1872 Entered Devon County Police

1873-7 Assigned to Braunton, Marwood and Dartmouth

1877 Assigned to Ilfracombe

1881 James was living in Ilfracombe next door to the police station,

with his wife, Mary Ann and children, Elizabeth Ann, age 2,

and Mary Jane, age 1.

1896 James retired from Devon Police at age 44

1899 James appointed Harbour Constable in Ilfracombe

1914 Special Reserve Constable, Devon Police in Dawlish

1921 Caretaker at the Town Hall, Ilfracombe, followed by Constable

on the Pleasure Grounds under the I.U.D.C.

1925 James retires from Constable on the Pleasure Grounds

1928 James died on May 8, 1928

Constable J. Stentiford, who has been Constable on the Pleasure Grounds under the I.U.D.C. for the past five years, retired on Wednesday. Although Mr. Stentiford was appointed to the Pleasure Grounds in 1921, his connection with the Council work dates very much further back, for he was in the employ of Commander Ede when the Council took over the Pier and Harbour Undertaking in 1905, and continued in the post of Harbour Constable under the Council until the War, when he re-joined the County Police Force and was stationed at Dawlish. After the War he returned to Ilfracombe and was appointed Caretaker at the Town Hall and subsequently to the position he has just vacated.

It will be a surprise to many, we believe, to hear that Mr. Stentiford is in his 74th year, for he carries his years well and has the appearance of a much younger man. He joined the Police Force as far back as 1872, and was stationed at Dartmouth, and first came here in 1877. Afterwards he was ten years at Braunton, and was there when the railway line to Ilfracombe was opened.

In addition to his duties as Pleasure Grounds Constable, Mr. Stentiford was Hackney Carriage and Boat Inspector to the Council, and it is a testimonial to the good order he has maintained that during the past five years he has only found occasion to bring 27 offences to the Council under the bye-laws appertaining to all the offices mentioned.

Mr. Stentiford’s long and faithful service has fully earned him the leisure he has just entered upon, and townspeople generally will wish him many years of health to enjoy it.

At a recent meeting the Council received the notice of his retirement, and the following letter has been sent to Mr. Stentiford by the Clerk (Capt. H. G. Brede):

The Council, at their meeting on Tuesday last, accepted with regret your resignation as Pleasure Grounds Constable, and I am directed to convey to you their appreciation for the services you have rendered during the time you have been engaged by the Council. Yours Truly,

H.G. BREDE