大象传媒

My late father worked in a reserved occupation making propeller blades at Dowty Rotol in Gloucestershire.

I remember two stories he told me about him being a special constable when not at work!

The one, when doing a night patrol he saw someone's bonfire burst into flames, so he put it out and gave a ticket for making a light in the Black Out. Trouble was it was and old lady, but she did break the law. My father had to go to court as witness, so he had the afternoon off. He made his report and the lady pleaded guilty, and she was fined 10 shillings 10/- (50p) a lot of money, he always felt guilty he told me.

As he could not get back to work in time, he stayed and watched the court proceedings. There was a similar case of a bonfire burning up and it was a local builder, he was found guilty, but the judge said:- You are normally a respectable member of society, I realise you did not let this happen on purpose, I shall give you a warning this time, don't do it again!

My father told me that was the last time he booked anyone, fining an old lady and letting off a much richer person, he thought the judge should have been booked!

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The other story was nearing D Day!

The was a lot of American solders and airmen in the county. He always made me laugh when he told me about the time some large concrete balls off a dignitaries house's front gateway were stolen and found quite some way away out side RAF Innsworth.

My father as the officer who investigated it, had permission for the commanding officer interview the airman who did it. Although my father was 5 foot 9 inches tall he was dwarfed by these airman who had omitted to it, he felt a little intimidated! After he had lectured them, they all said sorry and patted my father on the head, he did not book them as he knew they would be fighting over seas very soon and were just letting off steam!

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