Special Constable Robert Charles Daines Special Constabulary
Special Constabulary Long Service Medal
The Man Robert Charles Daines was born on Tuesday 9th September 1924 in Lothingland. Son of Robert James a Fisherman and Rose Mary Ann Gisbourne nee Oldman a widow. He was one of five children, Frank Vivien Gisbourne (1909-1998) half brother from Rose’s first marriage, Daphne Marian Rose (5th April 1920-1991), Hedley Emmanuel (31st March 1917-1991) and Ronald James Victor (1914-1979). His religion Was Church of England.
Sadly Robert’s mother Rose died in 1925 aged just 43 when Robert was barely a year old and his father Robert senior in 1938 aged 53.
The 1939 Register shows Robert, aged 15, living with his Maternal Grandmother Ruth Oldham, together with Rosetta Mary Daines nee Pickess and Jean Rose Daines (wife and daughter of his brother Ronald respectively, Ronald likely having been called up for service in World War II) at Council Offices, Bridge Road, Lowestoft. His sister Daphne was living with her Paternal Grandfather, also Robert and his daughter, Daphne’s aunt, Kathleen Thrower Daines at 1 Mousers Road, Lowestoft.
Robert although only 15 is shown on the register as a ‘Shipbreaker – heavy work’. At the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939 he was still only 15 and turned 18 in 1942. He appears not have been called up, possibly as his line of work had changed to something that was a reserved occupation. He did however join the Special Constabulary in about 1944, serving for the rest of the war and continuing for a number of years afterwards.
During the second quarter of 1946 he married Mona Doreen Cable in Lothingland, Suffolk and they had two children Diane W J born in 1947 and Trevor V 1949. In about 1952 Robert was awarded his Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, the last year of WWII having counted treble.
Robert and Mona lived at 3 Lilac Drive, Lowestoft and he sadly passed away on 11th December 1972 aged just 48, mid-way between both his parents age at their death. He was cremated at Great Yarmouth Crematorium and his ashes buried.
Sadly Robert’s mother Rose died in 1925 aged just 43 when Robert was barely a year old and his father Robert senior in 1938 aged 53.
The 1939 Register shows Robert, aged 15, living with his Maternal Grandmother Ruth Oldham, together with Rosetta Mary Daines nee Pickess and Jean Rose Daines (wife and daughter of his brother Ronald respectively, Ronald likely having been called up for service in World War II) at Council Offices, Bridge Road, Lowestoft. His sister Daphne was living with her Paternal Grandfather, also Robert and his daughter, Daphne’s aunt, Kathleen Thrower Daines at 1 Mousers Road, Lowestoft.
Robert although only 15 is shown on the register as a ‘Shipbreaker – heavy work’. At the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939 he was still only 15 and turned 18 in 1942. He appears not have been called up, possibly as his line of work had changed to something that was a reserved occupation. He did however join the Special Constabulary in about 1944, serving for the rest of the war and continuing for a number of years afterwards.
During the second quarter of 1946 he married Mona Doreen Cable in Lothingland, Suffolk and they had two children Diane W J born in 1947 and Trevor V 1949. In about 1952 Robert was awarded his Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, the last year of WWII having counted treble.
Robert and Mona lived at 3 Lilac Drive, Lowestoft and he sadly passed away on 11th December 1972 aged just 48, mid-way between both his parents age at their death. He was cremated at Great Yarmouth Crematorium and his ashes buried.
Naming on Robert's SCLSM
The Story The single Special Constabulary Long Service Medal was acquired from -Bay on 29th July 2025. It was of interest as it is one of the scarce Elizabeth II BRITT OMN (All of the Britons) version only awarded between 1952 and 53 and not often seen for sale, the recipient’s name also seeming unusual.
As the BR OMN type was only awarded between 1952 and 1953, it was assumed the recipient Robert Daines would have been 18 when he joined the Specials. So, 1953 less 9 years with the final year of WWII counting treble service would be about 1944. 18 years off 1944 = 1926.
The name Robert C Daines with a year of birth of 1926 was entered into Ancestry resulting in only one direct hit with a birth of 1924. His register of marriage however, shows his surname as Davies. This enabled a brief but interesting biography to be pieced together and the passing of a man at such an early age.
As the BR OMN type was only awarded between 1952 and 1953, it was assumed the recipient Robert Daines would have been 18 when he joined the Specials. So, 1953 less 9 years with the final year of WWII counting treble service would be about 1944. 18 years off 1944 = 1926.
The name Robert C Daines with a year of birth of 1926 was entered into Ancestry resulting in only one direct hit with a birth of 1924. His register of marriage however, shows his surname as Davies. This enabled a brief but interesting biography to be pieced together and the passing of a man at such an early age.
Medal Details:
- Special Constabulary Long Service: ROBERT C.DAINES
This page last updated 23 Oct 25
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