Victorian Rural Policeman: Frederic J Rix...FACHRS ID: SAGB01 PC Frederic J Rix Researcher: Martin Bashforth 3 Victor Albert Hugo Rix was born 28 May 1871 and baptised at Itteringham

FACHRS ID: SAGB01 PC Frederic J Rix Researcher: Martin Bashforth

1

Victorian Rural Policeman: Frederic J Rix FACHRS Ref: SAGB01 Researcher Name: Martin Bashforth Policeman’s Name: Frederic J Rix Age in 1881 Census: 36 Source: RG 11 Piece 1931 Folio 126 Page 3 Registration District: Aylsham Parish: Swanton Abbott County: Norfolk Migration, Employment and Social Status BIRTH FAMILY John Rix (father), born c 1817, married Matilda Anne Rudd, daughter of Robert Rudd on 5 November 1840 at Reepham [source: transcript of Reepham parish register at Norfolk FHS] Census 1841: HO 107/764/3/ Folio 8 p 11, Reepham John Rix, 24, agricultural labourer Matilda Rix, 21 Frederic John Rix born: Jan-Mar 1845, Aylsham Vol XIII p 11 Matilda Ann Rix born Oct-Dec 1848 Aylsham XIII p 11 Census 1851: HO107/1810/151 p 7, Reepham, Aylsham Cawston Road, Reepham John Rix, Head, 34, gardener, born Reepham Matilda A Rix, wife, 31, born Norwich Frederic J Rix, son, 6, scholar, born Reepham Matilda A Rix, daughter, 2, born Reepham James Edwards, lodger, 18, apprentice to tailor, born Norwich George Thomas Rix, born Jan-Mar 1856, Aylsham 4b 75 Lydia Elizabeth Rix, born Jul-Sep 1958, Aylsham 4b 72 Census 1861: RG 9/ 1204/99 p 18 Hackford1 Sall Road, Hackford John Rix, head, 44, gardener (servant), born Hackford Matilda A Rix, wife, 41, born Norwich Frederic J Rix, son, 16, gardener (servant), born Reepham George T Rix, son, 5, scholar, born Hackford Lydia E Rix, daughter, 2, born Hackford Albert Edward Rix was born c 1863 and became a gardener like his father. The family moved around Norfolk, the parents ending their days in Norwich.

1 Hackford and Reepham are adjacent parishes, also with Whitwell – all three churches were built close to each other on the outskirts of Reepham. The address in Sall Road was next door to a large 150-acre farm owned by William Bircham, called The Ollands, and employing a large number of staff.


2

CAREER AND FAMILY LIFE Frederic John Rix joined the Norfolk Constabulary on 22 March 1867 [source: Jonathan Smith, Force Historian. Norfolk County Police, by email.] Norfolk had been one of eight counties that immediately implemented the permissive 1839 Act some 20 years earlier.

‘The first recruits were taken at the Kings Arms in East Dereham and the crowds of volunteers overwhelmed the publican on 14 January 1840 (p 16). Recruits needed to be near 6 feet tall, fit, able-bodied, able to write clearly (the only test actually given) and of good character. Pay was 20 shillings per week. A typical beat might cover up to 15 parishes, to be visited once each over 3 or 4 days or nights, while the constables were virtually on call at all hours. (p 17). There was no training and only cursory verbal instruction2.’

The idea of the rural police force was well established by the time that Rix joined. Various reforms had been brought in by successive Chief Constables, including the issue of an official instruction booklet in 1857. “Officers were not allowed to keep dogs, pigs or poultry and needed approval to marry.”3 Frederic John Rix, of full age, Police Constable, Itteringham, son of John Rix, gardener, married Elizabeth Rix, of full age, spinster, North Creake, daughter of Richard Rix, blacksmith at North Creake Parish Church on 9 June 18694. [parish register, accessed on Find My Past]. [Elizabeth Rix was born Jan-Mar 1844, Wisbech Vol 14, p 191] Rix’s career in the force was a long and, by the standards of the day, successful one. He rose to the rank of sergeant, presumably passing through the various grades of constable and sergeant before his eventual retirement. There would have been six of these, according to Carolyn Steedman5. The Police in 1864 was led by a Chief Constable, Secretary and Deputy Chief Constable with 13 superintendents, 8 inspectors, 9 sergeants and 190 constables. This would have provided plenty of leeway for more or less unsupervised constables in the villages to exercise their discretion. Sergeants were paid 23s 6d per week, while constables ranged from 17s 6d to 21s 6d. There was a substantial Superannuation Fund of £10,000. Inspectors were paid 27s 6d and superintendents were upwards of £100 per annum6. While Rix was a policeman in Itteringham at the time of his marriage, this was probably not his first posting and in subsequent years he moved from one place to another at regular intervals, as is evidenced by the birth records of his children and data from the subsequent censuses. Frederic William John Rix, born 31 March 1870, was baptised at North Creake on 17 July 1870, the parents’ place of marriage (Norfolk Bishops Transcripts, accessed on Find May Past), though census records show he was actually born in Itteringham.

2 Brian Butcher, ‘A Moving Rambling Police’: An Official History of Policing in Norfolk, (Norfolk Constabulary, 1989). 3 Butcher (1989) p 28. 4 As far as I can make out they were not directly related. The name Rix is relatively common in Norfolk. 5 Carolyn Steedman, Policing the Victorian Community: The formation of English provincial police forces 1856-1880, (Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, Boston, Melbourne and Henley, 1984), p 106. 6 William White, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Norfolk, (1864, Sheffield)


3

Victor Albert Hugo Rix was born 28 May 1871 and baptised at Itteringham on 13 August 1871 (parish register). Richard Edward G Rix was baptised at Itteringham on 20 April 1873 (parish register). Sidney Vincent Willoughby Rix was born Cawston in 1875, and was baptised with his younger sister Matilda May (Mary) Elizabeth Rix, born 1876, and both were baptised together on 15 August 1876 (parish register). Minnie Alicia Z Rix was born Oct-Dec 1877 Aylsham 4b 84 but died aged nine months Apr-Jun 1878 Aylsham 4b 52. The tragic death was recorded in the Norfolk News, 22 June 1878, p7. The death notice read: “June 13, Minnie Alicia, youngest daughter of Elizabeth and Frederic Rix, police constable, Swanton Abbott, aged 9 months.” There was one more son from the marriage, confirming the family predilection for elaborate forenames. Campbell Frederic Gordon Rix was also born in Swanton Abbott [Oct-Dec 1879 Aylsham 4b 54]. The census records for 1871 and 1881 confirm this pattern of movement, roughly every two or three years. 1871 RG 10/1802/74 p 16, Itteringham Street: Frederic J Rix, head, 26, police constable, born Reepham Elizabeth Rix, wife, 37, born Wisbech Frederic WJ Rix, 1, born Itteringham 1881 RG11, 1931/126 p 3, Swanton Abbott, Aylsham Road: Frederic J Rix, head, 36, Police constable, born Reepham Elizabeth Rix, wife, 37, born Wisbech Victor AH Rix, son, 9, scholar, born Sheringham (actually Itteringham) Richard EG Rix, son, 7, scholar, born Sheringham (actually Itteringham) Sidney VM Rix, son, 6, scholar, born Cawston Matilda ME Rix, daughter, 4, born Cawston Campbell FG Rix, son, 1, born Swanton Abbott. There do not appear to have been any more children from the marriage, at least not positively identified from the records. Elizabeth Rix, wife of Frederic John Rix, residing at Ringland, was buried at North Creake parish church on 23 March 1887 aged 43 [parish register]. Ringland, a few miles to the west of Norwich would seem to have been another posting for Frederic and his family. The loyalty of Elizabeth to the parish of North Creake, where the couple were married, is evident by the place of burial, though it was some 30 miles away. The family moved again. 1891 RG12/1553/6 p 6, Bawdeswell, Mitford Bawdeswell Street Frederic J Rix, head, widower, 46, Police constable, born Reepham Richard EG Rix, son, 18, butcher, born Itteringham Sidney VM Rix, son, 16, gardener’s assistant, Born Cawston Matilda ME Rix, daughter, 14, house keeper, born Cawston Campbell FG Rix, son, 11, scholar, born Swanton Abbott.


4

Frederic probably did not stay there much longer, as he was promoted to sergeant that year7. It was also evident that the children were moving on. None of the sons from the first marriage went on to join the police force. As young as 11, Frederic William John Rix was living with his uncle and aunt, William and Matilda Rix although still at school in 1881. He later became a shoemaker in Norwich and then an Insurance Agent for a Friendly Society. Victor Albert Hugo Rix became gardener, working with his nurseryman uncle Richard in Croydon from 1891. Richard, a butcher in 1891, became somewhat itinerant in location and trade, taking work as a railway shunter and later a crane engine driver on Goole Docks. Sidney Vincent Willoughby also moved around, working as a tram car conductor and an insurance agent. After the fashion of the times, Matilda went into domestic service as a cook domestic in Pinner, eventually marrying in West Ham in 1910. Campbell stayed a while longer with the family, and was to be found working as a grocer’s assistant in Cley-next-the-sea in 19118. Frederic re-married in 1892 to Fanny Eliza Piercy [Jan-Mar 1892 Depwade 4b 366]. At the time, Rix was probably already living in Diss, where he was employed for several years as Sergeant. Diss was in the Depwade Registration District at the time. According to later census returns, Fanny Eliza was born in London. The closest identification for age and location is most likely Frances Eliza Pearse [born Apr-Jun 1862 Stepney London 1c 501], but this is not confirmed. The couple went on to have five more children:

Alpha John Rix was born in Diss 24 March 1892 and baptised at Hockham on 18 April 1898, the son of Frederick John Rix, police sergeant, and Fanny Eliza Rix. [Parish Register]. He married Gertrude H. Drake Jul-Sep 1920, Norwich 4b 265 and died Jan-Mar 1972 Hounslow, Middlesex, 5c 1382. He served in WW1 in the Military Police [Service Records] with a home address of Dereham Road, Bawdeswell when demobilised at Purfleet in 1919. He served as Lance Corporal P/ 2873 and enlisted on 14 December 1915. At the time of enlistment, he was a police constable aged 24 with Norwich City Police. He was 6ft 1 ¼ inches tall, weighed 161 lbs and had a 38-inch chest fully expanded. The Chief Constable signed a form giving permission to join up. His daily rate of pay was 1s 9d, with usual separation allowances. [He joined the Norwich City Police on 4 October 1913 and retired with a pension om 9 October 1942. – Jonathan Smith, Force Historian, Norfolk Police]. He left Devonport by ship on 25 May 1916 and arrived at Kilindini in Kenya (a port near Mombasa) on 3 July 1916. He was in hospital with malaria from 12-23 August 1916 and again at Dar-es-Salaam (in Tanganyika) in January 1917. He was re-admitted in May 1917 and was in hospital with influenza 1-15 December 1918. He embarked on the ‘Salamis’ at Port Amelia (in Mozambique) on 6 January 1919 and sailed to England via Durban, re-joining his depot at Aldershot on 10 March 1919. He lived in Norwich at 73 Oxley Street from July that year. On discharge, he was described as sober, reliable and fairly intelligent. His application for a pension on the grounds of his attacks of malaria was turned down. Roydon Frederick Tennant Rix was born in Diss 22 March 1894 and baptised at Hockham on 12 July 1898 [Parish Register]. He was killed in the First World War and is listed on the brass memorial at Bawdeswell parish church. Private 15666 Roydon Rix was killed in action on 26 September 1915 serving with the 9th Battalion, the Norfolk Regiment [Soldiers Died]. He had

7 Jonathan Smith, Force Historian, Norfolk County Police, by email. 8 These data are derived from an examination of census returns and appropriate registration entries, not listed here.


5

been in France with his regiment since only 30 August 1915 as part of 24th Division [The Long, Long Trail]. The Division was involved in the Battle of Loos and lost 4178 men on 26 September for little or no gain. George Sydney Rix was born in Hockham 3 June 1896 and was also baptised at Hockham on 12 July 1898 [Parish Register]. He was buried at Bawdeswell parish church aged 65 in 1961 [Monumental Inscriptions]. Kathleen Fanny Ivy Rix was born in East Harling 20 December 1898 and was baptised at Thetford St Mary on 1 July 1900 [Parish Register]. Her father was listed at the time as a Caretaker. She died 26 December 1972 aged 74, remained single and was buried at Bawdeswell parish church (Memorial Inscription grave CR. L3) Robert Hunt Rix was born Oct-Dec 1901 Thetford 4b 349 [8 August 1901] and died Jan-Mar 1978 Norwich 10, 1965 Fanny Eliza Rix did not remarry after the death of Frederic. She died in 1945. The memorial inscription at Bawdeswell parish church (grave Cr. X2) reads: “In loving memory of Fanny Eliza Rix who died Jan 2nd, 1945 aged 83. Beloved wife of Frederick John Rix, late Police Sergeant who died 13 March 1907 aged 62 years. Rest on dear mother, thy labours o’er, a faithful mother true and kind, no friend on earth like thee could find.’ Most likely this was set up by the daughter and her brother.

The census for 1901 reveals that the two eldest were born in Diss (near the Suffolk border), George was born in Great Hockham (not far from Thetford), Kathleen in East Harling (in the same area), showing further regular postings to places new. Frederic retired from the police force on 23 October 18989. Prior to the retirement, the following report appeared in the Norfolk Chronicle, 8 October 1898, page 12.

“In accordance with the Chief Constable’s recommendations the committee has ordered payment of retiring allowances of 22/- per week to Inspector Henry Haylett, and of 19/4 per week to Sergt. Frederic Rix, and of the following sums, being the amount of pensions due at the time of the death of the following officers to their respective representatives, viz.: To Susannah Temple, widow of ex-Police-constable Temple 6/-; to Ann Wharton, widow of ex-Police constable Wharton, 5/2. They had also granted a gratuity of £54 to Eliza Self, widow of the late Police-constable Self, who died after 17 years of approved service, leaving a widow and two children dependent on her.”

While the pension would have been well-deserved, it was a lot less than Frederic had been earning as a sergeant, probably less than half. It was therefore no surprise that he found additional employment, suitable to his community standing and experience, as Keeper of the Common at Thetford. He was policing his own small patch. The role did not warrant an entry in the Kelly’s Directory for Thetford in 1900, but there was a description of the local police station:

“The Gaol, a building of flint and stone, enlarged in 1816, but used only as a police station since 1833, was sold in 1891 to the Norfolk county council.”

The County Police Station at Old Market Street was manned by Henry D. Simpson, inspector; Alfred Wilkin, Sergeant and 1 constable. By comparison there were 19 firemen at the Fire Station! In the

9 Jonathan Smith, Force Historian, Norfolk County Police, by email.


6

slightly smaller market town of Diss in 1892, the local police force consisted of Rix as sergeant with one constable, so this level of manpower seems to have been common practice10. 1901 RG 13/1901/100 p 27 Thetford St Peter 5 Abbey Green Frederic John Rix, head, 56, Retired Sergeant of Police, now Common Keeper, born Reepham Fanny Eliza Rix, wife, 38, born London Campbell Frederic Gordon Rix, son, 21, grocer’s assistant, born Swanton Abbott Alpha John Rix, son, 9, born Diss Royden Frederic Tennent Rix, son, 7, born Diss George Sydney Rix, son, 4, born Hockham Kathleen Fanny Ivy Rix, daughter, 2, born East Harling Frederic John Rix died in 1907 [Jan-Mar 1907, Thetford 4b 269], aged 62. The family stayed in the area, having moved to Bawdeswell. The family were listed in the 1911 Census at Bawdeswell as follows:

Fanny Rix, head, 47, widow, having had 5 children, born London John Rix, son, 19, single, Farm labourer, born Diss Roydon Rix, son, 17, single, farm labourer, born Diss George Rix, son, 15, single, farm labourer born Great Hockham Kathleen Rix, daughter, 12, at school, born East Harling Robert Rix, son, 9, at school, born Thetford

10 Kelly’s Directory for Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, 1892.


7

Communities associated with FJ Rix11 Reepham and Hackford: birthplace and early life to 1865 Reepham was a small market town, some 12 miles north west of Norwich, the physical centre of three distinct parishes (Reepham, Hackford and Whitwell), each of which had its own church within a few yards of each other, though the Hackford church had long since been reduced to ruins. They were all in the Aylsham Union for registration and other civic purposes. The market place was in Hackford, the area was noted for its barley and malt production and there was a brick and tile works. In 1861, the population of the three combined parishes was 1801. There was already a police station with two cells and residence for two constables. Itteringham: first posting, marriage and two children [though the marriage ceremony was at North Creake, many miles away to the west towards the coast] 1868-1875. Itteringham was a much smaller parish than that at Reepham with a population of 329 in 1871, about 4 miles from Aylsham, the main administrative town for the surrounding district. It was a town dominated by the wealthy Walpole family, with their home at Mannington Hall nearby.

In the transcript of Baptisms to 1880, there is a listing for the baptism of Frederic’s son Richard Edward George in April 1873. What is also noticeable are several other baptisms relating to the children of policemen: Charles Henry Woolnough, son of Henry and Eliza in August 1868; Georgiana Blyth, daughter of William and Mary Ann in January 1873; Robert Boyce son of Henry and Sarah Elizabeth in May 1874 and Frederick Moore son of William and Martha Ann in October 1880. This provides some indication of the turnover of staff, either from transfers or from officers leaving the force.

Cawston: second posting, two children 1874-78

Cawston is described: “For much of the 19th century, times were hard for village people, and men were often glad to find work digging clay, for brickmaking or clay lump cottages, at one penny per cubic yard, which produced an income of about four shillings for a week’s hard work.” [John Kett: Cawston – A Short History of a Norfolk Village, undated pamphlet] The previous major trade of handloom weaving was in decline (down to 30-40 in 1855) and it was not until the 1880s that the railway arrived.

Swanton Abbott: third posting, two children, one died 1878-1880

Swanton Abbott was a sprawling rural parish, 12 miles north-east of Norwich, with a mixed population of weavers and agricultural workers. The population in1881 was 504. In common with many of the villages and towns, it was able to support both an Anglican church and a variety of Methodist chapels.

There may have been postings between Swanton Abbott and Bawdeswell, including Ringland (see newspaper reports below). Ringland was a small village of 326 people in 1881. Bawdeswell: fourth recorded posting, and possibly where Rix made his second marriage. From sometime late in the 1880s until 1891.

11 Unless otherwise stated, descriptions are based on William White, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Norfolk, (1864, Sheffield). Population statistics are from the on-line Registrar General’s Reports for the various censuses, accessed from www.histpop.org.

http://www.histpop.org/


8

Bawdeswell was four miles south of Reepham, so close to Rix’s parish origin, situated about half way between Norwich and Fakenham to the north west. The population was 447 in 1881. Reepham, Cawston and Bawdeswell are neighbouring communities, though Swanton Abbott was some way to the east.

Diss: first posting as sergeant, two more children 1892-95.

Diss was where Rix was posted as Sergeant. It is a market town on the banks of the River Waveney, which forms the border with Suffolk, therefore many miles away from his previous postings and some 22 miles south of Norwich. By the 1890s it was on the main railway line between Norwich and Ipswich. It was a sub-district of the Depwade Registration District. The population in 1891 was 3763, little changed from 1861. It was the most substantial town in which Rix served. There were several breweries, linen mills, brush manufacturing, a cocoa mat and matting company. Well-endowed with public buildings such as libraries and baths, corn hall, schools, churches, chapels and shops. There was a small police station on the Roydon Road from 1863. Thomas Boutell was the police sergeant in 1864 at Roydon Road, while John Kent, the police constable lived in Mount Street. Rix probably inhabited the station or close by on the same road, as this was where he lived in Diss at the time.

Hockham: second posting as sergeant, one more child 1895-1897.

Hockham, also known as Great Hockham, was a few miles north east of Thetford and five miles from East Harling. Like Diss, this was a posting in the south of the county. It contained the usual mixture of rural craftsmen and farmers common to most of the villages and smaller towns.

East Harling: final posting as sergeant until retirement in 1898, one more child 1897-1900.

East Harling was a few miles from Hockham, so also within the ambit of Thetford as the nearest major town. It was a small market town 27 miles SW of Norwich, with a population of 1109 in 1861, reduced to 1086 by 1891. The County Police Station was built in the 1850s and Petty Sessions were monthly. Edward Jones was the Police Superintendent, which suggests this was a more important centre for the police force. Otherwise, the usual list of craftsmen and farmers.

Thetford: 1901, retirement and death.

Thetford was a borough in its own right, having previously had its own small borough police force pre-dating the formation of the County Police, but by the 1860s had ceased to do so, paying the county to act on its behalf. While Rix retired there, he is unlikely to have served as a policeman. Thetford is 29 miles SW of Norwich and used to be a more important administrative centre, in some ways parallel to the city. The GER had a station from Norwich to London. There were several manufacturers: paper, agricultural machinery including traction engines, brewing, malting, foundry, and a tannery. Population rising to 4208 in 1861. The town was made up of three parishes, which in 1901 comprised a total of 3743 (about the size of Diss). It was the centre of a County Court District and had the local Workhouse. What used to be the Guild Hall had become the police station. James Newland


9

was the police inspector based in Gaol Street in 1861, his rank suggesting a slightly higher status fir the local station. As befitted such a substantial town, the range of artisans and specialists was much more urban in flavour.

Frederic Rix’s lot as a policeman One of the best publicly available sources for the activity of policemen were the local newspapers, which frequently reported court cases. If the officer provided evidence, his name was usually given. The first such occasion this happened to Rix, as a constable at Swanton Abbott, was in the Norfolk Chronicle, 1 June 1878, page 10. It was a very brief mention of his dealings with a disorderly farmer and his evidence at the Aylsham Petty Sessions:

“Benjamin Lee, of Skeyton, farmer, summoned for allowing a gelding to stray, at Skeyton, on the 17th ult., was fined 6d. and costs 4s. Being further charged with allowing a cow, a gelding and a heifer, to stray, at Skeyton, on the 17th ult., he was fined 1s 6d costs 7s 6d. He was also further charged, on the information of Police-constable Rix, with being drunk while in charge of a horse and cart, at Swanton Abbott, on the 13th ult., and was fined 9s 6d and costs 15s 6d.”

While seemingly more of what we would now describe as a civil matter than a criminal one, Rix was also called to provide evidence at Aylsham in the case of Thomas Pointer, Swanton Abbott, labourer, versus Thomas Dyball, Swanton Abbott, bricklayer for recovery of £1. Rix gave evidence that Dyball, the defendant, had promised to pay the expenses to Pointer. [Norfolk News, 25 October 1879, page 4.] One report may provide a clue to one of his postings during the period when he was widowed. This time the case was heard at Reepham Petty Sessions. [Norfolk Chronicle, 1 July 1882, page 6].

“Edward Wright, on bail, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Ringland, on Saturday last. Police-constable Rix said defendant’s conduct was so bad, and he persistently refused to go home, that he was compelled to take him to Reepham lock-up. Defendant said that his wife was insulted, and he was much excited; he, however, admitted being the worse for drink. Fined with costs – 14s.”

Events could sometimes become rather more heated and officers find themselves on the receiving end of serious violence.

“Robert Large of Great Watchingham, labourer, was brought up in custody, on remand from the Castle, charged with stealing a duck and six duck’s eggs, on the 6th ult., value 4s. 6d., the property of John Pegg, the younger, of Kerdiston, farmer. The evidence showed that the prisoner, with others, were driving a quantity of bullocks from Foulsham Fair. Coming past Mr. Pegg’s farm one of the bullocks went over into one of his fields close by the house, where a duck was setting on seven eggs. Prisoner took the eggs from the nest and broke them on the road. Prisoner admitted taking the eggs, but denied the charge of stealing the duck, and no evidence was given in the latter, although the duck was seen on the 5th, the day previous, and had not been seen since. He was further charged with assaulting Police-constable Rungary whilst apprehending him on the above charge, on the 17th May. Freeman Large, his brother, was also charged with assaulting Police-constable Rix at the same time and place. The evidence given by the officers showed that Police-constable Rungary was at


10

the White Horse Inn, Morton, to apprehend the prisoner Robert Large. He resisted, was very violent, and kicked Rungary several times in the legs and the lower part of his body. Police-constable Rix went to assist Rungary, when Freeman Large struck him across the head and shoulders with a large stick. The officer’s shoulders were very much bruised. Both prisoners, who were very violent, were taken into custody with much difficulty. Prisoners, who denied the charge, were sent to Norwich Castle for six weeks with hard labour.”

Freeman Large was then to be sent to Smithfield Market, London, to answer a charge of stealing a horse and cart. [Norfolk News, 14 June 1884, page 8]. Occasionally, violence against officers might demand the attendance of men from neighbouring beats. Rix was one of several policemen brought in to quell a disturbance at the Crown Inn, East Rudham, reported in the Eastern Evening News, 30 December 1885, page 4 and dealt with at the Fakenham Sessions. PC Rix was one of several police called to a disturbance at East Rudham on Tuesday evening December 8th outside the Crown Inn. There was a noise of breaking glass and a crowd outside the home of Mr. Drage. The crowd threw stones at the police, who rushed them. William Southgate, labourer, was found guilty and sentenced to one month with hard labour. Poaching was another common crime dealt with by police; much more dangerous as firearms might be involved. Reepham Petty Sessions [Eastern Evening News, 12 January 1886, page 4.] Serious Assault.

“Robert Flegg, the younger, of Ringland, labourer, was charged with assaulting and beating Benjamin Plummer of Morton, gamekeeper, on the 29th November, at Weston.” PC’s Rix and Rungary gave evidence. The complainant heard gunshots on the road and went with PC’s to the White Hart Inn, Weston, to confront defendant who was with two men called Medlar. Words were exchanged and defendant threatened to give him “a good lump on the skull”. Later, walking with another keeper, some yards in front of the two PC’s, he saw the again. Defendant hit him on the head with a stick. Defendant sent to Castle for 6 weeks with hard labour.

More serious crimes might mean providing evidence at the Crown Court in Norwich. Disputes over the ownership of horses involving potential fraud might come under this heading. [Eastern Daily Press, 16 May 1889, page 2.] Norwich Police Intelligence: Guildhall. Charge of Horse Stealing against Harry Grey, gipsy, Swaffham, horse worth £18-10s property of Robert True. The dispute involved a bill of sale given by True to Grey to help the latter sell the horse on, but for which True claimed he had received no money.

“Police-constable Rix, stationed at Bawdeswell, said he went with prosecutor to Heath Road, Bawdeswell. There he saw Mr and Mrs Waterfield, with travelling vans. True picked out mare as his. When they had returned to Bawdeswell prisoner came up, and inquired what True meant by having his (prisoner’s) horse, as it was bought and paid for. Prisoner then produced a warranty and receipt.”

The prisoner was remanded on bail to prepare his defence.


11

There was also the problem of repeat petty offenders. Some of these we would perhaps regard today as being more in need of help than criminal records. Twice Rix was involved in trying to restrain one James Green, during which Rix was seriously hurt. [Norfolk News, 7 December 1889 page 8] Reepham Petty Sessions James Green of Billingford, labourer, a deaf and dumb man, was charged on remand with assaulting the wife of George Jordon of Billingford on the 4th ult., etc…

“He was further charged by Inspector Palmer with assaulting Police-constable Rix whilst in the execution of his duty on the same day. Police-constable Rix said on the 4th ult., about 5 pm, he was called to Billingford, and went to defendant’s house, and as soon as he opened the door, defendant struck him a violent blow with his fist on the lower jaw. The officer tried to take him into custody, but he got him on the bed and held him there by the whiskers until George Jordan was called in by the neighbours. Jordan assisted the constable to handcuff defendant. Rix bled very much and was ordered by the doctor not to do night duty for a week. Defendant was convicted, and fined with costs 20s. 6d., six weeks being allowed for payment, in default one month.”

[Norfolk News, 6 September 1890, page 8] Reepham Petty Sessions

“James Green, of Billingford, labourer, deaf and dumb, was brought up in custody charged, under the Vagrancy Act, with sleeping in a stack on the 30th ult., at 11.30 pm. Police-constable Rix proved the case, and said for some time defendant had been a terror to the whole neighbourhood. He was accustomed to go to houses and demand money or goods of the women when their husbands were out. He was sent to prison for fourteen days.”

After Rix became a sergeant stationed at Diss, he was more frequently involved in prosecutions. Some of these could be quite tragic, others almost farcical, but never less than revealing of the world of late Victorian Norfolk and the kind of thing local newspapers felt would be of interest to their readers. It was sad, and perhaps indicative of the morality of the times towards the poor, that one Methodist minister felt it necessary to prosecute a homeless woman and have her committed to gaol rather than seek support.

Diss Petty Sessions “Clara Goddard of Diss, single woman, was brought up in custody, charged with having lodged in an outhouse, without having any visible means of subsistence. The Rev. G. Gibson, Wesleyan minister, proved defendant had been sleeping in a privy adjoining the Wesleyan Chapel, on several occasions. Sergeant Rix stated that he had received complaints of defendant’s conduct in this respect. Committed for 14 days hard labour.” [Diss Express, 26 June 1891, page 4]

On another occasion, Sergeant Rix required his horticultural knowledge to be brought to bear to resolve a dispute over some flowers taken from a garden.

Diss Petty Sessions Ann Jefferies, single woman, Diss, was charged with stealing two geranium plants, value 6d., the property of Mr. T. C. Collins, Roydon Road, Diss on June 23rd. Police-sergeant Frederic


12

Rix, stationed at Diss, said he received information of the loss of some flowers from Mr. Collins’s garden on the 25th. On the following day, he went to the house of Robert Loveday of Denmark Green, where defendant lived, and found four geranium plants in the window.” Rix noticed that two were of a different kind from the others, showed them to Mr Collins, who identified them and pointed out evidence of recent re-potting. The defendant was fined £1 including damages and costs. [Norfolk News, 11 July 1891, page 8]

Drunkenness was always the most common of problems that the constable would come across on his beat.

Drunk and Incapable. Josiah Pipe, shoemaker, Whitechapel, a disreputable looking fellow, was charged with being drunk and incapable on August 12th. He was arrested by PC G.W. Edwards when found in a passage in St Nicholas St at 1 am. Police-sergeant Rix said that defendant was drunk when brought to the station and Edwards and himself had to assist him onto the bed. He had only a halfpenny on him. He was committed for seven days. [Diss Express, 14 August 1891, page 4]

The position of women in Victorian society was well-illustrated by another case, in which Sergeant Rix was obliged to travel to Liverpool to fetch back a runaway wife.

A Runaway Wife. “On Friday, Eliza Leathers, wife of William Leathers, dealer, Diss, was brought before the Rev. C. R. Manning on the charge of stealing £50, the property of her husband. It appears that the woman absconded on Wednesday and information was given to Police-sergeant Rix, who at once made inquiries and ascertained that she had started for Liverpool. Communications were opened with the Liverpool police, and on the woman’s arrival she was detained, and afterwards handed over to Police-sergeant Rix, who brought her back to Diss, together with £48 of the money taken. The woman was accompanied by two of her children, a boy and a girl. The magistrate remanded the prisoner on bail until the next Petty Sessions.” [Norfolk News, 19 September 1891, page 2]

Poverty and distress frequently lay behind much of what passed for public disorder in days when welfare comprised charity or the workhouse. In one instance, Rix was brought face to face with one of the most distressing of such cases.

Diss Petty Sessions: Gross Neglect by a Mother. “Kate Rudd, widow, Diss, was also charged by the same officer [Inspector T.P. Starke of the NSPCC] with neglecting her six children. “Mr Frere, in opening the case, stated that the defendant, being a widow, was compelled to go out to earn her living. Her children, one of whom was an idiot, and one a cripple, were left in the care of the eldest, a girl of nine years. She had been on parish relief, but this had been stopped. The society, in bringing up the case, were anxious that she should take the children to the Workhouse, where they could be properly attended to. The evidence would reveal a very bad state of affairs.” The account goes on: she was visited by Inspector Starke and DR. F.E. Hubbard, who attested to the filth and stench in all the rooms. “… the children were in great peril from the filthy condition of their surroundings.”


13

“Sergeant Rix stated he visited the house in company with Inspector Starke, on the 28th February. The place was in a disgraceful state, and the smell most offensive. The bedroom was particularly filthy, and the stench abominable.” Defendant was bound over to the next sessions unless she went to the Workhouse. [Norfolk News, 12 March 1892, page 5]

The lives of discharged soldiers were often hard, as they found it difficult to fit into a society that demanded more than submission to the daily regime of army discipline. They might resort to disreputable means to get by.

Diss Petty Sessions. “David Warner, an Army Reserve man, of Wingfield, Suffolk, was charged with stealing the sum of £3, value of a cheque, the property of Mrs. Campbell, Scole, on June 20th.” He had approached Mrs Campbell with a certificate of good conduct from the Army in the name of Moyes, asking for 10s. She gave him a cheque for £3 to cash at the Post Office, which he did, but did not return with the change. He bought a new suit of clothes. “Information was given by the police, and he was found at the Crown and Anchor Inn, Diss, the same evening by Police-sergeant Rix, who took him into custody on the charge. When apprehended the prisoner had 10s. 6d. in money upon him.” Pleaded guilty, six weeks with hard labour. [Norfolk News, 25 June 1892, page 8]

As sergeant, Rix might be more likely to attend court, even for relatively routine instances of drunkenness, than his constable, who was needed out on his beat.

“Police. – Peter Poole, a travelling wire-worker, was brought before the Rev. C.R. Manning, by Sergeant Rix, on Tuesday morning, charged with being drunk in the Market Place the previous evening. Defendant admitted the offence, and was committed for 14 days in default of paying a fine and costs of 13s.” [Diss Express, 2 September 1892, page 4]

Sergeant Rix might also be called upon to resolve disputes between neighbours, especially when they resulted in criminal damage. On one occasion, he was called upon to adjudicate in a case of hedge warfare.

Diss Petty Sessions. All about a balsam. – “Alfred Wylie, gardener, Diss, was charged with malicious damage to a growing balsam, value 6d., the property of Samuel Meech, at Diss, on 27th July. Caroline Cooper, Diss, was charged with aiding and abetting Alfred Wylie to commit the said damage.” Meech lived next door to Cooper, the balsam plant in his garden was in full blown adjacent to a path that separated the two gardens. Wylie first cut some branches where they overhang the neighbour; when Meech remonstrated, he was abusive and then cut down the whole plant on the grounds that it overshadowed some of Cooper’s geraniums, egged on by Cooper. “Police-sergeant Rix said that on the day in question he was called to Meech’s house. Meech showed him where a balsam had been cut. The shoots were cut off from the bottom part,


14

apparently by a knife. Witness then went to the back of the house where he saw Wylie in the garden.” Each defendant had to pay £1 including costs. [Diss Express, 25 August 1893, page 4].

Occasionally, disorder would threaten such potential mayhem that the police would be drafted in from several local stations to assist. In September 1893, Rix and several others were called to assist at Roydon, the next parish to Diss, where a dispute over common rights threatened to spill over into violence during a local election. The most detailed description appears in the court report in October, the details of which were not disputed by the defence.

The case for the prosecution: “On the 7th September, a School Board election took place in the parish of Roydon, near Diss, the poll closing at 8 o’clock. There had been some feeling manifested in the neighbourhood, the reasons for which the learned counsel need not go into. But in consequence of that ill-feeling it was thought that two or three policemen should be in attendance at the poll during the day. At 8 o’clock, Superintendent Tuddenham appeared upon the scene with nine constables and a sergeant. The White Hart public-house was situated next door to the school where the poll was taken, and in the room of that hostelry there was a considerable amount of disturbance. Superintendent Tuddenham saw a large number of men in the room, shouting and halloing. Upon a chair was the effigy of Mr Todd, which the men slapped in the face, and submitted it to other indignities. The effigy was afterwards brought out into the space in front of the public-house, when Robert Lynes got hold of it, and assisted by Charles Lynes and Noble, the crowd were about to proceed to set fire to it, when they desisted, upon the advice of Superintendent Tuddenham. The effigy was then torn limb from limb, and Charles Lynes, speaking to Tuddenham, told him that constables got killed in these days, and advised him not to interfere too much. While the process of disintegration was taking place, Noble called out “We will give it to the old ---- to-night.” Then the cry was raised, “Now for Snow Street, where Mr Todd, the agent of Mr Frere, the Lord of the Manor, resided. The two Lynes’ got into a cart and headed the procession, Robert Lynes shouting out, “Come on let’s go for the ---.” Sergeant Rix with two or three other officers took a short cut across the fields, and so arrived at Mr Todd’s house before the arrival of the mob. The Superintendent and his officers had several times cautioned the men, and he received as his answer, “Mind your own business,” and told him to go to h---. On arriving at Mr Todd’s house, the Sergeant went into the garden, and they there saw Robert Lynes enter the garden twice, and with a stick smash the front windows of Mr Todd’s house. Rix and another constable collared him, whereupon he called out “Come on here, Charlie.” Then Charlie with some other men, came forward out of the crowd in the roadway to rescue Robert. In the language of some the constables, the crowd was too much for them, and under the instruction of Superintendent Tuddenham, the constables liberated their prisoner, inasmuch as they knew them quite well. Then a volley of stones were discharged at the officers, nearly all of whom were more or less injured. The superintendent was disabled in both arms by stones. The sergeant was knocked down and rendered insensible, and was badly injured about the head. P-C Ducker has his spine injured by a direct blow from behind, and is now a patient in Diss Hospital. PC Lockett was kicked in the stomach, and someone struck him with a stick behind, breaking his helmet. PC Brighton was struck on the back of the head with a big stone, which cut through the helmet and dazed him, causing his head to bleed very much, and sustained such injuries that he was under the care of a medical man for a month.”


15

The defence raised the issue that lay behind the incident, that ‘from time immemorial cattle had been pastured upon the waste lands of Mr Frere, the Lord of the Manor.’ He was ordered to desist from this line and instead called witnesses to state that the named individuals were not involved. The jury found all the accused guilty but called for mercy to all but the two Lynes brothers. The brothers were sentenced to six months and the others to one month imprisonment. [Norwich Mercury, 21 October 1893, page 2]

However, it was petty theft that was the more usual crime, as the following two cases illustrate.

Local Intelligence. Stealing a pair of boots. Thomas Wilson, tramp, charged with stealing a pair of boots, value 8/11, the property of Messrs Stead & Simpson, Diss, on September 30th. He was caught and handed over to Sergeant Rix by the shop assistant. Two months hard labour. [Diss Express, 6 October 1893, page 4]

Norfolk Quarter Sessions Fowl Stealing at Morningthorpe David Warne (28) general labourer, pleaded guilty to stealing one fowl, value 2s., the property of Robert Clarke, at Morningthorpe, on the 9th December. The prisoner pleaded guilty also to a previous conviction, and another conviction was proved against him by Sergeant Rix. Three calendar months hard labour. [Norwich Mercury, 6 January 1894, page 5]

A rare, but distressing event that might involved the police was one concerning suicide. Rix was called in to investigate one such case near Diss that involved him making enquiries as far away as Norwich to ascertain the identity of a man found adjacent to the main railway line.

Decapitated on the Railway. “On Saturday evening the headless body of a man was found on the railway about half-a-mile on the Norwich side of Diss Station. The discovery was made by a man named Walter Meadows of Thelton. The head was lying in the four-foot, and the body on the up line. It is supposed that the man was decapitated by the market train leaving Norwich at 4.50 and due at Diss at 5.37 [6.37?]. The body was placed on a platelayer’s trolley and conveyed to Diss Station, and then removed to the Railway Tavern, where Police-sergeant Rix made a search, but found nothing to establish identity. A basket containing carpenter’s tools was found near the body, and there was a carpenter’s rule in his pocket. He also had a pocket-book, which contained entries of work done on various buildings in Norwich. A white linen handkerchief was marked “J.A.” The man was about 5ft 10in in height, complexion dark, with moustache. He had been wearing a hard black felt hat, dark vest with white and black stripes, light square plaid overcoat, and light trousers also plaid, but not the same pattern as the coat; laced boots, merino socks, pants, and under shirt, light check cotton shirt, and Argosy braces. He had a watch and silver chain, to which a locket was attached, a pouch containing tobacco, and 5s. 8d. in silver and coppers was found in his pockets. Various rumours were soon afloat, and the body was positively stated to be that of a carpenter, who formerly lived at Thrandeston, but persons in that parish declared this to be a mistake. Apparently, this man was about thirty years of age. Circumstances point to the establishment of the theory that deceased had occupied a responsible position in the building trade, probably that of a foreman of carpenters. Sergeant Rix is making a searching inquiry into the affair, and the circumstances of the ghastly find have been reported to the Coroner. [Eastern Evening News, 19 February 1894, page4] Shocking Discovery Near Diss


16

Dreadful Suicide of a Norwich Man At the inquest on the body in the report above: “During Sunday, Sergeant Rix was enabled to ascertain that the body was that of John Alborough, carpenter, who had been living at 3, Unicorn Alley, St Stephen’s Street, Norwich. Police-sergeant Rix, in his evidence, stated he had ascertained that deceased was expected at work at Messrs. Searles, Norwich, on Saturday morning. He had been living with a woman, and he bade her “good bye” as usual when he left the house about half-past six that morning. Deceased’s mother died in an asylum, and deceased cut his throat about two years ago. When under treatment at the Hospital the doctors said he was suffering from melancholia.” Verdict of suicide while temporarily insane. [Norfolk News, 24 February 1894, page 7]

In the more rural postings that followed, at Hockham and East Harling, life for Rix seems to have been somewhat less dramatic than in his time at Diss – encroachment on private land and drunk and disorderly cases being some of those reported in the press.

Great Hockham. “Breckles Common Again. For some time past, what is known as Breckles Common, but what in reality is no common at all, but is under the hire of Mr. Oldfield, has been infested with gipsy encampment. On May 2nd, a conviction was obtained at the Watton Bench for doing damage to growing grass, and a fine of 20s. was imposed. Since then Mr. Oldfield has tried to stop the nuisance, but failed; and he has now taken further proceedings, and when Sergeant Rix, of Hockham, served the summonses on the parties near Thetford, the defendant had a very narrow escape of being arrested for interfering with the officer whilst in the execution of his duty.” [Norwich Mercury, 14 July 1894, page 6. The article does not name the defendant] East Harling. Petty Session. George Barton, Shropham, labourer was charged by Sergeant Rix with having, on the 1st October, been drunk whilst in charge of a horse and cart at Snetterton; James Barnard, blacksmith, Shropham, was also charged with being drunk on the highway. Barton was fined £1 or fourteen days, and Barnard 17s. 6d. or fourteen days. [Diss Express, 25 October 1895, page 5] East Harling Petty Sessions There were more drunk and disorderly charges by Sergeant Rix versus George Simpson, shoemaker and Bennet Gall, labourer of Hockham on 16th August. Gall wanted to fight Rix. Rix got them to go home. Simpson 13s 6d or seven days, Gall £13 1s. or 14 days. [Norfolk News, 12 September 1896, page 8]

One thing that does not figure in the local press, that may have contributed to a policeman’s lot being happier than the popular song of the time suggested, is public and professional appreciation. But Rix’s final posting at East Harling seems to have been an exception. The district Superintendent of Police was inclined to provide some much welcome appreciation of his team of sergeants and constables.

East Harling. Police Dinner. – Through the kindness and permission of Mr. Paynton Pigott, Chief Constable of Norfolk, Mr. Charles Wright, Superintendent of Police for the Harling Division, assisted by a few friends, entertained all the men of this division to dinner at the Court Room on Tuesday evening last. Old English fare of roast beef and plum pudding was supplied ad lib, and it is needless to say was much enjoyed. The tables were neatly


17

decorated with flowers, and all the arrangements were well carried out by Mrs. Wright, to whom, and also to Miss Wright and Mrs. Button, much praise is due. Everyone present was impressed with the fact that the men who protect our property, although circumspect whilst on their beat, can really enjoy a bit of fun.” There was singing, and toasts, especially to the Inspector and Sergeant. “The health of Inspector Simpson of Thetford was next given, followed by that of Sergeant Rix, who, in responding, referred to the kindness he had received since he had been at Hockham.” [Diss Express, 8 February 1895, page 5] [According to the article, this was the latest following three previous such gatherings. There was a similar report in the Eastern Daily Press on 3 February 1896 page 6, which suggests the custom went on for some time.]

One can reasonably conclude that in the fifty years since the founding of the Norfolk County Police, the experience of life as a constable became progressively more respected, albeit grudgingly by those on the receiving end. From ill-trained, ill-prepared raw recruits, the force had become more professional; disciplined but treated with reasonable fairness, including a more respectable pension for those who stayed the course. In that respect, Frederic John Rix was among those lucky enough to have fitted in to the role. What is less evident from a study of one man who succeeded in the profession, is the experience of those who joined and left quickly in the space of a year, and these were numerous. Carolyn Steedman’s study suggested that less than 20% stayed the course to receive a pension12. What is notable, is that a son from his second marriage, Alpha John Rix, joined the Norwich City Police and, allowing for service in the Great War, served them from 4 October 1913 until retirement on 9 October 1942. Had it not been for an untimely death in the War, perhaps his younger brother may have been encouraged to join also. He was 6ft 1 ¼ inches tall, weighed 161 lbs and had a 38-inch chest fully expanded, which perhaps provides a clue to the fact that his father had also been tall and well-built.

12 Steedman, 1984, page 102.

Documents

Victorian Rural Policeman: Frederic J Rix...FACHRS ID: SAGB01 PC Frederic J Rix Researcher: Martin Bashforth 3 Victor Albert Hugo Rix was born 28 May 1871 and baptised at Itteringham