First Chief Constable of the North Riding Constabulary; formerly Captain of the North York Militia.
The North Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary was the territorial police force for the North Riding of Yorkshire from 1856 to 1968.
Formed in 1856 as a result of the County and Borough Police Act 1856 it covered all of the North Riding except for the boroughs of Middlesbrough, Richmond and Scarborough, which had their own Borough Constabularies.
The North Riding Constabulary dates from 14th October 1856, and initially consisted of the Chief Constable and just 50 men of all ranks.
Thomas Hill, the son of Richard Hill JP of Thornton le Dale, had risen to be a captain in the North Yorks Militia and was a soldier through and through with his bearing, efficiency, energy, meticulous attention to detail, organisational ability and practical creativity.
Before long Capt Hill had lost 48 of them, who could not stand the pace, did not like the training and could not cope with square bashing. They would not forgo alcohol in pubs and they were incapable of discretion.
But Hill managed to persuade the county to provide funding to pay, equip and train 100 officers, along with providing a headquarters and transport for his new force covering eight divisions in Leyburn, Whitby, Pickering, Stokesley, Gilling near Richmond, Easingwold, Malton and Northallerton.
Captain Hill retired due to ill health in 1898, and died the following year.
Capt Hill served as chief constable for a prodigious 42 years, assiduously duty bound, until he retired on September 30, 1898, at the age of 75, having laid the North Riding constabulary on the firmest of foundations.
It was even said that he still went into his office every day to make sure things were running smoothly after his retirement.
When he died in November 1899, his funeral was attended by North Riding notables from far and wide, his coffin was borne, appropriately, by four police superintendents and every blind was drawn in Northallerton and Romanby as a mark of respect to one who had become a local legend in his own lifetime.
Thomas Hill married Frances Miriam Walker on 8th August 1858.
They had two sons, Alan Richard and Cecil, and two daughters, Maude and Beatrice Mary. Beatrice Mary died in infancy.
Alan joined the Army and was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallant conduct during the First Boer War (see: http://www.lordashcroftmedals.com/collection/alan-richard-hill-vc/).
The North Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary was the territorial police force for the North Riding of Yorkshire from 1856 to 1968.
Formed in 1856 as a result of the County and Borough Police Act 1856 it covered all of the North Riding except for the boroughs of Middlesbrough, Richmond and Scarborough, which had their own Borough Constabularies.
The North Riding Constabulary dates from 14th October 1856, and initially consisted of the Chief Constable and just 50 men of all ranks.
Thomas Hill, the son of Richard Hill JP of Thornton le Dale, had risen to be a captain in the North Yorks Militia and was a soldier through and through with his bearing, efficiency, energy, meticulous attention to detail, organisational ability and practical creativity.
Before long Capt Hill had lost 48 of them, who could not stand the pace, did not like the training and could not cope with square bashing. They would not forgo alcohol in pubs and they were incapable of discretion.
But Hill managed to persuade the county to provide funding to pay, equip and train 100 officers, along with providing a headquarters and transport for his new force covering eight divisions in Leyburn, Whitby, Pickering, Stokesley, Gilling near Richmond, Easingwold, Malton and Northallerton.
Captain Hill retired due to ill health in 1898, and died the following year.
Capt Hill served as chief constable for a prodigious 42 years, assiduously duty bound, until he retired on September 30, 1898, at the age of 75, having laid the North Riding constabulary on the firmest of foundations.
It was even said that he still went into his office every day to make sure things were running smoothly after his retirement.
When he died in November 1899, his funeral was attended by North Riding notables from far and wide, his coffin was borne, appropriately, by four police superintendents and every blind was drawn in Northallerton and Romanby as a mark of respect to one who had become a local legend in his own lifetime.
Thomas Hill married Frances Miriam Walker on 8th August 1858.
They had two sons, Alan Richard and Cecil, and two daughters, Maude and Beatrice Mary. Beatrice Mary died in infancy.
Alan joined the Army and was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallant conduct during the First Boer War (see: http://www.lordashcroftmedals.com/collection/alan-richard-hill-vc/).
First Chief Constable of the North Riding Constabulary; formerly Captain of the North York Militia.
The North Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary was the territorial police force for the North Riding of Yorkshire from 1856 to 1968.
Formed in 1856 as a result of the County and Borough Police Act 1856 it covered all of the North Riding except for the boroughs of Middlesbrough, Richmond and Scarborough, which had their own Borough Constabularies.
The North Riding Constabulary dates from 14th October 1856, and initially consisted of the Chief Constable and just 50 men of all ranks.
Thomas Hill, the son of Richard Hill JP of Thornton le Dale, had risen to be a captain in the North Yorks Militia and was a soldier through and through with his bearing, efficiency, energy, meticulous attention to detail, organisational ability and practical creativity.
Before long Capt Hill had lost 48 of them, who could not stand the pace, did not like the training and could not cope with square bashing. They would not forgo alcohol in pubs and they were incapable of discretion.
But Hill managed to persuade the county to provide funding to pay, equip and train 100 officers, along with providing a headquarters and transport for his new force covering eight divisions in Leyburn, Whitby, Pickering, Stokesley, Gilling near Richmond, Easingwold, Malton and Northallerton.
Captain Hill retired due to ill health in 1898, and died the following year.
Capt Hill served as chief constable for a prodigious 42 years, assiduously duty bound, until he retired on September 30, 1898, at the age of 75, having laid the North Riding constabulary on the firmest of foundations.
It was even said that he still went into his office every day to make sure things were running smoothly after his retirement.
When he died in November 1899, his funeral was attended by North Riding notables from far and wide, his coffin was borne, appropriately, by four police superintendents and every blind was drawn in Northallerton and Romanby as a mark of respect to one who had become a local legend in his own lifetime.
Thomas Hill married Frances Miriam Walker on 8th August 1858.
They had two sons, Alan Richard and Cecil, and two daughters, Maude and Beatrice Mary. Beatrice Mary died in infancy.
Alan joined the Army and was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallant conduct during the First Boer War (see: http://www.lordashcroftmedals.com/collection/alan-richard-hill-vc/).
The North Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary was the territorial police force for the North Riding of Yorkshire from 1856 to 1968.
Formed in 1856 as a result of the County and Borough Police Act 1856 it covered all of the North Riding except for the boroughs of Middlesbrough, Richmond and Scarborough, which had their own Borough Constabularies.
The North Riding Constabulary dates from 14th October 1856, and initially consisted of the Chief Constable and just 50 men of all ranks.
Thomas Hill, the son of Richard Hill JP of Thornton le Dale, had risen to be a captain in the North Yorks Militia and was a soldier through and through with his bearing, efficiency, energy, meticulous attention to detail, organisational ability and practical creativity.
Before long Capt Hill had lost 48 of them, who could not stand the pace, did not like the training and could not cope with square bashing. They would not forgo alcohol in pubs and they were incapable of discretion.
But Hill managed to persuade the county to provide funding to pay, equip and train 100 officers, along with providing a headquarters and transport for his new force covering eight divisions in Leyburn, Whitby, Pickering, Stokesley, Gilling near Richmond, Easingwold, Malton and Northallerton.
Captain Hill retired due to ill health in 1898, and died the following year.
Capt Hill served as chief constable for a prodigious 42 years, assiduously duty bound, until he retired on September 30, 1898, at the age of 75, having laid the North Riding constabulary on the firmest of foundations.
It was even said that he still went into his office every day to make sure things were running smoothly after his retirement.
When he died in November 1899, his funeral was attended by North Riding notables from far and wide, his coffin was borne, appropriately, by four police superintendents and every blind was drawn in Northallerton and Romanby as a mark of respect to one who had become a local legend in his own lifetime.
Thomas Hill married Frances Miriam Walker on 8th August 1858.
They had two sons, Alan Richard and Cecil, and two daughters, Maude and Beatrice Mary. Beatrice Mary died in infancy.
Alan joined the Army and was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallant conduct during the First Boer War (see: http://www.lordashcroftmedals.com/collection/alan-richard-hill-vc/).
Inscription
In loving memory of Thomas HILL, late Chief Constable of the North Riding Constabulary who died November 5 1899 aged 77. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Also of Frances Miriam, his wife who died April 30 1904 aged 68. Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Family Members
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