Law and Order - Lynne Cleaver History

Of course there have always been battles and wars, but the way soldiers have been recruited have changed over the centuries. Before the Civil War there was no regulated army. Again, every man in the country could be called on to fight which resulted in militia lists and surveys. Ballots would be held in each parish for the required number of men to serve for a period of up to three years. Ages of call up varied from time to time but these lists where they survive give a list of all males over a certain age in a parish. Details do vary, some include number of children, fitness or incapacity. Some men paid for a substitute to serve in their place.

1841

Richard Cook lived on Cirencester Street with wife Elizabeth, and their two daughters. He was one of the first batch of new police recruits having been signed up to the service on 22 January 1840 [No 79]. He is also listed at the ‘police station’ on Church Street, along with policemen Hay, Cullimore, Jones & Lewis. A daughter Sarah was born c.1842 in Tetbury, and the next child born was in 1844 Aston Blank, GLS, where in 1851 Richard is listed as an agricultural labourer.  

Enos Cullimore lived on Cirencester Street, with the other police constables. Another of the very early police force recruits he signed up on 1 January 1840 [No 35]. He was born in GLS c.1821.

James Davis lived on Cirencester Street, with the other police constables. He was born in GLS c.1815.

William Hay, born in Scotland, c.1813 was a police constable, living on Church Street. He signed up to the police force on 22 January 1840 [No 113].

Alexander Jones, born c.1820 in GLS, was a police constable living on Church Street.

James Townsend was the Police Inspector, living on Long Street. He was born c.1821.

James Bick joined 1 December 1840 [No 339]. He was held for manslaughter of Llewellyn Alley in 1843 but let out on bail and the case was dropped due to lack of evidence. He signed on to the police force again on 15 November 1843 [No 635]

William Jones, also held for the manslaughter of Llewellyn Alley signed back on to the police force on 1 January 1844 [No 644].

1843

George Martin was a policeman when son George Cowley Martin was christened. He signed up on 1 February 1843 [No 543].

1851

Charles Harrison lived on The Green with his wife and three children. His youngest child was born c.1851 in Cirencester, GLS. He signed up to the service on 19 February 1850 [No 1083].

William Peachey was a policeman living on The Green with wife and three children. He joined the police force on 6 January 1845 [No 716]. His youngest child was born 1849 in Wheatenhurst, GLS. By 1861 William was in Tewkesbury, GLS.

George Wheeldon was police sergeant living on Market Place with wife, Emma and four children. Two, born 1850 & 1851 were born in Tetbury. An older daughter was born in Bishops Cleeve, GLS in 1847. A younger son was born in Gloucester in 1854.

1859

George Wood, joined the police force on 6 September 1845 [No 767] and was sergeant, living at the Police Station on Market Place A child born 1851 was born in Tetbury, and also two later in 1857 & 1859. Between times he was in Hambrook, GLS. In 1864 Police Sergeant Wood was transfered to Hambrook, GLS

1861

James Smith, born c.1836 was a police constable, living with his wife on The Chipping.

William Speirs, from Scotland was a police constable, living on Gumstool Hill.

1863

William Wood sergeant Market Place

1868

Charles Hawkins was a police constable. By 1871 he & wife, Maria had moved to Berkeley, GLS

1870

Thomas White sergeant Market Place

1871

George Agg, lived on Gumstool Hill with wife Annie and two children, Annie & George. George jnr. was born Cheltenham c.1870, and four children were born in Tetbury between 1872 & 1880. By 1891 he was in Gloucester and a County Court Bailiff.

Wm Fielder Croome, was boarding with PC White. He was born in Coates, GLS c.1849.

Thomas White, born c.1819 was police sergeant, living in the Police Station, Long Street with his wife and four children. The youngest was born c.1862 in Bisley, GLS. In 1861 Thomas was a constable in Bisley, GLS, and transferred to Tetbury in 1864 to replace George Wood. Thomas had retired by 1881 and he was living on Gumstool Hill in receipt of a police pension.

1876

Thomas White sergeant Long Street

1881

Henry Munday b.1843 Minchinhampton, was a police sergeant, living on Long Street. He was in Dursley in 1871, as a constable and moved to Tetbury between 1878 & 1880. He was still there in 1891, but had left by 1901.

Robert Hill Narramore, lived on New Church Street with wife Jane and daughter Emily E. Emily was born c1880 in Plymouth, DEV, and a younger daughter was born c.1883 in Berkeley. By 1891 Robert was a police sergeant, living in WOR. In Tetbury c.1880-c.1883

William Williams from St Briavels, GLS was boarding with Sgt Munday. He was born c.1853.

1885

Henry Munday sergeant & 2 constables Long Street

1891

Edwin Byard, police constable living with his wife on Chavenage Lane.

1897

County Police Station (Henry Hoskins sergeant) Long Street.

1901

Edward Collier, police sergeant from Ireland, wife Mary & 4 ch born Churcham, GLS up to 1898. Police constable Frank Bubb, was a boarder with him and his family; James Davies, a constable was living on Northfield

1914

Henry Woolford sergeant Long Street

1931

G.C.Merrett, sergeant in charge

The survey of 1522 was taken to establish the men able to fight in the Kings wars with France. It was done under the guise of a survey of property valued over 20s [shillings]. Their ability to provide armour was also noted. For the historian it is a useful list of all males of property.

The names of some Tetbury men who fought in the Civil War can be ascertained, not from a muster roll but from a list of those men who deserted:

Militia

Soldiers from Tetbury who deserted Sir Charles Berkeley’s company in 1645

Men who ran away with their coats, swords and belts

A note at the bottom of the document states that it is believed to have been written by John Smyth of Nibley

Names extracted from a photocopied page

John Parker 23

George Cleaver 25

Jesse? Fry 45

James Sharp 47

John Alley 36

John Wager 26

Daniel Barrington 18

William Russell 26

William Timbrell 32

All the above privates to the number of 38 [only part of document seen] were duly sworn this 29th day of August 1803 before me John Paul Paul

George Butt 37

Robert Timbrell 26

Richard Lancaster 56

The above named were duly sworn this 30th day of August 1803 before Henry Sloper

Tetbury troop was comprised from the districts of Tetbury, Badminton & Avening, it's strength when formed would be:

1 quartermaster

2 sergeants

2 corporals

1 trumpeter

43 troopers

The London Gazette gave the following officers

Ths Grimston Bucknall Estcourt, gent, to be captain 19/2/1831

Walter Matthew Paul, gent to be Lieutenant 19/2/1831

Robert Blagden Hale, gent to be Lieutenant 28/3/1831

Robert Stainer Holford, gent to be Cornet 19/2/1831

Mr Playne cornet in 1839

During 1831 there were riots in Bristol to which the Tetbury Troop was called to attend.

"about 12:00 Captain Estcourt with the Tetbury Troop arrived in Bristol. ....

On receiving the requisition, Captain Estcourt at once sent round to the members of his troop living near Tetbury to prepare for the march, several being called out of church, who were then attending the evening service. A groom was also despatched to Longfords with instructions to Quartermaster Playne, who at that time acted as Adjutatn, to warn the men living in the Avening district, and to send orders round for parade at 6:30am the following morning on the green in front of the Talbot Inn. The troop cheerfully answered to the call, every available man being present; and about 11:30 Captain Estcourt, who was accompanied by Ltnt Paul & cornet Holford, found himself a mile outside the city [Bristol]"

They remained there for one week, successfully accomplishing the task to which they were assigned - preventing any further pillage in the area of St James Barton, following riots.

Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette Thursday, November 14th, 1833

On Monday evening last week, the Officers of the three Troops of Gloucestershire Yeomanry Cavalry then assembled at Gloucester for eight days training and exercise; viz. the Gloucester Troop, commanded by Capt.Walters; the Dodington and Marshfield Troop, commanded by Capt.C.W.Codrington; and the Tetbury Troop, under the command of Capt.T.G.B.Estcourt, M.P.; gave a Ball and Supper to the ladies, at the Bell hotel, when the assembly-room was graced by a splendid, numerous, and fashionable company. "Upwards of 250[?] persons," says the Gloucester Journal. "comprising members of many of the leading families of the county, partook of this festivity, heretofore unrivalled. Weippert's band was in attendance, led by the veteran himself, and under their inspiring strains the pleasures of the mazy dance were prolonged till a very advanced hour." On Tuesday and Wednesday the three Troops were inspected separately by the Hon.Lieut.Col.Molyneux, of the 8th Hussars; and the result was in the highest degree creditable both to the Officers and the men. It is said that the three Troops intend to form a Regiment, the command of which will be offered to the Marquis of Worcester. It is supposed that some other of the Troops in the county will also join in this arrangement.

13th August an order for the troop to attend at Stroud to aid civil power. Troop to assemble at 4:00, and they marched from Tetbury at 5:30 to Hampton Common. On arriving it was deemed that they were no longer required so were dismissed.

Capt T G B Estcourt

Ltnt W M Paul

R B Hale

Cornet R S Holford

Q’master W Playne

Sgt T Spencer

S Saunders

Y Surman

Cpl R Paul

T Witts

Trumpeter G Chapple

privates

J Barnett; F Brown; T Marshall; B Tanner; J Hughes; J Cave; G Clark; A Drew; J Hayward; T Holliday; W Holliday; W Moss; T Simpkins; S Stevens; R Tanner; R Taylor; B Watts; J Wise; E Wise; W Woody; T Howell; E Sidney; C Emerson; F Wedge; R Long; R Draper; W Tanner; E Watts; D Brooks; J Dutton; W Purnell; J Evans; H Moore; G Ellis; T Moore; J Ogden; J Paul; E Playne; H Playne; W Seally; e Seally; E Rich; C Weylan; J Box; J Lemmon; H Simpkins; P Smith.

Badminton & Tetbury troops merged, to be called Badminton troop, under command of Lord Worcester

SOURCES:

Gloucestershire Archives

D 566/Z/13 date: 1803-1806 Tetbury Volunteer Infantry: papers, correspondence, muster rolls, etc., including printed booklet of 'Articles, Rules, and Regulations' of the Tetbury Loyal Volunteers, 1803.

WO 13/4351 War Office and predecessors: Militia and Volunteers Muster Books and Pay Lists - Gloucestershire Horsley & Tetbury Volunteers

WO 13/4352/ War Office and predecessors: Militia and Volunteers Muster Books and Pay Lists- Gloucestershire Tetbury Volunteers

Erected in 1921, the War Memorial was dedicated on the afternoon of Sunday 17th July in the presence of a large congregation. The Revs. Dr Thomson [vicar], T. McMaire [curate], W.H.Dash [Congregationalist] all took part in leading the service. The hymn singing was led by a united choir under the leadership of Mr F.M.Baxter. After the veiling and dedication an appropriate and impressive address was delivered by Major-General Sir Louis Bols. The Royal Glos. Hussars sounded the Last Post with trumpets and many floral tributes were placed at the foot of the memorial.

The Western Daily Press reporting the event on Monday 18th July 1921 stated that the scheme was to not only praise the dead but to also profit the living. The committee responsible for the memorial cross also purchased a site of several acres which was formed into an excellent recreation ground which is still in use today by young and old alike.