Notes for Frederick Dicker: Frederick Dicker Notes - Supplied By Ian Dicker (Great Grandson)
Census records for his early life and details of his birth and marriage.
Born in Lambeth 1855, December Married in Docking to Alice Mary Barringer, April 14th 1884 Died at Hind Street, Poplar December 1899
Census 1861, aged 5, living with his parents and family at 8 Halstead St Brixton (RG9 360 folio 8) Census 1871, aged 15, living with his parents and 5 siblings at Addison Place Brixton. (RG10/676 pg 17-18) Census 1881, aged 25, boarder at 57 Tottenham Court Road along with 2 pages worth of Police Constables (RG11/184 pg 34) Census 1891, aged 35, living with his wife Alice and son Frederick Herbert at 25 Adine Road Plaistow (RG12/1323 pg 15)
Original copy of the Essex Times for Sat Jan 25th 1890 (found in a drawer at my mother's house).
Reports a trial following an arrest made by Sgt Dicker in Dock Road of a suspicious person carrying a parcel of silk. Also a second trial of a man arrested by Sgt Dicker for stealing a blanket.
Copies of The West Ham Guardian from Colindale Newspaper Library:
4th Jan 1890 Court report relating to the capture of Frederick White. This is the daring capture referred to in Frederick’s testimonial (see below). During the arrest, Sgt Dicker had his finger bitten through and had to punch the felon in the face to subdue him 15th Feb 1890 Court report relating to the arrest of Benjamin Taylor who was caught by Fred smuggling silk from the docks 17th May 1890 Court report relating the arrest of Walter Lloyd for fraud. Fred makes a proceedural error and the accused is let off. Report contains an actual quote from Fred: “May I be allowed to alter the name I used in my evidence?” 31st May 1890 Court report relating to the arrest of Henry March and Jane Wood for stealing umbrellas.
Various copies of newspaper articles from The Black Sheep Index website, some of which I don't have references for:
Sept 3 1892,
Trial following the arrest by Sgt Dicker of a man caught stealing large number of Indian stamps.
News of The World 1898 24th July,
Trial of Arthur Lee, following his arrest by Sgt Dicker and Detective Rose during a 'stake-out' (my words) in the kitchens of the Star of the East pub in Limehouse. Description of what happened on that night, including the scuffle on the return to the station, during which Sgt Dicker was butted in the stomach and had two fingers dislocated. Lee notably had one eye.
The Times 1898 20th July
Second article about the Lee trial. Mentions that Dicker and Rose had seen Lee 'casing the joint' before they decided to try and capture him.
Possibly Police Guardian 1899
Presentation to Sgt Dicker of a canteen of Cutlery following his retirement.
Police Guardian 1st April 1899
Retirement of Sgt Dicker from K Division. This mentions that he was one of the division's 'smartest men' and goes on to detail some of his more worthy exploits, notably a commendation from the West Ham Stipendary for a daring capture in 1890. Apparently a reward was forthcoming from the Essex Assizes for the same action. It also mentions him in connection with a silver robbery in Limehouse, where Sgt Dicker made the arrest after identifying a button found at the scene of the crime, and the Indian stamp robbery 1892. The last action mentioned is the Star of the East capture where Sgt Dicker had two fingers dislocated. Article says he is leaving due to failing eyesight.
I also have a letter from the Met, dated March 1981. This details his career in the police. He joined on 5th June 1876 and was alotted the warrant number 60451, being initially posted to 'T' or Kensington division. He was promoted to Sergeant within the CID on 3rd December 1883. It doesn't say when he joined 'K' Division, but it does say that following an injury to his right thigh and groin (from Lee's headbutt I guess) and the dislocation of the knuckles of his right hand (possibly 'cautioning' the miscreant?), he was entitled to a ill health pension of £69.12s per ammum, when he resigned from 'K' or Bow Division on 8th March 1899. Having completed 22 years and 192 days service, he was issued with a certificate confirming his conduct as 'Very Good' and was described as being 5 feet 8 1/2 inches in height with dark hair turning grey, grey eyes and a pale complexion. He was married and living at 16 Huddart Street, St Pauls Road, Bow with his wife Alice May.
After he retired, he and his family moved to Ongar where they took the Bell Pub in the High Street. Frederick only lasted a few months and died at Christmas in 1899, in London. Family tradition has it that the pub was bought for Frederick by a grateful 'toff' following an arrest he made, although I have found no evidence of that. There was also a thought from an older family member (now sadly deceased) that he was involved in the Sydney Street siege and that he was injured by a bloke with a peg leg, although I think that story relates to the one-eyed Arthur Lee.
As you see, I do have quite a lot to be going on with already for an ancestor who died more than 100 years ago, though I do believe there must be a photo of him out there somewhere, and re-reading the articles, I would like to find out more about the 1898 Star of the East stake out. I believe that that night led to Fred losing his nerve, retiring from the Police Force and ultimately his early death in 1899. I think more happened that night than is in the newspaper reports.
More About Frederick Dicker: Census 1: 02 Apr 1871, Son aged 15 Servant Lambeth. Census 2: 1861, Scholar at 8 Halstead Street, Lambeth.. Occupation 1: 19 Apr 1884, Detective Sergeant Of Police at time of marriage.. Occupation 2: 05 Jun 1876, Joined Met Police Warrant Number 60451 T Or Kensington Div. Occupation 3: 27 Feb 1889, Police Officer at time of Son Frederick Herbert birth.. Occupation 4: 08 Mar 1899, Resigned from Met Police K or Bow Division. Residence: 19 Apr 1884, Living West Ham. Will: 25 Jan 1900, To Alice Mary Dicker Widow Effects 239 Pounds 4 Shillings..
More About Frederick Dicker and Alice Mary Barringer: Marriage: 19 Apr 1884, Thornham, Norfolk. UK.
Marriage Notes for Frederick Dicker and Alice Mary Barringer: Witnessed by George Barringer and Agnes Barringer
Children of Frederick Dicker and Alice Mary Barringer are:
+Frederick Herbert Dicker, b. 27 Feb 1889, 25, Adine Road, Plaistow, West Ham, Essex.UK, d. 09 Aug 1937, The Cedars, Cloverley Rd. Ongar, Essex..
+Ethel Maud Dicker, b. 11 Jan 1892, Plaistow, Essex.UK, d. 08 Jan 1977, Rush Green Hospital Dagenham.
Frederick Dicker (b. 03 Dec 1855, d. 23 Dec 1899)
Notes for Frederick Dicker: