Shildon Policeman

[BHodgson]

My parents had a couple of friends who lived behind us just off Simpson St.. I believe used to be a policeman .His wife was Elsie and I think he was called Tom.... surname was possibly Storey? Tom was very tall and a great bloke. Anyone know them?

[Alan Thompson]

Brian,

The only Policeman that I can recall that lived in Old Shildon was Tom Treblecock, who lived with his wife Irene and son Philip in the street in which was the Rex cinema. Well the back of the house went into that street, the front was to a terrace, which if I remember only had a footpath and looked onto a trading estate. I cannot remember the name of this terrace. They eventually moved to a new Police property in Sunnydale. His wife used to work now and again in a banana packing place on the trading estate at the bottom of Redworth Road. I recall his transport was a small green BSA Bantam.

Alan,
Strood.

[Ken]

Yes. I remember Treblecock well. He used to pronounce his name as "Trebbillco" but we got him irrate by pronouncing it as spelled ! There was also a plain clothes guy who fancied himself as a Scotland Yard detective. He was known as "Dick".
When they were together , the cruder amongst us would say "Here come the four dicks --- treble dick and his dick mate"

Ken.

[Alan Thompson]

Ken,

Tom was a Cornishman originally. Came up to Durham during the war serving as a rear gunner on Lancs. What wasn't known to many was that he was awarded the DFC or DFM whichever was given to the non commissioned ranks. He never really discussed why he was given the award. He must have liked the area as he stayed on.

Alan,
Strood.

[Rambo]

I vaguely remember Tom Treblecock and I think he was a sergeant.
We lived in Dean Street near the police station. If we were playing street cricket or football and he came around the corner we would immediately scatter. Imagine that happening these days.
The interesting thing about sgt Treblecock is that I am sure my dad told me he served in 617 (Dambusters) Squadron, maybe not in the actual dambusters raids. It would be nice to establish if this was fact or a figment of my dads imagination.... there were many!!!!

Alan

[BHodgson]

Sorry guys i stand corrected, the guy i was thinking of was a Tommy Storey but he was not a Policeman he was a garbage collecter. Mind you when you think of it there is not much difference in the job.

[Alan Thompson]

I was friends with Tom, and visited him and his wife when I came back to Shildon on leave.
I can recall him showing me his medal, but he would not show his RAF log book or say why he was awarded it. His explanation was that " he was in the mess queue, in the right place at the right time when they were handed out". He never made any comment about the Squadron(s) he served with. He did say that he used to enjoy being rear gunner, stuck out at the back on his own.
I have a memory of his award coming to public notice when he appeared at Court with a miscreant, who made comments that he had been fighting for King and Country during the war, whilst Tom had it easy on the streets of Shildon. The magistrate, much to Tom's annoyance, then made the comment that he was aware that Tom had been given the award (DFC or DFM) and had therefore not been taking it easy as alleged. The magistrate then made the comment that he would prefer that the officer wear the ribbon for all to see. (Which Tom declined to do).
Alan,
Strood

[Oric]

Sgt Trebblecock did serve in the dambusters squadron and flew on some of the practice runs as an observer before the actual raid. He tried to complete the radio operator examination but was one of the many who didn't get his ticket and became gunners by default. (Some say the meaning - gone for a burton, was the dreaded morse code test taken above the Burton tailors in Blackpool, and this was associated with the high failure rate of prospective radio operators during the war).
This is no reflection on those who were not successful in passing the Morse test, as I did it in 1982 as a Radio Amateur to the same standards, but with the Coastguard at Cullercoats and I know how difficult it was. My aim was to gain a class A licence to operate on the high frequency bands and when I was given the cherished pass slip there was much rejoicing!
The difference was that I had plenty of practice, and support from 'G4RS' (the Royal Signals in Catterick) over the air in weekly transmissions whereas those who were serving aircrew during the war would have practiced during their off duty periods whilst tired, and in a noisy mess with other crew.
However, Sgt Trebblecock served in 617 and other squadrons and came back safely from all missions, joining the police force shortly after de-mob according to his son Philip (who I think died a couple of years ago) and I belive his widow still has his service medals.
(Info courtesy of the late Ken Burton and Phil Trebblecock.)

[Rambo]

Many Thanks Oric, very interesting.
I'm pleased Tom's 617 squadron service is now confirmed.
Regards

Alan