As part of the £2.5 million redevelopment programme to transform the old Police Station and Courthouse into a dynamic community-focused museum, the Curators are trying to find out more about Policemen and Police Houses in nearby villages.
In Buriton it is known that for a number of years the house on Petersfield Road, near the corner with Bones Lane, was the Police House until it was sold by the County Council in about 1985. At that time it still had a special “4-minute warning” alarm device wired inside!
And Kenneth Warry, now living in Portchester, recalls that during a visit by the Russian Leader, Kruschev, in 1956, local policeman had to guard every railway bridge on the line. Mr Warry had been a Policeman in Petersfield and had guarded the Mapledurham Bridge near Wardown House.
In 1970 Ivan Tidridge left Buriton, after seven years with the Hampshire Police, to emigrate to Australia. Before departing the family had an anxious time hunting for their cheque book. “We hunted everywhere for it,” Ivan explained to the local newspaper at the time, “and as a last resort I decided to ring Headquarters and they found it my uniform which I had handed in!”
Census data reveals the following other Policemen living in the parish – but if you have any more information about any local Policemen, please contact the Heritage Bank team via info@buriton.org.uk
1841: there are two policemen recorded as living on the parish, both at Nursted, Thomas Garrett and Poyntz McKenzie
1851: Robert Langford (lodging in the High Street with the blacksmith, John Hounsome)
1861: George Lilly (living with his wife and children in North Lane)
1871: Charles Abraham (living with his wife and children in Bones Lane)
1881: Henry Davy – perhaps allocated to Weston?
1891: Harry Tuck (living in the village with his wife and children)
1901: William George King (living in the village with his wife and children)
Please let us know if you know of any other local Policemen.
