Preece Family Tree

Events

Parents

Families

Media

William Stokes

Attributes

Pedigree

1. William Stokes
   1. Mary Micklewright
      1. Mary Jane Stokes
      2. Elizabeth Stokes
      3. William Stokes
         1. Hannah Martin
            1. Annie Stokes
            2. William Stokes
            3. Gertrude Stokes
            4. John Stokes
            5. Bertha Stokes
            6. Andrew Martin Stokes
            7. Kathleen Martin Stokes
      4. Samuel Stokes

Ancestors

William Stokes *between January 1863 and March 1863 +17 August 1918

William Stokes
*about 1833
+16 July 1906

Joseph Stokes
*22 September 1798
+January 1867

Joseph Stokes
*
+...

Elizabeth Darby
*about 1759
+...

Elizabeth Hodgekins
*about 1796
+about August 1867

Mary Micklewright
*about 1835
+...

Andrew Micklewright
*about 1805
+18 January 1883

Thomas Micklewright
*about 1768
+5 August 1838

Sarah Yardley
*about 1778
+6 February 1849

Mary Simpson
*about 1802
+7 November 1838

John Simpson
*about 1760
+about April 1831

Mary Titley
*about 1777
+11 February 1850

Source References

1. Staffordshire Advertiser
   1. • Date: 18 April 1952
      • Page: Page 8
      • Citation:

        Great Wyrley funeral of Mrs. Hannah Stoke [sic]

        The funeral took place at Great Wyrley on Saturday of Mrs. Hannah Stokes, 98, Newhall Street, Cannock, widow of ex-Police Supt. William Stokes, a member of Wolverhampton borough force for 25 years.

        Aged 89, Mrs. Stokes leaves three sons, Mr. William Stokes, Rugeley, retired welfare officer for Rugeley and a Lichfield diocesan lay-reader; Lieut.-Col. (retired) John Stokes, Etching Hill, Rugeley; and Mr. A. M. Stokes, Blackpool, a company director and Baptist lay-preacher. There are also three daughters.

2. Lichfield Mercury
   1. • Date: 23 August 1918
      • Page: Page 2
      • Citation:

        CHESLYN HAY.

        Ex Police-Supt's Death. - The death occurred at Cheslyn Hay on Saturday of Mr. William Stokes, who in 1911 retired from the office of superintendent in the Wolverhampton police force. Mr. Stokes, who was 56 years of age at his death, joined the force in 1886, when Major Hay was Chief Constable, and the following year he was appointed assistant clerk in the Chief's office. In 1890 he gained his sergeant's stripes, and was made chief clerk. He then became acting inspector, and in 1892 he was given the full rank of inspector. Mr. Stokes was appointed superintendent of the force and fire brigade in 1900, and retired as stated above, after 25 years' service. It may be recalled that he had a great deal to do as secretary, and otherwise, with the adminstration of Sir Charles Mander's fund for clothing destitute children. The late superintendent held the Long-Service Medal granted by the National Fire Brigades Union, representing actual service and good conduct.

3. 1891 United Kingdom Census
   1. • Page: RG12/2230/108/10
4. 1901 United Kingdom Census
   1. • Page: RG13/2673/118/2
5. 1911 United Kingdom Census
   1. • Page: RG14/17054/59
6. Ancestry.com: Royal Air Force Airmen Records, 1918-1940
   1. • Date: 24 November 1915
      • Page: John Stokes
7. Nottingham Evening Post
   1. • Date: 29 September 1927
      • Page: Page 7
      • Citation:

        POPULAR OFFICER RESIGNS.

        CHIEF INSPECTOR STOKES LEAVING NOTTM. FIRE BRIGADE

        His many friends in the city will learn with regret that Chief Inspector John Stokes, second officer of the Nottingham Fire Brigade, is resigning his position.

        The resignation, which takes effect to-morrow, has been dictated by health reasons, and was tendered to the Watch Committee at their meeting yesterday.

        Inspector Stokes, who is a son of a former superintendend of the Wolverhampton Fire Brigade, served in the Navy as a petty officer during the war and from August 1921 was with the Dudley Fire Brigade and Police Force. He came to Nottingham in June, 1924.

        It will be recalled that in December last, while engaged at a cellar fire, he was badly gassed. Haemorrhage set in, and an operation was subsequently found necessary.

8. General Register Office: England & Wales Birth Index
9. 1871 United Kingdom Census
   1. • Page: RG10/2925/70/28
10. 1881 United Kingdom Census
    1. • Page: RG11/2786/72/11
11. UK Government: National Probate Calendar
    1. • Date: 23 September 1918
       • Page: William Stokes
       • Citation:

         STOKES William of Elmsdale Station-street Cheslyn Hay Staffordshire died 17 August 1918 Probate Lichfield 23 September to William Stokes education officer.
         Effects £650.

    2. • Date: 22 May 1907
       • Page: William Stokes
       • Citation:

         STOKES William of Station-street Cheslyn Hay Staffordshire died 16 July 1906 Probate Lichfield 22 May to William Stokes police-superintendent and Samuel Stokes inspector of the society for the prevention of cruelty to children Effects £410 17s. 6d.

12. Wills on file
    1. • Date: 19 March 1903
       • Page: William Stokes (1833-1906)
    2. • Date: 22 July 1918
       • Page: William Stokes (1863-1918)
13. Certificate on file
    1. • Date: 30 March 1884
       • Page: Marriage - William Stokes / Hannah Martin
14. Document copy
    1. • Date: 1 January 1900
       • Page: Wolverhampton Watch Committe report to the Council
       • Citation:

         Borough of Wolverhampton
         REPORT OF THE WATCH COMMITTEE TO THE COUNCIL
         1st January, 1900.

          

         SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE FORCE AND FIRE BRIGADE.

         Superintendent Elliott having given notice of his intention to claim his retirement, on superannuation, from the 23rd inst., your Committee have considered the question of the appointment of a successor, and, on the recommendation of the Chief Constable, they have unanimously appointed Inspector William Stokes (Chief Clerk in the Chief Constable's Department), in view of his special qualifications and experience, to the above office, as from the date previously mentioned.

         As regards the pay of the new Superintendent, your Committee recommend that the following scale, which is similar to that at present in force in the County of Stafford, be adopted, viz :- On appointment, £150 per annum, rising by bienniel increments of £15 per annum until the maximum of £210 per annum is reached.

         Mr. Stokes will receive, in addition to his pay as Superintendent of the Police Force, £10 per annum as Superintendent of the Fire Brigade.

         The necessary resolution for giving effect to this Report appears on the Council Summons.

         W. H. JONES, Chairman.

    2. • Date: 27 May 1911
       • Page: Letter from William Stokes
       • Citation:

         Chief Constable's Office
         Wolverhampton
         May 27th 1911

         Sir,

         On the 13th April last, I completed 25 years service in this Police Force, and, in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations made, and now in force, here under Sec 20 of the Police Act 1890,

         I most respectfully give notice, of my desire to retire from the Force, on the 27th day of July 1911, upon Pension, as provided by the Police acts of 1890 1893.

         During the time I have served under you as assistant clerk, Chief Clerk, and Superintendent of the Police Force, and of the Fire Brigade, notwithstanding that, on many occasions, I have been in trying and difficult circumstances, I have always tried to ease out, faithfully, what my mind indicated, was my duth to yourself, & the Police authority, & the Public, as well as to the men of the Force.

         I also desire to say, that I fully appreciate all that you have done, in my interest, for one, during the time I have served under you.

         ???

         Your Obedient Servant
         William Stokes

    3. • Date: 1911
       • Page: Letter from William Stokes to Alderman Gibbons
       • Citation:

         To Mr. Alderman Fr D Gibbons
         Chairman of the Watch Committee of the Town Council of the County Borough of Wolverhampton

         Sir,

         I most respectfully beg to inform you, that, as requested by you, on behalf of the Watch Committee, on the 21st ultimo, I have carefully considered, whether I should continue to serve in the Police Force, instead of retiring, as indicated in my notice to the Chief Constable dated the 27th May last.

         Allow me, however, first of all, to say, how very much I appreciate the kind consideration for, and the confidence you, and the other members of the Watch Committe have shewn you have in me, by asking me to reconsider the matter, and offering me the advantages you did, in case I decided to remain in the Force.

         I shall always look back with much pleasure and satisfaction on the incident, at the end of my 25 years service under the Watch Committee, especially, as I believe, the incident stands unique in the records of the Police Force of the United Kingdom, since the Police acts of 1890 and 1906 became operative.

         There were several important considerations of a personal nature, which induced me to think it would be wise for me to give notice to retire, before I did so, which it is not necessary, nor would it now be wise, to ???. Besides, I then was, and still am, strongly of opinion, while there may be some few exceptions, the responsible authorities having the duty to decide in such cases that, as a rule, for men to remain in the Force after they have completed their term of service entitling them to retire on pension, is certainly neither conducive to discipline nor efficiency.

         The conditions kindaly offered me, in this instance, by the Committee, through you, as an inducement to continue to serve were, and are, worthy of any man's full and careful consideration, when in a position like mine, and, while considering the same, I have had, in addition to my surprise and, I must add with all modesty, considerable satisfaction, in having had many kind expressions of appreciation, and confidence in me, as well as encouragement, from many of the leading inhabitants of the Town. I have also known from remarks made to me, by not a few of the members of the Force, that they would like me to remain, but I have been unable to come to the conclusion that, I should be wise in altering the decision which I feel I arrived at.

         I shall therefore be much obliged, if you will kindly convey my sincere thanks to the members of the Committee, for their kindness, and ask them to do me the further favour of allowing my application of the 27th May last to take effect as therein indicated.

         Recognising that I am a subordinate to the Chief Constable, and, being as desirous, as any man can be, to shew my respect to him, at all times, as the Head of the Police Force, I have, in the discharge of my duty, shewn him this letter, before passing it on to you.

         ???

         Your Obediant Servant
         William Stokes
         Superintendent of the Police Force, and of the Fire Brigade, and Inspector of the Local Authority under the Prison and Pharmacny Act, 1908

    4. • Date: about 1912
       • Page: Unknown newspaper article - William Stokes biography
       • Citation:

         MR. WILLIAM STOKES, EX-SUPT., WOLVERHAMPTON.

         MR. WILLIAM STOKES, who retired from the Wolverhampton Police in July last, after 25 years' service, was born near Cannock, and received his education at the village National School. At the age of twelve he commenced work in one of the coal mines which stud the Chase. His old schoolmaster gave him the opportunity of attending two nights a week for instruction at a gentleman's house, and he improved his education in this way. He continued to embrace every means of obtaining instruction in his boyhood, and at the time he joined the Wolverhampton Force he was competent to take down letters in Pitman's shorthand, which he had learnt without assistance.

         Mr. Stokes joined the Wolverhampton Force in 1886, Major Hay being then Chief Constable. On January 3rd, 1887, he was appointed assistant clerk in the Chief Constable's office, and this was his first step towards promotion. On April 17th of the same year he was promoted to be a first-class Constable, a year before the regular time, in recognition of extra work performed by him in the Chief Constable's department. On April 1st, 1889, Mr. Stokes was specially promoted by the Watch Committee, on the recommendation of Captain Stracey, then acting-Chief Constable, with increased pay, in recognition of his services in the Chief Constable's office. On February 17th, 1891, the minutes of the Watch Committee record "that in consideration of his valuable services as Chief Clerk the committee has ordered the promotion of Sergeant Stokes to acting Inspector from April 1st."

         On November 1st, 1892, he was given the full rank of Inspector, and in January, 1900, he was appointed Superintendent of the Police Force and Fire Brigade, which position he held with every credit to himself and the utmost satisfaction to the town for eleven and a half years.

         During the time he held the position of Superintendent, Mr. Stokes was specially thanked by the successive Mayors who have held office for the manner in which he has carried out his duties on the occasion of important functions.

         In this connection mention must be made of the visit of the present King and Queen, then the Duke and Duchess of York, about eleven years ago, on which occasion Supt. Stokes was specially thanked by the Mayor for his services in carrying out the arrangements for the preservation of law and order, and for the regulation of traffic in connection with the Royal visit.

         In the course of his twenty-five years' service the Superintendent has been thanked and referred to in orders on more than twenty occasions, and often he has received the thanks of the justices and the Watch Committee and Town Clerk, for the efficient discharge of his exacting duties.

         Mr. Stokes has had a great deal to do with the administration of Sir Charles Mander's fund for finding clothing and boots for destitute children. He has done a great deal for the Fire Brigade, and helped considerably to increase its efficiency, and the efficiency of the appliances and apparatus, particularly in thinking out an arrangement whereby a dozen women and children may be brought down from the highest building in the town with safety. The improved apparatus alluded to, invented by Mr. Stokes, has practically - with some slight variations - been adopted in many parts of the country, says the "Midland Evening News." A leading and widely travelled fire engineer, after having witnessed a demonstration, said that he had not seen anything to surpass it in any part of the world. Supt. Stokes also suggested and brought out little improvements in regard to the harnessing and driving of the horses, tending to the greater safety of the brigade while driving to a conflagration. Roughly speaking, he has himself attended over 500 fires, and he has been granted the Long Service Medal by the National Fire Brigade Union. In the course of his work at fires, Supt. Stokes has had several narrow escapes, notably at the fire which occurred not so very long at, at Messrs. Holcroft's works at Ettingshall.

         When Mr. Stokes first intimated his intention of retiring on pension, the Watch Committee were strongly desirous of retaining his services. He adhered, however, to his decision to retire into private life, for he is strongly of the opinion, that while there are some exceptions, as a rule for a man to remain in the Force after having completed his term of service entitling him to retire on a pension is neither conducive to discipline nor efficiency.

         The following tribute to Mr. Stokes appeared in the "Wolverhampton Express and Star" at the time of his retirement:- "Supt. Stokes will leave Wolverhampton with the best wishes of many friends. He has long been a familiar figure in the town, and has borne an officila part in numerous important events. At all times he has been a courteous and obliging officer of the Force, and he has discharged his onerous duties with great efficiency, thoroughness, and devotion. His work in connection with the Fire Brigade has often placed him in positions of serious peril, but he has not spared himself, and has been exposed to the same risks in that important department as his subordinates. That he should have come through so many ordeals unscathed is a matter for satisfaction; and now that he has finished his successful career as second in command of Wolverhampton's [...] he merits, and will receive, hearty congratulations."

         Our portrait is from a photo by Messrs. [...]genheim and Co., Wolverhampton.

    5. • Date: about August 1918
       • Page: Unknown newspaper article - William Stokes obituary
       • Citation:

         EX-POLICE SUPERINTENDET.

         Death of Mr. W. Stokes, Cheslyn Hay.

         The death occurred on Saturday last, after an illness of several months, at his residence, Station-street, Cheslyn Hay, of Mr. William Stokes, who was formerly a superintendent in the Wolverhampton Borough Police Force, from which he retired in 1911.

         Upon his retirment, Mr. Stokes settled at Cheslyn Hay, with which village his earlier life was associated, and he took a considerable interest in the public affairs of the district. Soon after the outbreak of war, he secured a position in the Army Pay Offices, at Lichfield, and for the past two years he had been in the employ of Mr. E. Lindop, Market-street, Hednesford.

         Mr. Stokes, who was 56 years of age, joined the force in 1886, when Major Hay was Chief Constable, and the following year he was appointed assistant clerk in the Chief's office. In 1890 he gained his sergeant's stripes, and was made chief clerk. He then became acting inspector, and 1892 he was given the full rank of inspector. Mr. Stokes was appointed superintendent of the force and fire brigade in 1900, and retired, as stated above, after 25 years' service. It may be recalled that he had a great deal to do as secretary, and otherwise, with the administration of Sir Charles Mander's fund for clothing destitute children. He also held the Long Service Medal granted by the National Fire Brigades Union, representing actual service and good conduct.

         The funeral took place at Chasetown, on Wednesday, the officiating minister being the Rev. W. T. Milligan, of Wolverhampton.

15. Wolverhampton Express and Star
    1. • Date: 6 July 1911
       • Page: Page 2
       • Citation:

         At the end of the present month Superintendent William Stokes retires from that important position in the Wolverhampton police force, after contributing the full number of years of service with credit to himself, with distinction, and to the satisfaction of the authorities and the borough as a whole. Superintendent Stokes will leave Wolverhampton with the best wishes of many friends. He has long been a familiar figure in the town, and has borne an official part in numerous important events. At all times he has been a courteous and obliging officer of the force, and he has discharged his onerous duties with great efficiency, thoroughness, and devotion. His work in connection with the Fire Brigade has often placed him in positions of serious peril, but he has not spared himself, and has been exposed to the same risks in that important department as his subordinates. That he should have come through so many ordeals unscathed is a matter for satisfaction; and now that he has finished his successful career as second in command of Wolverhampton's police he merits and will receive hearty congratulations. Superintendent Stokes, we may add, intends to reside in the Chase district, where he at one time worked as a humble miner, and from which position he by dint of personal worth, perserverance, and study, rose from constable to superior officer. We wish him a long and happy period of retirement.

16. The Police Review and Parade Gossip
    1. • Date: 30 August 1918
       • Page: Page Unknown
       • Citation:

         OBITUARY.

         EX-SUPT. WILLIAM STOKES, WOLVERHAMPTON, died on the 17th inst., at Cheslyn Hay. Mr. Stokes, who was 56 years of age, joined the Force in 1886, and the following year he was appointed Assistant Clerk in the Chief's office. He was promoted Superintendent of the Force and Fire Brigade in 1900, and retired after 25 years' service in 1911. He held the Long Service Medal granted by the National Fire Brigades Union, representing actual service and good conduct.

17. Cannock Chase Courier
    1. • Date: 7 September 1907
       • Page: Page 7
       • Citation:

         AN ARREST AT WOLVERHAMPTON

         A CHESLYN HAY BUTCHER IN CHARGE

         GREAT EXCITEMENT

         At a very early hour, yesterday (Friday) morning the intelligence reached the Courier Office to the effect that an arrest had been effected at Wolverhampton. It was stated that a butcher named Hollis Morgan whose home is at Cheslyn Hay had been arrested. According to the "Daily Gazette" it appears that two or three days ago the manager of a well known hotel at Wolverhampton was discussing the Wyrley outrages with a police constable, when he remarked that a customer of his had spoken rather strongly about the maiming, and when theories as to the authorship of the outrages were mentioned this young man invariably fired up in a great passion. The conversation and the account given of the man's conduct put the officer on his guard, and he told the circumstance to the inspector. The latter took a full statement from him, and laid it before the Chief Constable (Captain Burnett). Superindentent Stokes and Detective Inspector Lewis then commenced investigations narrowing their field of inquiry down to Hollis Morgan. It was found that he was a native of Cheslyn Hay. He was employed by a Horseley Fields Butcher, and had been in the habit of spending his week ends at Great Wyrley, usually leaving Wolverhampton on the Saturday night, and returning on Tuesday morning.

         THE ARREST.

         After complete inquiries Captain Burnett communicated with Captin Alison, and on Thursday Chief Superindendent Bishop paid a secret visit to Wolverhampton. He was met at the station by Superintendent Stokes and Detective Inspector Lewis, and several interviews were held. Superintendent Bishop was interviewed in the train on the way to Stafford by a "Gazette and Express" representative, and remarked that there was no further development, and that he had done nothing at Wolverhampton that morning. Throughout the day Superintendent Stokes and Detective Lewis conducted special observations in the Horsely Fields district, and early in the evening Captain Anson arrived, and was met at the station by Captain Burnett.

         The next development took place shortly after eight o'clock, when Superintendent Stokes and Detective Lewis stepped into the butcher's at Horseley Fields, and arrested Morgan.

         He was immediately conveyed to the Central police station, and after being seen by the police constables he was removed to the cells.

         It is stated that the greasy cap which was found in the field of a recent Great Wyrley outrage has furnished some clue. A further clue - this time in relation to the case of Cartwright's horse - was the finding of the bowl of a pipe in the field where that outrage was committed.

         Morgan is twenty-two years of age, and was employed by Messrs Hollingsworth, pork butchers. He strongly denies that he is guilty.

         Hollis Morgan, as stated above, is a native of Cheslyn Hay and is connected with well-to-do working class families. Indeed at Cheslyn Hay very many of the inhabitants are in some way related. He was formerly in a small way of business for himself in a cottage near the Lord Nelson, but whether he found the business did not pay or not, certain it is he worked as a journeyman butcher. His father formerly worked for Messrs Hawkins and Sons. There is, it is stated, a rather large family, and his mother lives in Hill street, or near there. All the family are respectable, and hence there was more than the usual excitement when it became known that he had been arrested. This was added to when it became known that another inhabitant had been warned that his services would be required at Wolverhampton and it was stated he had proceeded there.

         Rumours are very plentiful but the police are very reticent. Inspector Campbell was at Cannock very early on Friday morning and he proceeded to Wolverhampton early, but later in the day both he and Superintendent Bishop were at Cannock.

         There is apparently some rather important evidence but it is not prudent to enter into that just yet. It may howevere be said that the trunk of the accused containing his clothes has been roped and sealed to be handed over to the proper authorities for examination. A knife has also been taken possession of, while there is something in the cap and pipe, the bowl of which was found in the field when the horse of Mr Cartwright was found injured.

         The mother of the accused and his stepfather and some other relatives proceeded to Wolverhampton on Friday.

         BEFORE THE WOLVERHAMPTON MAGISTRATES.

         SOMEWHAT HYSTERICAL.

         There was some excitement near the Town Hall, on Friday morning, at 10.25 when Mr. A. C. Twentyman (chairman of the county magistrates) took his seat on the Bench. He was accompanied shortly afterwards by Alderman John Marston, and a few minutes later Captain Burnett entered the Court.

         In response to directions from the Chief Constable, two policemen brought Morgan into the dock, from the cells below. He wore a slate-coloured coat and a check cap, and as he leaned on the dock rails he was very pale and agitated, and soon became hysterical, hiding his face in his hands and shouting "Oh, my! Oh, my!"

         His mother who was present also burst into tears, and said "Hollis don't. Hollis don't." He, however, continued to sob and moan, and at the suggestion of Mr Twentyman, the accused's mother left the Court while the case was proceeded with.

         Captain Burnett then stated the facts on which the arrest had been made. The accused, he said, was arrested in Wolverhampton, and was at that moment in the custody of the borough police, on his (Captain Burnett's) responsibility. On Tuesday night last certain information came to him relative to a conversation which had taken place in a certain licensed house where the accused and others had been arguing about the so-called Wyrley outrages. On Thursday morning Superintendent Stokes, Inspector Lewis, and himself where the only persons who had cognisance of certain facts, but at that time he received a telephone message from the county police, and he also received a cap which had been identified as having belonged to the prisoner. It had been missing since the night that the last outrage took place. The prisoner next day bought a new one. The county police also brought a pipe which was found at Great Wyrley, and they would be able to prove the exact place where it was picked up. The pipe, too, had been identified as the property of the accused. When the prisoner was arrested a portion of a broken stem was found in his pocket.

         On these facts he proposed to ask for a remand. He hoped to be in a position to prove that prisoner took home from the place where he was employed a butcher's knife, and had it sharpened two days before the outrage at Landywood. He thought that knife would, in the course of a few hours, be in the possession of the police. He ought to mention that the prisoner had written a letter, which he had sent to a friend asking that he should be legally represented, and it was in prisoner's interest that he should be so represented.

         Detective-Inspector Lewis said he received a cap from the Staffordshire county police the cap (produced)? and also a broken pipe.

         When arrested, Prisoner replied: I will tell you where I was that night. I slept at home with my two brothers, Ambrose and Abel James. We slept three in a bed.

         Prisoner (interrupting): I cannot tell whether it was that particular night.

         Proceeding with his narrative the prisoner said: I got up in the morning about 5.30, and my mother got my breakfast. I then came on my bicycle to Wolverhampton. I had been going home week ends for some time.

         Inspector Lewis further stated: On the way to the police station prisoner said: I am not quite sure whether it was a week last Monday, or a fortnight last Monday, when we had Bloxwich Wakes, but it was the night of the Wakes when I slept at home. This was the only Monday night when I have been at home lately. At the Police Station I charged prisoner with unlawfully and maliciously killing a horse at Great Wyrley, during the night of August 26th. Prisoner made no reply.

         At the prisoner's lodgings there were found in his waistcoat pocket in the bedroom an amber mouthpiece of a broken pipe, the stem of which was produced. It corresponded with the pipe bowl produced. His bicycle was also taken possession of.

         The accused was remanded to Stafford in custody and he will be brought up at Penkridge on Monday.

18. General Register Office: England & Wales Death Index
19. General Register Office: England & Wales Marriage Index