PC ALEXANDER HAY (NAIRNSHIRE CONSTABULARY)
awarded KING'S POLICE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY 1918
The photo shows Alexander Hay (by then a Sergeant (the only one in his force) in `1930 just before his retirement.
Although one police officer's death in the line of duty is always one too many, the fact is that, since the formation of the first police forces in the Highlands & Islands in the 1840s, the number of our officers who have died in the line of duty amounts to only SIX.
These gallant officers were:
1878: PC JAMES FRASER, Elginshire Constabulary, Grantown-on-Spey
(stabbed by delirious man in a Hotel in Grantown-on-Spey)
1898: PC THOMAS KING, Inverness-shire Constabulary, Nethybridge
(shot while attempting to arrest a poacher on warrant at Tulloch)
1938: PC JOHN BROWN, Inverness-shire Constabulary, Inverness
(struck by vehicle while dealing with road accident at Allanfearn near Inverness)
1944: SC ANDREW PERRIE, Inverness Burgh Police
(collapsed and died after assisting regular officers make arrests in Town Centre)
1968: DS EVAN LUMSDEN, Inverness Burgh Police (Sub Aqua Team)
1968: PC IAIN RITCHIE, Inverness Burgh Police (Sub Aqua Team)
(both officers drowned during underwater search for a missing person in the Locks of the Caledonian Canal at Fort William)
There have however been several other incidents which came very close to being a death on duty. Perhaps one of the closest such calls was that which involved Constable Alexander Hay of the Nairnshire Constabulary, in an incident which took place near Nairn one century ago last month.
Mr Hay, a native of Chapel of Garioch in Aberdeenshire, was born on 1st April 1875, and had previously worked as a farm servant. He joined the small Nairnshire Constabulary as a Constable on 8th November 1899, and served in the town of Nairn, patrolling the Burgh and surrounding rural area. On 7th December 1906 he became the resident bobby for Auldearn. After five years there, he returned to Nairn on 4th March 1912 and remanded there for the rest of his service.
On Tuesday 26th February 1918 while on duty in Nairn, Constable Hay was summoned to Drumdelnies House, a mansion on the western outskirts of Nairn. The house had been unoccupied for a time and staff on attending at the house found signs of forced entry and considerable damage, and were convinced there was still someone within the big house. It is likely the staff attended at Nairn Police Station in person to tell their story, as they had found that telephone line in the house had been disabled.
PC Hay attended and went through the building with the staff, a female keyholder and a chauffeur. The telephone cable had been cut and the lights in the house were also disabled, so the check of the house and outbuildings had to be conducted with the aid of candles.
On making to enter one room, they were suddenly confronted by a burly man with a long firearm to his shoulder as if ready to fire. PC Hay evacuated the two civilians and doused his candle then, with baton drawn, he suddenly sprang through doorway. Although taken somewhat by surprise, the housebreaker still managed to discharge the weapon at PC Hay, but fortuitously the officer's swift assault meant the shot struck PC Hay's arm a glancing blow and singed his eyes, rendering him temporarily blinded. Nonetheless, Constable Hay managed to grab hold of the man and hold him tight, thereby preventing any further shot being fired. The brave officer then subdued his prisoner, thereafter arresting him and taking him to the Police Station in Nairn.
The considerable extent of the damage, theft and general destruction caused to the mansion was then established and the housebreaker was taken to court charged with a variety of crimes, including attempted murder of a police officer.
Private Boyce of the 107 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps, based at Achneim Camp, Cawdor, Nairnshire duly appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court on 19th March on a number of charges, namely:
1) Theft by Housebreaking at Drumdelnies house (considerable number of items)
2) Housebreaking with intent to steal from the garage of the house
3) Theft by housebreaking of paraffin oil from the Engine Room
4) Malicious damage to engine dynamo and switchboard
5) Breaking open and damaging a number of rooms, cupboards, wardrobes and a bookcase
6),Malicious damage to the electric light, bell and telephone fittings within the house
7) Presenting a loaded rifle at PC Hay, and firing it at him with intent to murder him
On the prisoner pleading guilty as charged, Sheriff JP Grant remitted the case to the High Court for sentence, in view of the severity of the crimes.
Intriguingly every newspaper seemed to have a different first name for Boyce, one calling him JAMES Edward Boyce, another JOSEPH Edward Boyce, yet another JOHN Edward Boyce, and one even had him down as ALEXANDER Edward Boyce.
In any case by the time was heard at the High Court sitting at Perth on 28th March, it was as Edward Boyce that the prisoner was arraigned.
The defence agent in mitigation stated that Boyce, aged 19 years, was an American by birth but his parents had died when he was about one year old and he was brought up by friends in Canada. He had joined the Canadian Forestry Corps in 1917 and had an exemplary record. His only explanation was that Boyce had been under the influence of drink and had stumbled upon the mansion's wine cellar, and had spent 3 or 4 days consuming much of its contents. He had never been in trouble before.
In sentencing him, Lord Guthrie said: " Edward Boyce, you have pleaded guilty to a very serious charge. But for the aggravation of the use of the gun, I might have been able deal leniently with you. You fired at the policeman with intent to murder him. Looking to the interests of the country, and the rights of the police, I cannot deal with you lightly. I am sorry to see a man like you, who have come from Canada to do useful military work, in this position. I can do nothing other than sentence you to the lowest term of penal servitude - THREE YEARS."
Constable Hay was indeed a lucky man to survive to tell the tale, and appeared to suffer no lasting injury. His Police Committee praised his actions and at their meeting on 25th April 1918 they resolved to recommend him for the King's Police Medal for Gallantry, which was approved of by the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Thus, on 21st March 1919. Rt Hon Robert Munro KC, MP, Secretary for Scotland presented at his chambers in Parliament Square in Edinburgh no less than 4 King's Police Medals.
PC Hay received his award for Gallantry, the citation for which read:
"On 26th February 1918 Constable Hay had been called to a burglary, where it was believed that the man responsible was still there. As he investigate, he discovered the burglar in a room of the house. The burglar pointed a rifle at Constable Hay who, without regard for his own safety, rushed towards the man/ The burglar fired a shot, the bullet tearing into Constable Hay's shoulder, and temporally blinding him. In spite of this, Constable Hasty seized the man. and eventually succeeded in overpowering him."
The other three recipients were for meritorious conduct:
- William Anderson, Chief Constable of the City of Aberdeen
- John McGimpsey, Chief Detective Inspector, city of Glasgow Police; and
- Alexander MacVicar, Constable, Inverness-shire Constabulary
Constables Hay and MacVicar were the 6th and 7th officers from Highlands & Islands to receive the KPM, the award being first created in 1909. They were also the first officers from Highland "Home Office" forces in the rank of Constable to receive the award (PC Joseph Cruikshank from the then private-County council force of Orkney Constabulary had been awarded the KPM for Gallantry in 1913). PC MacVicar was believed to be the first officer of constable rank to be awarded the KPM for Distinguished Service - which actually referred to his involvement in the "agrarian troubles" in Skye between 1882 and 1885 (but that's another fascinating story)
PC Hay continued on in the Nairnshire force which by then had the strength of 1 Chief constable, 2 Sergeants and 5 Constables. When both Sergeants retired in 1920 or thereby, it was decided to get by with one Sergeant and appoint another constable in lieu of a second Sergeant. The Sergeant vacancy was duly filled by PC Alexander Hay KPM, and he therefore also became Deputy Chief Constable of the Nairnshire force. He did not require to wear a collar number, as he was 1 of 1 !!
By the time that merger with the Elginshire (Morayshire) Constabulary was finally agreed in 1930, Nairnshire had increased their strength by one (7 Constables). Both Sergeant Hay and Chief Constable John Bruce were due to retire and both did so at the time of merger on 15th June 1930. The following day the Moray & Nairn Constabulary was created, and two of the Nairnshire Constables were immediately promoted, one (James Ross) to Sergeant to replace Sgt Hay, and the other (James Stewart) direct to Inspector to be in charge of the Nairnshire Section.
Sgt Hay managed to enjoy 11 years of retirement, passing way in January 1942. A newspaper report of the time stated he was 69 when he passed away, which conflicts with his Force Service records which shows his date birth as 1st April 1875, which would have made him 66 years old at his death.
In any case, at least Alexander Hay made it to his retirement and his pension - it could so easily have turned out otherwise with his career, and life, ending on 26th February 1918 had Boyce's bullet been an inch of two over.
Thankfully, no such sad ending resulted and a potentially lethal incident turned out without tragedy - well done Alexander Hay, a brave man indeed.
POSTSCRIPT:
Let us pause for a moment and consider what would have happened if PC Hay's attempt to overpower Boyce had gone pear-shaped, and Hay had either been killed or injured (or even taken prisoner himself). Alternatively, what if PC Hay had - justifiably - decided that discretion was the better part of valour?
Nowadays, in the event of any of these scenarios, a swift radio or telephone call would have seen a rapid diversion of all available officers from near and far, some armed, probably at least one "land shark" (police dog), and a supply of senior ranks to take command and handle negotiations. Other emergency services and, given the military involvement, Army officers would also turn out, all quickly followed by a media circus. There would hopefully then follow a supply of folk with catering equipment to cope with the high number of thirsty people on site.
Back then however, Nairnshire Constabulary consisted of 10 men, three or four of whom were based at outstations. The Chief, and a Sergeant would likely be available, and would have called out all available men but that would still number much less than one eightsome reel "team". The nrighbouring forces - Morayshire and Inverness-shire (plus Inverness Burgh) would undoubtedly have been asked for urgent assistance, and chances are that Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City could have mobilised a sizeable team, but would have been dependant upon a train getting them to Nairn. Presumably someone would have had the foresight to contact the duty Officer at Fort George, and no doubt a squad of army soldiers would have duly attended. (But think of the time this would have taken to put in place - remember Boyce had cut the telephone line to the house).
Quite how that scenario would have panned out in 1918 is certainly something to consider - but thankfully Alexander Hay's brave action and calculated gamble paid off and the hypothetical situation never arose.
At the end of the day, Constable Alexander Hay acted on instinct and used his experience and training, and was fortunate enough to be entirely successful, managing to conclude the incident without anyone getting hurt. Well done, Constable Alexander Hay - you acted in the best traditions of the Police Service in Scotland. We must not forget the many fine officers like him.