Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Coronation 1911, County and Borough Police (Chief Constable J. D. Sowerby, Plymouth), good very fine £80-100

Brian Moseley states in his history, The Police Service of Plymouth:

‘Following the sudden death of Superintendent Wreford shortly before, on July 13th 1892 Mr. Joseph Davidson Sowerby was appointed as Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer. Mr. Sowerby had been a senior police officer at Leeds before the appointment. His Great Grandson, Mr. Owen Sowerby, has pointed out that he was only 29-years-old at the time and even today still holds the record as the youngest person ever appointed as Chief Constable in this country ... ’

Moseley continues:

‘Mr. Sowerby, who had been appointed Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer in 1892, retired on March 31st 1917. He was, therefore, the senior officer during the amalgamation of the Plymouth force with that of Devonport and with the Stonehouse District of the Devon Constabulary. During his time in charge he had introduced women in to the Special Constables, whose main duty was to look after the morals of young girls in the streets at night.’

See relevant website for further details: see http://www.pmcc-club.co.uk/plymouth/