The History of Leith Burgh Police
As a third generation police officer, Gil Wallace is well placed to write about his chosen subject.
His friend, and former Deputy Chief Constable, Tom Wood, suggested to him that he should write a book about the history of Leith Burgh Police. Gil has just completed it in time for the 100th anniversary of the force's amalgamation with the Edinburgh City Police on 2 November 1920.
This joining together of Leith with Edinburgh proceeded despite a huge vote by Leithers against the move. According to co author Gerard McEwan it was the Edinburgh Boundaries Extension and Tramways Act, 1920 which was to blame, and there were court actions and petitions related to the unwelcome move. (Plus ça change...)
Gil was a sergeant in Leith Division, and Gerard, who wrote about policing in the Burgh of Leith prior to 1920, was also a police constable in Edinburgh for five years. Gerard lived in Leith, before moving south and joining the Met.
It is Gil who has brought the rest of the history to life with anecdotes of his own father and grandfather who both served in Leith. The problem of transporting the inebriated from Leith Walk back to the police station in the early part of the 20th century, was solved in a similar way to delivery problems on the street today during the tram works. Rather than a cargo bike or trolley however, they are thought to have used a wheelbarrow.
This is a detailed and interesting account of the Burgh, with stories of notable events and landmarks offering a real insight into Leith's proud history.
The history of Leith Burgh Police by Gilbert T Wallace and Gerard McEwan will be sold for £12, of which a third will be donated to Scottish Cancer Research.
Contact Gil Wallace to buy a copy gwallace367@btinternet.com
A reader, the former newspaper man, Bill Sinclair, without knowing we had a story about Gil Wallace's book (left) presented us with this poster which he owns. It shows information about an exhibition at Custom House Gallery in Leith but we are not sure which year. Do you know?