Ripperologist 112

[Archaic]

Ah, yes the 'Helmet As Fig-Leaf' theory...

[Chris]

Ah, yes the 'Helmet As Fig-Leaf' theory...

For some reason I thought of this:
http://tinyurl.com/y9vycfm

[Archaic]

Right on, Chris, I remember that photo!

A police helmet makes quite the codpiece.

Best regards, Archaic

[Archaic]

A police helmet makes quite the codpiece.

I can't wait for SPE to weigh in on this one...

lol, Archaic

[Stewart P Evans]

Helmet

I can't wait for SPE to weigh in on this one...
lol, Archaic

There was always one smart-arse who would ask you if your head went right to the top of your helmet - I hate to think what they would have asked if I was using the helmet as a codpiece!

[Monty]

If anyone is familiar with The Sunday Posts Oor Wullie may recall PC Murdoch keeps his pieces (Sandwiches) under his helmet.

Monty

[Archaic]

Now I'm wondering if the Police Dept. would have issued the quick-thinking bobby a new helmet for saving the day?

It's a day for deep thoughts.

Best regards, Archaic

[The Good Michael]

It seems a bit odd to me; I wonder why they aren't all just holding them the same way on their laps?

I remember posing for football pictures in which the back row didn't have helmets, the middle row knelt with helmet upon knee, and the front row sat with helmets between ankles, but not on the ground. The reason for this was that the ground was dirty and we didn't want to put dirt on our heads. It may have been a Minnesota thing being the land of the eternally clean.

Mike

[Archaic]

Hi, Mike. Yep, even football players are clean in Minnesota!

In this case I thought there might be something in the regulations against placing "part of one's uniform" on the ground
as they are posed upon what appear to be quite clean flagstones but are still holding their helmets between their ankles.

Best regards, Archaic

[Stewart P Evans]

Final Word

Stewart,
...
The photo is out there. We think, as some others do, it is Brown but know we cannot state for certain and it would be wrong of us to do so. You respect that and hearing you brings some peace. And we respect your considered views it is not, and do honestly see the validity in them.
If others wish to take the baton on, lead us away or to, then we would welcome that. If they do then we strongly urge them to consider your experienced views.
...
Respectfully
Dear old Monty

Readers of this thread may be pleased to know that I am now in a position to put in the final word on this subject.

I have just spent a few days with Don Rumbelow and I happened to mention this photograph as I believed it to have originated with Don. Such proved to be the case, it was donated to the Guildhall, with others, by Don himself. Don has now provided what must be regarded as the final word on the identity of the aproned man with the moustache. It is not Dr Gordon Drown.

It is a police constable wearing the apron and he was the station cook. It was long the practice with the City Police to take the officer deemed to be the best cook off the street strength and to give him cook's duties in the station, as well as being tea maker.

[Ally]

That is great news that the man has been positively identified. What was his name?

[Monty]

Readers of this thread may be pleased to know that I am now in a position to put in the final word on this subject.

I have just spent a few days with Don Rumbelow and I happened to mention this photograph as I believed it to have originated with Don. Such proved to be the case, it was donated to the Guildhall, with others, by Don himself. Don has now provided what must be regarded as the final word on the identity of the aproned man with the moustache. It is not Dr Gordon Drown.

It is a police constable wearing the apron and he was the station cook. It was long the practice with the City Police to take the officer deemed to be the best cook off the street strength and to give him cook's duties in the station, as well as being tea maker.

Stewart,

If the readship are not please the rest assured Rob and I certainly are.

Im due to meet Don next Saturday and was going to run the photo by him. Im certainly interested on who he is and how he identified him.

The writing upon the back was suspected by us as being Dons, I cant recall if we ever asked you if it was. If we didnt then we missed a trick.

Anyways, many thanks for settling the issue. It seems as if this door has finally closed, which is a benefit to the subject.

Cheers
Monty

[Stewart P Evans]

Caption

Stewart,
If the readship are not please the rest assured Rob and I certainly are.
Im due to meet Don next Saturday and was going to run the photo by him. Im certainly interested on who he is and how he identified him.
The writing upon the back was suspected by us as being Dons, I cant recall if we ever asked you if it was. If we didnt then we missed a trick.
Anyways, many thanks for settling the issue. It seems as if this door has finally closed, which is a benefit to the subject.
Cheers
Monty

Unfortunately Don doesn't have the names of the men in the photograph but his caption reads - "Presumed rear of Moor Lane Police Stn City of London, found with photo of front of No. 1 Police Stn, Moor Lane, which has posters dated 1899. Men are wearing Jubilee medals." From this Don believes the date of the photo to be 1899.

[Rob Clack]

Here's the back of the photo with Don's caption.



Rob

[Stewart P Evans]

Caption

Here's the back of the photo with Don's caption.
[ATTACH]10018[/ATTACH]
Rob

I am not quite sure what you are inferring here Rob.

However, the caption you have shown is not Don's, nor is it remotely like his writing. Below you may see the reverse of Don's copy of the said photograph bearing his own handwritten inscription, which is worded as I stated above.