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Harold Taylor was in the police force from 1948 to 1956, until his unfair dismissal, which is covered in another of Harold's stories.
Just before the circumstances of my dismissal a set of events led me to consider transfer to another force. Because of my walking abilities, several of the Met. walkers had been encouraging me to transfer to that force.
Most of these people were Sergeants, having been key competitors in the past, and some were still better than I was. Among others who were encouraging me were Dep. Commander Batson, Supt. Bidgood (Thames Div.) and Insp. Sapwell, with whom I used to stay at Harold Hill, when competing on the Barking to Southend.
I therefore consulted PC Harris upon the prospects as he had transferred to West Sussex from the Mets. before I went to Worthing. I knew that the Mets. gave almost unlimited time for sports training.
It was also said that once one had passed ones promotion exams, you were guaranteed promotion within 6 months, or the pay of that rank and acting status (two stripes for a Sergeant or one pip for an Inspector). 'Bomber' Harris was sincere in his recommendation that I should transfer.
In his opinion I was wasting my time in West Sussex. I was uncertain whether I wanted to live in the Metropolis and continued to think. In the meantime some vacancies were advertised in the Colonial Forces.
I applied to one of these, but I forget now which one other than it was one that was within the area covered by South Africa, I think it was Basutoland. I suppose, that request had been made from the Crown Offices for my suitability.
In the meantime my clash with authority occurred, and they must have communicated this for I never heard any more.
In fact, I believe there were quite a few nasty tricks later, two of which were when I was in my next employment. During 1957, when I was on Sark Lighthouse I applied to the Prison Service.
I attended an interview at Portsmouth Prison with the Governor and senior wardens. I was accepted, and full discussion had taken place regarding my 'required to resign'.
Arrangements were made as far as to where I would lodge and what shift I would start for training etc., including using my previous skills as a plumber to take instruction classes.
Three days later I received a letter from Horseferry Road, the headquarters, stating that I was unsuitable.
During the interview I met one fellow I only knew by sight, who was an elder brother of a boy I went to school with, and brother of the fellow I learnt my scaffolding from. Although he did not know me, he knew the family well.
The second time the police must have interfered was about 1960, when I was recommended to join the Dockyard Police at Plymouth. I completed all the relevant papers including my reasons for leaving the police.
I was invited for interview at Plymouth, but only hours before I was due to leave for the appointment I received a cancellation and no further contact was made.
I did then apply to the Home Office for cause of this conduct, and received a letter confirming that there was no disbarment to me being accepted in any police force, but it was up to individual Chief Constables.
I subsequently applied to 6 other forces, but only had a reply from Birmingham stating that they could not offer me an interview. After the then Chief Constable of West Sussex retired I applied to see the new Chief Constable and had an interesting and helpful interview.
Due to my age now being 38, there were considerable difficulties in re-employing me as a constable, but alternatives were suggested, which due to unforeseen eventualities made it impossible for me to take a position when it occurred.
Harold Taylor, West Sussex, 2001
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