Special Chief Inspector John James Keight West Midlands Police
The Man John James Keight was born on Wednesday 18th December 1907, in the district of Solihull. Seemingly the only son of John Thomas, a Plugger in the Gas Fitting Industry and Minnie nee James. He was Baptised on 10th January 1908 in the Parish of Aston, Birmingham, the family living at 9 Frederick Road, Erdington.
Following his education John became a Maintenance Engineer, possibly at the same company as his father and by 1935 aged 18 was living at 44 Palace Road, Small Heath with his parents.
During the second quarter of 1936, John married Ethel May Baddeley and by 1939 they were living at 47 Valley Road, Solihull and his parents John and Minnie at number 31.
It is likely John’s job was a reserved Occupation as on 19th September 1939, just over two weeks after the start of World War II he joined the Birmingham City Police Special Constabulary as a Constable on the E Division, Hay Mills. His collar number was 59 and he served throughout the war being awarded the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal on 23rd March 1943 and the Defence Medal in March 1949.
John remained in the Specials, being promoted to Special Sergeant, Inspector and Chief Inspector and awarded the first clasp to his Long Service in Medal in 1949, followed by two more in 1956 and 1966. On 21st June 1958 Ethel passed away.
John continued service and in 1974 Birmingham City Police became a part of the newly formed West Midlands Police and in 1976 he was awarded the fourth clasp to his long service medal, as a Sub Commander at Sheldon, this representing over 35 years’ service in the Special Constabulary.
John retired from work as a Production Manager and Special Constabulary in about 1977 aged 60 and continued living at 47 Valley Road, where on 8th December 1982 he died aged 74.
Following his education John became a Maintenance Engineer, possibly at the same company as his father and by 1935 aged 18 was living at 44 Palace Road, Small Heath with his parents.
During the second quarter of 1936, John married Ethel May Baddeley and by 1939 they were living at 47 Valley Road, Solihull and his parents John and Minnie at number 31.
It is likely John’s job was a reserved Occupation as on 19th September 1939, just over two weeks after the start of World War II he joined the Birmingham City Police Special Constabulary as a Constable on the E Division, Hay Mills. His collar number was 59 and he served throughout the war being awarded the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal on 23rd March 1943 and the Defence Medal in March 1949.
John remained in the Specials, being promoted to Special Sergeant, Inspector and Chief Inspector and awarded the first clasp to his Long Service in Medal in 1949, followed by two more in 1956 and 1966. On 21st June 1958 Ethel passed away.
John continued service and in 1974 Birmingham City Police became a part of the newly formed West Midlands Police and in 1976 he was awarded the fourth clasp to his long service medal, as a Sub Commander at Sheldon, this representing over 35 years’ service in the Special Constabulary.
John retired from work as a Production Manager and Special Constabulary in about 1977 aged 60 and continued living at 47 Valley Road, where on 8th December 1982 he died aged 74.
The Story The medal pair awarded to John James Keight, were acquired from E-Bay on 27th January 2022 and of interest because of the scarce four bar Special Constabulary Medal dating from 1939 until 1976, a total of around 36 years. Plus, the fact Keight had been a Special Chief Inspector and serving in West Midlands Police.
Ancestry.UK, including John’s Special Constabulary joining records, enabled his brief biography to be completed.
This is only the second four clasp Special Constabulary Medal in this collection (the other being Harold Edward Pryor) and it is good to have the dates confirmed on his police joining record and the typed slip for the 1976 clasp.
Ancestry.UK, including John’s Special Constabulary joining records, enabled his brief biography to be completed.
This is only the second four clasp Special Constabulary Medal in this collection (the other being Harold Edward Pryor) and it is good to have the dates confirmed on his police joining record and the typed slip for the 1976 clasp.
9 Frederick Road, Erdington, Birmingham. Now demolished. Numbers run sequentially. No 10 with caravan.
44 Palace Road, Bordesley Green, Birmingham. Now demolished. No 42 on left, No 46 on right.
47 Valley Road, Solihull. (23rd April 2022)
Medal Details:
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Special Constabulary Long Service Medal: JOHN JAMES KEIGHT
Return to: The Collection
Go to Previous Page: Albert Edward KEATES
Go to next Page: Charles Victor KEMPSTER
Go to Previous Page: Albert Edward KEATES
Go to next Page: Charles Victor KEMPSTER
This page last updated 24 Apr 22
125