Pennett, PC William.

[Monty]

PC William Pennett, who found the Pinchin Street torso in 1889, with his Metropolitan Police 'H' Division colleagues outside the Royal Mint c1906.

Photo courtesy of Ray Ricketts.

Monty

[Monty]

Also shown is PS Murphy, who attended the Francis Coles murder scene in Swallow Gardens.

Monty

[Robert]

Good stuff, Monty.

Why is he the only one with a medal on his right-hand side?

[Monty]

Because it’s his Royal Humane Society Medal for Bravery Robert, a civil commendation (as opposed to police medal) he received for rescuing a man from the River Thames.

He would be permitted to wear that, just not with his police medals.

Monty

[Robert]

Thanks Monty!

[Joshua Rogan]

Cracking stuff!

[Joshua Rogan]

Because it’s his Royal Humane Society Medal for Bravery Robert, a civil commendation (as opposed to police medal) he received for rescuing a man from the River Thames.

He would be permitted to wear that, just not with his police medals.

Monty

Does that mean that he was off duty when he saved the man from drowning?

[Abby Normal]

Very cool Monty-Thanks for posting!
stupid noob question-would they wear there medals while on duty, walking there beat etc.?

[Monty]

Does that mean that he was off duty when he saved the man from drowning?

Good question. I can’t recall to be honest. The location where this act took place was right on the City/Met boarder. As Tower Bridge comes under Citys responsibility, and the incident occurred to the south of the bridge, he may well have been passing as he made the rescue.

Here is a news clipping of the event.

Monty

[Monty]

Very cool Monty-Thanks for posting!
stupid noob question-would they wear there medals while on duty, walking there beat etc.?

No. Medals would only be worn for parades, ceremonies or official photographs.

Monty

[Monty]

Good question. I can’t recall to be honest. The location where this act took place was right on the City/Met boarder. As Tower Bridge comes under Citys responsibility, and the incident occurred to the south of the bridge, he may well have been passing as he made the rescue.

Here is a news clipping of the event.

Monty

Ah, reading the report it states PC Pennett removed his lamp. So yes, he was on duty.

Monty

[Joshua Rogan]

Thanks Monty. I seem to recall you saying that lamps were kept at the station and issued before night shifts*, so presumably it was dark when Pennett's rescue took place. Although depending on the time of year it may not have been.

*or did I dream that?

[The Station Cat]

Thought this might be of interest, Constable William CAMPBELL's medals.

[Monty]

Thanks Monty. I seem to recall you saying that lamps were kept at the station and issued before night shifts*, so presumably it was dark when Pennett's rescue took place. Although depending on the time of year it may not have been.

*or did I dream that?

No, that’s correct.

Monty