It is not known when the Police station opened, it is first mentioned in Kelly’s Trades Directory 1884 listed as, County Police station High Street, John Clare in charge.
The 1888 Kelly’s lists William Webb in charge. The 1892 Kelly’s lists County Police station, Colley Lane Walter
Clarke officer in charge. By 1904 Walter Clarke is the Sergeant in charge and four constables.
1901 census Colley Lane Police Station.
Walter Clark Head married 40 Sergeant of Police born Britton Gloucs.
Louisa Clarke wife married 39 born Tetbury Gloucs.
Edward Webb boarder single 24 Police Constable born Tenbury Worcs.
George Dyson boarder single 23 Police Constable born Severn Stoke Worcs.
Charles Clarke son 18 single Furnace fitter born Oldbury Worcs.
Florence Clarke daughter 8 born Cradley Worcs.
William J Allen Head married 37 Police constable born Hanley Castle Worcs.
Louisa Allen wife married 37 born Hanley Castle Worcs.
William C Allen son 6 born Cradley Worcs.
The Journal of Police Constable 317 George Thomas Dyson was found in a drawer in the Police Station whenit was being used as a Community Centre. It is dated from August 9th 1900 to 14th May 1903. It contains mainly dates, hours of duty and places patrolled around Cradley and the surrounding districts.
In the front of the book are several documents, this one relates to the movement of pigs during an outbreak of swine fever and is dated 15 th October 1899 signed by Frank Oliver. One pig is to be moved from Frank Oliver’s Barn Farm, Two Gates, Cradley to Frank Oliver’s Oldnall Farm, Two Gates, Cradley. The form is counter signed by Sergeant Clarke.
The Maypole was a Public House in Maypole Hill Netherend Cradley kept by the Leonard Family for several generations.
P.C. Dyson's Diary
P.C. Dyson's Diary
P.C. Dyson's Diary
Movement of Pigs
Bill Poster
Bill Poster
Please click below to download a list of cases bought forward by George Dyson PC 317. In PDF Format
From Thursday October 18th 1900 to Thursday 25th October George is on leave at Severn Stoke where according to the census he was born. All his leave in the journal is spent back home. In 1903 he gets married at Severn Stoke, and by the 1911 census he is a Police Constable at Clows Top Bewdley with his wife Helen and son Alfred Harold Dyson aged 6 years.
1911 Census Police station Cradley has two families and two single police constables living there.
William Nobes head 44 married 17 years Police Sargent Worc. County
Annie Maria Nobes wife 50
William Arthur Nobes son 16 single
Beatrice Maud Nobes daughter 11 school
Percy George Nobes son 8 school
Joseph Ernest Johnson head 37 married Police Constable
Elizabeth Louise Johnson wife 33
Harold Ernest Johnson sone 11 school
Ernest Hayes 27 single Police Constable
Arthur Joseph Ashford 25 Police Constable.
A typical weeks patrols from the Journal
Friday 12 th October 1900 Hours of duty, 9am-5pm & 8.30-12.30pm. Names of places visited, Stourbridge, Lutley & Hagley Gate, Colley Gate & Overend.
Remarks, To Attend Petty sessions. Met PC304 Lutley 9pm, PC228 Hagley Gate 10pm,S337 PC231 Overend 12midnight.
Saturday 13 th October 1900 Hours of duty,9am-1pm, 2pm-5pm & 10pm to 4am.Names of places visited, Station, Stourbridge, Two Gates & Overend, Cradley Park & Colman Hill, Netherend & Cradley Bridge. Remarks, Cleaning Station. Received Pay from Mr Supt. Pugh £2.5s 9d Met S337, PC 231 Overend 12midnight. S337 PC 262 Cradley Park 1am PC231 Colman Hill 2am.
Sunday 14 th October 1900 Hours of duty 2.30pm -4.30pm & 9.45pm- 4.45am.Names of places visited Colley Gate & Oldnall, Overend & Two Gates, Netherend & Cradley Bridge, Round of Beef & Careless Green. Remarks, On Patrol Met PC122 Overend 11pm, S337 PC288 Netherend 12.30am. Met PC262 Careless Green 4am.
Monday 15 th October 1900 Hours of duty 6pm-8pm & 10pm -4.30am. Names of places visited, Two Gates & Overend, Colley Gate & Overend, Cradley Park & Two Gates, Fairview & Careless Green. Remarks, On Patrol. Met S337 PC122 Overend 12 midnight, met S337 PC288 Cradley Park 1am PC122 Fairview 3am, met PC288 Careless Green 4am.
Tuesday 16 th October 1900 Hours of duty 6pm-8pm & 10pm- 4.30am. Names of places visited, Two Gates & Oldnall, Colley Gate & Overend, Cradley Park & Wassell Grove & Hagley Gate. Remarks, On Patrol met S337 Colley Gate 11pm PC122 Overend 12 midnight S337 PC288 Cradley Park 1am, PC288 Wassell Grove 2-30am, PC202 Hagley Gate 3-30am.
Wednesday 17 th October 1900 Hours of duty 6pm-8pm & 8pm-2.30am.Names of places visited Colley Gate & Overend, High Street & Maypole, Overend & Cradley Bridge. Remarks On Patrol Met S337 PC231 High Street 11pm, Met Staffs PC Overend by crossing 1am.
Thursday 18 th October 1900 Names of places visited Severn Stoke On Leave. Remained at Severn Stoke until Thursday 25 th October returning at 9pm.
At the back is a list of Cases brought forward by George Dyson PC 317.
1900
Thomas Clifton Driving without lights 6s-6d & costs
Sidney Parkes Shooting with catapult 6s-6d& costs
Harry Bridgewater Drunk & disorderly 2s-6d & costs
Harry Willetts Gambling 5s & costs
George Smith Gambling 5s & costs
Solomon Brettle Drunk & disorderly 5s & costs
Joseph Robinson Drunk & disorderly 10s & costs
Walter Williams Indecent Language 10s & costs
William Robinson Indecent Language 5s & costs
Daniel Round Drunk & Disorderly 10s & costs
William Roberts Indecent Language 10s & costs
William Scott Coal stealing 5s including costs
Benjamin Rice Coal stealing 5s including costs
Edward Wood Coal stealing 5s including costs
Stephen Skelding Coal stealing 5s including costs
Jemima Skelding Coal stealing 5s including costs
Benjamin Scott Coal stealing 5s including costs
Christopher Hill Indecent Language 5s & costs
James Worton Indecent Language 5s & costs
Charles Brettle Drunk & Disorderly 10s & costs
William Harbach Indecent Language 10s & costs
William Johnson Drunk & Disorderly 15s & costs
Hamblett Johnson Drunk & Disorderly 15s & costs
Ephraim Wood Indecent Language 5s & costs
David Millward Drunk on highway 5s & costs
Edward Bloomer Indecent Language 10s & costs
David Burgess Gambling 10s including costs
William Crumpton Gambling 10s including costs
Ernest Dunn Gambling 10s including costs
William Rawlings Gambling 10s including costs
William Plant Gambling 10s including costs
Harry Bridgewater Gambling 10s including costs
William Cox Drunk on Licenced Premises Assault on Police 10s & costs
Joseph Harris Drunk on highway 5s & costs
Eli Hart Drunk in charge 10s & costs
William Roberts Indecent Language 15s & costs
William Marsons Indecent Language 5s & costs
William Hill Drunk & Disorderly 5s & costs
Frederick Pass Drunk & Disorderly 5s & costs
December 14 th Sarah Cross Drunk on the highway 5s & costs
December 21 st Margaret Baker Indecent Language 2-6d & costs
1901
January 4 th William Cox Drunk & Disorderly 5s & costs
Sidney Taylor Wilful damage 6d & costs
Benjamin Tromans Drunk on highway 5s & costs
February 8 th Ephraim Wood Drunk & disorderly 7-6d & costs
February 22 nd Timothy Harris Drunk & disorderly 5s & costs
March 8 th Samuel Grove Drunk & disorderly 5s & costs
March 15 th John Robins Driving without a light 5s & costs 5s
March 22 nd Joseph Williams Indecent Language 5s & costs
April 4 th Frederick Lloyd Riding bicycle without light 5s & costs 10s
April 12 th James Unwin Indecent Language 1s & costs
April 19 th Daniel Round Drunk & disorderly 10s & costs
May 10 th Joseph Bloomer Indecent Language 7-6d & costs
Harry Willetts Gambling 5s including costs
William Ray Gambling 5s including costs
George Edmunds Gambling 5s including cost
May 31 st Frank Shaw Drunk & Disorderly 5s & costs
June 7 th Joseph Robinson Gambling 10s & costs
David Robinson Gambling 10s & costs
Joseph Robinson Gambling 10s & costs
Joseph Harris Gambling 10s & costs
Nelson Harris Gambling 10s & costs
June 21 st Alfred Burrows Indecent Language 10s & costs
Annie Smith Coal stealing 2/6d & costs
May Rawlings Coal stealing 2/6d & costs
Emma Hill Coal stealing 2/6d & costs
Alice Billingham Coal stealing 5s & costs
August 16 th William Pardoe Gambling 15s including costs
Thomas Baker Gambling 15s including costs
Joseph Meredith Gambling 15s including costs
Albert Pritchard Gambling 15s including costs
Edward Brooks Gambling Dismissed
August 30 th William Williams Drunk & disorderly 10s & costs
September 27 th Charles Brettell Drunk on the highway 15s & costs
October 18 th Alfred Worton Shooting with a catapult 5s & costs
Samuel Crampton Indecent Language 10s & costs
November 1 st Alfred Burrows Indecent Language 10s & costs
Levi Cliff Gambling 10s including costs
John Crampton Gambling 5s including costs
Albert Crampton Gambling 5s including costs
Frank Pearson Gambling 5s including costs
November 8 th James Pearson Gambling 5s including costs
Harry Harrison Gambling 5s including costs
George Smith Gambling 5s including costs
November 22 nd Joseph Kirton Drunk & Disorderly 10s & costs
John Smith Gambling 5s & costs
Thomas Crampton Gambling 10s & costs
Aaron Unwin Gambling 10s & costs
Joseph Gill Gambling 10s & costs
Harry Jasper Gambling 5s & costs
November 29 th John Beasley Drunk & Disorderly 2/6d & costs
John H Bishop Breach of the peace Paid costs 8/6d
Thomas Kirkham Breach of the peace Bound over 8/6d
December 6 th Alfred Hawks Indecent Language 2/6d & costs
1902
January 3 rd Jane Cole Indecent Language 5s & costs
Frank Shaw Drunk & disorderly 2/6d & costs
January 17 th Joseph Pearson Drunk & disorderly 5s & costs
January 24 th Frederick Ryder Riding bicycle on footpath paid costs 7/2d
January 31 st Benjamin Forrest Gambling 5s & costs
Lefroy Bashford Gambling 5s & costs
Bert Mobberley Gambling 5s & costs
Percy Clews Gambling 5s & costs
February 28 th Herbert Bissell Driving without lights Paid costs 6/6d
March 14 th Kate Unwin Indecent Language 5s & costs
March 21 st Alfred Wooldridge Indecent Language 5s & costs
April 18 th Frederick Pass Drunk & Disorderly 5s & costs
May 16 th Thomas Fellows Horse straying Paid costs 4/6d
May 23 rd Thomas Morriss Riding bicycle on footpath 10/- & costs
June 6 th Tydal Parsons Drunk & disorderly 5s & costs
June 13 th Ernest Dunn Drunk on highway 2/6d & costs
June 19 th William Bate Drunk on highway 10/- & costs
July 4 th Kate Unwin Indecent Language 5s & costs
July 4 th Roseannah Smith Indecent Language 2/6d & costs
July 4 th William Hill Wilful damage Paid costs 4/-
July 4 th Thomas Hill Wilful damage Paid costs 4/-
July 11 th William Yates Drunk & disorderly 5s & costs
July 25 th Albert Fowkes Drunk & disorderly 2/6 & costs
Charles Winkett Indecent Language 5s & costs
Joseph Taylor Wilful damage Paid costs 5/-
Pharoah Knowles Wilful damage Paid costs 6/-
Frederick Turner Wilful damage Paid costs 5/-
William Chance Wilful damage Paid costs 5/-
William Taylor Wilful damage Paid costs 7/6d
John N Chance Wilful damage Paid costs 5/-
Eli Wakeman Wilful damage Paid costs 5/-
August 1 st Moses Knowles Gambling 5s & costs
John Brettell Gambling 2/6d & costs
William Kendrick Gambling 2/6d & costs
James Aston Gambling 2/6d & costs
August 8 th Joseph Dillard Drunk & disorderly 5s & costs
August 15 th Minnie Taylor Coal stealing Paid costs 5s
August 22 nd John Shilton Indecent Language 10s & costs
Andrew Priest Gambling 5s & costs
Frederick Garton Gambling 2/6d & costs
Arthur Potter Gambling 2/6d & costs
John Williams Gambling 2/6d & costs
August 29 th Joseph Allen Wilful Damage 7/6d & costs
Mary Ann Chaloner Coal stealing Paid costs 7/6d
October17 th Phoebe Heath Coal stealing 10/6d including costs
Hannah Homer Coal stealing 10/6d including costs
October 31 st Thomas Davies Drunk & disorderly 5s & costs
Nov. 1 st William Smith Breach of the peace Paid costs 9/6d
Felix Dunn Breach of the peace Paid costs 9/6d
Nov. 14 th Emmanuel Taylor Indecent Language 5s & costs
Nov. 28 th David Kirton Drunk & disorderly 7/6d & costs
Benjamin Tromans Drunk & disorderly 5s & costs
Dec. 5 th Thomas Perry Drunk on Highway 5s & costs
Dec. 19 th Daniel Round Drunk & disorderly £1.0.0 & costs
1903
January 2 nd William Stokes Drunk on highway 2/6d & costs
Heber Edmunds Breach of the peace Paid costs 9/6d
Samuel Woodhouse Breach of the peace Paid costs 9/6d
January 9 th William Newey Drunk & disorderly 5s & costs
Ellen Round Indecent Language 5s & costs
January 23 rd Mary Knowles Coal stealing 10/- including costs
February 13 th Phoebe Ann Robins Coal stealing 5/- & costs
Timothy Shaw Drunk on highway 5/- & costs
February 27 th John Henry Smith Stealing post 40s including costs
March 20 th Benjamin Barker Drunk on Licenced Premises 10s & costs
“ “ Wilful damage 2 months & £
March 27 th Frederick Evans Gambling 5s & costs
Frank Pearson Gambling 10s & costs
April 17 th Samuel Southall Indecent Language 10s & costs
Walter Cole Gambling 7/6d & costs
George Bullock Gambling 7/6d & costs
Ernest Powell Gambling 5s & costs
William Tromans Gambling 5s & costs
George Green Gambling 5s & costs
William Stevens Gambling 7/6d & costs
Reuben Brettell Gambling 7/6d & costs
May 8 th John Bloomer Drunk & disorderly 2/6d & costs
The last entry in the journal is Thursday 14 th May 1903.
Entry on back page November 10 th 1902 Posted 12 Bills respecting swine fever infected area. Between August 10th 1900 and May 14th 1903 PC George Dyson PC317 brought forward 170 cases.
Of those 16 were ladies, 11 charged with coal stealing, 4 with indecent language and 1 drunk on the highway.
There were 54 cases of Gambling
31 cases drunk & disorderly
28 cases indecent language
16 cases of coal stealing mainly women
11 cases wilful damage
10 cases drunk on highway
6 Breach of the peace
2 Driving without lights
2 shooting with catapult
2 Riding bicycle on footpath
1 drunk on licenced premises and assault on Police officer
1 drunk on licenced premises
1 Drunk in charge
1 Driving without a light
1 Riding a bicycle without a light
1 Horse straying
1 stealing post
Nearly all of the cases resulted in a fine some with costs and some including costs, only one resulted in prison, that of Benjamin Barker who on 20th March 1903 was given a two month prison sentence for Wilful damage and was fined 10/- and costs for being drunk on licenced premises.
The largest fine of 40 shillings including costs was given to John Henry Smith for the crime of stealing post on 27th February 1903. The smallest of 6d and costs was given to Sydney Taylor on January 4 th 1901 for Wilful damage.
As PC 317 George Dyson’s patrols took him to Wassell Grove, Hagley, Wollescote and Lye not all the miscreants were from Cradley, they were all tried at Stourbridge Petty Sessions on Fridays. PC Dyson also had to travel to Stourbridge to collect his pay. Saturday mornings were spent cleaning the Station. He was also responsible for posting bills and serving summonses while on patrol.
On Tuesday 9 th October and Wednesday 10 th October 1901 he was on special duty at Stourbridge Town Hall.
