South Yorkshire Times April 7, 1951
“Bow and Arrow Boy” Back
Ex-Constable was Canadian Visitor to Conisbrough
One of the old “Bow and Arrow” boys was back in Conisbrough on Good Friday. The term is used in the Police Force nowadays to describe the days when things were not so up-to-date, and one of the policemen of those times paid a visit to Conisbrough Police Station at the week-end. He was ex-P.c. 1245 James Briggs, now of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.
Mr. Briggs served four years at Briggs, Conisbrough about 40 years ago, and just dropped in to see if any of the “old ones” were still left. They weren`t, of course. But he recalled their names just the same. His sergeant then was Sgt J, Ramsey, who later became Superintendent at Tadcaster, and his Inspector, Insp. Fairburn, of Mexborough, also became a superintendent. With P.c, Briggs at Conisbrough were Pc.’s Rutter, Shooker, Lundy, Knowles end Watling. At that time the section was not just Conisbrough as it is now. It took in Denaby, Cadeby, Sprotborough, Cusworth and High Melton.
According to P.c. Briggs, the office has not changed much during the past 40 years – a statement received with mixed feelings. Almost the first words he said when he entered it on Friday were: “I have cleaned these windows,”
He told how the Sergeant in his day used to “get tough with the long, black, ebony ruler when prisoner’s created trouble,” and, says today’s officers, “although it would not be wise to print the methods used, there is no doubt that even In this modern age there a lot to be said for the old days and their effectiveness.”
PC Briggs, who is on his first visit since 1911, will also Rutter Holland, where his son, killed while serving with the Canadian Forces, is buried. He has a daughter, but Mrs Briggs died some years ago.
Mr. Briggs, a native of Cumberland, is now employed by the Greyhound Bus Lines, Canada.