Silver Cross of St. George: Robert Brown

the community is something almost everyone used to do without even thinking about it. Sadly, those days have long gone and with the disappearance of localism and parochialism, we now live in a vastly different world to that of our forefathers. Once upon a time, men held a job for life but not any more because in our now global society, promotion seeking and job-hopping are the norm. How refreshing, therefore, to discover someone who has just bucked the trend in a most remarkable manner.

Janice Meekings from Marshgate near Boscastle in North Cornwall, was so inspired by the story of PC Bob Brown that she wrote in to recommend him for our Silver Cross. Once we read about Bob’s splendid career then we immediately supported her nomination.

Serving in any job for 47 years is unusual but when that career has been in the police force then it is nothing short of amazing. Robert Brown joined the Metropolitan Police as an 18-year-old cadet in 1968 when Harold Wilson was the Prime Minister. By the time he retired earlier this year, he had also seen off Edward Heath, James Callaghan, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Police officers can retire at 55 but few go beyond 60. Bob, however, completed a further five years and during his lengthy term of service with the Met, starting at Camden in North London, he was based at Harrow Road, Norbury, Addington, Sutton and finally Croydon where he stayed for 20 years.

Every policeman has stories to tell and Bob has more than most. Apart from being on duty at every Notting Hill Carnival, among other events he was involved in policing operations concerning Carlos the Jackal, the Bader-meinhof gang, and, sadly, administering first aid to a dying colleague stabbed during an armed robbery.

We rely on our police to keep us safe and every officer deserves our thanks and support. Bob’s send-off was a happy occasion as colleagues formed a guard of honour with an accompanying old blue and white Morris Minor police car. In Bob’s own words “I always wanted to serve and help people. I’ve always been a PC and I enjoyed what I was doing”.

Bob recently received the Queen’s Police Medal at Buckingham Palace and we are delighted to add our Silver Cross of St. George to take into his retirement, which he is planning to spend in Yorkshire.