Morayshire Constabulary to Wigtownshire Constabulary

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal, 1903

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911 (Missing)

Peeblesshire Constabulary 

Deputy Chief Constable (Superintendent) Robert Angus Dickson

Robert Angus Dickson was born on 11 June, 1861 at the High Street in Peebles. His father was Andrew Dickson. A ‘Farmer’ and his mother, Marion (Mary) Donaldson or Dickson. They had been married on 22 February, 1850 in Edinburgh.

In the Census of Scotland of April 187, the following are shown living at ‘Standalane’ Farm in the Parish of Peebles in the County of Peebles.

By the Census of 1881, George, Jennie and William Dickson along with George Anderson and James Kerr were no longer living at Standalane Farm but the family had been joined by John B. J. Dickson, (7).

Robert Dickson joined Mid Lothian Constabulary sometime in 1881 when he was 20 years old.

According to ‘The Scotsman’ newspaper of 16 December, 1935, Robert Dickson left Mid Lothian Constabulary to emigrate briefly to America but returned to re-join the police.

In the Census of Scotland in April, 1891, those residing at the Police Quarters in Ramsay Lane, Portobello in the Parish of Duddingston in Mid Lothian are shown below.

Between the Census of 1891 and early 1893, he was promoted to Sergeant at Portobello as it was in that rank that on 28 March, 1893 at the Church of Scotland in Penicuik, Mid Lothian, “After Banns according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland, Robert Angus Dickson, 31, a Police Sergeant of the Police Station, Portobello, married Janet Macnab Stewart, 26, a Dressmaker of 36 High Street, Penicuik”.

It was in the rank of Sergeant that Robert Dickson transferred to Peeblesshire Constabulary on 13 November, 1894.

His Peeblesshire Constabulary Personnel record describes him as being “6’ 1.5”, dark brown hair, blue eyes, ruddy complexion, a native of Peebles” and his former trade or calling, “Farm servant”. It also records that he had “12 years and 4 months previous service in Mid Lothian Constabulary” on the date of his transfer.

On 4 October, 1897, he was promoted to Superintendent and Deputy Chief Constable of the force.

Elsie Stewart Dickson was born on 10 November, 1898 at the Police Buildings in Peebles. Her father, Deputy Chief Constable Robert Angus Dickson, registered her birth.

The family were still living at the Portbrae Police Building in the Census of 1901.

By the night of the Census of 1911, the following were listed at the Portbrae Police buildings and Police Station.

It is possible that PS George Hodge is the same man Robert Dickson served with in Mid Lothian Constabulary at Portobello?

Along with thirteen other officers (including Chief Constable Alexander Borthwick) in Peeblesshire Constabulary in 1911, Robert Dickson was awarded the King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal for his ‘Long and Meritorious service’.

At 3 Bonnington Road, Peebles on 13 September, 1926, Janet Macnab Stewart or Dickson died aged 60. Her husband, Deputy Chief Constable Robert Angus Dickson registered her death.

On 23 April, 1930, at 3 Bonnington Road, Peebles “After Banns according to the forms of the Church of Scotland, Duncan Mackay Matthews, 34, a Merchant of 138 High Street, Portobello, married Elsie Stewart Dickson, 31, a School Teacher of 3 Bonnington Road, Peebles.”

Robert Dickson retired from Peeblesshire Constabulary on 13 February, 1930.

He died on 14 December, 1935 at 7 James Street in Portobello, the home of his daughter and son-in-law. He was 74. His son-in-law, Duncan Matthews registered his death.

The following is a transcription of an obituary published in ‘The Scotsman’ newspaper of Monday, 16 December, 1935:

If you know the location of DCC Dickson’s Coronation Medal, please contact the website. Thank you.

King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911

Peeblesshire Constabulary 

PC Walter Mathieson

Walter Mathieson was born in Wemyss in the Parish of Methill Hill in the County of Fife on 25 February 1851. His father was David Mathieson, a Grocer and his mother, Jannet.

In the Census later that year, David and Janet were living in Wemyss with their four daughters and five sons whose ages ranged from 16 down to 3 months. Marjory, (16) Johanna, (14), David, (12), Jannet, (10), James, (8), Thomas, (6), John, (4), Christina, (2) and Walter (3 months).

By the Census of 1861, David and Janet were living at Back Row in Wemyss. He was still a Grocer but the eldest three children, Marjory, Johanna and David were no longer at that address. The other children were still there and Walter was now 10 years old and he had two younger sisters, Margaret, (8) and Catherine (4).

On 19 November 1869, After Banns according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland, Walter Mathieson, (19), a Pointsman, married Margaret Gray, (19), a Domestic Servant of Leven at Methill in Wemyss.

In the Census of 1871, Walter and Margaret were living at Coal Wynd in St Monance and he was working as a Labourer.

Between 1871 and 1876, Walter and Margaret had three children, Elizabeth, Janet and David, all born in St Monance.

In 1877, Walter joined Haddingtonshire (East Lothian) Constabulary and it was in Haddington that their next child, Mary Anne, was born.

On 4 May 1880, Walter Mathieson joined Peebles-shire Constabulary and was stationed at Innerleithen. It was in Innerleithen that year that their son Walter was born.

The 1881 Census records the family living at The Police Station in Innerleithen.

On 7 June, 1881, Walter was transferred to Peebles.

On 24 November 1884, he was transferred to Broughton. It was there that their daughter Marjory, son James and daughter Hay Miller were born.

In the Census of 1891, the family were living at 11 Edinburgh Road West in Broughton where only the six youngest children are listed.

On 20 July, 1897, Walter was transferred to Eddlestone and on 18 April, 1900, from there to Blyth Bridge.

In the Census of 1901, the family were living at Blyth Bridge and Margaret had given birth to a daughter, Joan six years earlier.

In the Peebles County Constabulary Nominal Roll for 1903-1904, Walter Mathieson is the senior 1st Class Constable in the force of 17 men and his name is listed immediately after the Chief Constable, the Superintendent (DCC) and the two Sergeants.

In the Census of 1911, Walter was (60) and Margaret was (61). They had been married 41 years, had 12 live children born together with ten still alive at the date of the Census.

He was awarded the King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal, 1911 for his long and Meritorious Service.

On 28 May, 1912, PC Walter Mathieson “Retired on a Pension of £52. 12/3d p.a. after 35 years’ service and at the age of 61.”

The last entry on his Personnel Record is “Died 13th October, 1919.”

Walter Mathieson, (68), a Caretaker of the County Buildings in Peebles died there on that date. His son, David Mathieson of 3 Comely Bank Avenue, Edinburgh, registered his death.

On 17 April, 1933, Margaret Mathieson, (83) of 20 Dalatho Crescent, Peebles, Widow of Walter Mathieson, Police Constable-Retired, died. Her death was registered by her son David, now living at 10 Inverleith Crescent, Edinburgh. 

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

Renfrewshire Constabulary

PC Alexander Barron 

Alexander Barron was born in Inveravon in the County of Banff on 7 March 1881.

Alexander Barron served in the City of Glasgow Police from 19 June 1901 to 19 November 1902 before joining Renfrewshire Constabulary.

He joined Renfrewshire Constabulary on 29 December 1902 and served at Barrhead, Pollockshaws and finally, Neilston Police Stations.

The only remarks on his record are shown below.

On 5 March 1909, he was Dismissed for "Being under the influence of Liquor at Neilston on Wednesday 3rd at 8.00pm".

The 1903 medal is his only entitlement from his police service. 

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

Renfrewshire Constabulary

PC David Cameron 

David Cameron was born in Kildonan in the County of Sutherland on 20 August 1880.

He was a City of Glasgow Police officer from 8 November 1899 until 13 August 1901 when he joined Renfrewshire Constabulary and was posted to Kilbarchan. He also served at Port Glasgow.

He resigned and left on 26 April 1908.

The 1903 medal is his only entitlement from his police service.  

King Edward VII Police (Scotland) Medal 1903

Renfrewshire Constabulary

PC John MacFarlane

John MacFarlane was born in Glasgow on 5 February 1870 and was a Shepherd before he joined Renfrewshire Constabulary on 6 October 1895.

He served at Port Glasgow Police Station.

He resigned from the force on 24 November 1907 "on his appointment as the Superintendent of the Slaughter House at Port Glasgow".

The 1903 medal came with a King George V Special Constabulary Long Service medal inscribed "John MacFarlane".

I have not been able to find any record but it is possible that John MacFarlane did become a Special Constable during World War I and the two medals are his total entitlement from his police service.

The Defence Medal

Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (EIIR) 

Scottish North Eastern Counties Constabulary (SNECC)

PS James Sibbald 

SNECC was formed on 16 May 1949 in an amalgamation of Aberdeenshire Constabulary, Banffshire Constabulary, Kincardineshire Constabulary and Moray and Nairn Constabulary.