Sean Morris deep dives into Island's past

Our good friend and former colleague, retired Sgt. Sean Morris made headlines in the Royal Gazette this morning (7th November 2025) after “A painstaking deep dive into the Island ‘s past (which) has yielded an inventory of curiosities for the Bermuda Historical Society Musem, where close to 90% of items have been recorded by volunteer and retired police sergeant, Sean Morris.”  Illustrated with photographs, the updated catalogue marks the first accounting of the society’s artefacts at its museum in Hamilton since 1992.

“The job took him more than two years delving into centuries of items, from silverware, paintings, china, furniture and coins to police memorabilia and relics from prisoners of the Boer War.

“Sean says his labour of love identifying the exhibit pieces and incorporating the fresh additions came with some surprises.

“Sean goes on to say,  ‘There are some police items, including a cigarette case and a medal given to Albert Rogerson, a police officer who was badly injured in 1921 and received a medal for gallantry.’

“I’m interested in police and military history, so that one stands out to me.”

“History records that Mr Rogerson was on patrol during an era when the east end of Reid Street was a notoriously rough area of Hamilton.

“He arrested a man after encountering a fight in Fagan’s Alley. The man attacked him and was joined by a group armed with sticks and bottles, who beat the officer and dragged him towards Front Street while he maintained a grip on his intended detainee.  Mr Rogerson’s injuries included getting slashed with a razor, and his left hand was left almost useless.

"He returned to England and was awarded the King's Police Medal for Gallantry by King George V. Mr Rogerson ultimately returned to Bermuda, married and remained on the island.”

CLICK HERE to view the full article in the Royal Gazette.

King's Police Medal for Gallantry

If the story of Albert Rogerson sounds familiar to our ExPo readers, it’s probably because the attack on Constable Rogers is mentioned specifically in an article on our ExPo website when Roger Sherratt  gave a talk on the History of the Bermuda Police during Police Week in 2014, CLICK HERE to view the article on our ExPo website.  P.C. Albert Rogerson was a member of the first group of overseas recruits who arrived in Bermuda on a hot day in August 1920.

Photo and caption from Police files

Retired Superintendent Andrew Bermingham is head of the Bermuda Historical Society and has been an active member of the society for many years. Andrew says, “Sean has put two years of very hard work into this project, and has the necessary skills, including the ability to be precise  and have the essential accuracy to pull together this superb book which captures some 80% of the BHS inventory.  Together with support from Pro Service with Glen Phillips and his team we now have a wonderful record of our exhibits.”

Copies of the inventory book went on sale earlier this month, and you can CLICK HERE to view it online.