Inspector James Alfred Green Royal Leamington Spa Borough Police
James Alfred Green
The Man James Alfred Green (Jimmy) was born on Saturday 6th July 1901 at 5 Sydney Street, Bootham, in York, son of Henry Charles a Railway Points Shunter and Emily nee Simpson. He was one of seven children, Alice born in 1898, Reginald John 30th July 1903 - 1927, Olive 11th July 1907, Arnold 11th November 1910 and two unknown siblings who died very young.
Emma’s parents lived nearby at 14 Sydney Street and the 1911 census shows Jimmy and family living with them having moved to that address, 10 people in all. Henry is now working as a coal Merchant.
Jimmy was Baptised, aged 11, together with Reginald, Olive and Arnold in Gate Hemsley at a private Baptism on 8th February 1913 and admitted into the congregation the same day. Henry, now employed as an Under Gardener.
At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Jimmy was only 13 but a year later on 12th July 1915 aged 14 enlisted as a Boy Entrant into the 17/21st Lancers as a Bandsman. He was too young to see active service overseas and remained in the UK for the duration of the war. Upon reaching 18 he continued service with the army until 20th July 1927 when he was aged 26.
Jimmy moved south to Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire as on 28th September the same year he joined the Leamington Borough Police as a Constable, collar number 26. He was described as having blue eyes and brown hair. He was sworn in by the Mayor, Alderman Alfred Holt (Mayor 1907-10 and 1925-29) in his position as Chairman of the Watch Committee and this reported in the Leamington Courier on 14th October 1927. Jimmy’s appointment was approved a year later and again reported in the press on 12th October 1928.
Emma’s parents lived nearby at 14 Sydney Street and the 1911 census shows Jimmy and family living with them having moved to that address, 10 people in all. Henry is now working as a coal Merchant.
Jimmy was Baptised, aged 11, together with Reginald, Olive and Arnold in Gate Hemsley at a private Baptism on 8th February 1913 and admitted into the congregation the same day. Henry, now employed as an Under Gardener.
At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Jimmy was only 13 but a year later on 12th July 1915 aged 14 enlisted as a Boy Entrant into the 17/21st Lancers as a Bandsman. He was too young to see active service overseas and remained in the UK for the duration of the war. Upon reaching 18 he continued service with the army until 20th July 1927 when he was aged 26.
Jimmy moved south to Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire as on 28th September the same year he joined the Leamington Borough Police as a Constable, collar number 26. He was described as having blue eyes and brown hair. He was sworn in by the Mayor, Alderman Alfred Holt (Mayor 1907-10 and 1925-29) in his position as Chairman of the Watch Committee and this reported in the Leamington Courier on 14th October 1927. Jimmy’s appointment was approved a year later and again reported in the press on 12th October 1928.
Defence Medal. Police Exemplary Service Medal.
On 2nd December 1932 Jimmy received a Commendation from the Watch Committee for entering a gas filled cellar at 51 Clarendon Street, Leamington, where James Henry Tunnicliff, aged 86 had perished following a gas leak. The coroner’s inquest was reported in the Courier of 18th November. The coroner said of PCs Green and Powell – “These officers literally took their lives in their own hands, the cellar is extensive and only about 3’ high, so that they had to crouch”.
On Saturday 18th January 1936, now aged 35, Jimmy married Winifred Lucy Parrott at All Saints Parish Church in Rugby, where Winifred lived. They lived in Leamington Spa at 91 Kinross Road and had two sons John Reginald born in 1936 and Alan James 1943.
In April 1939 Jimmy passed his exam for promotion to the rank of Sergeant and the 1939 Register shows him as a Police Constable, living at Kinross Road with John and Winifred’s father Walter Parrott.
Jimmy served throughout World War II in Leamington Borough Police and was awarded the Defence Medal at the end of the war. He was appointed to the Criminal Investigation Department as Detective Sergeant and worked closely with his Detective Inspector Edwin Woodward.
Leamington Borough Police continued as a separate body until 31st March 1947, 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.
Jimmy was awarded his Police Exemplary Service Medal some time after 1953 and later promoted to Inspector, retiring from Warwickshire Police on 16th December 1959 aged 59 after 34 years’ service. Following retirement became a driving instructor in Leamington Spa.
Jimmy appears to have suffered ill health in later life and possibly had a stroke, he passed away on 15th February 1985 aged 83 as a patient at Heathcote Hospital where he had been for for some time. His home address still given as 91 Kinross Road.
Winifred lived a further 19 years passing away aged 89 on 11th March 2004.
On Saturday 18th January 1936, now aged 35, Jimmy married Winifred Lucy Parrott at All Saints Parish Church in Rugby, where Winifred lived. They lived in Leamington Spa at 91 Kinross Road and had two sons John Reginald born in 1936 and Alan James 1943.
In April 1939 Jimmy passed his exam for promotion to the rank of Sergeant and the 1939 Register shows him as a Police Constable, living at Kinross Road with John and Winifred’s father Walter Parrott.
Jimmy served throughout World War II in Leamington Borough Police and was awarded the Defence Medal at the end of the war. He was appointed to the Criminal Investigation Department as Detective Sergeant and worked closely with his Detective Inspector Edwin Woodward.
Leamington Borough Police continued as a separate body until 31st March 1947, 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.
Jimmy was awarded his Police Exemplary Service Medal some time after 1953 and later promoted to Inspector, retiring from Warwickshire Police on 16th December 1959 aged 59 after 34 years’ service. Following retirement became a driving instructor in Leamington Spa.
Jimmy appears to have suffered ill health in later life and possibly had a stroke, he passed away on 15th February 1985 aged 83 as a patient at Heathcote Hospital where he had been for for some time. His home address still given as 91 Kinross Road.
Winifred lived a further 19 years passing away aged 89 on 11th March 2004.
The Story The medal pair awarded to James Alfred Green were acquired from E-Bay on 21st April 2024 following an offer made.
They were of immediate interest for two reasons, firstly James had served in the Royal Leamington Spa Borough Police and secondly, the medals awarded to his Detective Inspector, Edwin Woodward were already held in this collection. In a photograph held of the Leamington Borough Police in 1941, James is in fact sitting next to Edwin – a remarkable coincidence.
With the help of Terry Gardner, the local LBP historian, Ancestry, newspaper archives and wills, a biography was compiled enabling another Leamington man to be remembered.
They were of immediate interest for two reasons, firstly James had served in the Royal Leamington Spa Borough Police and secondly, the medals awarded to his Detective Inspector, Edwin Woodward were already held in this collection. In a photograph held of the Leamington Borough Police in 1941, James is in fact sitting next to Edwin – a remarkable coincidence.
With the help of Terry Gardner, the local LBP historian, Ancestry, newspaper archives and wills, a biography was compiled enabling another Leamington man to be remembered.
Leamington Borough Police 1941. Jimmy Green front row fourth from right.
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
Leamington Town Hall sandbagged during WWII
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The old Town Hall and Police Station, High Street Leamington Spa.
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91 Kinross Road, Leamington Spa. April 2024.
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Royal Leamington Spa Borough Police helmet plate, collar dog and tunic button.
Edwin Thomas Woodward and James Alfred Green.
Medal Details:
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Police Exemplary Service Medal: SERGT. JAMES A.GREEN
This page last updated 6 May 24
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