At the outset of World War One in August 1914, the strength of the Essex County Constabulary consisted of
Chief Constable
12 Superintendent’s
14 Inspector’s
66 Sergeant’s
362 Constables
[At the end of the war the force was 180 officers below its authorised establishment.]
Those officers who had previous military service were recalled to the colours, and this led to a shortage of police.
Just after Britain entered WW1 on 4th August 1914 the government passed a number of regulations. Among them was The Special Constables Act 1914 which was passed in Parliament on the 27th August 1914, received Royal Assent on 28th August 1914 and was in the London Gazette on 9th September 1914.
Hansard records that
“The special constables are being enrolled as a volunteer force, consisting of persons who, being unable to undertake military service, are desirous of rendering useful service to their country in the maintenance of public order.” The London Gazette further stated that “A special constable shall throughout the police area for which he is appointed, and also in any adjoining police area, have all the powers, privileges, and duties which any constable duly appointed has within his constablewick by virtue of the common law or of any statute for the time being in force.”
Essex sent out an appeal for volunteers:-
It is desirable that during the War there should be a Volunteer Police Force to aid the County Police in the preservation of peace and good order. All those not within the limits of age prescribed by the Territorial Force who are willing to serve (without remuneration) are asked to enrol their names at the nearest Police Station with as little delay as possible. They will only be asked to serve in their own town of parish. The service will be voluntary but it will be under the control of the Home Office and its operations will be regulated by the terms of the Police Act. It will be composed of British citizens of good physique who will form themselves into groups or squads serving under a Sergeant of their own nomination who will be responsible for discipline and duty spells of the squad.
As a result special constables were appointed to assist their regular colleagues, and also to take on the extra responsibilities and burdens that the war produced. Each parish in Essex answered the call and provided men as special constables.
Over the period of the war some 5000 special constables served in Essex. Women were not allowed to become special constables.
The names of many are known, including those from the villages in the High Country area.
George Arthur Howgate Stanford Rivers
Henry William Millbank Stanford Rivers
William Morrell Stanford Rivers
William Lennox Johnston Stanford Rivers
All four men served for the duration of the war and received the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal in 1919.
Jacob David Miller Stapleford Tawney
George Morrell Stapleford Tawney
Stanley Sidney Margetts Stapleford Tawney
James Robertson Wither Stapleford Tawney
Daniel Wheel Stapleford Tawney
All received the Long Service Medal in 1919
Charles Herbert Haslehurst Theydon Mount
Henry Charles Miller Theydon Mount
Thomas Sledge Theydon Mount
William John Tarling Theydon Mount
All received the Long Service Medal in 1919
There are no records for Greensted. However they may have been included in the numbers for Chipping Ongar as there were 22 special constables listed for the town.
Colchester and Southend were separate police forces at this time.
Indeed it was not until 1947 that the Essex Constabulary employed its first women police officers, and then only after being instructed to do so by the Home Office.