Midlothian Constabulary 1840 - 1950
Midlothian Constabulary
Superintendent Christopher Robson
King Edward VII Police Medal 1903 (Scotland) (‘Visit to Scotland Medal’)
King George V Coronation (Scottish Police) Medal 1911
Introduction
Christopher Robson was born on 19 January 1865 at Bellsbutts, in the Parish of Ancrum, Roxburgh. His father was Thomas Robson, a Labourer and his mother Christian Brown or Robson. His parents were married at Ashieburn, in the Parish of Ancrum, Roxburgh on 11 April 1850.
Christopher was an Agricultural Labourer before he joined Midlothian Constabulary in April 1889, aged 24.
Police Constable Christopher Robson at an unknown Police Station between 1889 and 1900. (Picture courtesy of Joe Craig, Dumfries & Galloway Police Museum).
The Early Years
The Census of Scotland 1871
On the night of the Census of Scotland 1871, the following were living at Bellsbutts Village, Ancrum, Roxburgh.
|
Name & Age |
Occupation |
Place & County of Birth |
|
Thomas Robson, (58) |
Agricultural Labourer |
Jedburgh, Roxburghshire |
|
Christina Robson, (48) |
Agricultural Labourer’s Wife |
Linton, Roxburghshire |
|
Thomas Robson, (12) |
Son, Scholar |
Ancrum, Roxburghshire |
|
William Robson, (10) |
Son, Scholar |
Ancrum, Roxburghshire |
|
Christopher Robson, (6) |
Son, Scholar |
Ancrum, Roxburghshire |
The Census of Scotland 1881
On the night of the Census of Scotland 1881, the following were living at Bellsbutts Village, Ancrum, Roxburgh.
|
Name & Age |
Occupation |
Place & County of Birth |
|
Thomas Robson, (68) |
Agricultural Labourer |
Jedburgh, Roxburghshire |
|
Christina Robson, (58) |
Agricultural Labourer’s Wife |
Linton, Roxburghshire |
|
William Robson, (20) |
Son, Agricultural Labourer |
Ancrum, Roxburghshire |
|
Christopher Robson, (16) |
Son, Agricultural |
Ancrum, Roxburghshire |
|
John Robson, (1) |
Grandson |
Ancrum, Roxburghshire |
|
Mary W. Robson, (24) |
Daughter-in-Law |
St Boswells, Roxburghshire |
|
Thomas Robson, (1) |
Grandson |
Ancrum, Roxburghshire |
The Census of Scotland 1891
On the night of the Census of Scotland 1891, the following were living at Main Street, West Calder, Midlothian.
|
Name & Age |
Occupation |
Place & County of Birth |
|
Christina Robson, (69) |
Head, Annuitant |
Morebattle, Roxburghshire |
|
Christopher Robson, (26) |
Son, Police Constable |
Ancrum, Roxburghshire |
|
John Robson, (11) |
Grandson, Scholar |
Ancrum, Roxburgh |
The Census of Scotland 1901
On the night of the Census of Scotland 1901, the following were living at Main Street, Lasswade, Midlothian.
|
Name & Age |
Occupation |
Place & County of Birth |
|
Christopher Robson, (36) |
Police Constable |
Ancrum, Roxburghshire |
|
Mary Robson, (31) |
Wife |
Midcalder, Midlothian |
|
Jane Robson, (1) |
Daughter |
Lasswade, Midlothian |
The Census of Scotland 1911
On the night of the Census of Scotland 1911, the following were living at Main Street, West Calder, Midlothian.
|
Name & Age |
Occupation |
Place & County of Birth |
|
Christopher Robson, (46) |
Police Sergeant, County Constabulary |
Ancrum, Roxburghshire |
|
Mary Robson, (41) |
Wife |
Midcalder, Midlothian |
|
Jane L. Robson, (11) |
Daughter, Scholar |
Roslin, Midlothian |
|
Christian B. Robson, (8) |
Daughter, Scholar |
Roslin, Midlothian |
|
Thomas A. Robson, (6) |
Son, Scholar |
Roslin, Midlothian |
|
Mary C. Robson |
Daughter, Scholar |
Roslin, Midlothian |
|
Archibald C. Robson, (2) |
Daughter |
Dalkeith, Midlothian |
Christopher is to the left of the picture in plain clothes. Probably 1911 for the Royal Visit of GVR and Queen Mary at Dalkeith Palace whilst Holyrood was refurbished.
He served as a Police Constable in Dalkeith, Newbattle Colliery and then West Calder.
Constable Robson was later stationed at East Calder, Headquarters, New Craighall and Roslin.
Between1900 and 1904, he was promoted to Police Sergeant and was transferred to Dalkeith.
In 1913, he was promoted to Inspector in charge of the ‘Home Division’ of Midlothian Constabulary, based at Corstorphine. This covered Blackhall, Corstorphine, Cramond, Davidson’s Mains, Balerno, Currie, Colinton, Hermiston, Juniper Green and Slateford.
In 1919, Inspector Robson was transferred to Headquarters, the County Buildings, Edinburgh, as Detective Inspector.
Detective Inspector Robson was promoted to Superintendent at Musselburgh in 1924.
He retired on pension in 1928.
Retirement from Midlothian Constabulary 1928
Christopher Robson retired from Midlothian Constabulary in 1928. The newspaper cuttings below describe his career and his leaving of the force.
Musselburgh News, Friday 18 May 1928, Page 3.
Superintendent Christopher Robson, Midlothian Constabulary on his retirement in 1928. He is wearing the medal ribbons of the 1903 and 1911 medals.
Musselburgh News, Friday 18 May 1928, Page 3.
The End of the Story
Register of Deaths in the District of Canongate & Portobello in the City of Edinburgh
Christopher Robson, (79), Superintendent of Police (Retired), Widower of Mary Lawson Cunningham, died on 17 June 1944 at 32 Montgomery Street, Edinburgh. His son, Thomas A. Robson, registered his death.
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