Photo: 1871-1948 The Constabulary: Policing a Nation panel

Photographer: Barry Swackhamer
Taken: June 22, 2014
Caption: 1871-1948 The Constabulary: Policing a Nation panel
Additional Description: Captions: (middle, left) Thomas Foley, Inspector & General Superintendent, 1871-1873.; (bottom, left) The Constabulary took possession of Fort Townsend in 1871 following the withdrawal of the British Garrison from Newfoundland a year earlier. In this photo circa 1890, the former Infantry Barracks on the north side of the Square (centre) housed the married Constabulary members and their families. The building with five chimneys on the south side of the Square , the former Garrison Officiers’ Residence, housed high-ranking police officiers and their families.; (top, center) In the late 1800s and early 1900s the Constabulary Force of Newfoundland was also known as the Terra Nova Constabulary. This impressive badge was the pith helmet badge worn on duty and on ceremonial parades. Its design is undoubtedly based on the Badge of Merit of the Royal Irish Constabulary, which is identical with the exception of the words “Terra Nova”. It is emblematic of the close relationship that had been established with the RIC.; (middle, right) A Constabulary officier seen providing directions to American servicemen in the area of Fort Townsend. Beginning with a 1940 agreement between Newfoundland and the United States, there were thousands of American military personnel and civilian contract workers stationed at military bases and installations all over the island. In St. John’s, the Americans built Fort Pepperrell, an impressive Army base to house a contingent of 5,500 servicemen. In 1961 the Americans vacated Fort Pepperrell, and the area reverted to is former name, Pleasantville.; (bottom, right) A Constabulary patrolman giving instructions to a group of servicemen in the east end of St. John’s during WWII. The so-called “friendly invasion” of servicemen from the United States, Canada, and Britain placed considerable strain on the Constabulary’s limited resources. Adding to the daily hustle and bustle of a garrisoned St. John’s was the significant task of providing law and order to a city which was under war-time “Blackout Regulations”. Constabulary members, through the tremendous support of family and loved ones, rose to the occasion and delivered service that was beyond-the-call-of-duty.
Submitted: November 25, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
Database Locator Identification Number: p293196
File Size: 3.455 Megabytes

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