Packington's Police

William Bennett – Policing in Birmingham

 

William Bennett was born on 28 February 1873 in Great Packington, Warwickshire to William Bennett and Hannah Wykes. When the 1881 census was taken, William and his family were living in Great Packington, where William Bennett senior worked as a labourer in the parish. By when the 1891 census was enumerated, William was living with his grandfather in Birmingham.

 

William worked as a Game Keeper, before joining the Birmingham City Police Force on 8 August 1895, with warrant number 6635. In July 1897, he was awarded the first stripe of merit ‘for courageous conduct in rescuing three men from a cellar in Lawley Street, they having been rendered unconscious by gas arising from some beer which was fermenting there.’ He also trained as a First Aider early in his career and was awarded the Silver Medal and Parchment of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in July 1898. William had a successful career with the Birmingham Police Force, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Inspector.

 

On 19 February 1900, William married Alice Parker at St Peter and St Paul Church in Aston, Warwickshire. His occupation at the time of the marriage was listed as Police Constable. When the 1901 census was enumerated in March 1901, the young couple were living at 117 Moseley Street in Aston, Warwickshire, and employed a domestic servant. When the 1911 census was enumerated, William and his wife were living at 47 Ladypool Road in Birmingham, Warwickshire and they had four young children: Dorothy, Wilfred, Evis and Nancy. After retiring from the Police Force, William and his wife remained lived in Birmingham.

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MORE TO BE ADDED SOON.