Special Chief Inspector Frank Lambert Wilson Merseyside Constabulary
The Man Frank Lambert Wilson was born on Wednesday 12th February 1919 at 15 Henshaw Street, Stretford, Lancashire, son of Joseph Lambert Wilson, a Bricklayer Foreman and Olive nee Cooper. He was the youngest of six children, Edith born in 1903, Joseph Lambert 1905, Helen 1906, John Lambert 1908 and Florence 1910.
During the third quarter of 1921 aged just 42, Frank’s Mother died and in the 1939 Census, Frank now aged 19, is shown as living at the same address in Henshaw Street with his Father, who was still supervising the laying of bricks, Helen and Florence, both Shorthand Typists, Frank was listed as an Undergraduate Student.
Following the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939, Frank enlisted into the Armed Forces and married Joyce Mary Toyn in Manchester during the third quarter of 1942. They had two children Paul Ernest Lambert Wilson born in 1944 and Donald Andrew Wilson 1948.
Donald saw service in North West Europe following the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6th June 1944 and for his service was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45.
In about 1951 Frank became a Special Constable in the City of Liverpool Police, which in 1967 became the Liverpool and Bootle Constabulary and on 1st April 1974 Merseyside Constabulary. He rose through the SC ranks to Special Chief Inspector responsible for 'G' Division. He was awarded the Special Constabulary Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1960 and the first clasp in 1970.
Frank was awarded the Jubilee Medal 1977 during Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee year and possibly on his retirement aged 58. He was one of only 10 Special Constables to receive the award in Merseyside Police.
In later life Frank and Joyce lived at 24 Warwick Drive, Wallasey, Cheshire. Joyce passed away in 1996 aged 75 and Frank, aged 79 on 13th September 1998.
During the third quarter of 1921 aged just 42, Frank’s Mother died and in the 1939 Census, Frank now aged 19, is shown as living at the same address in Henshaw Street with his Father, who was still supervising the laying of bricks, Helen and Florence, both Shorthand Typists, Frank was listed as an Undergraduate Student.
Following the start of World War II on 3rd September 1939, Frank enlisted into the Armed Forces and married Joyce Mary Toyn in Manchester during the third quarter of 1942. They had two children Paul Ernest Lambert Wilson born in 1944 and Donald Andrew Wilson 1948.
Donald saw service in North West Europe following the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6th June 1944 and for his service was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45.
In about 1951 Frank became a Special Constable in the City of Liverpool Police, which in 1967 became the Liverpool and Bootle Constabulary and on 1st April 1974 Merseyside Constabulary. He rose through the SC ranks to Special Chief Inspector responsible for 'G' Division. He was awarded the Special Constabulary Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1960 and the first clasp in 1970.
Frank was awarded the Jubilee Medal 1977 during Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee year and possibly on his retirement aged 58. He was one of only 10 Special Constables to receive the award in Merseyside Police.
In later life Frank and Joyce lived at 24 Warwick Drive, Wallasey, Cheshire. Joyce passed away in 1996 aged 75 and Frank, aged 79 on 13th September 1998.
The Story The group of medals awarded to Frank Lambert Wilson were acquired from Norman W Collett’s web site in early January 2021. They were of immediate interest because of the Silver Jubilee 1977 and Special Constabulary Long Service Medal combination.
It was also later realised that Frank, who was one of only 10 Special Constables serving in Merseyside Police to have been awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, had served in the force alongside another recipient of the same Medal, John Henry Lloyd whose medals are also in this collection. John Lloyd had been the Special Chief Inspector responsible for ‘B’ Division and Frank ‘G’ Division, so most likely they would have known and worked alongside each other from time to time.
The usual Ancestry.UK trawl allowed a brief biography to be pieced together and interestingly although Frank is shown as being born in 1919, his birth is not registered until 1922!
A pleasing combination of medals and a great acquisition to now have 2 out of the 10 groups with the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 awarded to Merseyside Specials.
It was also later realised that Frank, who was one of only 10 Special Constables serving in Merseyside Police to have been awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, had served in the force alongside another recipient of the same Medal, John Henry Lloyd whose medals are also in this collection. John Lloyd had been the Special Chief Inspector responsible for ‘B’ Division and Frank ‘G’ Division, so most likely they would have known and worked alongside each other from time to time.
The usual Ancestry.UK trawl allowed a brief biography to be pieced together and interestingly although Frank is shown as being born in 1919, his birth is not registered until 1922!
A pleasing combination of medals and a great acquisition to now have 2 out of the 10 groups with the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 awarded to Merseyside Specials.
FOOTNOTE:
In 1977, before such medals were given to all serving officers, the following members of the Merseyside Special Constabulary were honoured with the award of the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977.
In addition to Frank Lambert Wilson, the medal group to Special Inspector John Henry Lloyd were also acquired in early 2020.
Commandant P.J.Meakin
S/Insp G.H.Bellis “F”
S/Chief Insp. L.W.Depport “A”
S/Chief Insp Farrell “E”
S/Insp K. Ferrington “A”
S/Sgt 224 “F” W.H.Humphrey’s
S/Chief Insp J.H.Lloyd “B”
S/Con 424 “L” D. Morrison
S/Sgt 430”L” E. Unsworth
S/Chief Insp F.L.Wilson “G”
In 1977, before such medals were given to all serving officers, the following members of the Merseyside Special Constabulary were honoured with the award of the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977.
In addition to Frank Lambert Wilson, the medal group to Special Inspector John Henry Lloyd were also acquired in early 2020.
Commandant P.J.Meakin
S/Insp G.H.Bellis “F”
S/Chief Insp. L.W.Depport “A”
S/Chief Insp Farrell “E”
S/Insp K. Ferrington “A”
S/Sgt 224 “F” W.H.Humphrey’s
S/Chief Insp J.H.Lloyd “B”
S/Con 424 “L” D. Morrison
S/Sgt 430”L” E. Unsworth
S/Chief Insp F.L.Wilson “G”
Medal Details
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- France and Germany Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Silver Jubilee Medal 1977: Unnamed as awarded.
- Special Constabulary Long Service Medal: FRANK L.WILSON
This page last updated 17 Jan 21