father was a Gardener and given that his children had been born in Troon, Ayrshire, Oban, Argyllshire and Girvan in Ayrshire, it is likely that the family had moved around in order for him to find employment.

 

By the time he was 18 in 1901, Patrick was working as a Railway Engine Fireman and living and working in Hurlford in South Ayrshire.

 

Two years later he joined City of Glasgow Police in “C” (Eastern) Division on 3 November, 1903.

 

He transferred to “B” (Western) Division on 28 December that year.

 

Having successfully completed his Probation, he was appointed 3^rd Class Constable earning 25/- a week (£1.25) on January 12 1904.

 

His service continued through the years and on 22 January, 1908 he was promoted to 1^st Class Constable on a pay of 27/-4d per week (around £1.37p).

 

The following year on 26 February, 1909 he married Elizabeth Mitchell at 54 Oran Street, Maryhill in the County of Lanark. Their daughter, Williamina Mitchell Park, was born the following year in 56 Dover Street, Anderston in the Burgh of Glasgow.

 

By the 1911 Census, the family were still living in Dover Street in Anderston.

 

That same year, according to ‘The Police Review and Parade Gossip’ of October 11, 1912, Patrick Park was one of the many police officers in Scotland to be awarded the Coronation Medal. He was listed as serving in the Western Division of City of Glasgow Police.  

 

On 23 September, 1914, he enlisted in the Scots Guards and that is the date shown on his Glasgow Police record as him having “Joined the Army”  

 

Having joined the Scots Guards he was transferred to the Military Foot Police and survived the war uninjured having served for almost four years in France. He was

 

 “Re-appointed to the force on his discharge from the army and posted to “B” Division on 15 July, 1919.” 

 

He was promoted to Sergeant in 1922 and transferred to “K” (Govan) Division. From the following year, he was paid 102/-6d per week (£5.12.5 pence).

 

There is no further record of him being transferred so it was probably from the same division that he retired on pension on December, 23^rd, 1933.

 

Elizabeth Park died at 143 Main Street, Largs in the County of Ayr on 8 June, 1941. She was 57 years old. Her husband, a retired Police Sergeant, Patrick Park, registered the death.

 

On 9^th April, 1942, Patrick Shields Park, (59), married Elizabeth Cross Aitchison, (48), at the Ashton Church of Scotland,   in the District of Gourock in the County of Renfrew.

 

Patrick Shields Park died on 24^th July, 1954 at 148 Main Street, Largs. His occupation was “Police Sergeant – Retired” and the death was registered by Elizabeth Park, his widow.

 

Williamina Mitchell Park or Goldie died aged 68 in 1978 in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire. I have yet to find out whether she was an only child or indeed, where and when she married.

 

The Chronological Story of Patrick Shields Park

 

Register of Births 1883

 

Patrick Shields Park was born on 18^th December 1882 at Giffen in Dalry in the County of Ayr. His father was William Park, a Gardener and his mother, Mary Park, Maiden Surname, (M.S.) Shields. His mother and father had married on 28 June 1877 at Monkton. The birth was registered by his father on11 January 1883.

 

Census 5^th April, 1891

 

Registered living at Pans Road, Dundonald in the Parish of Troon in the County of Ayr on the night of the Census, 1891 were:-

 

 

Name	Occupation	Where Born
William Park (34)	Gardener	Wigtown, New Luce
Mary Park (28)	Wife	Ayrshire, Troon
Agnes Park (12)	Scholar	Ayrshire, Troon
Mary Park (10)	Scholar	Argyllshire, Oban
William Park (8)	Scholar	Ayrshire, Girvan
Patrick S Park (7)	Scholar	Ayrshire, Dalry,
Letitia Park (5)	Scholar	Troon, Ayrshire
John Park (3)		Troon, Ayrshire
Matthew C Park (2)		Troon, Ayrshire

 

The range of birthplaces is probably indicative of the need to travel to seek work in Victorian times in rural Scotland. 

 

Census 31^st March 1901

 

Among those registered living at no. 19 B Block, Railway Buildings, Hurlford, Riccarton in South Ayrshire was:-

 

Name	Occupation	Where Born
Patrick Park, (20)	Railway Engine Fireman	Ayrshire, Dalry

 

In the four addresses listed on the Census page, ten individuals have occupations associated with the railways.

 

City of Glasgow Police Records, 1903

 

In Entry No. 10731 for the Register of Probationary Constables of the City of Glasgow Police on November, 3 1903 was listed,

 

“ Patrick S Park, Fireman, 20, 5’11” of Dalry, Ayrshire, Born 18^th December, 1882, Living at McIntyre Street, (Glasgow).

 

November   16 transferred to C Div(ision)

Dec(ember) 28     “           to B Div(ision)

Jan(uary)     12 App(ointe)d Constable”    

 

These were the first entries in his police history which was to run for the next thirty years.

 

Register of Marriages in the District of Maryhill in the County of Lanark 1909

 

On 26^th February 1909, after Publication according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland, Patrick Shields Park, 26, a Police Constable and Bachelor, married Elizabeth Mitchell, (25), a Domestic Servant at 54 Oram Street, Glasgow.

 

Patrick’s address was given as 152 Berkeley Street, Glasgow and Elizabeth’s was 54 Oram Street, Glasgow. Their parents were listed as shown below:-

 

Name	Occupation
William Park	Gardener Domestic Servant
Mary Park M.S. Shields
Alexander Mitchell	Gardener Domestic Servant
Williamina Mitchell M.S. Gray

 

The witnesses were George Mitchell and Mary Lumsden Walker. The service was performed by John Stewart, Minister 

 

Register of Births 1910

 

Williamina Mitchell Park was born on 4March 1910 at 56 Dover Street, Glasgow. Her father was Patrick Shields Park a Police Constable and his signature is recorded on the register.

 

Williamina’s mother was Elizabeth Park, M.S. Mitchell and she had married her husband, Patrick on 26^th February, 1909 at Glasgow. 

 

Census 2^nd April 1911

 

Those listed living at 56 Dover Street, Sandyford, and Glasgow on the night of the Census in 1911 were:-

 

Name	Occupation	Where Born
Patrick Park (28)	Police Constable	Ayrshire, Dalry
Elizabeth   Park (27)	Wife	Caithness-shire, Wick
Williamina Park (1)	Daughter	Lanarkshire, Glasgow

 

The Police Review and Parade Gossip, October 11, 1912

 

This edition listed the Scottish Police Forces and to whom the Coronation (Police) Medal, 1911 had been issued. The list began with “Scotland: City and Burgh Forces” and ends with “Scotland: County Forces”.

 

Listed under Glasgow” “Western Division” “Constables” is “Patrick Park”   

 

Public Record Office World War One Soldiers’ Documents WO 363

 

This record consists of 17 documents, some very detailed and some with no information at all. They list Patrick Park’s Army service and detail where, when and how he joined up, his description, the places he served, his conduct and how, when and where he was demobilized.

 

The first document is dated 22^nd September, 1914 and is Patrick Park’s Record of Attestation for a Short Service (Three Years with the Colours) Engagement as a Private (Soldier) No. 11288 in the Scots Guards.

 

The form lists his place of birth as Dalry in the County of Ayr and gives his age as 31 years, 271 days. His occupation is Police Constable.  The signature on this document is very similar to that on his daughter’s birth registration as he writes the letter ‘P’ in a very distinctive way.

 

His description on enlistment was 5’11” tall weighing 183lbs, fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He had a fully expanded chest measurement of 41.5”. He had a scar on his left breast bone.

 

He joined up at Glasgow on 22 September 1914 and transferred to Caterham in Surrey and stayed in England until 6 April, 1915 when he embarked for France.  He served in France from 7 April, 1915 until 7 July, 1915 when he returned to England until 30 December that year. He returned to France on 31 December 1915 and stayed there until 14^th June, 1919.

 

Country	From	To	Years	Days
Home	22.9.14	6.4.15		197
France	7.4.15	7.7.15		92
Home	8.7.15	30.12.15		176
France	31.12.15	14.6.19	3	166
Home	15.6.19	14.7.19		30
Army Res Z	15.7.19		4	296

Table Showing Patrick Park’s Postings in the Army 

 

On 1 October 1916, the record shows he was transferred to the Military Foot Police with the Regimental Number of P 6055. This ‘temporary’ transfer was to last until he was demobilized in 1919 and probably resulted in him remaining in France as long as he did.

 

From 15 June, 1919 until 14 July that year he was stationed in England. On 15 July, 1919 he was placed on Army Reserve Z and it is on that date that he rejoined the City of Glasgow Police having served for four years and two hundred and ninety six days as a soldier.

 

Among the documentation is Army Form B 121 the “Squadron, Troop, Battery and Company Conduct Sheet”. There are only two entries in this sheet, one in 1916 and one in 1917.

 

The first is dated 14 September, 1916 in Harfleur near Le Havre in France when Patrick Park was a Lance Corporal. The charge read as follows:-

 

“When on active service, speaking improperly to a senior non-commissioned officer”

 

The witnesses are listed as “Lance Sergeant Passman SG” and “Acting Lance Corporal King CG”. The Officer, who administered the punishment, was “AH Royds, Major”. The punishment was being “Deprived of Acting Rank”.

 

The next and final entry on Army Form B 121 is dated 1 March, 1917 at (Le) Havre and he is again an Acting Lance Corporal. The charge this time is:-

 

“When on active service neglect of duty whilst on Military Police duty”.

 

On this occasion the witnesses were “Corporal Arery and Colour Sergeant Rashbrook MFP” and he was “Severely Reprimanded” by “Captain T. W. Fitzpatrick APM” the Assistant Provost Marshall of Havre.

 

Another very interesting document is the “Military History Sheet”. This confirms the Campaigns Patrick Park was involved in, the exact dates are shown above. The Campaigns are:-

 

“B E F   31.12.15 – 17. 7.15

B E F   France 1915 – 1919”

 

 

The form also lists his next of kin and confirms the details of his wife and child.

 

His wife is shown as Elizabeth Park of 56 Dover Street, Sandyford in Glasgow. The details of the date of their marriage, their witnesses and Williamina’s date and place of birth are also confirmed.

 

His Army Form Z 11 “Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity” transferring him to the Army Reserve Z is actually dated 17 June, 1919 and gives the following details:-

 

His Regiment or Corps at that date was the Military Foot Police and his Regimental No. Was P 6055. He was still Medical Category “A” and interestingly, his address for Pay was c/o Mitchell, 301 Gairbraid Street, Maryhill, Glasgow, presumably the address of his in-laws? His designated place of re-joining in case of Emergency was shown as Edinburgh.

 

Two very interesting documents in the record are “Army Forms B 5112”, the first one dated April 6, 1921 and the other, 24 May, 1922.

 

The first appears to be signed by Patrick Park in the signature used on other documents over the years and is for receipt of his 1914-1915 Star. The Unit shown on the form is the Scots Guards and is dated 6 April, 1921.

 

The second document is a receipt for the British War and Victory Medals and shows his Unit as the Military Foot Police. This form is dated 24 May, 1922.

 

As shown above, all the War medals are inscribed to ‘11288 PTE.P.PARK.S.GDS’. The “Medal Index Card” for Patrick Park clearly shows his entitlement to the three medals from the Medal Rolls as follows:-

 

Medal	Roll	Page
Victory	MFP/101B3	438
British (WM)	MFP/101B3	438
15 Star	MFP/1C (G?)	27

 

There is an asterisk next to the medal list that is repeated next to the Corps entry for “S. Gds” that confirms that the medals are impressed with his Scots Guards details rather than the Military Foot Police details. This would make sense since he was only ever on a temporary transfer from the Scots Guards.

 

“Register - City of Glasgow Police Force, Govan Division” Page 285

 

This record shows that while Patrick Park was on War Service he received five increments plus the addition of 1/4d per –week “Boot Money Pensionable”, better known to many of us as Boot Allowance. He returned from the Army on 15^th July, 1919 on a wage of 90/- a week (£4.50) which dated from after the national Police Strike of that year.

 

On May 5, 1920 he was granted a “Traffic Signalling Certificate”.

 

The same year on 10 June he passed the “Sergeant’s Certificate of Education”.

 

He was promoted to Sergeant April 3, 1922 and transferred to “K” Division.

 

Between April  1923 and April 3 1927, he received an annual increment finally taking his pay to 112/6d (£5.65).

 

Patrick Shields Park retired from the City of Glasgow Police on 23 December, 1933 and probably moved back to Ayrshire since it was there in 1941 that his first wife, Elizabeth Mitchell, died.

 

Register of Deaths 1941

 

Elizabeth Park (“Married to Patrick Shields Park, Police Sergeant, Retired”) died aged 57 years on 8 June, 1941 at 148 Main Street, Largs in the County of Ayr. Her husband registered the death.

 

Register of Marriages in the District of Gourock in the County of Renfrew, 1942

 

On the 9 day of April, 1942, at Ashton Church, Gourock, after Banns according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland, Patrick Shields Park, (59), a Police Sergeant (Retired) and Widower, married Elizabeth Cross Aitchison, (48), a Housekeeper and Spinster.

 

Patrick’s address was 148 Main Street, Largs and Elizabeth’s was 59 Victoria Road, Gourock.

 

The ceremony was conducted by George Macnab, Minister of the Ashton Church of Scotland, Gourock. The witnesses were George Mitchell, 1059 Maryhill Road, Glasgow and Isabella Wallace, Lochview, High Bonnybridge. 

ousekepper and Spinster.

houhousekeeper and Spinster    

 

Register of Deaths 1954

 

“Patrick Shields Park, Police Sergeant, Retired (Married to 1^st Elizabeth Mitchell, 2^nd Elizabeth Cross Aitchison – July 24^th, 1954 – 148 Main Street, Largs

 

(Parents)

William Park, Gardener, Deceased

Mary Park, M.S. Shields, Deceased

 

(Signature and Qualification of Informant)

(Signed) Elizabeth Park, Widow.”

 

Register of Deaths in the District of Kilmarnock in the County of Ayr, 1979

 

On the 29 of December, 1978, at 25 Thomson Street, Kilmarnock, Williamina Mitchell or Goldie, (68), wife of James Goldie, Plumber, (Master), died.

 

Her usual address was 120 Craigielea Road, Renfrew.

 

The death was registered by her Executor, W.A. Caldwell on 2 January, 1979.

 

The Register has her parents listed as Patrick Shields Park and Elizabeth Mitchell or Park, both deceased. 

 

The End of the Story

 

I have some loose ends still to tie up; I still need to find Elizabeth Mitchell’s birth in Wick, Caithness. I also need to find out details of where and when Williamina married James Goldie and I need to find out what happened to Elizabeth Cross Aitchison after Patrick died. That apart, this is a fairly comprehensive record of the man who was awarded the four medals that provided the motivation for this enquiry.

 

I want to record my thanks to Alastair Dinsmor of the Glasgow Police Museum for his knowledgeable advice on all things concerning City of Glasgow Police and also the staff of Glasgow Life at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, particularly Elaine MacGillivray for her prompt and helpful production of historical records for Patrick Shields Park and his time in the City of Glasgow Police.