X John Charlton SPINKS.With regard to John having possible MilitaryService, it certainly could not have been WorldWar 1 he would have been far too old. Againservice in the Boar War say from 1899 would puthim at 54 years of age when volunteering, andpossibly again he may have been too old, couplewith this as one goes through the WarringtonBorough Police Officers service records, thoseofficers that did volunteer for service in theBoar War have that recorded on their record. Thereis the possibility that when he retired the policein 1898, the force would not be aware of hisvolunteering for that Military Service. I wouldpresume the local Museum at Warrington may havesomething on those men from Warrington thatvolunteered for service in the Boar War. Lastly hewas certainly too young to have served in theCrimean War.Where the reference BSI appears on the Museumdatabase this applies to a website known as theBlack Sheep Index (www.blacksheepindex.co.uk) thisis a site that carries newspaper articlesconcerning Police Officers. On occasions theofficer's full name is not given, but we havetried to make a match against what the MuseumRecords show. There are three entries for John,1897 Biography and Photograph, 1898 Career Of and1898 Presentation. There are charges involved toobtain these newspaper cuttings direct from theowner of the website. It is emphasized that theMuseum does not know the contents of thesecuttings and takes no responsibility for them. TheMuseum is only showing this as an aid that thereis further information from another source. Shouldthese articles be purchased by the enquirer pleaseask her to mention the Museum, whilst she won'tget them any cheaper it may speed up the process.I have checked to see if John may have had anyprior service with the Royal Irish Constabulary,nothing is shown; again it would also normally berecorded on his Warrington Borough Record.Lastly I have attached a copy of the Census returnfor the years 1871 and 1881. Also recorded withinthe Museum database is an entry that appertains toa PC12 George Spinks, who served WarringtonBorough 25th April 1866 and resigned on the 30thJune 1866, sadly nothing else is recorded on hisrecord. I have also checked and it appears thatthis George Spinks Born circa 1840 in CountyCavan, Ireland did serve with the Royal IrishConstabulary (RIC) serving possibly between 1860and 1866 when it is recorded he emigrated, theword 'emigrated' would still have been used eventhough he only went to the British Mainland. Ihave attached a copy of the 1891 Census whichshows a George Spinks resident in Warrington. Isuppose it is quite possible that John and Georgewere brothers, or certainly connected in some way,and left Ireland, George leaving first joiningWarrington and then letting John know about theforce, but of course this would require a lot moreresearch. If by chance you want to research GeorgeSpinks RIC record please let me know and I willlet you have the details of a serving GardaOfficer who specializes in RIC Research.Collar Number/Rank. Chief Inspector 14 JohnCharlton SPINKS.Born. 1845 Toher Cross Keys, County Cavan,Ireland.Date of Entry. 12th July 1866Date of Leaving. 29th September 1898Final Date of Leaving. 29th September 1898.How Discharged. To Pension.Initial Posting. Warrington Borough Police.Miscellaneous Information. Trade or CallingFarmers Son. Last employer, At home with parents.(This tends to confirm that he did not in factserve with the RIC). Height 5' 8", Age on joining21 years. Hair Dark Brown, Eyes Brown, ComplexionFresh. Distinguishing Marks, Burn marks left cheekand right arm. Marital Status, Single on joining,Children Nil. Member of any Party or Society, Nil.Total Service at pension 32 years 2 months.Misconduct. 4th October 1866, for being 55 minuteslate to give evidence at Court. Fined 2/6. Withinthe records there is a blackened ink squareunderneath is written "This report was ordered bythe Watch Committee to be expunged at a meetingheld on the 28th November 1895, and signed JamesFairclough, Mayor. I am afraid we may never knowthe contents of this report.Promotion/Pay. 12/07/1866 19/-. 07/02/1867 20/-.13/09/1867 21/-. 23/07/1868 23/-. 30/07/1869 23/-.21/07/1870 24/-. 04/08/1870 25/-. 04/04/1872 26/-.16/04/1872 Promoted Sgt. 10/10/1872 27/-.15/05/1973 30/-.20/05/1875 31/-. 13/07/1876 32/-.25/10/1877 33/-. 07/02/1884 35/-. 05/02/1885 36/-.17/02/1887 37/6d. 07/04/1892 39/-. 06/04/189340/6d. 05/04/1894 42/-. 06/12/1894 PromotedInspector 44/6d. 04/04/ 1895 46/-. 26/03/189647/6d. 26/10/1896 Promoted Chief Inspector at54/-. 07/04/1898 55/-, 04/08/1898 60/-. Retired ona weekly pension of £2. 6s. 8d.Awards/Good Conduct/Other information. 10/12/1895Rewarded with 10/- not recorded who the award wasmade by but normally by the Watch Committee, fortracing and causing the arrest of Thomas Moore forFelony and the recovery of £37. 0s 0d.Jim Talbot. Trustee and Researcher Museum ofPolicing in Cheshire.