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Hi Grea... I knew John Butler, your brother-in-law very well. I got on quite well with him, as although I was a 'nozzer' so to speak, I was almost 27 when I joined the force. He was somewhat older than me, and yes he was a character indeed; a dry wit, and no lack of 'smarts'. Well thought of by...

Vic Wyatt was my woodwork teacher at Beeches (1951-54). I thought he was a great craftsman, and he taught me everything I needed to know to make my own furniture. He is my 'mentor' I suppose. I think the teacher at back-right is Mr. Symonds, another woodwork teacher who was much admired by many...

Mr. Taylor? Wasn't that the mouthy stout man with two chins, and a cane with .303 cartridge cases on the ends! (Fancied himself as a 'Pocket' RSM Brittain I think). My first teacher at Birchfield was Mr. Roberts. Sadistic caner, who used the cane backwards, leaving a 'hook' mark on the backside...

I hope this is okay posted here. It seems I have dropped into the Beeches School thread a little late! I was there in 1951 to 1954. 'Edgie' was always okay with me, and when I joined the Birmingham Poice in the 1960s, he gave me a great reference.. Back Row L to R . Janet Rawlings, Peter...

Thank you Avril.. And I do remember the things you speak of. So sorry to hear of Ethel's health problems. I empathise of course, because my wife is also 'lost' to me, and is in care suffering from Parkinson's Disease, and Dementia. Haven't seen her since Easter because of Lock-down, and don't...

I am in front row; third from left. Back Row L to R . Janet Rawlings, Peter Worth, Janet Hargreaves, Robert Stevenson, Yvonne Eynon, Roger Wollaston, Gillian Gower (Subsequently School Captain.) Tony Greatrix, (Can’t recall this girl’s name) David Plimmer, Janice Hayward, Brian Arthur. Front...

I am getting confused here. I want to reply to Avril, but the posts are all under Big-John's thread. Okay; to begin. I do recall David and Ethel, who lived opposite me in Heston Avenue. I remember Ethel as a beautiful girl, but somewhat reserved and quiet; what we called a beautiful soul. We...

I was at the school 1951 to 1954. I rarely see anyone posting from my 'age group' but then I am 82 now, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised. My teacher was Mrs. Bland and I got on quite well with 'Edgie'. He made me a prefect and School Vice Captain. It made the passage through school slightly...

I joined Birmingham City Force in October 1965. My first station was Kenyon Street. We weren't marched to the beat then, but you carried a card which showed you the boundary of whatever beat you were posted to. You also had a list of times and locations where you had to meet the Sergeant, during...

Regarding the Booths Farm farmhouse: I have just been looking at the Google Earth maps. I remember well going down Booths Farm Road to where the shops are now situated, opposite Calshot Road School. Prior to the shops being built, there was a wheat field, behind Cardington Avenue. (When wheat...

Am I bumping this old thread? I read that Booth was buried in Handsworth Church, church yard; in 'disgrace' under one of the paths in the confines of the church yard itself. I went there to clarify this, but it's so long ago now that I can't recall if there is any marker. Hope that helps...

Thank you Roger. They don't send us payslips any more, so we don't get news of ex-colleagues who have crossed the bar. I did get wind of this through the N.A.R.P.O magazine, but too late to attend a funeral. I was at Erdington whilst Bob was there in the eighties. Jim was on the C division when...

The ventriloquist tale had more substance; Ackerman was pretty talented as a comic. He convinced a visiting Chief Inspector from up North that we had 'radio-pens' for use on stake-outs, by doing an impromptu vent act with his Parker pen! ! Just one more reminisce.. Who recalls the Sturdy...

I heard about the door, but thought it was at Dudley Road, where a door from Harborne was allegedly swapped! Probably the same idiot who claimed he was tied to a railway line in Winson Green and left?

I just recalled a 'Ghost' story relating to Key Hill Passage, and Heaton Street on the Kenyon patch. Trouble is it happened to me, and I still don't know if somehow I'd fallen asleep in an entry! Although I would never have done such a thing! John

Yes I did know Ted. Everyone did; quite well. He didn't need a radio did he? His stentorian tones used to shake the foundations. I also knew his son, (might be yourself of course) but can't recall his given name. My wife also knew of Ted, as he was a regular at the DH in Loveday Street. John

Joe.. I imagine you would remember Desmond (Edwards or Knight?) A memory lapse here! Spent virtually all his service on the Mounted Section. He was in my recruitment at Ryton in '65. As I remember he was a Ch/Insp. at the end. John

My old dog was a pedigree German Shepherd Dog. Had he been able to talk, he wouldn't have spoken to a commoner like me! John

:joy: Ackerman, the 'C' Division's ventriloquist! :joy: So many stories. Anyone recall the stories of Frank Hands, too! Roger Baker. I finished my service at Aldridge, which was under the control of Walsall, Green Lane. John