Ayrshire Branch
Secretary: Alex Grant
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Updated 8th August, 2008
Kilmarnock Burgh Police
Kilmarnock Burgh Police was established in 1828 when the Town Council decided to employ a constable, namely a widower called Wallace. Twenty four years later the Force was increased to three and from then on as needs demanded.
The First Chief Constable was a Mr Hill in 1889 and he subsequently became Chief Constable in Carlisle. That same year the Town Council built an all purpose building incorporating each police function, and this was Sturrock Street police office which sadly, like so many other fine buildings in the town and Kilmarnock Burgh force itself, is no longer extant.
Having been a small but vibrant force it faced demise on the 16th of May 1968, one hundred and forty years since inception, with the last Chief Constable being Mr William Gammie who, besides being the premier officer, was a consummate gentleman and fitting it was that he concluded the Burgh’s fine and outstanding service to the community.
And so on the 16th of May 2008 a function took place, quite appropriately, in Memory Lane, Langlands Street, Kilmarnock to commemorate the demise of Kilmarnock Burgh Police 40 years previously. Commemorate rather than celebrate as the pride in having been a member of the Burgh remains firmly in place. Not that amalgamation with Ayr Burgh and Ayrshire Constabulary was unwelcome in the knowledge of progress in policing and the need to harness and exploit pooled resources and the eventuality of being subsumed into Strathclyde Police.
At the passing of the Burgh there were 124 officers and at the time of the gathering in May only 39 were still alive and a goodly number exhibited their still personal pride by attending. This was no more demonstrated than by the presence of the third oldest surviving member, 80 year old Hugh Inglis, who, from his home in Canada, intimated in response to the invitation that “come Hell or High water he’d be there.” He was. His enthusiasm for his past service goes on undiminished which he ably highlighted in a short but succinct response.
Hugh had had the honour of being the first of three Burgh men to serve at the Scottish Police College with a secondment to the Driving Division from 1965 to 1967. George Deed followed from 1968 to 1970 with an instructing post in the Junior Division and then Edgar Shaw completing the trio from 1978 to 1981. Edgar M Shaw had already shone as a student having been awarded the Baton of Honour at the completion of his second stage training. This was a much coveted accolade.
Among those present on the 16th of May were: Helen Gillon who, despite an extremely debilitating illness, is the epitome of the loyalty the Burgh engenders: Russel Smith who continues to organise, and encourage attendance, at the annual retired officers’ dinner: Willie Lusk who, well into his seventies, continues to run regularly and perform well beyond younger athletes: Hugh Clark who, and appearing so soon after a major operation, well into retirement was a stalwart at Rugby Park on home match days and a genial overseer of the main portal: Alex Grant who, holding many Federation posts both local and national, is held in the highest esteem, and, of course Willie “Mitch” Mitchell who was, and may well still be, a fount of knowledge especially pertaining to the criminal fraternity.
This was an excellent evening and old tales, both hairy and hoary, were bandied about no doubt enhanced elaborated and perhaps a little exaggerated? The toast to Kilmarnock Burgh Police was proposed and the assembled company raised their glasses heartily in acknowledgement.
Knowing the devil may care approach of Kilmarnock Burgh Police members it would not be surprising for someone to be running a book on the 2018 role call!!
Back Row Left to Right (Rank on Retiral)
Alex Grant,(Sgt) William Lusk, (Det.Sgt) John McHarg, (Const) Gilbert L Smith, (Insp) Stanley George Deed (Sgt) Iain Mckie, (Supt) James J Nisbet,(Sgt) John Morris, (Const) Edgar Shaw ( Eddie).(Insp)
Front Row
Miss Helen Gillon, (Const) Hugh Clark ,(Sgt) Russel Smith, (Sgt) George Seaman, (Det Sgt) William Mitchell, (Const) Hugh Inglis. (Sgt)
Ayrshire Branch at Castlebrae
Branch President Bill Coughtrie and Secretary Alex Grant recently travelled to Castlebrae where they met Chief Executive, Mike Baxter and Paul Grant, Manager after a discussion with them about the Convalescent Homes and a tour of recent refurbishments to the building Bill presented Mike with a Cheque for the sum of £2,200 which was very well received by the Chief Executive.
The amount was raised by donations from Branch Members.
The visit ended with a most enjoyable Lunch.