King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PC Edwin Adsett

Edwin Miles Adsett was born between April and June 1881 in Petworth in the County of Sussex. His father was James Adsett, a Farmer and his mother, Anne Miles or Adsett.

In the Census of 1891, the family consisting of Ann Adsett, (44) a Widow living on her own means at North End Cottages in Petworth in West Sussex and her daughters Flora, (20), and Alice, (17) and her sons, Walter, (12), Edwin, (10) and her Grand-son, Arthur, (5 months).

The next record I found was the Edinburgh City Police Weekly Record of 8 February 1910 which records under ‘Appointments’ that “PC 503 (B) Edwin Adsett” joined the force that day.

He did not get off to the best start in his career because the Weekly Record of 19 July 1910 records under ‘Punishments’ that “(On) 16 July 16, PC 503 Edwin Adsett (was) Reprimanded for failing to patrol his beat and found asleep.”

Curiously enough, on that same Weekly Record, the appointment of PC 227 John M. (McDonald) McLeod is also recorded. His medals can be seen below.

On 28 October 1910, Edwin Adsett, (31), a Police Constable, married Margaret Kininmonth Plenderleith, (38) at 25 Dunrobin Place, Edinburgh “After Banns according to the Forms of the United Free Church of Scotland.”

In the Census of 1911, living at 25 Dunrobin Place, Edinburgh are Alexander Raeburn, (56) a Widower, his Step-son David Plenderleith, (40), his Step-daughter, Margaret Adsett, (38), and his Son-in-law, Edwin Adsett, (31) and a Police Constable.

The Weekly Record of 28 December 1915 records under ‘Awards for Meritorious Conduct’ that “PC 503 Edwin Adsett (was) Commended for courageous conduct in stopping a runaway horse.”

The Edinburgh Corporation Valuation Roll for 1915 -1916 records Edwin Miles Adsett as the ‘Tenant/Occupier’ of 25 Dunrobin Place, Edinburgh. The same information is recorded in the Valuation Roll for 1920-1921.

The Weekly record for 6 April 1926 records under ‘Punishments’ that “PC 349 Edwin Adsett (was) Reduced to 2^nd Class for twelve months for neglect of duty in failing to take prompt and diligent action to secure the arrest of a man.”

Three years later, on 24 March 1929, Superintendent A. Finlay Low, ‘B’ Division, Gayfield Square, Edinburgh wrote the following to the Chief Constable:

The Weekly Record of 29 March 1929 records his restoration to 1^st Class from 1 April 1929.

The next entry is the Weekly Record of 27 March 1934 when he was advanced from 1^st Good Conduct Class to 2^nd Good Conduct Class.

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police 

PS John Archibald 

John Archibald was born at Woodside of Blairno in the Parish of Lethnot and Navar in the County of Angus on 20 July, 1858.

In 1861, when he was 2, according to the Census, he was still at Blairno with his mother, father, older sister and younger brother.

By 1871, he was 12, a Cattle Boy and the only child living with his mother and father, still at ‘Blairno Cottar’s House’.

He joined Edinburgh City Police on 8 June 1880 as PC 563.

In 1881, he was living as Boarder, single and a “Policeman” at 9 Crichton Street, Edinburgh.

He got off to a bad start in 1881, according to “Conduct Book 4” of Edinburgh City Police which has the following recorded next to his name:

On 1 December 1882, at 15 Forth Street, Edinburgh, he married Jean Ann Stott, a Domestic Servant at the same address. Her employer, the Reverend Cornelius Giffen, Minister of St Mary’s Parish, Church of Scotland, performed the service.

Marriage seems to have been good for him because there are no other discipline matters in his record.

The “Weekly Record” of Edinburgh City Police on 12 April 1904 states that:

The Weekly Record of 10 December 1907 records that:

"PC 554 John Archibald promoted to 3rd Class Sergeant, PS 63 and transferred to "D" Division vice PS Duguid transferred to Station Duty."

In the Census of 1911, John was a Police Sergeant, he and Jane had been married for 29 years, had six children together, five of whom were still alive. They were living in 34 Caledonian Crescent just off Dalry Road, Edinburgh.

There were two other Edinburgh Police officers living with their families in the same tenement.

He was working in what was then “D” Division but later became “C” after Beat Boxes were introduced in 1933. It was always known as the “West End” whichever letter was used.

In the “Weekly Record” of 16 June 1914 the following is recorded:

On 12 April 1928, John Archibald, (69), Retired Sergeant of Police, died at 34 Caledonian Crescent, Edinburgh. Jean Ann Archibald, (83), died on 16 April, 1939, at 9 Orwell Terrace, Edinburgh.

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal, 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal, 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PC David Manson Bain

David Manson Bain was born on 12 May 1875 in Thurso in Caithness.

His occupation was ‘Labourer’ before he joined Edinburgh City Police on 15 December 1896. He was posted to A Division (Central Police Office) with the collar number 191.

In the Census of 1901, David Manson Bain was living as a lodger at 39 Barony Street (off Broughton Street), Edinburgh.

“On 21 March, 1902, at 35 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, by Declaration in the presence of George Smith, Traveller and Mary Charlotte McLean, 3 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh, David Manson Bain, (26), married Mary Agnes Smith, (22) under Warrant of the Sheriff-Substitute of Lothians and Peebles dated 21 March, 1902.”

Marriage ‘by Declaration’ is no longer possible in Scotland.

Either before the marriage or just after it, John Bain was born that day at 5 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh at 10.00am. He was named after his Paternal Grandfather. The couple had one more son and three daughters, all of whom were alive at the Census of 1911. 

He held the number 258 B before transferring to D Division (The West End) as PC 481.

In the weekly Record of 25 November, 1913, “PC 481 David Bain (was transferred) From “D” to “C” Division Morningside Police Station as PC 422 C.”

He retired on a Medical Discharge Pension on 28 January 1928. To mark the occasion, he was presented with a pocket watch by his colleagues. The watch is inscribed:

On 25 February, 1958 at 201 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, David Manson Bain, (82), died. His daughter, ‘M Baikie’ registered his death.

Mary Agnes Smith or Bain, (81), died at the same address on 25 April, 1962. The same daughter registered her death too.

The Defence Medal 

The Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal 

Edinburgh City Police

PS John Augustus Beddie

These medals come with the original addressed box for the Defence Medal and the original box for the Police LS & GC.

This pair of medals came with an Edinburgh City Special Constabulary Medal 1919 and a King George V Special Constabulary Medal to J.A. Beddie's uncle, John Sinclair Beddie.

To see those medals in the Special Constabulary in Scotland section, please click here .

John Augustus Beddie was born 8 February 1908 in 11 Merchiston Crescent, Edinburgh. His father was James Augustus Beddie, a Brassfounder and his mother, Isabella Edwards or Beddie. His parents were married on 31 December 1906 in Edinburgh.

In the Census of 1911, John Beddie, (3) was living at 11 Merchiston Crescent with his father, (38), his mother, 40) and his Grand-mother, Mary Anne Beddie, (77).

The Weekly Record (WR) of Edinburgh City Police dated 14 January 1930 shows John Augustus Beddie’s appointment as PC 17(HQ) on that date.it seems from later documents that he was appointed into Headquarters Aliens Department.

I am assuming that John Beddie had either a good education or good contacts because in the WR dated 8 April 1930 it is stated “PC Beddie transferred from Aliens Department to Chief Constable’s Office.”

The WR dated 9 June 1931 in a series of transfers shows “PC 17 John A. Beddie (transferred) from C.C’s Office to Charge Office, vice PC Marshall.” PC Marshall having been transferred from Charge Office to C.I.D.

In the WR dated 7 February 1933 under ‘Divisional Transfers’, the following is written:

In another entry, PC 66 Peter Wishart was transferred from Traffic Dept. to Charge Office vice PC Beddie transferred.

After Banns according to the Forms of the Baptist Church, at The Plaza, Morningside Road, Edinburgh on 17 March 1934, John Augustus Beddie, (26), a Police Constable of 9 Merchiston Crescent, Edinburgh, married Faralina Sutherland Thomson, (22) a Draper’s Saleswoman of 3 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh.

On 18 April 1935, at 5 Morningside Park, Edinburgh, Marion Carlisle Beddie was born. Her father, PC John Augustus Beddie gave his usual address as 201 Morningside Road, Edinburgh.

In a report by Inspector Thomas Stuart, West End Police Station, dated 8 July 1937, he outlines the circumstances of a good arrest initiated by PC 463 John Beddie on 4 July 1937.

PC Beddie had been driving the night duty Divisional Van in Gorgie when he saw two men acting suspiciously. He called at the Ardmillan Terrace Police Box (9C) and picked up PC 470 Alexander Dick.

They stopped the two men and found them in possession of 22 bottles of beer labelled ‘Lorimer and Clark’s Brewery’. The men were arrested and subsequent enquiry revealed that one of the men had been employed at the brewery and used his inside knowledge to break in and steal the bottles.

The men admitted stealing the bottles and were sentenced to a fine of £1.0.0d or 10 days imprisonment.

Inspector Stuart concluded “There can be little doubt that the vigilance of Constable Beddie brought to an end the persistent thefts of beer from these premises and is worthy of recognition.”

Thus, in the WR dated 13 July 1937, “PC 463 John Beddie (was) Highly commended for vigilance and tact displayed in effecting the arrest of two thieves.”

On 17 May 1938, at 5 Morningside Park, Edinburgh, James Augustus Beddie was born. His father, PC John Augustus Beddie gave his usual address as 201 Morningside Road, Edinburgh.

Between 1937 and 1939 there seems to have been a re-numbering of officers in the West End (“C” Division) as in the WR dated 10 January 1939, PC C-52 John A. Beddie is listed.

John Beddie was still at the West End when on 21 February 1939, Superintendent Combe recommended him for a special increment in his pay on the grounds that “he showed marked intelligence and proficiency in his work, performs his duties with special zeal and has passed the necessary examination to qualify for promotion.”

By the WR dated 19 February 1946, John Beddie was PC HQ-52.

In the WR dated 17 July 1951 under ‘Promotions’ is listed “PC HQ-52 John Beddie (2^nd Class) to the rank and pay of Sergeant (temporary) (5^th Class) and transferred to the Lost Property Office (No.4).” The promotion was made permanent in the WR dated 18 September 1951.

The final entry in the WR concerning John Beddie dated 6 August 1957 and is listed under ‘Obituary’ and simply states “PS 4 John Beddie on 4^th instant.”

John Augustus Beddie died on 4 August 1957 at 3 Harden Place (off Polwarth Gardens), Edinburgh. His death was registered by his son, James Augustus Beddie.

The death was the subject of a Procurator Fiscal’s Precognition and in a document dated 9 August 1957 it was determined that John Beddie died of “Natural Causes – Coronary Thrombosis.”

Faralina Sutherland Thomson or Beddie, (76), died in Morningside, Edinburgh in 1988.

King's Police Medal (1 January 1925)

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

Superintendent Hugh Calder KPM

Superintendent C Division Braid Place Police Station

Hugh Calder was believed to be born in Assynt in Sutherland around 1868 but I can find no record of his birth that has the names of his parents as given on his Marriage Certificate.

He did, however, join Edinburgh City Police on 20 November, 1888. Sometime in 1890, he stopped a runaway horse and his reward for this meritorious conduct was to gain and “Advancement in his pay” six months earlier than was usual.

In 1899, he married Mary Montgomery MacDonald in Edinburgh. They had two sons together, Godfrey born in 1900 and Allan born in 1903.

He was an excellent piper and keen on athletics. I have an engraved flask awarded to “PC H Calder” by “E.C.P.S.C” (Edinburgh City Police Sports Club) which could only have been awarded between 1888 and 1900 since on 3 July, 1900, he was promoted to Police Sergeant.

Like most of Edinburgh City Police, he was awarded the King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal, 1903 for the Royal Visit to Edinburgh.

According to the Edinburgh City Police weekly Record of 13 March, 1906:

He had joined the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band and was Pipe Sergeant around this period.

He was also awarded the King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal, 1911 along with the rest of the force and was presented with the medal in 1912.

By 1912, he was Pipe-Major of the band. According to ‘The Scotsman’ newspaper of Monday September 2^nd, 1912 in a report on the Cowal Highland Games of the previous Saturday:

On 2^nd January, 1917, the Weekly Record shows that:

On 21 May 1918, he was transferred from “C” (Braid Place) to “A” (High Street) Division.

On 16 June 1919, an entry in the weekly Record stated:

According to a Supplement to the London Gazette of 1 January 1925:

According to “The Scotsman” of Thursday 2 January, 1930:

On 21 September, 1935, Hugh Calder was elected to be an office-bearer in the Highland Pipers Society of Edinburgh.

On Thursday October 28, 1937, “The Scotsman” reported:

Mary Montgomery Macdonald or Calder died on 22 June, 1946 at the Eastern General Hospital, Edinburgh. Her usual address was in Thirlstane Road, Edinburgh.

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PC John Johnston Cran

John Johnston Cran was born on 12 May 1870 at New Deer in the County of Aberdeen. His mother was Margaret Yeats and his father, Robert Cran a shoemaker. His birth certificate has John Johnstone Yeats as his name but he was always known as john Johnston Cran. His parents never married.

He joined Edinburgh City Police as PC 255 B on 18 July, 1893. His previous occupation was ‘Farm servant’.

In the Census of 1901 he was living as a lodger at 3 Leslie Place, Edinburgh.

On 5 July, 1901 he married Isabella Gray Jamieson in Aberdeen.

They had two children together, Jane Ellis Cran born in 1903 at 16 Hay Terrace, Edinburgh, and Robert Cran, born in 1906.

Robert died aged 8 months the following year.

John, Isabella and Jane were still living at 16 Hay Terrace, Edinburgh in the Census of 1911.

John Johnston Cran retired from Edinburgh City Police on 30 July 1923.

Jane died aged 32 at 7 Cornwallis Place, Edinburgh in 1936.

On 14 June, 1938 John Johnston Cran, (67) died in the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh. His wife Isabella, registered his death.

On 10 May 1943, Isabella Gray Jamieson or Cran, (68) was found dead in the back court of 16 West Savile Terrace, Edinburgh (her sister’s flat). After a Procurator Fiscal’s Precognition it was determined that she had died “from injuries sustained through falling from height.”

Note: I bought the medals in North America in 2010. I have a lot more detail on this family that I have not published here. Since the children pre-deceased their parents, there were no direct heirs and presumably the medals were sold off after Isabella’s death.

John Johnston Cran had a brother James Yeats (same father and mother) also known as James Cran. I have not researched him but would be happy to learn more about him.

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PC John Fisher

John Fisher was born on 10 November, 1885 at Bridge of Michael near Aberfoyle in the County of Perth. His father was Alexander Fisher, Ploughman, and his mother, Elizabeth McLaren or Fisher. His parents were married on 25 January 1883.

In 1891, John Fisher, (5) was still living at Bridge of Michael along with his father, (37), his mother, (31), his sisters Elizabeth, (10), Catherine, (6), Mary, (4) and his brother Donald, (1).

By 1901, John was 15, a Farm servant and living with his father, (47), his mother, (41) and his sisters, Mary, (13), Christina, (9), Maggie, (5), Caitlin Jane, (3) and brothers, Donald, (11), and Alexander, (1). The family were now living at Croftdhu in the village of Ardeonaig in the Parish of Kenmore in West Perthshire. Ardeonaig is on the south side of Loch Tay.

John Fisher joined Edinburgh City Police on 16 February 1909 as PC 609. That number is probably. Two years later in the Census of 1911, he was living as a lodger at 6 Mentone Avenue (off Bath Street), Portobello he was probably stationed there at Portobello Police Station.

Sometime between 1917 and 1923, he was transferred to Braid Place (C Division) as PC 191 C. He later became PC 425 C.

He was commended twice, in 1923 and 1933 for crime arrests. The circumstances of the 1933 commendation are worthy of mention.

John Fisher was on Plain Clothes duty in Clerk Street opposite a Pawnbrokers at 17 St Patrick Square when a man called Baptie tried to pledge a stolen watch for 3/- (£0.15). The Pawnbroker recognised the watch as stolen, locked Baptie in and telephoned Police Headquarters.

Baptie realised he was trapped, climbed out on to the roof of No 18, jumped on to a lamp bracket and jumped 12’ to the street below before running off northwards towards East Crosscauseway.

PC Fisher despite being 30 yards behind Baptie, gave chase for 200 yards along East Crosscauseway before he overtook Baptie and arrested him with the assistance of James Duffy Hill, (48), an Unemployed Labourer. John Fisher was 48 years old too.

On 2 June, 1936, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred to the West End as PS 79 C.

He retired as PS 79 C on 22 December 1941.

This is only medal entitlement according to his Edinburgh City Police Personnel Record.

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PS Gordon Gerrard Gerrie

Gordon Gerrard Gerrie was born on 27 July, 1874 in Fyvie in the County of Aberdeen. His father was Alexander Gerrie, a Crofter and his mother, Mary Scroggie or Gerrie. His parents were married on 14 June, 1856 in the Parish of King Edward, in the North West of Aberdeenshire.

The family were still living in Backhill in Fyvie in the Census of 1881 and 1891

Gordon Gerrie joined Edinburgh City Police on 22 November, 1898 as PC 44 A.

In the Census of 1901, he was living as a lodger at 23 Dalgety Street (off Marionville Road) in Leith.

On 19 June, 1907, after Banns according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland, Gordon G. Gerrie, (34), Police Constable, married Jessie Reid, (38), a Shop Assistant.

On 12 November, 1908, their daughter Margaret Gerrie was born in 39 Lochend Road West. She was presumably named after her Maternal Grandmother, Margaret Innes or Reid who was deceased at the time of her daughter’s marriage.

In the Census of 1911, the family were still living at 39 Lochend Road West. The Census confirms that Gordon and Jesse have been married for 3 years and had one child together who is still alive at that date.

On 29 November, 1914, Margaret Gerrie, (6), died in the City Hospital, Colinton. Her usual residence was 39 Lochend Road West, Edinburgh. Her father registered her death.

On 20 February, 1917, Gordon Gerrard Gerrie was promoted to the rank of Sergeant with the number PS 36 A.

Jessie Reid or Gerrie, (72), died on 13 July, 1941 at 8 Park Grove, Liberton. Gordon Gerrie registered her death.

Gordon Gerrard Gerrie, (77), died on 7 April, 1952 in the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh. His usual address was 8 Park Grove, Liberton. His nephew, George Deakin of 12 Park Crescent, Liberton registered his death. 

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal, 1911

King George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935

Edinburgh City Police

Inspector John Gray

John Gray was born at Elderbank in the Parish of Cameron in the County of Fife on 3 June 1883. His father, John was a Road Labourer and his mother, Jane Ramsay or Gray. His parents were married on 24 December 1878 at Perth.

By 1891, the family were living at Denhead in Strathkinness near St Andrew’s in Fife.

In 1901, John was 17 and working as a Farm Servant to Laurence McFarlane, a Farmer of Westfield Farm, Auchterderran in Fife.

Farm servant was his occupation when he joined Edinburgh City Police on 22 January, 1907 as PC 355 C in the Southside.

He transferred to B Division (Gayfield Square) as PC 248 B on 3 February, 1914.

On 13 December, 1921, he was promoted to 3^rd Class Sergeant in B Division, PS 62 B.

He was promoted to Inspector (No. 26) on 2 September 1930.

On 4 August, 1936, he was transferred back to B Division as Inspector (19).

John Gray retired on pension on 15 February 1937.

His Edinburgh City Police Personnel record confirms his entitlement to “Police George V and Jubilee George V”. His entitlement to the Jubilee medal is confirmed in the 1935 Medal Roll under Reference 6.Scot. CB. E.

Inspector Gray can be seen wearing his 1911 medal in the photograph below when he was a Station House Sergeant in B Division.

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police 

PC William Henderson

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PC James Hislop

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PC 513 D Alexander Latto

Alexander Latto was born on 9 August, 1870 at 5 Greenside End at the top of Leith Walk in Edinburgh. His father was John Latto, a Shoemaker and his mother, Susan Mathieson or Latto.

The family were still at that address in the Census of 1871 and consisted of John Latto, (53), his wife Susan, (33) and their children, John, (10), Agnes, (5) and Alexander, (7 months.

By the Census of 1881, the family were living at 3 Nelson Street, Edinburgh (between Abercromby Place and Great King Street) and as well as the above, there were now James Latto, (7) and David Latto, (4).

According to his Edinburgh City Police Personnel Record, Alexander Latto served 8 years with the 2^nd Battalion, the Royal Scots before he joined the force, probably sometime between 1885 and 1895?

At National Archives in Kew, I found the following information under WO 97/3263/86.

In the time-honoured tradition, Alexander Latto lied about his age when he joined the Royal Scots at their Depot in Glencorse on 7 January, 1886. He stated he was 18 when he was only 15 years old. He became Private Number 2203.

His service was as shown in the table below:

His papers show that he was transferred from the 2nd Battalion to the “1^st Class army Reserve as a Private on 13 December, 1893.

His record also confirms that he did not serve in any Campaigns and has no entitlement to any medals for his Army service.

On 15 March, 1895, at 11 Marchall Crescent in Edinburgh (in Priestfield off Dalkeith Road), Alexander Latto, (25), an Asylum Attendant married Janet Sutherland Taylor, (20), a Laundress. Their address was 58 South Back Canongate in Edinburgh. South Back Canongate is now known as Holyrood Road.

Later that year, on 6 June, Alexander Latto joined Edinburgh City Police as PC 173 A. His address and occupation are confirmed in the Edinburgh Corporation Valuation Roll of 1895.

On 1 February, 1896 at 58 South Back Canongate in Edinburgh, David Wright Latto was born. His father, Police Constable Alexander Latto, registered his birth.

At 75 Henderson Row in Edinburgh on 9 August, 1897, Alexander Taylor Latto was born. Police Constable Alexander Latto, his father, registered his birth. He died aged 11 months at the Sick Childrens Hospital in Edinburgh on 17 July, 1898. His usual address was 5 St Stephen Street.

Alexander Latto’s Army record confirms that he was “Discharged from the 1^st Class Army Reserve, Section B, as a Private on 6 January, 1898.”

Janet Sutherland Taylor or Latto, (22), died in 75 Henderson Row in Edinburgh on 12 January, 1898. Alexander Latto, her husband, registered her death.

From this date on, I have found no trace of the child, David Wright Latto.

However, at 5 St Stephen Street in Edinburgh on 7 September, 1898, Alexander Latto, (28), a Police Constable, married Rachel Waters, (20).

Helen Nicholson Latto was born on 30 May, 1899 at 19 South St James Street in Edinburgh. (South St James Street ran from behind St Mary’s RC Cathedral to St James Square and is now underneath the St James Shopping Centre at the top of Leith Street).

By the Census of 1901, Alexander, (30), Rachel, (23) and ‘Ellen’, (1), were living at 61 Torphichen Street in Edinburgh which was next door to the then West End Police Station, ‘D’ Division but after 1933, ‘C’ Division. There is no mention of David in the Census.

Alexander Latto's  collar number was now 513 D.

On 19 September, 1902, at 61 Torphichen Street in Edinburgh, James Waters Latto was born. His father registered the birth.

Every officer in Edinburgh City Police was awarded the King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal, 1903 in commemoration of the Royal Visit to Scotland that year.

The 1905-1906 Valuation Roll for the City of Edinburgh confirms that Police Constable Alexander Latto is living at 61 Torphichen Street.

The story now takes a strange turn as on 4 July, 1905 at 61 Torphichen Street, Alexander Latto was born. His father registered his birth. However, on 16 February, 1906 at the same address, Alexander Latto, (7 months) died. His father registered his death.

On 21 June, 1910 at 5 Torphichen Place in Edinburgh, Agnes Susan Latto was born. Her father registered her birth. 5 Torphichen Place is next door to what became the new West End Police Station.

In the Census of 1911, Alexander, (40), Rachel, (32), Helen, (11), James, (8) and Agnes Susan, (8 months) are still at 5 Torphichen Place.

Later that year, Alexander Latto along with every other man in Edinburgh City Police was awarded the King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal, 1911.

The Valuation Rolls for Edinburgh in the years 1915-1916, 1920-1921 and 1925-1926 all confirm that Alexander Latto was living at 5 Torphichen Place during those years.

PC Alexander Latto did not keep good health and on 10 April, 1922, he was “certified medically unfit” and retired on pension. He had previously been operated on for angina and suffered from bronchitis.

On 11 July, 1925 at Longmore Hospital (previously known with Liberton Hospital as the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Incurables) in Edinburgh, Alexander Latto, (54), died. His widow, Rachel Latto, registered his death.

Rachel Taylor or Latto, (80), died at 15 Tipperlinn Road in Edinburgh on 6 December, 1957. Her usual address was 4 Torphichen Place in Edinburgh. Her son-in-law, William Dunn, registered her death.

(For the moment, (14 January, 2015), this is as much as I know about the life of PC Alexander Latto. What happened to the two children of his first marriage is a mystery for now but if I find anymore, I will update this entry.

His King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal, 1903 is missing. Please get in touch if you know where it is. Thank you).

UPDATE: 28 May, 2016

A collector who has Alexander Latto’s 1903 medal has been in touch and the two medals are being reunited. I decided to make one last effort to find his Army Service and found the papers this morning.

The only mystery that still needs to be solved is what happened to his child from his first marriage, David Wright Latto? If you can provide any information, please get in touch. Thank you.

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PC William Linklater

PC William Linklater retired from Edinburgh City Police on 12 June 1916.

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PS 39 A Henry Mitchell

PS Mitchell's 1911 medal is missing. If you know where it is, please contact me at the website.

Edinburgh City Police

Sir William Booth Rennie Morren CBE MVO

A full account of Sir William B. R. Morren's life will appear here soon. Thank you for your patience.

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PC 224 A James Morrison

James Morrison was born on 11 September, 1874 at Clayfords in the Parish of Strichen in the County of Aberdeen. His father was John Morrison, an Agricultural Labourer and his mother, Barbara Roger or Morrison. His parents were married on 26 May, 1868 at Strichen.

He was a Farm servant before he joined Edinburgh City Police on 19 May, 1896. He was 5’ 11” tall, fair hair with blue eyes and a pale complexion.

On 20 June, 1902 at 6 Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, when he was 27 and living at 48 Milton Street, Abbeyhill, he married Margaret Hamilton, (22), a Spinster of 8 Dalgety Avenue, Edinburgh (off Marionville Road).

On 14 August, 1907, James John Morrison (named after his father and paternal grand-father) was born at 48 Milton Street, Abbeyhill. His father, James Morrison, Police Constable, registered his birth.

On 10 August, 1909, at the same address, William Hamilton Morrison (named after his maternal grand-father) was born at 3.55p.m. At 1.00p.m. the next day, his mother, Margaret Morrison, (28), died as a result of complications in the childbirth. Her husband registered the birth and the death.

By the Census of 1911, James Morrison was living as a Lodger, still a Police Constable, at 8 Dalgety Street in Edinburgh. So far, I can find no record of the two children after the death of their mother.

PC 224 A James Morrison retired from Edinburgh City Police on 15 April, 1929 and I believe, returned to Aberdeenshire and Strichen to farm.

He died on 15 August, 1939 at Mill Farm, Strichen, aged 64. His occupation was given as ‘Farmer (Retired Policeman)’. His death was registered by his son, James Morrison.

If you know what happened to the children between the death of their mother and that of their father, please get in touch with the website. Thank you.

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Edinburgh City Police

PC 228 A Robert Munro

Robert Munro was born on 2 January, 1867 at Falkirk in the County of Stirling according to Edinburgh City Police but on 2 January, 1866 according to his birth certificate. His father was Donald Munro, a Gamekeeper. His mother was Mary Sime or Munro. His parents were married on 17 March, 1862 at Camelon near Falkirk.

He was a Joiner before he joined Edinburgh City Police on 20 November, 1888, in C Division as PC 391 C.

In the Census of 1891, he was a Police Constable, (24) and living as a Lodger at 65 Causewayside, Edinburgh (near where the former Braid Place Police Station or ‘The Southside’ now stands.

On 2 June, 1892 at 9 Newton Street (Gorgie), Robert Munro, (26), married Jessie McKay Sutherland, (28), a Domestic Servant.

On 10 February, 1894, Margaret Mary Munro was born at 50 Sciennes, Edinburgh (off Melville Terrace). Her father, Police Constable Robert Munro, registered her birth.

At the Royal Asylum, Morningside, Edinburgh on 7 May, 1898, Jessie McKay Munro died. Her husband registered her death.

In the Census of 1901, Robert Munro, Police Constable, (34), was living as a Lodger at 6 West Preston Street, Edinburgh (off South Clerk Street). There is no trace of Margaret Mary (now possibly 7) in this Census or later.

On 21 June, 1907, at 2 Spence Street, Edinburgh, Robert Munro, (40), Police Constable and Widower, married Jessie Fraser Gilbert Russell, (27), a Domestic Servant.

By the Census of 1911, Robert and Jessie had two children together. Margaret Johnstone Munro in 1907 and Mary Cameron Munro in 1909. The children had been born at, and the family were still living in, 11 West Newington Place, Edinburgh (off Newington Road).

According to the Weekly Record of Edinburgh City Police dated 2 December, 1920, “PC 391 C Robert Munro from “C” to “A” Division, Number 228.”

Robert Munro retired on pension from Edinburgh City Police on 5 December, 1921.

He died in the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh on 21 August, 1935. His wife, Jessie registered his death. Their address was still 11 West Newington Place.

So far, I have been unable to trace any record of Margaret Mary Munro after the death of her mother in 1898. If you can provide any new information, please contact the website. Thank you.