MR. WILLIAM WILCOX, the late Deputy Chief Constable of Birmingham, whose death,
from lung complaint, took place on October 31st last, was a native of Dublin, his
father being at one time attached to the Artillery stationed in Dublin Castle. It
is stated that the sons soldierly bearing was a marked characteristic, and that
he seemed cut out for the Army. The Duke of Cambridge, upon the occasion of a visit
of inspection, took special note of young Willcox, telling the father how much he
should like to see him in the Service. Mr. Wilcox was, however, otherwise inclined,
and going to Birmingham he joined the Force on October 30th, 1856, and, in common
with many old colleagues, now passed from the ranks, he witnessed the evolution
of the Birmingham Force from its primitive state, when the members formed a curious
medley in their tall hats with crowns of silver, swallow-tail coats, and white duck
trousers, to its pre- sent position of acknowledged up-to-datedness. In 1859 a reorganisation
took place in the Force, which resulted in the formation of the five Police Divisions.
In those days Mr. R. A. Stephens was Chief Constable, the first of four under whom
the deceased Officer served during his long connection with the Force. In 1863 Mr.
Stephens resigned the office, and Inspr. Glossop, who then occupied the position
of Chief of the Detective Department, was promoted to the vacant post. Under Mr.
Glossops regime Mr. Wilcox saw a number of improvements effected. The white trousers
were discontinued ; the top hat gave way to the helmet with a cone like a firemans;
and there was a gradual smartening up in the dress and appearance all the way round.
Mr. Glossop, who retired on superannuation in 1876, and who is still enjoying his
pension, was succeeded by Major Bond, whose great achievement was to substitute
a spike on the helmet in place of the cone.
Mr. Wilcox joined as a Constable, being posted to Duke Street, but before long he
received promotion to the rank of Acting-Sergeant. Later he went as full Sergeant
to the old Police Station in Alcester Street, and also about the same time he served
in the Chief Constables office as Sergeant-Clerk. In 1865 he was promoted to Inspector,
while in the following year he was made Superintendent, and was placed in charge
of the Station in Alcester Street. A year later the Murphy Riots occurred to disturb
the peace of the City, and to call into activity both Police and military. Here
(says the Birmingham Daily Gazette) ex-Supt. Sheppard, who is still enjoying a well-earned
retirement, was foremost among the Officers of the day engaged in the suppression
of the street disturbances Supt. Wilcox, however, had his share in the organisation
of the Forces necessary to cope with the rioters. There was some fear that an attack
would be made upon the gunshops in St. Marys district, or perhaps on the Cathedral
of St. Chad, in Bath Street, and the Magistrates took prompt measures to repress
such an attempt in the event of its being made, by sending a strong force of Police,
under Supt. Wilcox, and a second troop of horse into the district. These precautions
were evidently effective, for it is stated that the troops and other forces paraded
the streets from time to time, but their services were not called into active requisition.
Mr. Wilcox had long since shown conspicuous ability as a Police Officer, and he
had moreover the advantage of an education superior in many respects to that possessed
by many of the Officers of his day. These combined qualities served him in good
stead, and when in 1871 the office of Chief Clerk in the Chief Constables Department
fell vacant by the retirement of Mr. Austin, Mr. Wilcox was at once fixed upon as
the man excellently suited for the responsible and exacting duties of the position.
"It is not too much to say," says the Gazette, " that Mr. Wilcox adorned his new
office in more senses than by the ability he possessed to grasp the variety of detail
in finance and other matters. He was admittedly one of the most handsome men in
the Force; tall, erect, and of gentlemanly bearing and address. Indeed, at that
time, as in many years later, he was invariably selected to take the charge of Police
contingents from the town when such were requisitioned on the occasion of Royal
visits to other parts of the country, His work was characterised by singular devotion,
and though ill-health has from time to time overtaken him, in more recent years
he has rarely been long absent from his post. It is needless to remark that with
the growth of the City, and the increase of the Police Force in later years, the
work of the Chief Constables department has advanced by leaps and bounds."
In 1893 Mr. Wilcox was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief Constable, still retaining,
however, an oversight of the clerical department, the more exacting duties concerning
Police finance, licensing, and the multitudinous matters of detail falling to Supt.
Morgan and a capable staff working with him. Some 12 years ago Mr. Wilcox suffered
a severe attack of rheumatic fever, and he has never been quite the same man since.
Mr. Wilcox had been many years closely associated with the Police Mutual Assurance
Association, and up to the last he was the authorised Officer for the district,
while his name also appeared on the committee. He at one time represented the Police
on the Hospital Saturday Fund, and his interest in the Force was further manifested
in all that concerned the welfare of the band and the Police library. He was one
of the prime movers in connection with the annual concerts on behalf of these objects;
and in a variety of ways demonstrated a warm sympathy and interest in his comrades.
The news of his death was received by all who knew him with deep regret. He was
genial and good-hearted, and for many years adorned the responsible office he filled.
The deceased, who was 63 years of age, and whose service covered a period of 42
years, has served under four Chief Constables. He has left widow, two sons, an two
daughters.
The funeral of the deceased Officer took place a November 3rd in Handsworth Churchyard,
amid every mark of respect from friends and the public.
The Birmingham Owl thus refers to the late Mr. Wilcox: " He was a man of striking
and dignified presence, of polished, not to say courtly, manners and the popularity
which he enjoyed both within and without the Force, whose affairs he so ably helped
to administer, was well deserved."
Extracted from "The Police Review & Parade Gossip",
December 23rd 1898