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  • Insp John Spratling

    I noticed that the background details for Inspector John Spratling were sparce. Therefore I have put together a few more details of his life, below.

    I have checked them over, but should there be any errors, or gaps that can be filled in that are at present unknown, please feel free to do so.

    John Spratling born was born in 1845, St.Pancras, London
    oldest son of
    John Spratling(b.ca. 1823) and Harriet Fisk b.ca.1815)
    John snr, was a cellarman in the 1841 census.

    John and Harriet married in 1844, St.Pancras, London
    They had, including John Spratling b.1845, 6 children..

    John b. 1845
    Harriet Anne b. 1848
    Emily b. 1849
    Thomas b. 1852
    Clara Ann b. 1853
    Alice b. 1856

    John was baptised on the 8th of June, 1844 at St Pancras Parish Church.

    In the 1851 census, John Snr is listed as a Police Constable
    John jnr is listed as son, and the family live in Harrow on the Hill, Harrow

    In 1861, John Spratling is listed as a 15 yr old scholar, and living at 10, Vicarage, St Hohns Street, Leeds.

    In 1871, aged 25, John is a Police Constable, living at 13, West St, St Georges, Hanover Square, Westminster.
    He is a Lodger at this address, and single.

    In 1875, John married Emma Ham,b. 1845, Edgeware, and the couple had 2 children:-

    Herbert J, b. 1879, died 1882 aged 3years old
    Frederick Thomas ,b. 1881, in Kensington.

    In 1881 John lived with his wife Emma at 10, Scarsdale Terrace, Kensington. He is listed as a Police Sergeant.

    In 1891, John lived with his wife, Emma, now 44, and his son Frederick Thomas, aged 9, at 18, Gore Road, Bethnal Green. Here, he is listed as a Police Inspector.

    In 1901, now a Pensioned Police Inspector, John lived at St.Johns Road, Bradfield, Newbury, with wife Emma and son Frederick, aged 19.

    His son Frederick Thomas married in 1906, to Henrietta Mosdell.
    Frederick and Henriette had at least 2 children,

    Hettie M b.1910 md William A Button, 1942
    Frederick R b. 1915, married Mair E Jones, 1940.

    John Spratling's wife, Emma, died aged 82 in 1928, in Reading.

    John's exact date of death is not currently known, but believed to be in the 1930's.

    If anyone has access to newspapers etc to fill in the correct death date, it would be useful.

    best wishes

    Phil
    Chelsea FC. TRUE BLUE. 💙


    Justice for the 96 = achieved
    Accountability? ....

  • #2
    Spratling was an interesting character. I remember seeing his medals as part of the Ripper display at the Museum in Docklands last year. Apart from that, and the rather matter-of-fact references to him in books, my only other view of him was in the 1988 Michael Caine "Jack the Ripper" miniseries in which he was a major character, but of course that was highly fictionalized. It seemed to feature him mainly just as someone for Abberline to trade angry barbs with, a not altogether honest cop who took money in exchange for leaking information to the press and was determined that his people catch the Ripper before Abberline. I have the strong impression that that was not a very accurate portrayal. It's a shame what the movie business can do to people after they're gone. (Of course, what that movie did to George Lusk was even worse!)

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Phil Carter View Post
      John's exact date of death is not currently known, but believed to be in the 1930's.

      If anyone has access to newspapers etc to fill in the correct death date, it would be useful.
      Hi Phil

      I believe John Spratling died in Reading in 1934, aged 89.

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi folks

        In 1911 we have John Spratling, 65, police pensioner (Metroptn), b. St Pancras, London
        Emma Spratling, 64, b. Edgware Middlesex
        Married for 35 years. Had produced two children, one living one dead.
        Address St John's Rd, Mortimer (?), Berks
        House had 6 rooms.

        Re the BMD, Evans and Skinner give his dates as 1840-1938 which on the face of it seems a bit out birth-wise. I looked at 1934-Q1 1935 and our man doesn't die then. There was a death Q4 1938 for John Spratling aged 93 at Wainford. However Wainford was in Suffolk, so I'm not sure what might have happened there.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by John Bennett View Post
          Hi Phil

          I believe John Spratling died in Reading in 1934, aged 89.
          But I'm probably wrong!

          According to a family tree that exists on ancestry.co.uk, John Spratling died in 1934. The A-Z says 'c.1934'. I cannot find a John Spratling dying in that year either.

          In the article 'Inspector Spratling's Pass' (available on casebook), it says that Spratling, after being widowed, moved to Beccles to be with a cousin and Beccles is in Suffolk, interestingly enough.

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi John

            That all fits then.

            I should think moving around was no problem for Spratling - after all, Phil has him being baptised before he was born.

            Comment


            • #7
              pre birth baptism..lol

              Robert,

              Whoops...first **** up... baptism should of course be 1845. Thanks for pointing out that typing error...

              Re his death...I looked at the Sourcebook too, and the A-Z. giving conflicting dates...that is why I didn't put a death date.

              So, 1938, aged 93, Suffolk it apparently is. All we need now is the actual date.

              Thanks for 1911 addition :-)

              vest wishes

              Phil
              Chelsea FC. TRUE BLUE. 💙


              Justice for the 96 = achieved
              Accountability? ....

              Comment


              • #8
                Spratling

                Updated with info rec'd from Robert, John, many thanks.

                John Spratling born was born in 1845, St.Pancras, London
                oldest son of
                John Spratling(b.ca. 1823) and Harriet Fisk b.ca.1815)
                John snr, was a cellarman in the 1841 census.

                John and Harriet married in 1844, St.Pancras, London
                They had, including John Spratling b.1845, 6 children..

                John b. 1845
                Harriet Anne b. 1848
                Emily b. 1849
                Thomas b. 1852
                Clara Ann b. 1853
                Alice b. 1856

                John was baptised on the 8th of June, 1845 at St Pancras Parish Church.

                In the 1851 census, John Snr is listed as a Police Constable
                John jnr is listed as son, and the family live in Harrow on the Hill, Harrow

                In 1861, John Spratling is listed as a 15 yr old scholar, and living at 10, Vicarage, St Hohns Street, Leeds.

                In 1871, aged 25, John is a Police Constable, living at 13, West St, St Georges, Hanover Square, Westminster.
                He is a Lodger at this address, and single.

                In 1875, John married Emma Ham,b. 1845, Edgeware, and the couple had 2 children:-

                Herbert J, b. 1879, died 1882 aged 3years old
                Frederick Thomas ,b. 1881, in Kensington.

                In 1881 John lived with his wife Emma at 10, Scarsdale Terrace, Kensington. He is listed as a Police Sergeant.

                In 1891, John lived with his wife, Emma, now 44, and his son Frederick Thomas, aged 9, at 18, Gore Road, Bethnal Green. Here, he is listed as a Police Inspector.

                In 1901, now a Pensioned Police Inspector, John lived at St.Johns Road, Bradfield, Newbury, with wife Emma and son Frederick, aged 19.

                His son Frederick Thomas married in 1906, to Henrietta Mosdell.
                Frederick and Henriette had at least 2 children,

                Hettie M b.1910 md William A Button, 1942
                Frederick R b. 1915, married Mair E Jones, 1940.

                John Spratling's wife, Emma, died aged 82 in 1928, in Reading.

                John died in 1938, Wainford, Suffolk, aged 93, having moved to Beccles in Suffolk to be with a cousin.

                Anyone want to find out cause of death?....lol
                Chelsea FC. TRUE BLUE. 💙


                Justice for the 96 = achieved
                Accountability? ....

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hi Phil

                  My guess would be death was due to his being buried before he kicked the bucket.

                  The 1911 shows another child - Francis Herbert who was born Q3 1907 at Reading. He seems to have married Vera A Hobden Q3 1936 at Brentford.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hello Robert..

                    Umm that would mean that Emma gave birth aged 61... want to push the boundaries of acceptance?...lol death before he kicked the bucket indeed!

                    best wishes

                    Phil
                    Last edited by Phil Carter; 11-13-2009, 10:44 PM. Reason: spelling
                    Chelsea FC. TRUE BLUE. 💙


                    Justice for the 96 = achieved
                    Accountability? ....

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Robert...seriously this time..I presume you mean another child of Frederick Spratling?

                      best wishes

                      Phil
                      Chelsea FC. TRUE BLUE. 💙


                      Justice for the 96 = achieved
                      Accountability? ....

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Hi Phil

                        Ha! Yes, Frederick Thomas and Henrietta had two children listed in 1911, one of which was Francis Herbert.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Phil Carter View Post
                          Updated with info rec'd from Robert, John, many thanks.

                          John Spratling born was born in 1845, St.Pancras, London
                          oldest son of
                          John Spratling(b.ca. 1823) and Harriet Fisk b.ca.1815)
                          John snr, was a cellarman in the 1841 census.

                          John and Harriet married in 1844, St.Pancras, London
                          They had, including John Spratling b.1845, 6 children..

                          John b. 1845
                          Harriet Anne b. 1848
                          Emily b. 1849
                          Thomas b. 1852
                          Clara Ann b. 1853
                          Alice b. 1856

                          John was baptised on the 8th of June, 1845 at St Pancras Parish Church.

                          In the 1851 census, John Snr is listed as a Police Constable
                          John jnr is listed as son, and the family live in Harrow on the Hill, Harrow

                          In 1861, John Spratling is listed as a 15 yr old scholar, and living at 10, Vicarage, St Hohns Street, Leeds.

                          In 1871, aged 25, John is a Police Constable, living at 13, West St, St Georges, Hanover Square, Westminster.
                          He is a Lodger at this address, and single.

                          In 1875, John married Emma Ham,b. 1845, Edgeware, and the couple had 2 children:-

                          Herbert J, b. 1879, died 1882 aged 3years old
                          Frederick Thomas ,b. 1881, in Kensington.

                          In 1881 John lived with his wife Emma at 10, Scarsdale Terrace, Kensington. He is listed as a Police Sergeant.

                          In 1891, John lived with his wife, Emma, now 44, and his son Frederick Thomas, aged 9, at 18, Gore Road, Bethnal Green. Here, he is listed as a Police Inspector.

                          In 1901, now a Pensioned Police Inspector, John lived at St.Johns Road, Bradfield, Newbury, with wife Emma and son Frederick, aged 19.

                          In 1911 we have John Spratling, 65, police pensioner (Metroptn), b. St Pancras, London
                          Emma Spratling, 64, b. Edgware Middlesex
                          Married for 35 years.
                          Had produced two children, one living one dead.
                          Address St John's Rd, Mortimer (?), Berks
                          House had 6 rooms.

                          His son Frederick Thomas married in 1906, to Henrietta Mosdell.
                          Frederick and Henriette had at least 3 children,

                          Francis Herbert, b.1907, md Vera A Hobden, Brentford, 1936
                          Hettie M b.1910 md William A Button, 1942
                          Frederick R b. 1915, married Mair E Jones, 1940.

                          John Spratling's wife, Emma, died aged 82 in 1928, in Reading.

                          John died in 1938, Wainford, Suffolk, aged 93, having moved to Beccles in Suffolk to be with a cousin.


                          I believe that is the fully updated version. Many thanks to Robert, John and all.
                          I suggest this is transferred to the main Casebook site.

                          best wishes,

                          Phil
                          Last edited by Phil Carter; 11-16-2009, 02:09 AM. Reason: spelling
                          Chelsea FC. TRUE BLUE. 💙


                          Justice for the 96 = achieved
                          Accountability? ....

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            All Inspector Spratling information now put together.

                            John Spratling born was born on 9th May 1845, St.Pancras, London
                            oldest son of

                            John Spratling(b.ca. 1823) and Harriet Fisk b.ca.1815)
                            John snr, was a cellarman in the 1841 census.

                            John and Harriet married in 1844, St.Pancras, London
                            They had, including John Spratling b.1845, 6 children..

                            John b. 1845
                            Harriet Anne b. 1848
                            Emily b. 1849
                            Thomas b. 1852
                            Clara Ann b. 1853
                            Alice b. 1856

                            John was baptised on the 8th of June, 1845 at St Pancras Parish Church.

                            In the 1851 census, John Snr is listed as a Police Constable
                            John jnr is listed as son, and the family live in Harrow on the Hill, Harrow

                            In 1861, John Spratling is listed as a 15 yr old scholar, and living at 10, Vicarage, St Hohns Street, Leeds.

                            Before joining the police John Spratling had worked as a clerk.

                            1870 : Dec 27 - Joined the Metropolitan Police, warrant number 53457.

                            In 1871, aged 25, John is a Police Constable, living at 13, West St, St Georges, Hanover Square, Westminster.
                            He is a lodger at this address, and single.

                            In 1875, John married Emma Ham,b. 1845, Edgeware, and the couple had 2 children:-

                            Herbert J, b. 1879, died 1882 aged 3years old
                            Frederick Thomas ,b. 1881, in Kensington.

                            In 1881 John lived with his wife Emma at 10, Scarsdale Terrace, Kensington. He is listed as a Police Sergeant.

                            c1887 : Promoted to Divisional Inspector for J Division (Bethnal Green).

                            In 1891, John lived with his wife, Emma, now 44, and his son Frederick Thomas, aged 9, at 18, Gore Road, Bethnal Green. Here, he is listed as a Police Inspector.

                            1897 : Mar 8 - Retired from the police force.

                            In 1901, now a Pensioned Police Inspector, John lived at St.Johns Road, Bradfield, Newbury, with wife Emma and son Frederick, aged 19.

                            In 1911 the listing reads
                            John Spratling, 65, police pensioner (Metroptn), b. St Pancras, London
                            Emma Spratling, 64, b. Edgware Middlesex
                            Married for 35 years.
                            Had produced two children, one living one dead.
                            Address St John's Rd, Mortimer (?), Berks
                            House had 6 rooms.

                            His son Frederick Thomas married in 1906, to Henrietta Mosdell.
                            Frederick and Henriette had at least 3 children,

                            Francis Herbert, b.1907, md Vera A Hobden, Brentford, 1936
                            Hettie M b.1910 md William A Button, 1942
                            Frederick R b. 1915, married Mair E Jones, 1940.

                            John Spratling's wife, Emma, died aged 82 in 1928, in Reading.

                            John died in 1938, Wainford, Suffolk, aged 93, having moved to Beccles in Suffolk to be with a cousin.


                            Spratling was the officer who wrote the initial report on the murder of Polly Nichols. He once joked that he smoked blacker tobacco and drank blacker tea than anybody else in the Met. and that he lived so long that he drew more money in pension than in pay!

                            Sources:

                            Census 1851, 1861,1871,1881,1891,1901,1911.
                            Free BMD.
                            Begg, Fido, and Skinner. The Jack the Ripper A-Z.,
                            Stewart P Evans, Keith Skinner.

                            Originally Posted by Phil Carter with info rec'd from Robert, John, and Debs , many thanks.


                            This is the final page, combining all known information on the current Wiki, with this new information..
                            Chelsea FC. TRUE BLUE. 💙


                            Justice for the 96 = achieved
                            Accountability? ....

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by kensei View Post
                              Spratling was an interesting character. I remember seeing his medals as part of the Ripper display at the Museum in Docklands last year. Apart from that, and the rather matter-of-fact references to him in books, my only other view of him was in the 1988 Michael Caine "Jack the Ripper" miniseries in which he was a major character, but of course that was highly fictionalized. It seemed to feature him mainly just as someone for Abberline to trade angry barbs with, a not altogether honest cop who took money in exchange for leaking information to the press and was determined that his people catch the Ripper before Abberline. I have the strong impression that that was not a very accurate portrayal. It's a shame what the movie business can do to people after they're gone. (Of course, what that movie did to George Lusk was even worse!)
                              Im sure Spratling was nothing like how the 88 miniseries portrayed him,he was shown to be shifty,dishonest(Abberlines first words to him are "ello Jack hows the collection business or shouldnt i ask?") and lazy.The fact Spratling was a real person,makes it even worse as with Lusk theyre portrayed totally differently to reality.

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