George Serpell

George Serpell was a policeman in Redan, <1904-1906>.

History
George Serpell was born on 7 December 1861. He joined the Victorian Police Force on 7 April 1885, No. 3555. He was based in Melbourne in 1887.

He was working as a plainclothes policeman in Ballarat East in February 1891, where he was assaulted in a brawl with a couple of football players in an unnamed hotel: "There was a row in a hotel in Ballarat East on Saturday night, and Plainclothes Constable M'Pherson and Serpell were called in to quell the disturbance. While discharging their duties two strapping young men incited the prisoners to resist. M'Intyre, a well-known footballer, struck Constable M'Pherson in the face during the encounter. Constable Serpell was hit with a tumbler. At the Town Police Court this morning both the accused appeared. M'Intyre was fined L15, in default four months' imprisonment, and Warnell L7."

In May 1893, he was in Ballarat, when he was publicly thanked: "THANKS. TO THE EDITOR. SIR. —I desire to thank all friends who so kindly contributed on my behalf when in distressed circumstances, through the aid of Constable Serpell.—Yours, &c., Peel street north. JANE STEVENSON."

In May 1903 Serpell was the Ballarat watch house keeper, where he was injured while trying to pacify a naked drunk man: "EXCITING LOCK-UP INCIDENT. A man named Alfred Jones, who on Wednesday evening was arrested by Constable M'Pherson on a charge of insulting behaviour ,created some consternation in the Ballarat watch-house next morning. He had been drinking heavily, and the police were desirous of placing him under restraint for his own protection. When Constable Serpell, the city watchhouse-keeper, visited the cell to prepare Jones for removal to the court, he found the prisoner undressed, and all efforts to induce him to don his clothes proved unavailing. Sergeant Arnold, to whom the situation was explained, decided to attempt a little persuasion; but directly he entered the cell the prisoner dealt him a blow in the eye which induced him to retire. Constable Ward, who was present, then took a hand, and having induced the man to enter the office, he was gradually carrying out the work of clothing him, when the telephone bell rang. With a terrified yell the man started to Iris feet, and made a dash for the door, crying, 'They are going to hang me; they have rung for my name.' Constable Ward attached himself to the end of the man's trailing garment, but in spite of the well-intentioned effort the prisoner reached the verandah, and finally arrived at the gate. Seeing two pressmen in the vicinity, he appealed to them for protection, but they decided not to identify themselves with the struggle in any way. One of them, therefore, retreated hurriedly into the city morgue, while his companion made observations from an adjacent stable. The united effort of the police got the man back into the cell, and Mr. J. D. Woolcott, J.P., eventually attended at the watch house, and remanded him to gaol for medical treatment. Constable Serpell received a severe blow in the struggle."

In August 1903 he arrested a man for unspecified acts of indecency: "William Heatherman, who was arrested, by Constable Serpell on a charge of indecency, pleaded guilty, and after a lecture by the chairman on the evils of intemperance, was allowed to go with a fine of 5s."

In February 1904 he arrested two men, Thomas Wilson and John Perry (or Perryman), who had stolen a bottle of whisky from the Grand Stand Hotel in Bell Street.

In June 1904 he was abused by a customer at the Guiding Star Hotel: "Constable Serpell proceeded against a man named Charles Robertson on a charge of using insulting language in a public place. The constable stated that some nights ago he was called to the Guiding Star Hotel, where the accused and some others were creating a row. Serpell ordered Robertson off the premises. On going outside he went down the street, and when several yards away he turned round and called out, 'Come on Serpell you ___' The accused did not appear. The P.M.—Do you know why the defendant is not here? Constable Serpell—l hear that he has cleared out. and I believe he has, too. Mr Murphy—He is fined £1, or 7 days’ imprisonment."

In February 1905 he arrested Ah Goon for lighting fires near the Woollen Mills: "Late on Tuesday night a Chinese named Ah Goon was arrested by Constable Serpell of Redan, on a charge of carelessly using fire. It is alleged that Ah Goon set fire to a furze hedge near the Woollen Mills, with a view to burning out some rabbits."

In February 1906 he was the officer in charge of the Redan Police Station.

In April 1906 he charged Henry Carr for riding on the footpath: "CYCLING ON THE FOOTPATH. Henry Carr was charged with riding on the footpath. Constable Serpell stated that on the 7tn inst. he saw defendant riding on the footpath, and remonstrated with him, and was told that defendant had something better to do with his time than get on the road. He gave a wrong name and address. Carr, who stated that he had given his right address, was fined 10s."

In July 1906 he attempted to stop a runaway horse running through Redan: "Mr and Mrs J. Brazenor were driving near the cattle yards on Wednesday afternoon, when the horse tumbled and broke the kingbolt. It bolted towards Redan where Constable Serpell endeavoured to check it. Turning into Matthews's woodyard, the horse with two wheels attached to it, just missed a woman and several children and then dashed into a horse and gig belonging to Mr Skinner of Ballarat East, doing further damage. Mr and Mrs Brazenor had a severe shaking while the former also had his knees abraded."

In August 1906 he was criticized by a local councillor for not taking action against young men playing "two up" or "pitch and toss". It is interesting to read of a case in 1905, when the city court rejected his charges against gamblers that Serpell caught in the act throwing the coins, because he had not seen money change hands. A local resident came to his defense with a letter to the paper: "CR. HILL AND THE POLICE. To the Editor of “The Star.” Sir,—The retiring councillor for the south ward., in his election speech at the City Council on Monday, indulged in an outburst of vehemence about the Redan police, which must be viewed with regret. All peaceable residents in the south ward can testify that such a charge of neglected duty as that hurled at Constable Serpell is without the shadow of a foundation, as the publicans and the 'two up' crowd have found to their cost. Since Constable Serpell took charge of the Redan station he has discharged his duties faithfully and impartially and for the retiring councillor to make such a charge a part of an election bait is, to say the least of it a very unkind and unwise notion to gain popularity. —Yours, etc., REDAN RESIDENT."

On 1 September 1906 he was promoted to Senior-constable and promoted to street duty in Melbourne. In 1912 he was based at the Prahran Police Station.

In February 1914 he transferred from Prahran, to be officer in charge at Hawthorn West. In November 1914 he was transferred from Hawthorn West to Essendon North.

His daughter was married in March 1914: The marriage of Mr. Stanley Chinchen, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Chinchen, Punt-road, Windsor, to Miss Grace Serpell, eldest daughter of Senior-Constable G. Serpell and Mrs. Serpell, of Hawthorn West station, was celebrated at the St. Kilda Methodist Church, Fitzroy-street, on Wednesday, March 18, the officiating clergymen being the Rev. Dr. Watkin and the Rev. Charles Tregear. The church was prettily decorated by the choir girls, and the choir rendered a choral service, with Mr. J. Luke at the organ.

The bride, who was given away by her father, was becomingly gowned in ivory satin duchesse, with an overdress of Limerick lace; a veil of similar lace hung in graceful lines from a wreath of orange blossom, and she carried a bouquet of choice white blooms. The bridesmaids were the Misses Grace Anderson, Doris Chinchen, and May Serpell, and the train-bearers, Master Claud Creelman and Miss Maggie Creelman. The maids were dressed alike in ivory crepe de chine frocks, and they carried bouquets of scarlet carnations. Mr. Percy Dwyer was the best man, and the groomsmen were Mr. Rupert Chinchen and Mr. Sam Serpell. After the ceremony a reception was held in the church hall, during which Miss Ethel Robertshaw sang. At wedding-tea the principal toasts were proposed by Dr. Watkin and Mr. John White. The honeymoon, is being spent at Sorrento, and on their return Mr. and Mrs Stanley Chinchen will reside at Elm-grove, Rippon Lea.