“The Town and Borough of Sudbury has maintained law and order by various means from the Anglo-Saxon period to today.
In earlier times it was the responsibility of the Headborough or Tythingman representing approximately ten families who held sway.
Later the Petty or Parish Constable was voted annually to carry out the task – no pay and he still had to do his normal job.
It was not until the Municipal Corporation Act of 1835 that Towns and Boroughs were permitted to raise full-time paid police officers, called Constables.
During times of unrest it was possible for the Magistrates to swear in additional Constables to support the permanent police.
Later Special Constables were signed –up to provide a pool of additional resource.
During the First World War many men of the young men serving with the Constabulary joined the Army and Navy. Measures were taken to increase the Special Constabulary to account for the loss of manpower and many older or retired men joined the Specials.
In 1919 George V created the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal for their service during World War 1. An example is on display at the Sudbury Heritage Centre.
The same happened during World War II.
It seems likely that many men who served in the Specials were living in the Sudbury area.
Would anybody who knows of anyone who served in the Sudbury Borough Constabulary, Suffolk Constabulary or the West Suffolk Constabulary, in the Sudbury area, please contact me as I am seeking information and photographs of people carrying out police service.
My e-mail address is: ian.cruttenden2@virginmedia.com
Society Member Requires Help with Sudbury Borough Constabulary
