X Arthur Brand SORFLEET.Dear John,Thank you for your nicely worded request forinformation concerning Arthur you would besurprised how many enquires we get from people whonever say please or thank you, but first I have topoint out a few things. Sadly we do not have aphotograph, but if you do we would appreciate ascanned copy for our records.The Cheshire Constabulary was formed in April1857; there are many thousands of records, theseare held by the Cheshire Record Office, Chester. Ias a retired Police officer and voluntary PoliceMuseum Researcher am slowly extracting theserecords. Cheshire Police Officer Enrolment Recordsare held under Reference CJP7 Volumes 1-5. Thesefive volumes are very large and in poor condition,run from 1857- 22 March 1913; sadly post this datethe civilian run Personnel Department at HQ haveseen fit to discard officers records on theirretirement (don't think I need say more John, Iknow you will understand). So the only informationwe have has been found on bits of paper here andthere. The information regarding his marriage isretained in CJP24/2, 1847-1966. There is a smallreference to him in CJP20/2/1, 1857-1965 which isthe pensions register. His Commendation isrecorded in the Dukinfield Superintendent'sCommendation Book 1936-1954 CJP27/7/3.I say all this because I want to try and reassureyou that what I give you is as it appears in therespective volumes. However if you so wish, youcan of course have the records confirmed by theChester Records Office Archivist. But it would beremiss of me if I did not point out that whilstthis Museum works on a donation basis, (madepayable to the Museum of Policing in Cheshire).The Record Office however, will charge you aminimum of £27 per search per volume; so please beaware. I feel sure you will have read the "News"page regarding charges on the Museum Web site,however, in light of the fact that you are aserving officer there will be no charge.If you also read the history of the CheshireConstabulary "To the Best of Our Skill andKnowledge" which is on the Museum Web Site, I feelcertain that a useful picture can be obtained oflife in the force at the time, my own opinion isthat discipline was severe and those who strayedoutside the rules were fined way above what theyearned or dismissed. Also the restrictions ontheir private life, an officer was not allowed todrink on or off duty even in his own home. It allcomes down to the fact that up until the 1960'severy Chief Constable of Cheshire was an exmilitary officer and they of course brought withthem the military codes of practice. Further Idon't know if you are aware of the Police Roll OfHonour Web Site, it contains a list of thoseofficers that died as a result of injuriesreceived on duty, if Arthur died as a result ofhis injuries his name should appear, I havechecked and it does not appear to do so. Soperhaps you would like to contact the Web Site andput things right.Can I ask you when you get a moment would you senda quick mail so I can mark of your enquiry ascompleted? If you have any further questionsplease don't hesitate to contact me. Jim Talbot.Trustee and Researcher, Cheshire Museum ofPolicing.Collar Number/Rank. PC412 Arthur Brand SORFLEETBorn. Unknown.Date of Entry. 18 July 1928.Date of Leaving. 03 July 1939.Final Date of Leaving. 03 July 1939.How Discharged. Death in service.Initial Posting. HQ Reserve.Other Postings and Dates. Dukinfield on death.Miscellaneous Information. SuperintendentsCommendation Acting with promptitude anddetermination in chasing and arresting FrancisCross at Bramhall at 6.45pm 29 December 1938,Chased across rough fields, over barbed wire,ridges and ditches.The small entry in the Pensions register states"Paid to Elsie Sorfleet by the Joint StandingCommittee the sum of £30. 0s. 0d. And a further£10. 0s. 0d for the child Barbara (born 12September 1922) from the 4th July 1939. It doesnot state if this was an annual payment or a oneof lump sum i.e. gratuity.Marriage Record.Officer. Arthur Brand SorfleetOccupation. Police ConstableAge. 25 yearsCondition. Bachelor.Place of residence at Marriage. 17 Church Street,Marple.Date of Marriage. 07 May 1932.Place Married. St. Marks Church Bredbury.Fathers Name. Arthur Brand SORFLEET.Fathers Occupation. Foreman, Cheshire.Spouse. Elsie HIGGINBOTTOMOccupation. Nil.Age. 25 years.Condition. Spinster.Place of residence. The Bungalow, George Lane,Bredbury.Fathers Name. Joseph HIGGINBOTTOMFathers Occupation. Gardener, Cheshire.The Curator, Museum of Policing in Cheshire,Warrington Police Station, Arpley Street,Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1LQ