19.10.2106

PC D 50 Charles Henry GREGG

Lance Corporal 999 Military Mounted PoliceServed 4 years 10 months

Photograph supplied by the grand- daughter of Charles in February 2008An image believed to be Charles Henry Gregg but unconfirmed

Police history

Charles GREGG joined Birmingham City Police 8th March 1900 and was issued with Warrant number 6971 and was posted to the D Division with collar number PC D 50, he later had the warrant number of 9018 when he rejoined Birmingham City Police after serving in WW1.

On joining, Charles was single, and 21 years of age, he was 5’ 9” tall and 11 stones 10 lbs in weight with a 39 inch chest. He had a fresh complexion, brown eyes and grey hair. He had a scar on his left thumb.

The Superintendent of Hereford Division who was covering the area of Charles’ residence at the time of his application, stated he was a healthy looking young fellow and in every way suitable for the force.

During his service he suffered several bouts of catarrh, colic, suffered with a poisoned finger from a bite, a knee injury, gastritis, several bouts of influenza and stomach troubles.

Birmingham City Police Records confirm actions and incidents of Charles during his police service

March 1905 Charles was complimented for ‘prompt action at a fire in rescuing seven persons after the communication by the stairs had been cut off’

In 1906 Charles was awarded a guinea for his influence in the arrest of burglars

March 1907 Charles was awarded a guinea for alertness in the capture of shop breakers

July 1913 Charles was reported by Inspector Aaron England for being drunk whilst on point duty in Aston Street at 5.20pm 22nd July for which he was stopped one days leave

December 1914 Charles was awarded a guinea and complimented on his first aid skills with regards to rendering first aid involving varicose veins

9th February 1915 Charles resigned to join the Military Mounted Police for the duration of the war

26th May 1919 Charles rejoined Birmingham City Police and was given warrant number 9018 and returned to the D Division as PC D 50

3rd December 1919, Charles was again awarded a guinea and complimented on his first aid skills with regards to rendering first aid again involving varicose veins

A ‘D’ Division report dated 19th January 1921 reports PC D 50 Charles Gregg a plain clothes constable did not report off duty at Bloomsbury Police Station at 10pm 18th January 1921, so Chief Inspector Lancaster and Inspector Baker attended Gregg’s house in Legg Street Aston where they saw PC Gregg at 1040pm. He was asked why he didn’t book off and he said he thought he had gone into the police station to do so, the officers saw he was drunk which Charles disagreed with. His pay was reduced for 12 months.

25th November 1921 Charles again had his pay reduced for entering licensed premises of George William Cooper Miller’s Arms, Miller Street, whilst on duty when his presence was not required in the execution of his duty on 15th October 1921.

4th June 1924, Charles was complimented for rendering first aid to an injury of a fractured tibia and fibula.

1st March 1925 Birmingham City Police Records dated 1st March 1925 is a request from Charles to resign having completed 25 years approved police service on 8th March 1925. Charles actually resigned on Sunday 29th March 1925. Charles’ pension was £145 per annum and his pension address was 9 Digby Street, Birmingham.

In March 1934, sadly, Charles attempted to commit suicide at the Lickey Hills. It would appear he had a drink addiction and on March 22nd 1934, Charles aged 55 appeared at Bromsgrove Court. He was lodging at 3 Weston Place, St Vincent’s Street, in Ladywood with an engineer Arthur BEASLEY who appeared to be the only person with any control over Charles. He was facing charges of attempting to commit suicide in Cofton Wood. He had been found on a seat with a razor wound to his neck. He had cut an artery and admitted he had been depressed for two to three weeks. His wife and son felt they could have no more to do with him. He was bound over in the sum of £20 for two years and one surety in the sum of £20.

1937 Charles was lodging at 90 Mosley Street and paid the occupier Miss Rose Tovey 7/- per week for accommodation only he did not have meals at the house. From October 1937 until 22nd February 1938 Charles worked as a kitchen porter for Messrs Pattison-Hughes at Dingley’s Hotel, Moor Street

On 22nd February 1938 Charles was still residing at 90 Moseley Street, when he fell down the stairs and broke his leg and was admitted to the Queen’s hospital and discharged on 24th March 1938.

On 20th April 1938 Charles was admitted to Dudley Road Hospital suffering from a breakdown of the fracture and as of a report dated 2nd May 1938 he was still there.

On 20th April 1938 Charles was admitted to Birmingham Infirmary who had made a request if part of his pension could pay towards the weekly charge of £1.8.11

6th August 1940 Charles was residing at 169 Angelina Street, Highgate, in Birmingham when he was visited by PS D 37 Edgar Woollam and Charles stated he was employed by Birmingham Garages Ltd Navigation Street, Birmingham and he had given up drinking and was now leading a sober life

4th July 1952 Charles died at Dudley Road Hospital from asthma and heart trouble. Charles was buried in Witton Cemetery on 8th July 1952. At the time of his death his widow was still residing at 9 Digby Street and his son was residing at 62 Attleboro Lane, Water Orton. On his death 4th July 1952, his widow Sabina was awarded 19/2d per week.

War history

Charles served with the Military Mounted Police for 4 years 10 months and was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star and Victory Medal and British War Medal

A Military Police Corps document dated 23 March 1920 requested by the Birmingham City Police Recruiting Office in James Watt Street, confirmed Charles’ regimental number was 999 and was a Corporal of the Military Mounted Police and was appointed Acting Lance Corporal 10th February 1915 and he performed Military Duties satisfactorily and the only illness was pneumonia from 23/3/1919 to 9/4/1919.

Antecedents of Charles Henry GREGG

Charles was born 17th January 1879 in Balham Kent and a resident of Wellington, Hereford.

On applying to join Birmingham City Police Charles was residing at Bridge Lane, Wellington, Hereford. His application form dated February 10th 1900, stated he was a Grocer’s porter and his employer was Leonard Evans Stores, Bodenham, Leominster and he left this employment 27th January 1900 of his own accord.

27th October 1903 Charles’ married his wife Sabina / Minnie who was born 26th June 1879. They finally separated in around 1927 after two previous separations due to Charles’ heavy drinking.

He had a son Arthur John Gregg who married and worked at Lucas’s, Great King Street, Birmingham.