X PC 197 A.S.C. BIRTWISTLE.Dear Ann,Yesterday I collected CJP7 Volume 5 from theChester Record Office and as promised the entry isrecorded as follows.PC 197 Archibald Samuel Creswell BIRTWISTLE.Born. 02 June 1876, Northwich, CheshireDate of entry. 26 January 1901.Date of discharge. 01 February 1902.How discharged. Resigned.Postings. 25 February 1901 Altrincham.Miscellaneous Information. Joined Royal CanadianMounted Police 17/08/1906. Also served with ScotsGuards prior to Cheshire Police service, dates notrecorded. Canadian Expeditionary Force WW1, laterreceived MBE. Previous Occupation Clerk, ReligionProtestant, Height 5' 10", Age 24, Eyes Brown,Hair Dark Brown, Complexion Fresh, Nodistinguishing marks.Misconduct Reports. Nil.Good Conduct reports. Nil.Pay. 26 January 1901 25/1d per week.With sincere Best wishesJim Talbot.Trustee and ResearcherMuseum of Policing Cheshire.The Life and Career of Archibald Samuel CreswellBIRTWISTLE 1876-1964Archibald Samuel Creswell Birtwistle was born 2June 1876 at Northwich in Cheshire.He was the oldest son of Thomas Robinson and MaryJane Birtwistle who at that time lived somewhereon Castle Street between Town Bridge and the topof Castle Hill. They lived at several addresses over a period oftime and in two areas of Northwich. Castle and thearea close to Northwich Station.Archie was an athletic character that won manyprizes fro Boxing and running in his youth.He had tree sisters and eight brothers- HerbertCliff (my grandfather) Tom May Blanche FrankWalter Lucy Fred Laura and Horace.All except one survived childhood, Lucy died at 18months old after complications from measles.When Archie and Herbert left school, they werefirst apprenticed as Coopers and are listed assuch on the 1891 census and at that time living at59 Penny's lane Northwich.In 1901 Archie was living at Altrincham and was aserving police constable.It appears that he was only in the police forcefor one year prior to enlisting in the ScotsGuards and served with the colours for 4 years.On his attestation papers 2 Feb 1902 he isstated as 5 10 black hair and brown eyes, darkcomplexion single aged 24 years and 7 months old.This record was found recently on Ancestry.co.ukBritish Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920 ReleaseOneLater in 1906, he immigrated to Canada and joinedthe North West Mounted Police and served with themover the North West Territories and various placesover a period of service.Archie volunteered for the Canadian ExpeditionaryForce and service in WW1 in France and Flanders.On the attestation papers for his WW1 service hewas stated as married to Alice. Alice Mary Powellwas born in Wales.Archie and Alice had 4 children, 1 son Kenneth,and 3 daughters Daisy Rose and Violet.Kenneth also had a distinguished career in theNavyI wrote to the regiment museum and asked forinformation about my great uncle and below is apart of the reply that I received.From Carmen Harry the curator of the RCMP museum.Sgt. Birtwistle joined the Royal North WestMounted Police August 17, 1906. Previously he hadbeen one year with the Cheshire Constabulary andfour years with Scots Guards. He was one of themembers to go as part of the RNWMP coronationcontingent for George V. Sgt. Birtwistle was partof "A" Squadron (a RNWMP contingent who went toFrance and Flanders during WWI) and his CanadianExpeditionary Force number is 2684294. Hisregimental number with the Mounted Police is 4493.Here is a photograph of Sergeant ASC Birtwistlewhile in London in 1925He retired from the Force in 1927 and then joinedthe police force at Charlottetown PEI as Chief ofPolice until 1950.Archie, received the MBE for services to King andCountry (King George V)This is a copy of the letter he received to notifyhim of the intention to award the MBE services toKing and CountryHis epitaph said that he was a keenfisherman and lover of poetryIt shows a gentle side of man that lived a veryfull life dealing with difficult situations butstill displayed a gentle natureThis poem was published in the poet's corner of aCharlottetown newspaper after the "chief" passedaway and showed the high esteem that he wasregarded.The ChiefHe walked amid the forest trees.And sought the solace of the stream.He welcomed morning's golden light.When day was done he held the dream.No stranger, he to life around.His Country friends and familyRemember well his will to serve.Them all, with true humility.Though soldier servant of the law.And Mountie from the rugged westAs if in contrast to his work.Great books and poems, he loved the best.The bugle's sounded o'er his bed.It's notes the autumn air have rents.He lies within the islands earthTo rest at peace. A life well spent.-Bert Foster Charlottetown(In memory of a kind friend, the late ArchibaldBirtwistle.My grandfather Cliff was very proud of hisbrother's achievements as were all the family.Sadly I never met him. But have had the pleasureof meeting his granddaughter Jill while she wasover in England visiting a few years ago. Sheamused me with one or two anecdotes about hergrandfather.She said that on occasions her grandmother had topush Archie off his horse to dismount him when hecame home from his rounds because he was literallyfrozen to it.Life must have been tough at times in those dayswithout the modern conveniences that we come toexpect as a matter of course.Recently, I have also written to the CheshireMuseum of Policing to enquire about my greatuncles time in the Police Force in England. Theyhave a website which is http://www.museumofpolicingincheshire.org.uk/They were very helpful and I would like to thankthem for their assistance.He served for one year 1901-1902 and wasenumerated at Altrincham in 1901 as a policeconstable lodging with a family.RG13; Piece: 3322; Folio: 20; Page: 32.The Curator, Museum of Policing in Cheshire,Warrington Police Station, Arpley Street,Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1LQ