City of Glasgow Police 1800 - 1975 Senior Officer's Medals

Superintendent Andrew Gow Lindsay City of Glasgow Police

 

City of Glasgow Police

Superintendent Andrew Gow Lindsay  

 

King Edward VII Police Medal (Scotland) 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911 (For ‘Long & Meritorious Service’)

 

Introduction

According to the City of Glasgow Police personnel records, Andrew Gow Lindsay was born on 14 March 1856 in the Parish of Eassie and Nevay in the County of Forfar where his father was the Church of Scotland Minister. According to his birth certificate, he was born on 14 March 1855 in Eassie and Nevay.

 

He studied at Madras College in  St Andrew's and was a Legal Clerk before joining City of Glasgow Police on 22 May 1878. He was posted to D (Southern) Division. On 17 May 1880, he was promoted to Detective Officer and transferred to A (Central) Division. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 November 1883 and transferred to F (St Rollox) Division. He was then transferred to B (Western) division, still as Lieutenant.

 

On 5 January 1900 he was promoted to Superintendent and transferred to B (Western) Division.

 

On 1 May 1911, he transferred to A (Central) Division and became Head of the Criminal Investigation Department as well as Divisional Superintendent.

 

He retired on pension from City of Glasgow Police on 30 May 1915. After 37 years in the City of Glasgow Police, and was said to be of “Good” character.

 

He died in Glasgow in December 1939.

 

These are his only medal entitlements from his police service.

 

What follows is a chronological record, taken from public documents, birth, marriage, census, death and newspapers, of his antecedents before he joined the City of Glasgow Police. There are often discrepancies in dates and spelling of names. In the interests of accuracy,  I have recorded them as they are in each document, but it should be borne in mind when assessing the accuracy of the information. References to the County of Forfar and Angus mean the same geographical location, Angus being the more modern term.

 

The Early Years

The following were recorded living at Kincreich Mill, 2 miles west of Inverarity in the County of Forfar on the night of the Census, 1841.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Andrew Gow, (60)	Farmer	Angus
Janet Gow, (50)
John Gow, (24)
George Gow, (20)
Jessie Gow, (19)
Thomas Gow, (14)
William Gow, (11)
George Cochrane, (50)
Janet Robb, (25)
Maryanne Reid, (19)

 

In the first Census of 1841, it was often the case, as in this group, that the only occupation recorded is that of  the Head of the Household.

 

Jessie (Janet) Gow is the future mother of Andrew Gow Lindsay.

 

The Register of Marriages in the Parish of Inverarity, 1844

In an entry in the Parish Register dated 15 November 1844, it is stated that; 

 

“1844, Nov. 15^th. The Revd. David Lindsay, Minister of the United Parishes of Eassie & Nevay & Miss Jessie Gow of this Parish desired proclamation in order to marriage.”

 

The Register of Marriages in the Parish of Eassie and Nevay, 1844

In an entry in the Parish Register at the Combined Parishes of Eassie and Nevay in November 1844 is the following;

 

“Proclamations A. D. 1844 – Lindsay & Gow – The Revd. David Lindsay of this Parish and Jessie Gow in the Parish of Inverarity were regularly proclaimed in order to marriage on the 17^th Nov., being Sunday.”

 

This is the marriage of Andrew Gow Lindsay’s parents.

 

Register of deaths in the Parish of Eassie & Nevay in the County of Forfar, 1849

David Lindsay, born 21 May 1849 in Eassie, died the same day. He is buried in the family grave in Eassie Churchyard. 

 

Census of Scotland 1851

The following were living at the Manse of Eassie, in the County of Angus on the night of the Census, 1851.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
David Lindsay, (43)	Minister of the Parish	Murroes, Forfar
Janet Lindsay,* (29)	Minister’s Wife	Kinnettles, Forfar
Janet S Lindsay, (5)	Daughter, scholar	Eassie, Forfar
Jane Ann Lindsay,** (3)	Daughter	Eassie, Forfar
Barbara Bruce Lindsay,*** (10 months)	Daughter	Eassie, Forfar
Charles Kidd, (36)	Former Merchant	Arbroath, Forfar
Margaret McAndrew, (19)	House Servant	Kingoldrum, Forfar
Margaret Fenton, (22)	House Servant	Brechin, Forfar
George Hogg, (16)	Farm servant	Airlie, Forfar

 

*Janet Gow or Lindsay was born on 7 March 1822 at Kinnettles, Forfar. She died on 17 December 1889 and is buried in the family grave in Eassie Churchyard.

 

**Jane Ann Lindsay, born 17 September 1847, died 15 October 1854 and is buried in the family grave in Eassie Churchyard

 

***Barbara Bruce Lindsay, born on 12 May 1850, died on 5 November 1854 and is buried in the family grave at Eassie Churchyard.

 

Register of Births in the Parish of Eassie and Nevay in the County of Forfar, 1855

According to the Register of Births in the Parish of Eassie and Nevay in the County of Forfar for 1855, Andrew Gow Lindsay was born on 14 March 1855 at Myreside in the parish.

 

His father was David Lindsay, (47), Minister of Eassie. His mother was Janet Gow or Lindsay and his parents were married in 1844 in Inverarity. In 1855, the couple had 2 boys and 2 girls living and 1 boy and 2 girls deceased. Andrew was Janet’s 7^th child and she was 33 years old that year. She was born in Kinnettles in Forfarshire.

 

Census of Scotland 1861

The following were living at the Manse of Eassie, in the County of Angus on the night of the Census, 1861.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
David Lindsay,* (53)	Minister of the Parish	Murroes, Forfar
Janet Lindsay, (39)	Minister’s Wife	Kinnettles, Forfar
Janet S Lindsay, (15)	Minister’s Daughter	Eassie, Forfar
Marion Lindsay, (9)	Daughter, Scholar	Eassie, Forfar
David Lindsay, (7)	Son, Scholar	Eassie, Forfar
Andrew Lindsay, (6)	Son, Scholar	Eassie, Forfar
John Lindsay,** (1)	Son,	Eassie, Forfar
Alexander Lindsay,*** (3)	Son,	Eassie, Forfar
Charles Kidd, (46)	Retired Merchant	Arbroath, Forfar
Ann Fenton, (24)	Domestic servant	Forfar, Forfar
Betsy Inverarity, (16)	Domestic servant	Forfar, Forfar
Agnes Miller, (15)	Nursery Maid	Glamis, Forfar

 

* The Reverend David Lindsay was born on 19 May 1807 in Murroes, Forfar. He died on 19 May 1877 and is buried in the family grave in Eassie Churchyard.

 

**John Laurenson Gow Lindsay was born on 21 May 1859 in Eassie. He died on 11 November 1868 and is buried in the family grave in Eassie Churchyard.

 

***Alexander Lindsay was born at Eassie on 19 May 1857. He died on 20 September 1922 and is buried in the Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh and commemorated on the family gravestone at Eassie Churchyard.

 

Register of Marriages in the Burgh of Dumbarton in the County of Dunbarton, 1864

Robert Denny Glen, Marine Architect, married Mary Blair Buchanan in Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire on 28 April 1864.

 

This is the first marriage of Andrew Lindsay’s first wife, Mary Blair Buchanan or Glen. Mary Blair Buchanan was born on 18 February 1838 in Dumbarton and Baptised there on 28 February 1838. Her father was Duncan Buchanan, a Boat Master, and her mother, Jane Newsham,

 

Census of Scotland 1871

The following were living at 6 Dishland Street, Arbroath in the County of Angus on the night of the Census , 1871.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
George Mill, (68)	Warehouseman	Arbroath, Forfar
Jane Mill, (64)	Wife	Arbroath, Forfar
William Mill, (39)	Son, Labourer	Arbroath, Forfar
Charlotte Mill, (71)	Joint Warper, Hand, (Sister)	Arbroath, Forfar
David Lindsay,*(17)	Boarder, Commercial Clerk Apprentice	Eassie and Nevay, Forfar
Andrew G. Lindsay, (16)	Writer’s Clerk	Eassie and Nevay, Forfar

 

David and Andrew Lindsay are brothers. It is believed that Andrew was a Law Clerk to an Arbroath solicitor at this time.

 

*David was born at Eassie on 30 June 1853. He died on 18 July 1939, and is interred in the Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh.

 

Census of Scotland 1871

The following were living at the Manse of Eassie, in the County of Angus on the night of the Census, 1871.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Revd. David Lindsay, (63)	Minister of the Parish	Murroes, Forfar
Jessie Lindsay, (49)	Minister’s Wife	Kinnettles, Forfar
Janet Scott Lindsay,* (25)	Minister’s Daughter	Eassie, Forfar
Alexander Lindsay, (13)	Son, Scholar	Eassie, Forfar
Robert Archibald Lindsay,** (9)	Son, Scholar	Eassie, Forfar
James Aynsworth Lindsay,*** (8)	Son, Scholar	Eassie, Forfar
Charles Kidd, (55)	Retired Shipowner	Arbroath, Forfar
Margaret Ramsay, (18)	Domestic servant	Murroes, Forfar
Agnes McLean, (16)	Domestic servant	Fencehouses, Forfar

 

*Janet Scott Lindsay born on 20 February 1846, died on 24 March 1918 and is buried in the Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh and commemorated on the gravestone at Eassie.

 

**Robert Archibald Lindsay was born on 25 May 1861 in Eassie. He died on 29 June 1938 and is buried in the family grave in Eassie Churchyard.

 

***James Aynsworth Lindsay was born on 30 January 1863 and died on 19 October 1928. He is buried in the Liberton Cemetery, Edinburgh and commemorated on the family gravestone in Eassie Churchyard.

 

Census of Scotland 1871

The following were living at 12 Carmichael Street, Govan, Lanarkshire on the night of the Census , 1871.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Robert Denny Glen, (35)	Marine Architect	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire
Mary Blair Glen, (33)	Wife	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire
Archibald Glen, (3)	Son	Govan, Renfrewshire
Margaret Denny Glen, (1 month)	Daughter	Govan, Renfrewshire

 

Register of Deaths in the District of Govan Church in the County of Lanark

Robert Denny Glen, (35), a Marine Draughtsman, of 3 Carmichael Street, Govan, Glasgow, died there on 9 April 1871. He was married to Mary Buchanan and was the son of Archibald Glen, Retired Farmer, (Deceased), and Margaret Donald or Glen, (Deceased).

‘G. Eldridge’ registered his death.

 

Register of Marriages in the Burgh of Dumbarton in the County of Dumbarton, 1877

On 13 February 1877, at 2 Church Street, Dumbarton, after Banns according to the Forms of the United Presbyterian Church, Andrew Gow Lindsay, (24), a Law Clerk of that address, married Mary Blair Buchanan Glen, (36), a Spirit Merchant and Widow, also of that address.

 

His parents were David Lindsay, Minister of Church of Scotland and Jessie Gow or Lindsay. Mary’s parents were Duncan Buchanan, a Boat Master, (Deceased) and Jane Newsham or Buchanan, (Deceased).

 

United Kingdom Find a Grave Index, 1300 – Current Day

The Reverend David Lindsay, Parish Minister of Eassie and Nevay, born on 19 May 1807, died on 19 May 1877 and is buried in a family grave within Eassie Churchyard in Angus.

 

Register of Births in the Burgh of Dumbarton in the County of Dunbarton, 1877

Mary Blair Buchanan Lindsay was born on 3 June 1877 in 1 High Street, Dumbarton. Her parents were as shown above. Her father registered her birth.

 

City of Glasgow Police Records, 1878

Andrew Gow Lindsay, born 14 March 1856 (sic) in Nevay, Forfarshire, was appointed to the City of Glasgow Police on 22 May 1878. His previous occupation was a Law Clerk. He was just over 5’ 8” tall and 23 years of age. After training, he was posted to D (Southern) Division.

 

City of Glasgow Police Records, 1880

On 17 May 1880, he became an Acting Detective and was transferred to A (Central) Division.

 

Census of Scotland 1881

The following were living at 382 Mathieson Street, Govan, Glasgow, Glasgow on the night of the Census, 1881.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Andrew G. Lindsay, (27)	General Clerk, Glasgow Police	Eassie, Forfar
Mary Lindsay, (38)	Wife	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire
Mary Lindsay, (3)	Daughter, Scholar	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire
Archibald Glen, (13)	Step-son, Store-Boy in Shipyard	Govan, Renfrewshire
Maggie Glen, (10)	Step-daughter, Scholar	Govan, Renfrewshire

 

City of Glasgow Police Records, 1883

On 1 November 1883, Andrew was promoted to the rank and pay of Lieutenant in A (Central) Division.

 

Glasgow Lanarkshire, Electoral Registers, 1887 – 1888

Andrew Gow Lindsay, Lieutenant of Police was listed living at 208 Parliamentary Road, Glasgow in the years 1887 – 1888.

 

City of Glasgow Police Records, 1888

On 7 May 1888, Andrew was transferred as a Lieutenant to F (St Rollox) Division.

 

Census of Scotland 1891

The following were living at 91 Kent Road, Glasgow on the night of the Census, 1891.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Andrew G. Lindsay, (35)	Lieutenant of Police	Eassie, Forfar
Mary Lindsay, (48)	Wife	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire
Mary Lindsay, (13)	Daughter, Scholar	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire
Margaret Glen, (19)	Step-daughter	Govan, Lanarkshire

 

Glasgow Lanarkshire, Electoral Registers, 1892 – 1899

Andrew Gow Lindsay, Lieutenant of Police was listed living at 91 Kent Road, Glasgow in the years 1892 – 1899.

 

City of Glasgow Police Records, 1898

On 1 May 1898, he was again transferred as a Lieutenant to A (Central) Division.

 

City of Glasgow Police Records, 1900

On 5 January 1900, Andrew was promoted to the rank and pay of Superintendent and transferred to B (Western) Division.

 

Census of Scotland 1901

The following were living at 52 St Vincent Street, Glasgow on the night of the Census, 1901.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Andrew G. Lindsay, (46)	Superintendent of Police	Eassie, Forfar
Mary Lindsay, (55)	Wife	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire
Mary Lindsay, (23)	Daughter, Scholar	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire

 

Glasgow Lanarkshire, Electoral Registers, 1903 – 1906

Andrew Gow Lindsay, Superintendent of Police was listed living at 52 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the years 1903 - 1906.

 

City of Glasgow Police Records, 1906

On 2 February 1906, Andrew was transferred as Superintendent to D (Southern) Division.

 

Census of Scotland 1911

The following were living at 51 Cumberland Street, Glasgow on the night of the Census, 1911.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Andrew G. Lindsay, (57)	Superintendent of Police	Eassie, Forfar
Mary Lindsay, (66)	Wife	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire
Mary Lindsay, (33)	Daughter, Scholar	Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire

 

The census of 1911 was the first to demand that married women state how long they had been married, how many live births they had experienced and how many of those children were still alive on the date of the Census in 1911. Mary Lindsay stated that she had been married 34 years, given birth to one child who was still alive on the date of the Census.

 

Glasgow Lanarkshire, Electoral Registers, 1911

Andrew Gow Lindsay, Superintendent of Police was listed living at 51 Cumberland Street, Glasgow, in 1911.

 

City of Glasgow Police Records, 1911

On 1 May 1911, Andrew was transferred to A (Central) Division as Superintendent and Head of the Criminal Investigation Department.

 

The Weekly Mail, 29 April 1911

The Weekly Mail edition of 29 April 1911 carried the following article under the heading of:

 

“POLICE CHANGES

 

NEW SUPERINTENDENT for GLAGOW CENTRAL

 

In view of Deputy-Chief Constable John Orr of the Glasgow Police, being transferred to the Chief Constable’s Department, Superintendent Andrew Gow Lindsay, of the Southern Division, will take up duty next Week as Superintendent of the Central Division, and will, in addition, take charge of the Criminal department, hitherto in charge of Detective Superintendent John Ord, and that officer will succeed Mr Ord at the Southern.

 

Superintendent Lindsay has had an interesting  career. He was born in the beautiful and historic village of Eassie 55 years ago. He is a son of the manse, his father, the Rev. David Lindsay, having been Minister of the combined parishes of Eassie and Nevay, Forfarshire for the long period of 40 years.

 

Mr Lindsay was educated at home, and afterwards at the Madras College, St Andrews.

He was appointed to the law, and served his time with the late Mr George Mill, Solicitor, Arbroath.

 

In May 1878, he came to Glasgow and joined the police force. He was first employed as Clerk to the late Chief Constable McCall. He was afterwards transferred to Southern Division where he did plain-clothes duty and acted latterly as private clerk to ex-Captain Donald.

 

The work of Mr Lindsay

attracted the attention of his superiors, and on the 17 May 1880, he received the appointment of detective officer and was transferred to the Central district, where he acted first as junior and then senior clerk in that department. During his service there, he dealt with a number of notable cases, particularly that in connection with the dynamite outrage in Tradeston, where the gasometer was blown up. He carried out a number of personal enquiries in connection with this affair for the late Chief Constable Boyd.

 

Promotion again came to Mr Lindsay, and on 7 May 1888, he was transferred to St Rollox Division as Lieutenant.

 

During the period of the first Glasgow Exhibition, Mr Lindsay was transferred to the Western Division, where he remained for ten years. 

 

In 1898 he was again transferred to the Central Division, where he put in some energetic work, and two years later, on 5 January 1900, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and put in charge of the Western Division. Five years later, on the retirement of the late Superintendent Strachan, he was transferred to the Southern Division.

 

His name will always be associated in that district with the courageous suppression of the hooligan pest. The improvements in the conditions of the streets and the breaking up of the bands of hooligans has been down to his dogged perseverance and the manner in which he faced a difficult task.

 

He is a popular and able official, and one his first  duties in his new work will be the supervision of the arrangements for the Royal procession in connection with the opening of the Exhibition, in conjunction with Mr Orr and Mr J.V Stevenson.”

 

 

City of Glasgow Police Records, 1915

On 30 May 1915, Superintendent Andrew Gow Lindsay retired on pension from the City of Glasgow Police.

 

The Daily Record & Mail 1 June 1915

The Daily Record & Mail edition of Tuesday 1 June 1915 noted that:

 

“Mr Andrew Gow Lindsay has retired from the Glasgow Police after 37 years’ service. A native of Forfarshire, and a son of the manse, Mr Lindsay was  a Law apprentice in a solicitor’s office in Arbroath.”

 

The Scotsman 1 June 1915

The Scotsman newspaper edition of Tuesday 1 June 1915 carried the following notice:

 

“RETIREMENT OF SUPERINTENDENT LINDSAY OF GLASGOW POLICE:- It was reported in Glasgow yesterday that Superintendent Andrew Gow Lindsay has retired from superintendentship of the Central Division, after thirty-seven years’ service in the city police force. Superintendent Lindsay joined the Glasgow police force in 1878, and in 1880 was promoted to the detective department. Three years later he was appointed Lieutenant and transferred to the St Rollox Division. In 1900 he was appointed Superintendent of the Western Division, and in 1906 was transferred to the Southern. He was appointed Superintendent of the Central Division, with charge of the Criminal Investigation Department in 1911. Superintendent Lindsay who has retired owing to failing health, is a native of Forfarshire.”

 

Glasgow Lanarkshire, Electoral Registers, 1915 – 1922

Andrew Gow Lindsay, retired Superintendent of Police was listed living at 17 Monteith Row, Glasgow, in the years 1915 - 1922.

 

Register of Deaths in the District of Calton in the Burgh of Glasgow, 1925

On 7 December 1925, Mary Blair Buchanan or Glen or Lindsay, (84), died in 17 Monteith Row, Glasgow. She had been married to (1), Robert Denny Glen, Marine Architect and (2), Andrew Gow Lindsay, Police Superintendent. Her husband, Andrew Lindsay, registered her death.

 

Register of Marriages in the District of Partick in the Burgh of Glasgow, 1926

On 20 December 1926, at 41 Apsley street, Glasgow, after Banns according to the Forms of the Congregational Union Church, Andrew Gow Lindsay, (71),  Superintendent of Police, Retired, of 17 Monteith Row, Glasgow, married Jessie Arnott Campbell, (43), a Sports Goods Shop Assistant, of 67 Elderslie Street, Glasgow. 

 

His parents were as listed above and Jessie’s parents were John Campbell, Joiner, Deceased, and Jean Bell or Campbell, Deceased.

 

Glasgow Lanarkshire, Electoral Registers, 1938 - 1939

Andrew Gow Lindsay and Mrs J. a. Lindsay were listed living at 261 Killin Street, Shettleston, Glasgow, in the years 1938 - 1939.

 

Register of Deaths in the District of Shettleston in the Burgh of Glasgow, 1939

On 30  December 1939, Andrew Gow Lindsay, (84), a Retired Superintendent of Police, married to (1), Mary Blair Buchanan or Glen and (2), Jessie Arnott Campbell, died at 261 Killin Street, Shettleston, Glasgow.  His widow, Jessie, registered his death.

 

Like his mother and father, and all his brothers and sisters, Andrew Gow Lindsay was buried in Eassie Churchyard.

 

Register of Deaths in the Burgh of Glasgow, 1975

Jessie Arnott Campbell or Lindsay, (91), whose mother’s maiden surname was Bell, died in Glasgow in 1975. Her death was registered in Martha Street Registrar’s Office  in Glasgow under the reference ‘1975, 613/17 Glasgow, Martha Street’. According to the Lindsay family gravestone in Eassie Churchyard, Jessie is buried in Sandyhills cemetery, Glasgow.

 

The End of the Story

According to a Family Tree on Ancestry.co.uk, Mary Blair Buchanan Lindsay’s half-brother, Archibald Glen, born in 1867, died on 13 June, 1934. Her half-sister, Margaret Glen, born in in 1887, died in Barry, Wales on 15 April 1955. So far, I can find no trace of Mary Blair Buchanan Lindsay either marrying or dying in Scotland or England. 

 

The Lindsay Family Grave in Eassie Churchyard

These are the names of the people buried or commemorated in the Lindsay family grave in Eassie Churchyard in the County of Angus.

 

Name	Year Born/Date of Birth	Year Died
David Lindsay, Minister of Eassie & Nevay Parish	19 May 1807	19 May 1877 (70)
Janet Gow or Lindsay, Minister’s Wife	7 Mar 1822	17 December 1889 (67)
Janet Scott Lindsay	20 February 1846	24 March 1918 (72). Interred Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh
Jane Ann Lindsay	17 September 1847	15 October 1854 (7)
David Lindsay	21 May 1849	21 May 1849
Barbara Bruce Lindsay	12 May 1850	5 November 1854 (4)
Marion Eliza Loudon Lindsay	21 September 1851	11 April 1867,(16)
David Lindsay	30 June 1853	11 July 1939 (86). Interred Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh
Andrew Gow Lindsay	14 March 1855	30 December 1939 (84)
Alexander Lindsay	19 May 1857	20 September 1922 (65). Interred Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh
John Laurenson Gow Lindsay	21 May 1859	11 November 1868 (9)
Robert Archibald Lindsay	25 May 1861 in Eassie	29 June 1938 (77)
James Aynsworth Lindsay	31 January 1863	19 October 1928 (65). Interred Liberton Cemetery, Edinburgh
Frederick Lindsay	1 May 1868	12 November 1868 (6 months)

 

Inscription on Lindsay Family Gravestone in Eassie Churchyard

 This is the inscription over several sides of the Lindsay family gravestone in the Eassie Churchyard.

 

“Erected by the parishioners of Eassie and Nevay in memory of the Rev. DAVID LINDSAY who was for 33 years, Minister of the Parish 19 May 1807 – 19 May 1877;    also JANET GOW his widow 7 March 1822 – 17 December 1889;    also their son ROBERT ARCHIBALD LINDSAY, S.S.C. Edinburgh 22 May 1861 – 29 June 1938 and his widow CHRISTINA ANN 18 April 1876 – 8 April 1944;    the children of Rev. David Lindsay, a SON (David), 21 May 1849 – 21 May 1849;   JANE ANNE 17 September 1847 – 15 October 1854.    BARBARA BRUCE 12 May 1850 – 5 November 1854.    MARION ELIZA LOUDON 21 September 1851 – 11 April 1867;    JOHN LAURENSON GOW 21 May 1859 – 11 November 1868;  FREDERICK 1 February 1868 – 12 November 1868;    JANET SCOTT 22 February 1846 – 24 March 1918 and ALEXANDER 19 May 1857 – 20 September 1922, interred Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh;    JAMES AYNSWORTH 31 January 1863 – 19 October 1928, interred Liberton Cemetery, Edinburgh;    DAVID 30 June 1853 – 18 July 1939, interred Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh.   ANDREW GOW LINDSAY, son 13 March 1855 – 30 December 1939 at Eassie, Sandyhills. JESSIE A. CAMPBELL wife of the above died 5 January 1975”

 

Please get in touch with the website to correct any factual errors or to add information. Thank you.

 

(The picture of Supt. Lindsay is courtesy of Alastair Dinsmor of the City of Glasgow Police Museum) 

Lieutenant William Raitt Matthew City of Glasgow Police

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

 

City of Glasgow Police 

 

Lieutenant William Raitt Matthew

 

 

William Raitt Matthew served in Leith Burgh Police from 21 August 1893 to 11 August 1897. His uncle was also a Leith Burgh Police officer.

 

He joined City of Glasgow Police and was posted to C (Eastern) Division.

 

He was awarded this medal in 1903 as a PC in C (Eastern) Division.

 

He was Commended on three occasions between1905 and 1907. 

 

Date	Remarks	Disposal
September 16, 1905	Apprehended a man in possession of stolen lead	Certificate & 5/- (£0.25p)
January 21, 1906	Apprehended two housebreakers (Burglars)	Certificate & 5/- (£0.25p)
July 25, 1907	Apprehending a thief	Certificate & 5/- (£0.25p)
May 25, 1909	Sergeant’s Certificate
May 27, 1909	Inspector’s Certificate

 

 

On 7 September 1910, he was promoted to Sergeant in A (Central) Division.

 

He was promoted to Inspector on 3 March 1920 and transferred to F (St Rollox) Division.

 

On 1 April 1923, he was promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to B (Western) Division.

 

He retired from City of Glasgow Police as a Lieutenant on 30 April 1929 after 34 years and 184 days service. His conduct was described as “Exemplary”.

 

His name is not on the list of City of Glasgow Police Officers awarded the Coronation Police Medal 1911 and this is only medal entitlement from his police service.

 

To see a biography of Lieutenant Matthew, please click here.

 

Please note, all the images relating to Lieutenant William Raitt Matthew, with the exception of his medal, are due entirely to the kindness and generosity of his grand-son, Alistair Matthew.

 

Alistair sent me images of his grand-father’s birth, marriage, commendations and promotion class certificates and much more for which I am very grateful.

 

Inspector Alexander McLennan City of Glasgow Police

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

 

City of Glasgow Police

 

Inspector Alexander McLennan 

 

 

Alexander McLennan was born in Urray near Dingwall in the County of Ross on 15 June, 1853.

 

He was a Labourer before he joined the City of Glasgow police on 17 November, 1874 and was posted to D (Southern) Division.

 

On December 20, 1886, he was appointed Sergeant.

 

He was promoted to Inspector on 29 January 1890.

 

His commendations and awards are shown below:

 

Date	Remarks	Disposal
May 26, 1876	Catching a runaway horse	Rewarded with 21/- (£1.05p)
February 9, 1888	Obtained a Certificate of Efficiency in Ambulance Instruction
October 18, 1897	Apprehending two Housebreakers (Burglars)	Rewarded with 7/6d (£0.37.5p)

 

Alexander McLennan was a piper and his medal came with two silver medals that he had won in piping competitions. The details are shown below:

 

Piping Medals to Inspector Alexander McLennan – City of Glasgow Police
The first medal is silver and in a Maltese Cross shape. The obverse is inscribed:   “Won by A. McLennan.”    The reverse is inscribed:   Glasgow Police Sports 1883 – 2nd Prize – Playing Bagpipes.”	The second medal is circular and the obverse is inscribed:    “Glasgow Police Sports – 1st Prize – Bagpipe Playing.”    The reverse is inscribed:   “Won By – 7th May 1892.”

  

Inspector Alexander McLennan resigned and retired on pension “under the Police pensions (Scotland) act, 1890”.

 

In the Census of 1911, he was living at 72 Westmoreland Street, Glasgow with his son Alexander, (29) and his daughters, Grace, (23) and Christina, (14).

 

The medals also came with a 1914-1915 Star, a British War Medal and a Victory Medal to 10478 Lance Serjeant A. McLennan of the Scots Guards.

 

His son, Alexander was wounded by a gunshot wound (GSW) on 21 December 1915 and so seriously injured, he was eventually medically discharged on 12 May 1917. He was awarded a War Badge and Certificate on 11 May 1917 and a King’s Certificate (No. 577), issued on 26 September 1918.

 

His medal entitlement is proved by his Army Records and his Medal Index Card (MIC).

 

Lance Serjeant McLennan gave his next of kin as his father, Alexander McLennan of 72 Westmoreland Street, Glasgow.

 

Alexander McLennan, retired Inspector of Police died on 1 September 1919 at 72 Westmoreland Street, Glasgow. He was 66 years old.

 

Pictures of the medals can be seen below. 

 

Lieutenant Archibald Ross City of Glasgow Police

City of Glasgow Police

Lieutenant Archibald Ross

 

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911 (For Long & Meritorious Service’)

 

Lieutenant Archibald Ross 

According to his police personnel record, Archibald Ross was born in Portree, Isle of Skye on 3 May 1851. His parents were Malcolm and Catherine Ross of Kilmuir in the County of Inverness. He was a Labourer before joining City of Glasgow Police on 30 September 1894 and posted to D (Southern) Division.

 

He resigned from the force on 11 January 1876 but was re-appointed on 3 July that year.

 

He was promoted to Sergeant on 27 March 1882 and on  18 February 1884, he was promoted to Inspector.

 

On 31 March 1885, he was promoted to Lieutenant in D (Southern) Division.

 

On 7 September 1903, he was transferred to A (Central) Division where he worked under Superintendent Andrew Gow Lindsay. The note on his personnel record states that he was ‘to remain at D Division until 28 September 1903’.

 

He retired on pension from the Central Division after 40 years’ service on 28 February 1915 and his conduct was noted to have been “Exemplary”.

 

These are his only medal entitlements from his police service.

 

The Early Years

What follows is taken from public documents and lists the antecedents of Archibald Ross before he joined the City of Glasgow Police. Ages and places of birth for the same person often change over the years and I have quoted both as they are listed, although clearly not accurate in all cases.

 

Census of Scotland, 1841

In the Census of Scotland, 1841, the following were living at Kendram in the Parish of Kilmuir on the north east side of the Isle of Skye in the County of Inverness. Kendram can be seen in the centre of the above picture, just above the A855 road.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Alexander Ross, (50)	Crofter	Kilmuir, Inverness
Ann Ross, (70)		Kilmuir, Inverness
Effy* Ross, (45)		Kilmuir, Inverness
Malcolm Ross, (20)		Kilmuir, Inverness
Christopher Ross, (12)		Kilmuir, Inverness
Donald Ross, (8)		Kilmuir, Inverness
Ann Ross, (6)		Kilmuir, Inverness

 

*’Effy’ is Euphemia Ross, the wife of Alexander and they are Lieutenant Archibald Ross’ Grandparents. I believe Ann Ross, (70), is Alexander’s mother and Archibald’s Great Grandmother.

 

Only the Head of the household’s occupation appears to have been recorded in 1841.

 

Register of Marriages in the District of Snizort in the County of Inverness, 1848

Malcom Ross married Catherine Matheson on 14 June 1848 at Snizort in the County of Inverness. Snizort is in the north west side of the Island of Skye.

 

Census of Scotland, 1851

In the Census of Scotland, 1851, the following were living at Kendram in the Parish of Kilmuir on the north east side of the Isle of Skye in the County of Inverness.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Alexander Ross, (60)	Farmer of 8 Acres Employing no servants.	Kilmuir, Inverness
Euphemia Ross, (60)	Farmer’s Wife	Kilmuir, Inverness
Malcolm Ross, (30)	Farmer’s Son	Kilmuir, Inverness
Catherine Ross, (26)	Farmer’s Daughter-in-law	Kilmuir, Inverness
Donald Ross, (18)	Farmer’s Son	Kilmuir, Inverness
Ann Ross, (16)	Employed at Home	Kilmuir, Inverness
Flora Ross, (1)	Granddaughter	Kilmuir, Inverness
Ann Macdonald, (10)	Granddaughter	Kilmuir, Inverness

 

Malcolm and Catherine Ross are Archibald Ross’ parents and Flora is his elder sister.

Not yet clear who are Ann Macdonald’s parents.

 

Census of Scotland, 1861

In the Census of Scotland, 1861, the following were living at 14 Kendram in the Parish of Kilmuir on the north east side of the Isle of Skye in the County of Inverness.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Alexander Ross, (70)	Farmer of 8 Acres.	Kilmuir, Inverness
Euphemia Ross, (70)	Farmer’s Wife	Parish of Portree, Inverness
Malcolm Ross, (40)	Farmer’s Son	Kilmuir, Inverness
Catherine Ross, (36)	Farmer’s Daughter-in-law	Parish of Snizort, Inverness
Flora Ross, (12)	Granddaughter	Kilmuir, Inverness
Archibald Ross, (10),	Grandson, Scholar	Kilmuir, Inverness
John Ross, (6)	Grandson, Scholar	Kilmuir, Inverness
Donald Ross, (2)	Grandson	Kilmuir, Inverness
Donald Cameron, (43)	Bookseller, Visitor	Parish of Boleskine, Inverness

 

Census of Scotland, 1871

In the Census of Scotland, 1871, the following were living at 14 Kendram in the Parish of Kilmuir on the north east side of the Isle of Skye in the County of Inverness.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Alexander Ross, (82)	Farmer of 30 Acres, 8 Arable.	Kilmuir, Inverness
Effy Ross, (80)	Farmer’s Wife	Kilmuir, Inverness
Malcolm Ross, (50)	Agricultural Labourer	Kilmuir, Inverness
Catherine Ross, (47)	Farmer’s Daughter-in-law	Parish of Snizort, Inverness
Flora Ross, (21)	Granddaughter	Kilmuir, Inverness
Archibald Ross, (19),	Grandson	Kilmuir, Inverness
Murdoch Ross, (17)	Grandson	Kilmuir, Inverness
John Ross, (15)	Grandson	Kilmuir, Inverness
Donald ross, (12)	Grandson	Kilmuir, Inverness
Alexander Ross, (7)	Grandson	Kilmuir, Inverness
Marion Gordon, (50)	House Keeper	Kilmuir, Inverness

 

Records of City of Glasgow Police, 1874

Record J360 of the City of Glasgow Police show that ‘Archibald Ross, a Labourer, born Portree, Skye on 3 May 1851, joined the force on 30 September 1874.

 

Records of City of Glasgow Police, 1876

The records show that PC Archibald Ross resigned his appointment with the force on 11 January 1876. They also show that he was re-appointed on 6 June 1876.

 

Census of Scotland, 1881

The following were living at 107 Hospital Street, Gorbals, Glasgow on the night of the Census, 1881.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Marion Maclure, (50)	Housekeeper	Strath, Inverness *
Alexander Maclure, (26)	Clerk, Drapery	Portree, Inverness*
Flora Maclure, (23)	Domestic servant	Strath, Inverness*
William Maclure, (19)	Letter Carrier, GPO	Snizort, Inverness*
Donald Maclure, (13)	Scholar	Snizort, Inverness*
William McInnes, (82)	Father, Widower, Annuant	Strath, Inverness*
Archibald Ross, (28)	Police Constable	Kilmuir, Inverness*
Alexander Ross, (17)	Salesman, Spirit Dealer	Kilmuir, Inverness*

 

*Each of these names has the capital letter ‘G’ after their places of birth which I believe, indicates that they are all speakers of Gaelic and English.

 

I think ‘Alexander Ross’ is Archibald’s younger brother. It is possible that he also served in the City of Glasgow Police.

 

Census of Scotland, 1881

In the Census of Scotland, 1881, the following were living at Kendram in the Parish of Kilmuir on the north east side of the Isle of Skye in the County of Inverness.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Malcolm Ross, (60)	Farmer of 7 acres Arable.	Kilmuir, Inverness
Catherine Ross, (54)	Farmer’s Wife	Parish of Snizort, Inverness
John Ross, (26)	Son, Tailor	Kilmuir, Inverness
Donald Doss, (21)	Son, Tailor	Kilmuir, Inverness
Marion Ross, (19)	Daughter, Tailor	Kilmuir, Inverness
Peggie ? Fell, (19)	Domestic Servant	Stenscholl, Inverness

 

Records of City of Glasgow Police, 1882

Police Constable Archibald Ross was promoted to the rank and pay of 2nd Class Sergeant on 27 March 1882.

 

Register of Marriages in the District of Kinning Park in the County of Lanark, 1883

On 24 July 1883, after Banns according to the Forms of the Free Church of Scotland, Archibald Ross, (30), Police Sergeant, of 38 Bedford Street, Glasgow, married Jessie Sutherland, (24), a Milliner, of 34 Shamrock Street, Glasgow.

 

His parents were Malcolm Ross, a Farmer, and Catherine Ross, maiden surname, Mathieson. Jessie’s parents were John Sutherland, a Ship Carpenter and Margaret Sutherland, maiden surname, McLennan.

 

Register of Births in the District of Kinning Park in the County of Lanark, 1883

John Alexander Ross was born on 24 December 1883 at 196, Watt Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow. His father was Archibald Ross, a Police Sergeant and his mother, Jessie Sutherland or Ross.

 

Records of City of Glasgow Police, 1884

Police Sergeant Archibald Ross was promoted to the rank and pay of Inspector on 18 February 1884.

 

Register of Deaths in the District of Kinning Park in the County of Lanark, 1884

Jessie Sutherland or Ross, married to Archibald Ross, an Inspector of Police, died on 11 April 1884 at 196, Watt Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow. She had suffered from ‘Enteric Fever’ (Typhoid) for 65 days as Certified by Dr Edward McMillan. Her husband registered her death.

 

Records of City of Glasgow Police, 1885

Inspector Archibald Ross was promoted to the rank and pay of Lieutenant on 31 March 1885.

 

The Glasgow Herald, Tuesday 27 July 1886

Under the heading of “INCREASE OF SALARIES – Recommendations of the Watching and Lighting Committee that the salary of Donald Sutherland, Superintendent of Police of E Division, be increased from £220 to £240; that the salary of Archibald Ross, Lieutenant of Police in D Division, be increased from £110 to £120;…”

 

Register of Marriages in the District of Kiltearn in the County of Ross, 1887

On 9 November 1887, at Drummore, Kiltearn in the County of Ross, after Banns according to the Forms of the Free Church of Scotland, Archibald Ross, (36), a Lieutenant of Police of 103, Watt Street, Glasgow, married Catherine Ross, (32), Housekeeper of Drummore, Kiltearn.

 

His parents were Malcolm Ross, a Farmer and Catherine Mathieson or Ross. Catherine’s were John Ross, a Farmer and Jessie Munro or Ross.

 

Register of Births in the District of Kinning Park in the County of Lanark, 1891

John Donald Ross was born on 9 February 1891 at 103, Watt  Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow. His father was Archibald Ross, a Lieutenant of Police and Catherine Ross or Ross. His father registered the birth.

 

Census of Scotland, 1891

In the Census of Scotland, 1891, the following were living at 103, Watt Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Archibald Ross, (39)	Lieutenant of Police	Kilmuir, Inverness
Catherine Ross, (35)	Wife	Kiltearn, Ross
John Donald Ross,  (2 months)	Son	Glasgow, Lanarkshire

 

Census of Scotland, 1891

In the Census of Scotland, 1891, the following were living at Kendram in the Parish of Kilmuir on the north east side of the Isle of Skye in the County of Inverness.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Malcolm Ross, (70)	Farmer	Kilmuir, Inverness
Catherine Ross, (67)	Farmer’s Wife	Parish of Snizort, Inverness
John Ross, (36)	Son, Tailor	Kilmuir, Inverness
Marion Ross, (28)	Daughter, Dressmaker	Kilmuir, Inverness
Alexander Ross, (26)	Farmer’s Son	Kilmuir, Inverness
John Alexander Ross* (7)	Grandson	Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Ewen Macphie, (19)	Apprentice Tailor	Kilmuir, Inverness

 

*John Alexander Ross is the son of Archibald and Jessie Ross, living with his paternal Grandparents on the night of the Census 1891.

 

Register of Births in the Parish of Cathcart in the County of Renfrew, 1893

Catherine Isabella Ross was born on 19 April 1893 at 12 Battlefield Street, Langside, in the Parish of Cathcart. Her father was Archibald Ross, a Lieutenant of Police and Catherine Ross or Ross. Her father registered the birth.

 

Register of Births in the Parish of Cathcart in the County of Renfrew, 1895

Malcolm Ross was born on 30 July 1895 18 Battlefield Avenue, Langside, in the Parish of Cathcart. His father was Archibald Ross, a Lieutenant of Police and Catherine Ross or Ross. His father registered the birth.

 

Census of Scotland, 1901

The following were living at 55 Smith Street, Govanhill, Glasgow on the night of the Census 1901.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Archibald Ross, (49)	Lieutenant of Police	Kilmuir, Inverness
Catherine Ross, (48))	Wife	Kiltearn, Ross
John Alexander Ross, *(17)	Son, Clerk, (Bank Apprentice)	Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Catherine Isabella Ross, (7)	Daughter, Scholar	Cathcart, Renfrew
Malcolm Ross, (5)	Son, Scholar	Cathcart, Renfrew

 

*This is Archibald Ross’ eldest son, staying with him on the night of the Census, 1901.

 

Census of Scotland, 1901

The following were living at Upper Park Kiltearn in the County of Ross, on the night of the Census 1901.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Jessie Ross, (70)	Widow, Farmer	Kiltearn, Ross
Belle Ross, (36)	Daughter, General Domestic Servant	Kiltearn, Ross
Alexander Ross, (34)	Son, Manager	Kiltearn, Ross
John Ross, (34)	Farm servant	Rosskeen, Ross
Malcolm Finlayson, (19)	Farm servant	Lochcarron, Ross
John Ross, *(10)	Grandson, Scholar	Glasgow, Lanark

 

*This is John Donald Ross staying with his maternal Grandmother Jessie Ross, on the night of the Census in 1901.

 

Census of Scotland, 1901

In the Census of Scotland, 1901, the following were living at Kendram in the Parish of Kilmuir on the north east side of the Isle of Skye in the County of Inverness.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Malcolm Ross, (80)	Missionary	Kilmuir, Inverness
Catherine Ross, (77)	Missionary’s Wife	Parish of Snizort, Inverness
John Ross, (44)	Tailor	Kilmuir, Inverness
Alexander Ross, (35)	Insurance Agent	Kilmuir, Inverness
Janet Matheson, (18)	General Domestic servant	Stenscholl, Inverness

 

South Africa Biographical Index 1825 – 2005

This record notes that John Alexander Ross, born in Glasgow on 24 December 1884 (sic) (1883) and whose father’s name was ‘A. Ross’, a Banker, had arrived in the Orange River Colony in 1902 and was still there in 1908.

 

Highland News, Saturday 9 April 1910

Under the heading “KILMUIR -  OBITUARY”, the Highland News of 9 April 1910 carried the following:

 

“The other day the grave closed over the remains of Mrs Malcolm Ross, widow of Mr Malcolm Ross, West Coast Missionary, Kilmaluag. Three years ago Mr Ross died full of years and honour, and now his widow has passed away at the age of eighty-seven. She left six of a family, married with one exception, and all occupying responsible positions in life. Her eldest son, Lieutenant Archibald Ross, of the Glasgow Police Force, was chief mourner at the funeral. Mrs Ross was a native of Glenhinisdale, North Snizort, and was one of a race of Mathesons, several of whom displayed considerable ability. The late Reverend Dugald Matheson, Free Church minister, Tarbat, Ross and Cromarty, was her brother. Mrs Ross, like her husband, was a member of the Free Church. She was distinguished by a large hearted Christian charity and by a grace and  kindliness of manner which showed her to be a true gentlewoman. The Reverend Mr Macphail, parish minister, and the Reverend Mr Macdonald, United Free Church minister, Kilmuir, conducted the funeral service. A large concourse of people from Snizort and from all parts of Kilmuir assembled to testify their respect for the deceased and their sympathy with the family.”

 

Census of Scotland 1911

The following were living at 55 Smith Street, Govanhill, Glasgow on the night of the Census 1911.

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Archibald Ross, (59)	Lieutenant of Police	Kilmuir, Inverness
Catherine Ross, (57))	Wife	Kiltearn, Ross
John Donald Ross, (20)	Son, Clerk, (Bank Apprentice)	Glasgow, Lanarkshire*
Catherine Isabella Ross, (17)	Daughter, Scholar	Glasgow, Lanarkshire*
Malcolm Ross, (15)	Son, Scholar	Glasgow, Lanarkshire*

 

The 1911 Census was the first where married woman. Were compelled to state how long they had been married, how many live births they had experienced and how many of those children were still alive at the date of the Census. Catherine Ross stated that she had been married 23 years, given birth to three children, all of whom, were still alive in 1911.

 

*By 1911, Kinning Park and Cathcart were part of Glasgow and that is probably why the places of birth of the children have changed from 1901.

 

Records of City of Glasgow Police, 1915

Archibald Ross retired on pension after 40 years’ service with the City of Glasgow Police on 28 February 1915 and his conduct was noted to have been “Exemplary”.

 

Register of Death in the District of Kilmorack in the County of Inverness

Archibald Ross, (77), retired Lieutenant of Police, married to Catherine Ross, died at Craigmore, Croyard Road, Beauly in the County of Inverness on 23 February 1929. His death was registered by his son Malcolm.

 

Scotland, National Probate Index (Calendar of Confirmations & Inventories) 1876 – 1936

The above record records that:

“ROSS, Archibald, Police Lieutenant, retired, Craigmore, Croyard Road, Beauly, died 23 February 1929 at Beauly, testate. Confirmation Inverness, 5 April, to William Campbell, Manager, 2 Norham Street, Crossmyloof, Glasgow, Catherine Ross, Free Church Manse, Mount Vernon Avenue, Blairhill, Coatbridge, widow, and Donald John Matheson, Free Presbyterian Manse, Lairg, Sutherlandshire…”

 

Register of Death in the District of Coatbridge in the County of Lanark

Catherine Ross, (78),  Widow of Archibald Ross, Police Lieutenant, of 21 Mount Vernon Avenue, Coatbridge, died there on 15 January 1933. Her son, Malcolm Ross of 80 Rudgemead, Doxey, Staffordshire.

 

The End of the Story

According to a Family Tree on Ancestry, it is believed that John Alexander Ross died in New Zealand in 1961. His half-brother, John Donald Ross, also died in New Zealand in 1963. His half-brother, Malcolm Ross, died in Surrey, England on 1970 and his half-sister, Catherine Isabella Ross died in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire in 1978.

 

Please get in touch with the website if there are any errors or omissions in the chronological record above. Thank you.

Lieutenant James Scott  City of Glasgow Police

Lieutenant Thomas Simcox BEM - City of Glasgow Police

City of Glasgow Police

Lieutenant Thomas Simcox, BEM

 

The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service (BEM)

The Queen’s South Africa Medal

The King’s South Africa Medal

King Edward VII Police Medal, (Scotland) 1903 (VTSM)

 

Introduction

Thomas Simcox was born in 1873 in Aston, Warwickshire, the son of Thomas Simcox, a Moulder, and Emily Pace or Simcox. They had been married in Bordesley, Warwickshire on 14 December 1872.

 

After brief service in a Militia Regiment, the 3^rd Battalion the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, in 1892, Thomas enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders. He served seven years and was transferred to the Army Reserve in 1899, only to be ‘Called to the Colours’ for the Boer War a few months later.

 

He joined the City of Glasgow Police in 1902 and was later promoted to Inspector in charge of Drill Instruction in the Police Training School at the Central Police Station. He developed the syllabus for all recruits and gradually extended the scope of their training to include a variety of subjects which greatly enhanced the knowledge and discipline of the recruits.[i]

 

He resigned to serve as a Lieutenant in the 5^th Scottish Rifles and later, the Royal Defence Corps during World War I in Home Defence duties that involved the prevention and detection of enemy spying activity. After the war, he rejoined the police and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. During this time, Thomas married and had a family.

 

Thomas Simcox retired in December 1932.

 

What follows now is a chronological record of the life of Thomas Simcox and his family, taken from public records, City of Glasgow Police records, and newspapers.

The Early Years

In the Census of England, 1871, the following were living at 88 Bordesley Green, in Bordesley, Parish of Aston, Warwickshire.[i]

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
William Singleton, (53)	Brass founder	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Sarah Singleton, (57)	Wife	Coventry, Warwickshire
Mary Ann Singleton, (27)	Daughter, Paper Colourer	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Edward Singleton, (17)	Brass founder	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Frank Singleton, (2)	Son	Aston, Warwickshire
Thomas Simcox,* (19)	Lodger, Moulder	West Bromwich, Staffordshire

 

*This is Thomas Wilcox’ father, Thomas, living as a lodger before his marriage.

 

The Census of England 1871

The following were living at Cherry Lane, Saltley, in the Parish of Aston, Warwickshire, on the night of the Census 1871.[ii]

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Elisha Pace, (53)	Gardener	Aston, Warwickshire
Mary Pace, (51)	Laundress	King’s Bromley, Staffordshire
Maria Pace, (28)	Daughter, Domestic Servant	Aston, Warwickshire
Emily Pace, (20)	Daughter, Laundress	Aston, Warwickshire
Elizabeth Pace, (15)	Daughter, Scholar	Aston, Warwickshire
Emily Pace,* (3)	Grand daughter	Aston, Warwickshire
Edwin Bowden, (22)	Son-in-law, Bedstead maker	Aston, Warwickshire
Mary Bowden, (22)	Daughter	Aston, Warwickshire
Lucy Bowden,**(8/12)	Grand daughter	Aston, Warwickshire

 

*It is not clear who is the mother of Emily Pace, (3).

 

**Lucy Elizabeth Bowden died in 1871, aged one year and was buried in Saltley on 4 September 1871.

 

Birmingham, England, Church of England Marriages & Banns, 1754 – 1937

On 14 December 1871 at St Andrew’s Parish Church, Bordesley, Aston, Warwickshire, Thomas Simcox, (21), a Moulder of Watery Lane, and son of George Simcox, a Saddler, married Emily Pace, (22), also of Watery Lane, and daughter of Elisha Pace, Landscaper.

 

This is the marriage of Lieutenant Thomas Simcox’ parents.

 

England & Wales Births, 1837 – 2006

Thomas Simcox was born on 13 April  1873 in Cherry Lane, Saltley, Erdington, Warwickshire. His birth was registered by his mother on 29 April 1873.[iii]

The Census of England 1881

The following were living at 44 Wyle Cop, St Julian, Shrewsbury, Shropshire,, on the night of the Census 1981.[iv]

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Thomas Simcox, (28)	Moulder, Railway Works	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Emily Simcox, (29)	Moulder’s Wife	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Edwin Simcox, (4)	Son	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Thomas Simcox, (7)	Son, Scholar	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Florence Simcox, (2)	Daughter	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Alfred B. Boulton, (42)	Lodger, Carpenter & Joiner	Kingsheath, Worcestershire
Thomas Boulton, (15)	Lodger, Carpenter & Joiner’s Son

The Census of England 1891

The following were living at 24 Hawkes Street, Bordesley, Aston, Warwickshire, on the night of the Census 1891.[v]

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Thomas Simcox, (37)	Iron Moulder	West Bromwich, Staffordshire
Emily Simcox, (39)	Moulder’s Wife	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Thomas Simcox, (17)	Striker for Blacksmith	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Arthur Simcox, (9)	Son, Scholar	Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Florence Simcox, (12)	Daughter, Scholar	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Edith Simcox, (6)	Daughter, Scholar	Birmingham, Warwickshire

 

Records of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1892

On 27 April 1892, Thomas Simcox, 18 years and 4 months of age, born in the town of Birmingham in the County of Warwick,  of 24 Hawk Street, Smallheath, occupation, Blacksmith, employed by John Hunt of Samson Road, Smallheath, Warwickshire, enlisted in the 3^rd Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment as Private No. 4307.[i]

 

His description states he is ’18 years and 11 months’, almost 5’ 8” tall with a ‘fresh complexion’,  ‘brown eyes’ and ‘light brown hair’. His religion was ‘Church of England’.

 

He was passed medically fit to enlist but his engagement did not last long. He was discharged on 25 September 1892, the reason given was, “enlisted into Gordon Highlanders 25.9.82.”.

 

Records of the Gordon Highlanders 1892

On 25 August 1892, Thomas Simcox, 19 years and 4 months of age, a Blacksmith born in Birmingham in the County of Warwick, with previous service in the 3^rd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, attested before a Magistrate . He enlisted at Castlehill Barracks (see picture), the Depot, in Aberdeen on 1 September 1892 as Private No. 4502 in the Gordon Highlanders.[ii]

 

His description states he is ’19 years and 4 months’, almost 5’ 8” tall with a ‘medium complexion’, ‘brown eyes’ and ‘  brown hair’. His religion was ‘Church of England’.

 

His next of kin was listed as ‘ Father, Thomas Simcox, 110 Little Green Lane, Smallheath, Birmingham’.

 

Army Postings: 4502 Thomas Simcox

 

Corps	Battn. Or Depot	Promotions, Reductions, Casualties &c.	Army Rank	Dates
G.Hlrs.	D	Attested	Pte.	25 August 1892
G.Hlrs.	2	Joined	Pte.	1 October 1892
G.Hlrs		Appointed Lance Corporal	L/Cpl.	17 November 1893
G.Hlrs		Granted Good Conduct Pay		20 August 1894
G.Hlrs		Promoted to Corporal		29 April 1895
G.Hlrs		Elected to come under the new messing rules, Special Army Order of 2nd April 1898. (Signature)  T. Simcox	Corpl.	1 May 1898     2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders
G.Hlrs		Transferred to the Army Reserve (AR)		10 February 1899

 

As a member of the Army Reserve, Thomas Simcox was ‘Called to the Colours’ as part of the mobilization for the Boer War.

 

Army Postings: 4502 Thomas Simcox

Corps	Battn. Or Depot	Promotions, Reductions, Casualties &c.	Army Rank	Dates
G.Hlrs		Rejoined Colours on Mobilization	Cpl.	9 October 1899
G.Hlrs	1	Joined	Cpl.	19 October 1899
G.Hlrs		Promoted to Sergeant	Sgt.	26 July 1900
AR		Re-transferred	Sgt.	23 April 1903
		Discharged on the termination of his first period of limited engagement	Sgt	24 August 1904

 

Military History Sheet

This table shows Thomas Simcox’ places of duty during his 12 years of service.

 

Country	From	To	Years	Days
Home	25 August 1892	8 November 1899	7	76
South Africa	9 November 1899	19 August 1902	2	284
Home	20 August 1902	24 August 1904	2	5
		Total	12

 

Medals & Decorations

The Military History Sheet lists the medals to which Thomas Simcox was entitled for his service in the Boer War. They are:

 

The Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899 -1902 and Clasps,  ‘Paardeberg’, ‘Driefontein’, Johannesburg’ and ‘Cape Colony’ and the King’s South Africa Medal and Clasps,  ‘South Africa - 1901’ and ‘South Africa - 1902’.[iii]

Medal Roll 1^st Battalion The Gordon Highlanders, Queen’s South Africa Medal

The above Medal Roll dated 23 August 1901 at Pretoria, South Africa, records Sergeant Thomas Simcox’ entitlement to the medal and clasps listed above.[i]

 

Medal Roll 1^st Battalion The Gordon Highlanders, King’s South Africa Medal

The above Medal Roll dated 10 November 1902 at Glasgow, records Sergeant Thomas Simcox’ entitlement to the medal and clasps listed above.[ii]

 

The Census of England 1901

The following were living at 489 Green Lane, Bordesley, Aston, Warwickshire, on the night of the Census 1901.[iii]

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Thomas Simcox, (49)	Iron Moulder	West Bromwich, Staffordshire
Emily Simcox, (49)	Moulder’s Wife	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Edwin Simcox, (24)	Carpenter
Florence Simcox, (22)	Daughter, Seamstress	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Edith Simcox, (16)	Daughter, Seamstress	Birmingham, Warwickshire
Mary Pace, (82)	Mother-in-law	Yoxall, Staffordshire
Frederick Wyks, (8)	Adopted, Scholar	Birmingham, Warwickshire

 

Census of Scotland 1901

Living at 24 Rosemount Street, Glasgow on the night of the census 1901 was the following:

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Hannah McGuickian	Waitress in Hotel	Glasgow, Lanarkshire

 

This is Thomas Simcox’ future wife.[iv]

 

Record of Marriages in the District of St Rollox in the County of Lanark 1902

On 16 September 1902, at St Mungo’s Church, Glasgow, after Banns according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church, Thomas Simcox, (29), Sergeant, 1^st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, presently residing at 22 Glenfield Street, Glasgow, married Hannah McGuickian, (25), Tailoress, of the same address.

 

Thomas’ parents were Thomas Simcox, foreman Iron Moulder and Emily Pace or Simcox. Hannah’s were William McGuickian, Cab Driver (Deceased) and Rose McGrath or McGuickian, (Deceased).

 

The witnesses were W. McCafferty and Elizabeth Roberts. The ceremony was performed by the Reverend Raphael Morris.[v]

City of Glasgow Police Records 1902

Thomas Simcox joined the City of Glasgow Police in 1902.

 

Record of Births in the District of St Rollox in the County of Lanark 1904

Emily Simcox was born on 28 April 1904 at 73 Albert Street, Glasgow. Her father was Thomas Simcox, a Police Office Clerk and Army Reservist, and her mother, Hannah McGuickian or Simcox. Her father registered her birth.[i]

 

Record of Deaths in the District of St Rollox in the County of Lanark 1905

Emily Simcox, (9 months), died on 14 February 1905 at 73 Albert Street, Glasgow. Her father registered her death.[ii]

 

Valuation Roll for the Burgh of Glasgow for the Year 1905 -1906

Thomas Simcox is recorded living at 73 Albert Street, Glasgow for that year. His occupation is ‘Clerk’.[iii]

 

Record of Births in the District of St Rollox in the County of Lanark 1906

Thomas Simcox was born on 11 July 1906 at 73 Albert Street, Glasgow. His father was Thomas Simcox, a Police Office Clerk, and his mother, Hannah McGuickian or Simcox. His father registered his birth.[iv]

Record of Births in the District of St Rollox in the County of Lanark 1909

Rose Simcox was born on 2 May 1909 at 1286 Springburn Road, Glasgow. Her father was Thomas Simcox, an Inspector of Police, and her mother, Hannah McGuickian or Simcox. Her father registered her birth.[i]

 

Census of Scotland 1911

Living at 34 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow on the night of the census 1911 was the following:

 

Name & Age	Occupation	Place & County of Birth
Thomas Simcox, (37)	Inspector, Glasgow Police	Birmingham, England
Hannah Simcox, (33)	Wife	Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Thomas Simcox, (4)	Son	Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Rose Simcox, (1)	Daughter	Glasgow, Lanarkshire

 

The 1911 census was the first to demand that women record the number of years they had been married, how many live births they had experienced, and how many of those children were still alive at the date of the census. Hannah Simcox recorded that she had been married for 8 years, given birth to three live children, two of whom were still alive at the date of census.[ii]

 

The Daily Record & Mail, Wednesday 4 February 1914

The Daily Record & Mail edition of Wednesday 4 February 1914 carried the following article under the heading of ‘Policemen at Dinner’.

 

“POLICEMEN AT DINNER

 

GLASGOW CHIEF PRAISES HIS

STAFF

 

Glasgow Police Inspectors held their annual dinner in the Grosvenor Restaurant last evening. Bailie McMillan presided. Among others present were:- Chief constable Stevenson, Bailies Bruce, Murray, Paxton, Alston, D. Graham, R.S. Brown, J. Stewart, (12^th Ward), Irwin, Stark, Brown. River-Bailie Stewart, the superintendents of the various divisions and  Mr Brough. Inspectors Butler and McDonald acted as croupiers, and the general arrangements were in the hands of Inspector Simcox, Honorary Secretary.

 

Replying to the toast ‘The Glasgow Police Force’, proposed by Bailie Alston, The Chief Constable said that the Glasgow Police aimed at efficiency and courtesy in the discharge of their duties. These duties had become multifarious, and when they considered that the Force was recruited from young men drawn, in the majority of cases, from agricultural occupations, he thought it was a credit both to them and their instructors if they attained  in any measure to the standard demanded of them by the public.

 

So much had the duties of the police increased and become complicated in these days that it was necessary to have  a special force, specially trained. He would like to make a plea for the ordinary constable. Considering his comparatively slight training it was not surprising that he made mistakes sometimes. Rather was it surprising that he made so few. (Applause).

 

Mr Stevenson referred to the great loss sustained in the death of Superintendent Mathewson, who he said, possessed all the qualities of an ideal superintendent.

 

Loyal and other toasts were honoured. An excellent programme of music was provided during the evening.”[iii]

 

The Post Sunday Special 8 August 1915

The Post Sunday Special newspaper of  8 August 1915 carried the following report:

 

“Ex-Inspector Simcox, late of the Glasgow Police Force and now a Lieutenant in the 5^th Scottish Rifles, was presented in Partick Police Office, with a wristlet watch and a case of pipes by the special constables of Partick Division. Lieutenant Simcox was the special constables drill instructor previous to joining the army.”[iv]

 

Valuation Roll for the Burgh of Glasgow for the Year 1915 -1916

Thomas Simcox is recorded living at 60 Market Street, Glasgow for that year. His occupation is ‘Inspector of Police’.[v]

 

Military Service in WWI

From a 1915 newspaper report and entries in the London Gazette, it appears that Thomas Simcox enlisted in the Army between late 1914 and mid 1915 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 5^th Scottish Rifles. He was certainly a Lieutenant in the Royal Defence Corps (RDC)  by June 1916 since he appears in that unit in the Army List for that month.

 

The structure of the RDC is shown below and whilst Lt. Simcox was part of a Protection Company, it is believed he worked in plain clothes making enquiries into suspected spies  and other threats to military installations in the Scottish Command area.[vi]

 

Supplement to the London Gazette 24 July 1915

The Supplement to the London Gazette of the 24 July 1915 carried the following notice on page 7297:

 

“General List. – The undermentioned to be Lieutenants:- 

 

Thomas Simcox. Dated 12 July 1915”.[vii]

 

The Monthly Army List June 1916

The Monthly Army List (of officers in the British Army), published by His Majesty’s Stationary Office in June 1916 carried the following entry under ‘War Services of Officers of the Army etc’ on page 3067:

 

“(t) SIMCOX, T.(Lt. R. Def. Corps.):-

S. African War, 1901-2 – Served in rank. Operations in the Orange Free State, including operations at Paardeberg and action at Driefontein. Operations in the Transvaal, including action near Johannesburg, operations in Cape Colony. Queen’s Medal 6 clasps”.

 

(t) Indicates ‘Temporary’. ‘R. Def. Corps.’ Refers to the Royal Defence Corps.[viii]

 

The Royal Defence Corps of 1916 -1918

 

Formation

The Royal Defence Corps  was introduced by a Royal warrant of 17 March 1916 and promulgated by Army Order 115 of 19 March 1916.

 

The Warrant deemed the RDC to be Corps for the purposes of the Army Act and that the rates of pay should be those of for the infantry of the line as laid down in the pay warrant of 1 December 1914.

 

The RDC was defined in further detail in Army Council Instruction (ACI) 841 of 19 April 1916. It had been created “To carry out duties connected with the local defence of the United Kingdom including those hitherto performed by the Supernumery Territorial Force Companies, as well as those allotted to the Observer Companies now in process of formation”.

 

Transfers of Officers and Men who were already serving

Officers would be commissioned into the Territorial Force  and posted to units of the RDC for duty. Those officers already serving with Supernumery Territorial Force Companies would be transferred on 1 May 1916.

 

The Units of the RDC

The RDC would consist of two types of unit.

 

1. Protection Companies. They would take over the duties of the Supernumery Territorial Force Companies and would come into existence on 29 April 1916. While it was expected that that the number of such units would vary across the army’s geographical command areas, company numbers were issued in blocks of 50.

 

1. Protection Companies 1- 50 would be for Lines of Communication Companies.

2. Protection Companies 51 -100 would be for Eastern Command.

3. Protection Companies 101 – 150 would be for London District.

4. Protection Companies 151 – 200 would be for Northern Command.

5. Protection Companies 201 – 250 would be for Scottish Command. [ix]

6. Protection Companies 251 – 300 would be for Southern Command.

7. Protection Companies 301 – 350 would be for Western Command.

8. Protection Companies 351 – 400 would be for Any Protection Companies required that were outside this structure would be numbered 351 and upwards.

 

2. Observer Companies. They would be numbered consecutively in their own sequence, starting from 1.

 

The establishments of Protection Companies was defined in ACI 1373 of 10 July 1916. This shows that the establishment was not fixed but varied by company. They would typically have 1 Major in command; 1 Captain; 4 – subalterns; 1 Company sergeant Major; 1 Company Quartermaster sergeant; 35 – 48 NCOs’ and 150 – 290 privates.

 

In April 1918 some 27,000 men were serving in the RDC. Of these, 14,000 were employed at prisoner of war camps.[x]

 

 

The Monthly Army List June 1919

The Monthly Army List published by His Majesty’s Stationary Office in January 1919 carried the following entry under ‘Royal Defence Corps, Territorial Force’ on page 1622c:

 

(The entry begins with a small crossed swords symbol* followed by)

“Simcox, T. 12 July 1915”.[xi]

 

*The section of the Army List explains the symbols as follows. The crossed swords symbol means an:

 

“Officer serving the Special Reserve of Officers, Territorial Force, Reserve of Officers & c., or holding a temporary commission who has War Service. (1) The entry of this symbol in the above classes is made as Officers belonging thereto are not shewn in the Graduation List of the quarterly Army List, In which book any such symbols are recorded against the name of Officers of the permanent Regular Army. (2) The symbol refers to campaigns prior to the present war, except in cases where Officers, on account of service in any of the several theatres of war overseas, have been mentioned in Despatches, promoted for Service in the Field, or granted a Reward

 

Supplement to the London Gazette 14 April 1919

The Supplement to the London Gazette published on 14 April 1919 recorded the following on page 4870:

 

“Royal Defence Corps.

Protection Companies:-

Lt. T Simcox relinquishes his commission on ceasing to be employed, 16 January 1919, and retains the rank of Lt.”[xii]

City of Glasgow Police Records 1919

Inspector Thomas Wilcox rejoined City of Glasgow Police in this year.

 

Register of Deaths in the District of Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire 1919

Emily Simcox, (68) died in Aston, Warwickshire in the 2^nd Quarter of 1919. The record can be found in the Registration District of Aston, Inferred county, Warwickshire, Volume 6d, Page 330.[i]

 

New Year Honours List 1929

In the list of awards under the British Empire Medal, Civil Division for Meritorious Service,  was ‘Thomas Simcox, Lieutenant, Glasgow City Police’. The BEM is to the extreme left of the picture below.

 

Supplement to the London Gazette 26 February 1929

Page 1445 of the Supplement to the London Gazette dated 26 February 1929 recorded the following:

 

“CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD

St James’s Palace, S. W. 1,

1^st March 1929

 

The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Medal of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire to the undermentioned:-

 

For Meritorious Service

 

…Thomas Simcox, Lieutenant, Glasgow City Police.”[ii]

 

The Scotsman, 23 May 1929

The Scotsman newspaper of Thursday, 23 May 1929 carried the following notice on page 7:

 

“GLASGOW POLICE INSPECTION:- The annual inspection of the Glasgow Police force took place yesterday. Owing to the break in the weather the event was held in the Kelvin Hall, instead of Glasgow Green. About 500 officers who had to take up duty yesterday were inspected the previous day, and on that occasion, Lieutenant T. Simcox, instructor to the Glasgow force, was presented with the British Empire Medal in recognition of his 26 ½  years’ service.

 

The main body, numbering about 1700, was inspected by Lt. Col. W. D. Allan, H. M. Inspector of Constabulary. Chief Constable A. D. Smith was in command and was accompanied by Assistant Chief Constable A. Williamson. Following upon the inspection the men proceeded to the City Chambers and marched past Lord Provost Sir David Mason.”[iii]

 

Valuation Roll for the Burgh of Glasgow for the Year 1930 -1931

Thomas Simcox is recorded living at 46 Camphill Street, Glasgow for that year. His occupation is ‘Lieutenant of Police’.[iv]

 

Thomas was still at that address in 1933.

 

Register of Deaths in the District of Cathcart in the County of Lanark 1931

Hannah Simcox, (53),  married to Thomas Simcox, Lieutenant of Police, died on 19 January 1931 at 46 Camphill Street, Glasgow. Her husband registered her death.[v]

 

City of Glasgow Police Records 1932

Lieutenant Thomas Simcox, BEM, City of Glasgow Police, retired on pension on 31 December 1932.[vi]

 

Valuation Roll for the Burgh of Glasgow for the Year 1935 - 1936

Thomas Simcox is recorded living at 23 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow in the Voter’s roll for that year.[vii]

 

Register of Marriages in the District of Blythswood in the Burgh of Glasgow 1936

On 21 April 1936, Charles Alexander, (28), a Furniture Salesman, of 68 Dixon Avenue, Glasgow, married Rose Simcox, (26), a Hairdresser of 23 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow after Publication in accordance with the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church.[viii]

 

Charles’ parents were Charles Alexander, Inspector of Police, (Deceased) and Agnes Ryan or Alexander. Rose’ parents were as above.

 

The witnesses were James Alexander (Brother) and Catherine McDonach. The ceremony was performed by Fr Joseph Daniel, Catholic Priest of St Peter’s College , Bearsden.

 

Register of Marriages in the District of Kelvingrove in the Burgh of Glasgow 1937

On 15 October 1937, at the Grand Hotel, Glasgow, after Banns  and Publication according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland, Thomas Simcox, (31), Post Office Engineer, of 23 Nithsdale street, Glasgow, married Jean Gilmour Allan Hutcheon, (27), Hairdresser, of 19 Ormonde Drive, Muirend, by Glasgow.[ix]

 

Jean’s parents were Alexander Still Hutcheon, Company Director, (Deceased) and Mary Campbell Ritchie or Hutcheon.

 

The witnesses were Charles Alexander and Dorothy Stewart. The ceremony was performed by Walter McGlone, Minister of Netherlee Church, Renfrewshire.

 

Valuation Roll for the Burgh of Glasgow for the Year 1940 - 1941

Thomas Simcox is recorded living at 23 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow in the Voter’s roll for that year.[x]

 

Valuation Roll for the County of Renfrew for the Year 1940 - 1941

Thomas Simcox (Junior), Civil Servant, is recorded living at 51 Orchard Park Avenue, Giffnock, in the County of Renfrew in the Voter’s roll for that year.[xi]

 

Register of Deaths in the District of Govan in the Burgh of Glasgow 1941

The Register of Deaths in the District of Govan in the Burgh of Glasgow records that Thomas Simcox, (68), Lieutenant of Police (Retired), Widower of Hannah McGuickian, died on 5 September 1941 at 1301 Govan Road, Glasgow. His usual address was 23 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow.

 

His parents were as listed above and his son, Thomas Simcox of 51 Orchard Park Avenue, Giffnock, registered his death.[xii]

 

The End of the Story

Thomas Simcox, (73) died in Eastwood and Mearns in 1979. His record can be found with the reference: ‘1979, 650/542, Eastwood & Mearns’.

 

Rose Simcox or Alexander, (79), died in Glasgow in 1989. Her record can be found in reference: ‘1989, 605/252, Glasgow, Martha Street’.

 

Thomas Simcox had a remarkable career as a soldier in two wars and as a police officer responsible for setting up the City of Glasgow Police Training School.

 

I am eternally grateful to Alastair Dinsmor, MBE, of the City of Glasgow Police for permission to use the photographs of Lieutenant Thomas Simcox in uniform and in the football team, and those of Inspector MacAuley VC, DCM, and Sergeant Fraser, MC, DCM, MM.

 

This has been an interesting project to research and record. If there are any factual errors or omissions, please contact the website and I will correct them. Thank you.