Who Do You Think You Are?

Peter Anderson, born in Aberdeen, 1938 knew, he was one of the grandsons of Aberdeen City Police's first official Chief Constable, William Anderson.

He got in touch with me in my capacity as police curator for Grampian as he had been told that his aunt had donated grandfather William's artefacts to the museum, a ceremonial sword, medals, his cap, belt and baton.

Ceremonial Chief Constable's Cap
Kings Police Medal & Coronation medal

I was delighted to be able to tell him we had these items on display at Woodhill House. He was so interested in finding out more about his grandfather, who was born in the 1860s, son of a Forfarshire farmer, and the rest of the large Anderson clan, that he enthused to his brother Ian, who said, 'Oh, by the way, I have grandda's OBE medal.' Peter was so impressed by this discovery he told me he would like to have it on display in Aberdeen on long loan. And so started the long process of organising a visit, Peter to Aberdeen, and me organising some publicity for this lovely story about the city's first chief.

William Anderson escorts the HM Inspector of Police to visit the troops c.1930

Peter visited today with his wife, Sandie, and produced a huge volume on the family tree. We looked at old photos of his grandfather, which I scanned in digital format for him, then we went to look at the artefacts - Peter commented that he had never seen the medals, William's KPM (King's Police Medal) and the Coronation Medal, issued on the crowing of King Edward VII after the death of Victoria in 1901, and had only seen tiny reproductions. Sandie was charmed by the KPM which featured the device of a knight with a shield and pike, on the shield it read 'I will defend the people.' Looking at the sword, Peter reckoned the one he had at home perhaps belonged to an uncle - and indeed, he had an Uncle David who died in the Great War in 1917. The 3.5 ft steel blade is highly decorated and shines like it was new, not bad for a century and a bit old! The cap was looking a mite discoloured, but still very pretty with its gold braid and Aberdeen City crest. Our current chief has nothing so fancy!

William Anderson in Dress Uniform

After lunch we went across to Force Headquarters where a bevy of media bods were waiting. Since the current chief, Colin McKerracher was away on holiday, Chief Superintendent Bert Donald, an native of Aberdeen, deputised for him. The head of corporate communications was there too to direct the journalists and photographers. We met with people from the P&J, BBC Radio Scotland, Original 106 FM (and yes, I was telling the truth when I said that it is my favourite station! I think Emma Pettes didn't believe me!), the Evening Express and the syndicate press peeps. They were fascinated by the tale of William Anderson, who was a true gentleman.

Peter was quite emotional when he described his grandfather's determination to make the police force open and friendly to the public. He said 'My grandfather did not want people to be scared of policemen, he wanted anyone visiting police headquarters not to have a frightening experience.' He did a number of other things to revolutionise the force including -

• introducing the 'beat system' of policing to ensure that officers could stay in communication with headquarters
• introducing 'police boxes' the tardis-style boxes that really were containers for a phone, which the public had access to, a space to keep a spare uniform, notebook, first aid kit and a temporary 'lock-up' for unruly suspects in the street
• founded the Police Pipe Band
• introduced a rank structure to CID
• introduced medals for exceptional policing
• employed the first WOMAN police officer

Peter said when he was awarded his OBE by Edward VII, William Anderson regarded it as a personal honour, not one to be flaunted, never ever wore it other than on ceremonial occasions and never used the post-nominals. Another member of the family recalled Chief Anderson refused to accept gifts of any sort, but passed them on poor and less-privileged folk in the city.

And so, the OBE will be on display at Force Headquarters along with the Chief's other items and artefacts belonging to chiefs of other eras.

To hear that William Anderson rose from humble beginnings but even from his youth had ambition and intelligence as his first job was in the Fiscal's office in Forfar at the age of 14, reminded me very much of my own ancestor, x3 great uncle, Charles Stephen, who was the Chief Constable of Perth City Police in 1938. Charlie was born in Fraserburgh, the son of a fisherman and fisherwife at the height of the herring fishing in 1881, yet was a pupil teacher in his final years of schooling at Inverallochy Public School, an insurance agent, and then joined Perth City force. Like William, he too rose rapidly through the ranks.

Charles Stephen - Chief Constable, Perth City Police - my ancestor

From joining in 1890, William reached the rank of Deputy Chief Constable by 1899. He succeeded Thomas Wyness when the latter died in December 1902.

So I know how Peter felt when he spoke of his grandfather, proud, pleased, delighted at the kindness and interest from those who follow in his grandfather's footsteps. I now look at William's photo and see the fine gentleman smiling with modest joy that his grandson has got to know him, even though Peter was only six when his grandfather died. Charlie Stephen's father, James, a fisherman, was lost at sea when the lad was only six also.

Coincidence? I don't think so!

(BBC Website)

(STV Footage)
(this clip from last night's news is available until 6pm on 7th July)

and by the way... the missing baton is my latest mystery to solve!