X Albert Edward and Edward BUTLERDear HazelThank you for your nicely worded request forinformation concerning the above named officers,you would be surprised how many enquires we getfrom people who never say please or thank you, butfirst I have to point out a few things.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. As youare already aware the district of Hyde from 1899to 1947 had its own Borough Police Force, after1947 the force was amalgamated with the CheshireConstabulary, the personal records of thoseofficers that continued their service withCheshire Constabulary have been accounted for,sadly personal records of Hyde officers that didnot serve within Cheshire have never been tracedand I can assure you it is not for the want oftrying to trace them. So in essence both Albertand Edward served with Hyde Borough Police between1899 and 1947 and therefore we have no record. Theonly thing suggest here is that you contact theTameside Archive service via the internet I doknow they have some records and I believe somePolice Pictures are available through the website. Dependent on where you reside both GreaterManchester and Cheshire Constabulary have Museumsopen to the public, however Cheshire's Museum hasrestricted access as it is within a working PoliceStation, but arrangements can be made if you wishto visit.Within our records we have a PC Edward Butler whojoined the Stalybridge Borough Police on the 29thJanuary 1919 and resigned on the 21st May 1928.This force came into being in 1857 and remainedindependent until 1947, then like Hyde, theofficers became part of Cheshire, the sameprinciple applying to their personal records. ThisPC Edward Butler was born on the 3rd of August1894, Mexborough, York, Previous OccupationChauffeur. Prior undated service of 4 years withthe Royal Garrison Artillery. Height 5' 10", EyesLight Blue, Hair Light Brown, Complexion Fresh,Build Proportional. Distinguishing Marks Nil.Marital status Married. Children None. NoMisconduct reports recorded. Pay 27/01/1921 75/-per week, 26/01/1922 77/-, 01/02/1923 78/-,01/02/1924 80/-, 29/01/1925 82/-, 26/02/1925 84/-,28/01/1926 86/-, 27/01/1927 88/-, 02/02/192890/-.10/05/1923 Examinations in Police Duties PCto Sgt Passed, St. Johns Ambulance 1st and 2ndyears and 3rd year. Awarded Military Medal duringWW1 1918. In 1919 when he joined the force he gavehis home address as 4 Railway Bank, Hyde. Sadlyhis record makes no reference to his parents orfor that matter any next of kin. It could well bethat this PC Edward Butler is in fact your fatherand that you may be totally unaware that he hadserved 10 years with Stalybridge Borough Police,he perhaps resigned because he thought there maybe better promotion prospects with Hyde Borough.You will be able to confirm this in an instantbecause we are fortunate that we have a date andplace of birth and I would appreciate you lettingme know if this is in fact your father.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 draconian and those whostrayed outside the rule's were fined way abovewhat they earned or dismissed. Also therestrictions on their private life, an officer wasnot allowed to drink on or off duty even in hisown home. It all comes down to the fact that upuntil the 1960's every Chief Constable of Cheshirewas an ex military officer and they of coursebrought with them the military codes of practice.If you have any further questions please don'thesitate to contact me. Jim Talbot. Trustee andResearcher, Cheshire Museum of Policing.