Where and when was this photo taken?

[chrish53]

chrish,
There's actually a Staple(s) involved in the story behind the original photograph: Jane STAPLE who married James Cox GALE in 1850.

That said, virtually very other family around these parts (Beaminster, Stoke Abbott, Netherbury, Broadwindsor) was once a Staple(s)!!

Which strand is yours?

Staple(s) of Stoke Abbot. The only Jane Staple I know of was 1783 - 1851. But, as you say about Dorset, that is not to say that were not distantly related!
As an after thought I will search James cox Gale just for fun and the result is.........................no result. But there is an Elizabeth Gale 1808 - 91 born in Beaminster! Who, as Elizabeth Watkins, was claimed to be the last living eye witness of Waterloo. Assuming my facts are correct. Her first husband was William Crabb.

[B.E.]

JC Gale was a b*gg*r to trace!

b.Uploders 1817 (Loders OPC) to John & Diana (nee Lilly). Don't know what happened to Mum, but Dad remarried to Sarah (nee Bugler) in 1838.

1841 census: Higher Buckham, Beaminster. He's plain ol' James Gale (20). HO 107/280 F7P7
1850: m.Jane Staple, but transcribed as John Cox Gale (Beaminster OPC)
1861 census: East Street, Beaminster.  He's now James C Gale (44). RG9/1365 P29

I did some work recently on George STAPLES b.1806 Stoke Abbott. He proved a challenge too!

[chrish53]

JC Gale was a b*gg*r to trace!

b.Uploders 1817 (Loders OPC) to John & Diana (nee Lilly). Don't know what happened to Mum, but Dad remarried to Sarah (nee Bugler) in 1838.

1841 census: Higher Buckham, Beaminster. He's plain ol' James Gale (20). HO 107/280 F7P7
1850: m.Jane Staple, but transcribed as John Cox Gale (Beaminster OPC)
1861 census: East Street, Beaminster.  He's now James C Gale (44). RG9/1365 P29

I did some work recently on George STAPLES b.1806 Stoke Abbott. He proved a challenge too!

I have a 2 George Staple/s. 1862-1947, my g-grandfather and enigmatic singular George Staple 1806 - ? of Stoke Abbot/Abbas. I have not done much on him I freely admit, I think he is on one of the offshoot twigs. Will have to look closer at him.
Chris
PS This thread has gone a bit off the original track, hasn't it?

[B.E.]

Indeed it has. And I still don't know where the original photo was taken!

[Redroger]

Have you contacted the Police History Society yet?

[B.E.]

I have now! I'll report back.

[joboy]

Here's a page or two regarding police helmets;
http://www.trooperhats.co.uk/index.html

[babs2]

Hello BE et al.
as the owner of the mystery photo
(and descendant of Beaminster Gales and Staples !)
can I just say thanks for all the interest so far
amazing !

By the way I have sent an email to the Dorset Publishing Company
in the hope of contacting Maurice and Melvin Hann authors of
'Policing Victorian Dorset’  and  ‘Bobbies on the Beat’  in the hope that they
as historians of Dorset Police might have an idea of where the police station in question is.
will let you  know how that goes

Thanks again
Babs

[chrish53]

Hi Babs,
are you related to the Staples that B.E. and I were woffling about earlier?
Chris.