This section contains information and photographs relating to the British Transport Commission Police (later the British Transport Police) in Hartlepool. The BTP ceased policing the docks at Hartlepool when the Tees & Hartlepool Port Authority was formed. These docks had belonged to the L.N.E.R. until the nationalisation of the railways in 1948.

I was born on the 19^th of May, 1930, the youngest of five children, and lived at 10 Hunter Street, West Hartlepool. My parents were William Thomas and Eva Waterland – my mother’s maiden name being Duphie.

I started work with L.N.E.R. in 1944, in the carriage & wagon works, transferring to the signal cabins in 1946. Two years later, aged 18, I was called-up for National Service, completing my Basic Training at Elgin in Scotland, serving with the Royal Engineers – Army No.22069051.

I remember completing a Bomb Disposal Course at Alford, near Skegness in Lincolnshire. This was a four-week course, although being a Private meant I didn’t learn how to diffuse bombs, only how to dig them out!

I was demobbed in 1950 and returned to my job with the railways and in 1951 I transferred to the Transport Police, initially stationed with the Hartlepool Docks & Rail Unit.

I married Maureen (Shepherd), on February 7^th, 1953, at Stranton Parish Church – it was a very cold day with snow on the ground.

In 1962 I was transferred across to Middlesbrough, with four short spells in London, serving at various places including Waterloo Station and Stratford Lift; I also undertook some Royal Duties. I retired in 1985.

Workmen and women from Hartlepool