The Woodward Tale Part 1
Chief Inspector Edwin Thomas Woodward Royal Leamington Spa Borough and Warwickshire Police
The Man Edwin Thomas Woodward was born on Thursday 19th February 1903, son of Edwin James, Park Keeper to the Leamington Corporation and Clara Ann nee Smith. They were living at Victoria Park Lodge, Avenue Road, Leamington Spa and he was baptised in Kenilworth on 12th April.
Edwin was one of nine children, Evelyn Gertrude (1897-1992), Muriel Florence (1899-1982), Hilda Beatrice (1901-1990), Marjorie Winifred (1907–1996), Phyllis Marjorie (1910 – 1997), Gwendoline Doris (1911-1939), Arthur Cecil (1913–1915) Sidney Cyril (10th October 1917–1983). The family were still living in Avenue Road at the time of the 1911 census.
In 1927 aged 24, Edwin was appointed at a Police Constable in the Royal Leamington Spa Borough Police by the Watch Committee of the Borough Council. His appointment appearing in the Leamington Courier and Warwickshire Standard of 13th May 1927.
During the third quarter of 1932 Edwin married Amy Harrod in Leamington and they had one son, Edwin Geoffrey born on 19th September 1934. He served as a PC for the next nine years and in 1936 was appointed by the Watch Committee as a Detective Constable, with a plain clothes allowance, this appearing in the Courier of 16th October 1936.
The 1939 Register shows Edwin, Amy and Edwin George, living at 15 Victoria Street, Royal Leamington Spa whilst his parents were at no 7, all just around the corner from the Victoria Park.
Edwin was publicly commended on a number of occasions for his efficiency in the police and on 8th September 1939 after 12 years in the force was promoted to Detective Sergeant in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Edwin served throughout the war in the police and had been promoted to Detective Inspector by 1941 and following the war awarded his Defence Medal.
Edwin was one of nine children, Evelyn Gertrude (1897-1992), Muriel Florence (1899-1982), Hilda Beatrice (1901-1990), Marjorie Winifred (1907–1996), Phyllis Marjorie (1910 – 1997), Gwendoline Doris (1911-1939), Arthur Cecil (1913–1915) Sidney Cyril (10th October 1917–1983). The family were still living in Avenue Road at the time of the 1911 census.
In 1927 aged 24, Edwin was appointed at a Police Constable in the Royal Leamington Spa Borough Police by the Watch Committee of the Borough Council. His appointment appearing in the Leamington Courier and Warwickshire Standard of 13th May 1927.
During the third quarter of 1932 Edwin married Amy Harrod in Leamington and they had one son, Edwin Geoffrey born on 19th September 1934. He served as a PC for the next nine years and in 1936 was appointed by the Watch Committee as a Detective Constable, with a plain clothes allowance, this appearing in the Courier of 16th October 1936.
The 1939 Register shows Edwin, Amy and Edwin George, living at 15 Victoria Street, Royal Leamington Spa whilst his parents were at no 7, all just around the corner from the Victoria Park.
Edwin was publicly commended on a number of occasions for his efficiency in the police and on 8th September 1939 after 12 years in the force was promoted to Detective Sergeant in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Edwin served throughout the war in the police and had been promoted to Detective Inspector by 1941 and following the war awarded his Defence Medal.
Leamington Borough Police continued as a separate body until 1946 when it was amalgamated into Warwickshire Constabulary. The police station was based at the old Town Hall, High Street, which became a station in about 1882. The building is still in use today (2023) as the Polish Centre.
Edwin remained in Leamington until 1950 when he was promoted to Chief Inspector, returned to uniform and posted to Rugby, where he was awarded his Police Long Service Medal in 1951, it having been instituted the same year by HM George VI. He became known as an outstanding prosecutor for Warwickshire Police in the Magistrate Courts and he retired from the Police in 1963 aged 60.
Edwin and now lived at 4 Sheperd Street, Marton, Rugby, where they remained here after his retirement. Sadly, Edwin only lived another six years, as on Saturday 12th April 1969 he was driving on the Oxford Road near Southam when his car suddenly veered into another and he failed to stop, the other driver was unhurt. Edwin’s car was later found on the offside of the road between Southam and Long Itchington a mile from the scene of the accident.
Edwin was unconscious at the wheel and pronounced dead on arrival at Warwick Hospital. His body was taken to Leamington Mortuary for a postmortem examination although no inquest was held it was reported he had died of natural causes. His funeral was held on Friday 18th April 1969 at 1400h at Marton Parish Church followed by a private service at Canley Crematorium, Coventry. He left £6511.00 (£90,500 approximately in 2023).
Amy moved back to Leamington and lived at Flat 2, Pembroke Court, Lillington Avenue. She lived a further eight years and passed away on 4th July 1977 aged 72.
Edwin remained in Leamington until 1950 when he was promoted to Chief Inspector, returned to uniform and posted to Rugby, where he was awarded his Police Long Service Medal in 1951, it having been instituted the same year by HM George VI. He became known as an outstanding prosecutor for Warwickshire Police in the Magistrate Courts and he retired from the Police in 1963 aged 60.
Edwin and now lived at 4 Sheperd Street, Marton, Rugby, where they remained here after his retirement. Sadly, Edwin only lived another six years, as on Saturday 12th April 1969 he was driving on the Oxford Road near Southam when his car suddenly veered into another and he failed to stop, the other driver was unhurt. Edwin’s car was later found on the offside of the road between Southam and Long Itchington a mile from the scene of the accident.
Edwin was unconscious at the wheel and pronounced dead on arrival at Warwick Hospital. His body was taken to Leamington Mortuary for a postmortem examination although no inquest was held it was reported he had died of natural causes. His funeral was held on Friday 18th April 1969 at 1400h at Marton Parish Church followed by a private service at Canley Crematorium, Coventry. He left £6511.00 (£90,500 approximately in 2023).
Amy moved back to Leamington and lived at Flat 2, Pembroke Court, Lillington Avenue. She lived a further eight years and passed away on 4th July 1977 aged 72.
The Story The medals awarded to Edwin Thomas Woodward and his son Edwin Geoffrey, were acquired from E-Bay on 21st November 2023. They were of interest because Edwin Thomas had lived in Leamington Spa and served in the Royal Leamington Spa Borough Police.
Before their acquisition enquiries were made with Terry Gardener of the Leamington History Group and he provided some information on Edwin’s police career, together with the fact that Edwin appeared on the same photograph of the Leamington Borough Police taken in 1941, as two other officers in this collection, Gilbert Hopkins Forest and James A Green.
Once the medals were acquired, Ancestry.UK, Terry’s details and the National Newspaper Archive revealed sufficient information to enable a good biography to be completed, although Edwin’s demise was under rather tragic circumstances.
Edwin Geoffrey’s medal came with an obituary and explanation that he had been an Emeritus Profeesor (sic) at Moorfield Eye Hospital. This, on researching Geoff was an understatement, he had a number of obituaries available online with two good quality photographs, which together with Ancestry.UK allowed another detailed biography of the man to be put together.
An interesting set of medals that were awarded to two men who served their country in very different ways.
Before their acquisition enquiries were made with Terry Gardener of the Leamington History Group and he provided some information on Edwin’s police career, together with the fact that Edwin appeared on the same photograph of the Leamington Borough Police taken in 1941, as two other officers in this collection, Gilbert Hopkins Forest and James A Green.
Once the medals were acquired, Ancestry.UK, Terry’s details and the National Newspaper Archive revealed sufficient information to enable a good biography to be completed, although Edwin’s demise was under rather tragic circumstances.
Edwin Geoffrey’s medal came with an obituary and explanation that he had been an Emeritus Profeesor (sic) at Moorfield Eye Hospital. This, on researching Geoff was an understatement, he had a number of obituaries available online with two good quality photographs, which together with Ancestry.UK allowed another detailed biography of the man to be put together.
An interesting set of medals that were awarded to two men who served their country in very different ways.
Also in the picture are Edwin Thomas Woodward (front row fifth from right) and Gilbert Hopkins Forest (third row third from left) both of whose medals are in in this collection
Royal Leamington Spa Borough Police Helmet Plate and collar dog. (Hopkins archive)
Click here to read about the Royal Leamington Spa Borough Police
Medal Details
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Police Long Service and Good conduct Medal: CH.INSPR. EDWIN.T.WOODWARD
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Page last updated 28 Dec 23
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