Person:Robert Womack (28)

1837 - Birth certificate has the child as unnamed. With baptism of Robert following in August 1837, it would seem he is the same person. Civil registration was newly introduced in July 1837 and the birth was registered by his brother, Thomas.

1837 - Baptism: Parents Thomas & Mary Womack, Redgrave.

1841 - Living at Fenn St, Redgrave, Suffolk, with parents. Aged 3.

1856-1859 - Served with the Metropolitan Police for 2 years 4 months, warrant number 35564. (Met. Police Museum has no details on rank or division.)

1859, 10 August - Joined Essex County Constabulary on 10th August. Collar number 142. (Essex Police Museum)

1860-62 - Policeman, living in Prittlewell. (baptisms)

1869-1871 - Policeman at Southend, Essex. (baptisms)

1871 - Living in Southend. (census info from Essex Police Museum)

1873 - Awarded the Essex Police Merit Star and promoted to Merit Class Sergeant on 1 January. Awarded for outstanding conduct. This was for his part on arresting four men charged with night poaching. The chase covered 20-30 miles across ploughed fields and swamps and across creeeks and ditches, all in the worst possible conditions. The chase also involved travelling by train, when the officers were allowed to travel free of charge, a precedent which the magistrate hoped would be adopted more widely. The four poachers were committed to stand trial at the March Assizes. (Essex Police Museum)

1874 - Promoted to Sergeant by 23rd September. (Essex Police Museum)

1875, 1 December - Promoted to Inspector. (Essex Police Museum)

1878-84 - Inspector of Police, living in Thorpe le Soken. (Baptisms)

1881 - Living at Thorpe le Soken Police Station, Essex, with wife and seven children. Inspector of Essex Constabulary.

1887 - Promoted to Inspector on 1st December. Left the Essex Police (date not recorded but this is inconsistent with 1901 info). (Essex Police Museum)

1891 - Living at the Police House in High Street, Great Dunmow with wife, and three children. Superintendent of Police. Also at the Police House, in a separate household, was a police constable James Drew with his wife and two young children.

1901 - Police superintendent, living with wife and three sons at the Police Station in Epping. Two other policemen are living in separate households at the Police Station. Robert's name appears as "Robert H Womack".

1902 - Retired from Essex police on 30 June, with a pension. (Essex Police Musuem)

1918 - Probate: Robert Womack of Wayre Villa High Street Harlow Essex died 01-05-1918. Probate London 22-07-1918 to William Herbert Womack licensed Victualler. Effects £478-19-10d.