MEMORIES: Reign of terror that ended in tragedy; A FORMER WARWICKSHIRE POLICE CHIEF CONSTABLE INFLICTED HARSH DISCIPLINE ON HIS OWN OFFICERS AND WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
SOME colourful research by Warwickshire police historians will feature in the Lives and Times marquee at next weekend's Godiva Festival in Coventry. Keith Draper looks at the intriguing story they discovered.THE policeman's lot wasn't a happy one in Knightlow's force. Constables were paid a guinea (pounds 1-05p) for a 63-hour week, mostly worked at nights, with one day off every three months. There was no annual leave or regular rest day.
Warwickshire Magistrates set up this early constabulary 160 years ago when Queen Victoria was a young woman. Its area of jurisdiction embraced Rugby, Kenilworth, Bedworth, Southam and Milverton. Records show that 176 men enlisted in the force during its 17 years of existence, and because of serious discontent 74 were dismissed, 70 resigned and 10 died!
Not before time an able and efficient policeman with years of experience in the Metropolitan Force came to Warwickshire as its first inspector. James Isaac's re-organisation showed what a sound grasp of the job he had, quickly rising to the rank of Chief Superintendent. In 1855 when Barlichway Force was formed in the south-west of the county it was placed under Isaac's wing.
A year later, the County and Borough Police Act saw police forces formed countrywide and War-wickshire Constabulary was born with James Isaac at the head. The next 150 years saw a whole line of Warwick-shire chief constables make their mark.
None was more illustrious than Comm-ander Edward Kemble who arrived in Warwick 80 years after Isaac. His extraordinary career ended in tragedy, and became the focus of attention for retired policeman, Graham Sutherland, who is secretary to Warwickshire Constabulary History Society.
"When Kemble became Chief Constable of Warwickshire in 1929 it was certainly the start of a new era for the force, but not a happy period as many a retired police officer would vouch," said Graham.
"From time to time the commander imposed stern disciplinary measures and his methods were frequently the subject of public protest.
"The story of Commander Kemble is particularly poignant because most of his officers hated their martinet chief.
"He was a naval gentleman who served at Jutland, and was destined to make the top in the Royal Navy.
"But like Horatio Nelson he suffered very badly with sea sickness, and when he was forced to serve on a smaller ship he and the navy had to part.
"That was in 1928 about the time Warwickshire's chief Captain Brinkley had had a fatal heart attack on the way to a meeting in Shire Hall.
"Suddenly there was a gap, and Kemble filled it. But soon there would be a reign of terror which was felt in the ranks and beyond."
According to Graham Sutherland's research, Edward Kemble had a well-to- do background and he led his force much like a naval commander.
"Wherever Kemble went he expected his men to stop what they were doing and positively go out of their way to salute him," said Graham.
"On parade he liked to make examples of bobbies in front of colleagues and you can imagine how well that went down.
"He even took one of his officers to Warwick Magistrates Court after an officer fell foul of discipline regulations, but the magistrate refused to find in Kemble's favour.
"So Kemble took the case to Rugby magistrates where he was fined two shillings (10p) - he had to win."
Years before in Brinkley's time the force had received a transport allowance which enabled it to purchase a second hand motor cycle combination from the Disposals Board. A decade later, in Kemble's day, the traffic department was formed, and the problem of increasing road accidents was pursued with great vigour.
"Warwickshire's first police cars were black with a sign on the roof and a warning bell on the front bumper," said Graham.
"Six vehicles were acquired after the 1935 Road Traffic Act came into force with its speed limits and instructions as to how motorists should behave.
"Warwickshire's Police Comm-ittee agreed to have the cars on the understanding they would be properly marked, and the traffic department would play fair with motorists.
"But Kemble was so fanatical about road safety he made Warwickshire a place to avoid, according to press reports.
"His men would return to headquarters with a fistful of summonses, but Kemble would say - that's not enough, go out and issue some more!"
Perhaps the commander's most outstanding disciplinary incident occurred in August 1941 when he reduced a sergeant to the ranks over alleged untruthfulness. Magi-strates imposed a contemptuous fine of 6d (2 1/2p) and afterwards described Kemble's action as comparable with Hitler's "mad tyranny" and "incomprehensible" to any sane Englishman.
A subsequent Committee of Enquiry set up by the Home Office, announced in the House of Commons that there was foundation for the allegation, and he was exonerated. But they were clearly convinced the Chief Constable was uniquely severe in some of his punishments.
Kemble took over the flat in the war room at police headquarters, and slept there for the next five years. Hardly consistent with his previous actions, Kemble displayed a compassionate side to his nature, insisting his men who were away at the battle front, regularly put pen to paper to write home. He even made personal visits to their families.
As peace returned, a new headquarters at Leek Wootton was in the offing.
"The move to the old estate and getting the Woodcote mansion into shape had started and Kemble was elated at the country house setting," said Graham.
"He'd got his new office lined up and everything was organised, but there was just one problem - his contract was due for renewal.
"So he went down to the Home Office to plead his case, only to be told it wouldn't be renewed.
"He returned to Bromson Hill House, Ashorne, his home in the country which had used by the Women's Land Army, and has just been de-requisitioned.
"Shortly after discussing improvements to the garden, Kemble's gardener found him dead in the orchard - he'd shot himself."
At the inquest in Stratford-on-Avon a verdict that "he had committed suicide while the balance of his mind was disturbed," was recorded.
For Graham Sutherland and the Warwickshire Constab-ulary History Society, it's just one of many tales from the force's past which will be given an airing at next week's Godiva Festival.
Look out for Graham Sutherland in the Lives and Times history tent at the War Memorial Park next weekend. The tent will be open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, from noon to 5pm on Sunday.
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| Title Annotation: | Features |
|---|---|
| Author: | Draper, Keith |
| Publication: | Coventry Evening Telegraph (England) |
| Date: | Jun 3, 2000 |
| Words: | 1093 |
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