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  • Help with a badge number

    Hello, I'm Dave and I'm a geographically challenged American. I need some help getting my transcription correct, and I'm wondering about this fellow's badge number (lma/mj/sp/c/ne 181, box 2). This is P.C. Charles Goodburn (I think) testifying at inquest on October 4 1888 and as I transcribe this, Dr. Macdonald records the badge number as 8 Y/R.

    Y I understand as this inquest is in Wood Green. R according to Scotland Yard Investigates is Greenwich division. Goodburn is testifying about a dead man on the grounds of the Alexandra Palace (where I think a balloon ascension took place that day).

    I am wondering if this odd badge number (perhaps it isn't odd except to me) indicates that this constable has been drafted from one division to another to patrol an event and whether that makes sense? Or is my transcription incorrect?

    Chas. [Goodburn] P.C. [8Y/R?]. This afternoon I was called by last witness who told me a man was lying in the shrubs apparently dead. I proceeded there. Sent for the doctor and an ambulance. I produce the articles on the table which I found on the body.

    Thanks,
    Dave
    Attached Files
    Last edited by Dave O; 09-15-2012, 12:41 AM.

  • #2
    Or it occurs to me whether Macdonald hasn't got sloppy with a dash while he's questioning the witness (wouldn't be the first time) and if he meant to strike out the Y. Make any sense that a constable from R Division is patrolling Alexandra Palace?

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Dave,

      The first letter, Y, indicates Holloway division.

      The second letter, R, indicates the Constable was actually a Reserve Officer. Reserves were not full time Constables and were drafted in to supplement a force during certain periods, akin to a Special as was.

      They had full Constable rights (pay rate, promotion prospects etc) and were seen as essential. Especially during periods of unrest such as the Whitechapel murders.

      So if you see 2 letters in a collar number, the chances are the last on is R, and that, as stated, means the Constable was a Reserve.

      Monty
      Monty

      https://forum.casebook.org/core/imag...t/evilgrin.gif

      Author of Capturing Jack the Ripper.

      http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1445621622

      Comment


      • #4
        That's brilliant, Monty--thank you very much!

        Best,
        Dave

        Comment


        • #5
          Always welcome Dave

          Monty
          Monty

          https://forum.casebook.org/core/imag...t/evilgrin.gif

          Author of Capturing Jack the Ripper.

          http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1445621622

          Comment

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