Description
1897 Jubilee, 1902 Coronation, 1911 Coronation, all City of London Police types, Police Constable Samuel Hockley, in period chamois pouch and with a Metropolitan Patent whistle. All reverses read: “City of London Police.”
Unlike the more wider ranging “Metropolitan Police” the smaller “City of London Police” was formed in 1839, and are responsible for law enforcement within the City of London, including the Middle and Inner Temples. The areas outside of that are all handed by The Met Police.
1897 engraved: “P.C. 241 S. Hockley” 1902 engraved: “P.C. S. Hockley” 1911 engraved: “P.C. S. Hockley”
The trio are period swing mounted on silk ribbons, being housed in a custom made sewn chamois pouch. Included is a “Metropolitan Patent” Police Whistle from the period, made by J. Hudson and Co, 131 Barr Street, Birmingham.
Police Constable Samuel Hockley was born in Trimley, Suffolk, on 14th September 1873. He became a Policeman in the 1890s, earning the 1897 Jubilee Medal. He Married Alice Lucy Hockley (Born 15th November 1873 Lee, Kent) and they lived at 231 Compton Buildings in Clerkenwell, London, during 1901. Also shown living at Compton Buildings, Clerkenwell during 1911, with 2 children.
Shown on the 1921 Census as a 47 year old “Police Constable (Retired), living with his wife and 2 children. Still alive in the 1939 Census, living at Woodmere Avenue, Croydon, Surrey, with his wife and their son George Hockley.
He died in Croydon, Surrey during 1950.
The Albert Club Raid 1895. Still at home on the 1891 Census, it appears he signed up for the City of London Police when he turned about 18-20, making his first appearance during January 1895.
The Weekly Dispatch, London, dated 20th January 1895 recalls his involvement in court for the “Albert Club Raid.” The article recalls the arrest City Police in a lengthy case against Mr Warren Johnson, charged with using his club for promiscuous betting.
“Constable Samuel Hockley told how he searched Warren Johnson after his arrest, and found upon him the articles produced. Inspector Downs deposed to examining the articles and finding 103 slips relating to betting, and 186 telegrams relating to over 300 bets. The amounts varied from 10s to £750 in one bet. There were also settling book and numerous memoranda relative to betting…”
