William James Gallop

He was born on 28 July 1872 in Clerkenwell, London, and baptised on 24 September 1874 at St. Philip, the local parish church. His parents were residing at 12 John Street.

He was the son of  William Gallop and his second wife, Elizabeth Faithful Janet Harris whom he married on 7 March 1871 at St. Mary’s Church, Lambeth.   His father, born in Bristol,  was a sub-warder at the Clerkenwell House of Correction.

His father’s first wife was Martha Cross who died in November 1868, and she was buried at the Methodist Chapel, Bedminster, Bristol.

His brother Edward Frederick was born on 19 July 1876, and he was baptised at St. Andrew’s, Holborn.  The family had moved to 5 Tothill Street, Holborn,  their father was still working as a prison warder at the Clerkenwell House of Correction (*).

William James and his brother Edward Frederick started their education at Clerkenwell Parochial School in Amwell Street. In January 1884 they were admitted into Laystall Street School. Having passed his Standard VI William James left school on 31 October 1884, aged 12 years, to work.

The 1891 census records that he was a patient at the Royal Mineral Water Hospital, Bath, his occupation a baker in a biscuit factory.  Two years later he joined the Police Force. He trained in Reading, and he was soon stationed at Newbury.

On 5 May 1894 at the Primitive Methodist Church, Bartholomew Street, he married Susan Maria Griffiths, third daughter of Caleb Griffiths, greengrocer and game dealer of 130 Bartholomew Street. Their first daughter Bessie Janet was born on 2 May 1895. In the same month he was transferred to Virginia Water and later to Wallingford, where their second daughter Agnes Mary was born on 20 January 1898.

His mother Elizabeth died in May 1898 in Lewes, Sussex.

The 1901 census records that he was stationed in East Hendred where his son William Alfred was born on 10 November 1905.  During the next few years, he served in Tilehurst, Bucklebury and Stockcross (1911 census) before being promoted to Sergeant. 

He spent 9 ½ years at the Police Station, Chapel Street, Thatcham.  He attained the rank of Inspector and from 1922 he served at the Police Quarters, RAF Stores at Milton.  After leaving the Force, he was the Supervising Constable for the War Department Constabulary at the Royal Army Ordnance Corps,  Didcot Depot (***).

Upon retirement he settled with his wife Susan Maria at 2 High View, Shaw. 

In October 1933 whilst staying with his brother Edward Frederick, who was Chief Warder at Walton Prison, Liverpool, he was taken ill.  He rallied after a  successful operation, but unexpectedly died on 13 October aged 61 years in Walton Hospital. The funeral service took place at the Methodist Chapel, Bartholomew Street before interment on 17 October 1933.

He was a member of the Jack of Newbury Lodge of Oddfellows for over 40 years, a member of the Retired Police Officers’ Association, and served on the committee of the Berks. Constabulary Athletic Sports (**).

Susan Maria was reunited with her “much loved husband” on 4 October 1950.

Bessie Janet Gallop married Frank Paulin, master builder, in 1920 in Newbury. Agnes Mary Gallop married Alfred George Hammond, a wood machinist, in 1919 in Newbury.  William Alfred became a joiner and died on 2 May 1968 in Wimbledon.

His brother Edward Frederick married Jane Gumbrill in Brighton in 1897.  In 1901 he was assistant warder at Wandsworth Prison and in 1911 he was a prison warder at Lewes, Sussex where their father had been Chief Warder (1901 census).  He then served as a prison warder at H.M. Prison, Portsmouth (1921 census) and later transferred to Walton Prison, Liverpool.  His brother died on 16 November 1957 in Bournemouth.

Upon retirement his father William moved to live with his brother Edward Frederick at 83 Milton Road, Copnor, Portsmouth where he died on 17 February 1920. 

Mrs P. Code: P(B) 5, page 167

Sources:  Birth Index 3Q 1872 Holborn District; London Baptisms 24/9/1874; London School Admissions and Discharges 1840-1911; 1881 to 1911 census; Marriage Index 2Q 1894 Newbury District; Electoral Registers; Death Index 4Q 1933 West Derby District; Berkshire Burial Index.

(*)  Morning Post dated 16/1/1874 page 7 and dated 8/8/1879, page 6.

(**) Reading Observer dated 27 July 1912.

(***) Berks. & Oxon Advertiser dated 20/8/1926.

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