Pc Jack Cantrill's Initial Course 1933

Pc 48 John Cantrill, popularly known as Jack, served in the Nottinghamshire County Constabulary from 1933 to 1963 and retired at Stapleford with the rank of Sergeant. (with 5 years in the army during the war). His son, Richard joined the County cadets in Sept 1963, just one month after Jack retired. Richard, or Dick as he was better known, was consequently always referred to by those who knew his father as "Jack's lad".

After Jack died in 1982, Richard found amongst his father's possessions this group photograph of his Initial Course at the Shirehall, Nottingham. At that time, in 1933, it was the headquarters of the County Constabulary and their training school too. This is a cracking photo with Pc 48 J S Cantrill seated far left. The term “collar number”, still used today is apparent. It was not until the 1950s that tunics over shirt-and-tie had numbers positioned on the shoulder.

The PC standing directly behind Jack is Pc Claude Brown who retired in about 1969 as Chief Inspector at Hucknall. He also commanded the Under Water Search unit. Standing next to him is Pc Bratton who retired from Worksop. The officer in the centre of the back row is Frank Barnes who joined on the same day as Jack and retired as Chief Superintendent of Mansfield Division in 1963. Plenty of people who knew Frank Barnes towards the end of his service state that he was a big heavy man of about 18 stones.

The uniforms are particularly interesting with braiding on the sleeves and the laurel wreath helmet plate with the King’s crown. This badge was replaced in 1935 when George VI came to the throne with the 'Brunswick Star' that is more commonly used today, although in 1935 it was black with a peacock coat of arms and a king’s crown.

Any help in putting other names to faces in this photograph would be much appreciated by emailing Nottscops.