Wigan Album

Are you sure all the other officers are Wigan Borough Kathleen?
This looks very much like a class photo from Bruche PTC, in which case there would be a mixture of officers from other forces.

To be honest I'm not sure,I'm just guessing so you could be right.Were you a member of the Police Force in Wigan?

Yes Kathleen. I didn't serve with your Dad, but remember him working at Harrogate St after his retirement. Looking at the photo, he didn't change much did he?

Can I say firstly that it was Wigan County Borough Police Force. I was a member from 1963 - 1966 and served with Alf who had a lot of service in by then. I believe that he was related to my mother's family (Highams) and remember being told that he was a war hero with the Military Medal. I remember him as a bloke who was always ready to help a young bobby. You could join at 19 years old then, 'bot a kid! People slept safe in their beds thinking they were being protected by the Police and to a point they were . There were 180 police officers in the old County Borough in those days,including Pemberton and Newtown Stations. How many are there now!! Bear in mind that the boundaries of the Borough were at Pemberton bottle neck, Martland Mill Bridge, Boars Head, Whelley, Britannia Bridge and Poolstock. Outside those it was Lancs County Force. A different world then.

David you are right about my dad.He married your mothers cousin.I would love to hear from you as I am reasearching our family tree and have a few gaps on the Higham side.Maybe you could help. Please!!!

I'm with Mick on this one. the pic was taken at Bruche I'm 100% certain of it. They may have been all Wigan bor? but I recognise the background from other pics I have of My Dad's taken at Bruche

1st time I've been back to the site since my first comment. I got a bit carried away and forgot to confirm that the photograph was obviously an end of course momento taken at Bruche. Not least because I do not recognise a single individual apart from Alf. Everyone on the photo who is still alive could have been retired for 30years since the service requirement in those days was only 25years for a half pay pension or 30 years for two thirds.

Could be my DAd, John Murphy, in the middle of the front row. Grenadier Guards from '38 to '44 then in to the Borough force. Passed away three and a half years ago on 9/9/9. How ironic is that. Miss him desperately.