Scottish Police Force Galleries

Force Galleries

This section features images of Police Officers, badges, insignia and equipment from Edinburgh City Police, Leith Burgh Police and the other County and Burgh Forces that became Lothian and Borders Police in 1975.

I will add more galleries as time permits.

Please feel free to contact me for more information on enquiries@scottishpolicemedals.co.uk

Thank you.

Edinburgh City Police

PC 39A Alexander Edward

Introduction

I found this picture of an unknown Edinburgh City Police officer many years ago. Since acquiring the picture, I have been able to access the Weekly Records of the force and established that PC 39A is Alexander Edward, born in 1847 in Aberdeenshire.

He joined the force after the Census of 1871 but before 1877, as his occupation when he married that year was ‘Police Constable’ with an address in Edinburgh. 

Alexander Edward retired on 19 March 1907 when he was working as a ‘Turnkey’ in the Cells. He died in Edinburgh in January 1919.

No personnel record is available at the City Archives and the following is what has been extracted from public records.

The Early Years

Alexander Edward was born on 5 October 1847 at Tillychetty, Alford in the County of Aberdeen. His father was William Edward, an Agricultural Labourer and his mother, Janet Gray or Edward. His parents were married in the Parish of Tullynessle, Forbes and Kearn in the County of Aberdeen on 24 November 1839.

Census of Scotland 1851

The following were living at Tillychetty, Alford on the night of the Census of Scotland 1851.

Census of Scotland 1861

The following were living at East Bandeen, in the Parish of Leochel and Cushnie, Alford on the night of the Census of Scotland 1861. Alexander had now left school and was working as a Farm Servant

His father,(48), mother, (48), and sisters Janet, (11) and Helen, (7), were still living at Tillychetty in this year.

Census of Scotland 1871

The following were living at the Free Church Manse, in the Parish of Ellon in the County of Aberdeen, on the night of the Census of Scotland 1871. Alexander was still working as an Agricultural Labourer.

Register of Marriages in the District of St Giles in the City of Edinburgh 1877

On 18 December 1877, at Ramsay Lodge*, Ramsay Lane, Edinburgh, after Banns according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland, Alexander Edward, (30), Police Constable of No. 6 South St James Street, Edinburgh, married Agnes Curran, (23), Spinster of No. 3 Gayfield Lane, Edinburgh.

Alexander’s parents were William Edward, an Agricultural Labourer and Janet Gray or Edward. Agnes’ parents were James Curran, a Carter and Margaret Murray or Curran.

The witnesses were William Grant and Jessie Edward, and the ceremony was performed by George Wilson, Minister of Tolbooth Parish, Edinburgh.

*Ramsay Lodge was on the site of the present-day Ramsay Gardens at the top of the ‘Royal Mile’ near Edinburgh Castle.

Census of Scotland 1881

The following were living at 7 Roslin Street, Edinburgh on the night of the Census of Scotland 1881.

Census of Scotland 1891

The following were living at 15 Brunton Terrace, Edinburgh on the night of the Census of Scotland 1891. Alexander Edward was to remain at this address for the rest of his life.

Census of Scotland 1901

The following were living at 15 Brunton Terrace, Edinburgh on the night of the Census of Scotland 1901. 

Edinburgh City Police Weekly Record 1907

The Weekly Record of Edinburgh City Police dated 19 March 1907 recorded that PC 39A Alexander Edward retired on pension from the force that day.

There is no trace of Alexander and Agnes Edward in the Census of Scotland 1911.

The End of the Story

Register of Deaths in the District of Canongate in the City of Edinburgh 1919

On 7 November 1919, Alexander Edward, (77), Police Constable (Retired), married to Agnes Curran, died in 15 Brunton Terrace, Edinburgh. His daughter, Margaret Edward, registered his death.

Register of Deaths in the District of St Andrew in the City of Edinburgh 1931

On 26 October 1931, at 48 Moray Place, Edinburgh, Agnes Edward, (77), Widow of Alexander Edward, Police Constable, died. Her usual address was 15 Brunton Terrace, Edinburgh.

Agnes’ death was registered by her daughter, Margaret Edward of 15 Brunton Terrace, Edinburgh.