Anyone who served in the Bermuda Police Force in the 1940's, 50's and 60's will have no doubt about the name of this well known character. Yes, we want to know who he is, but also did you ever have any dealings with him that you can tell us about.  So far, only Lynn Hall has mentioned him in his "Then and Now" article.

 

And how about other characters you met while serving here in Bermuda?  St. George's lost of it's own last year, but there was many more in Hamilton and around the Island.  If you can name them we will do our best to see if we can find photos of them but we also want you to write abour your expereinces with them.

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Davie Kerr
I seem to remember hearing about Jim McIlwain and someone else (possibly Ray Sousa) lifting Weatherbird one night, and doing a couple of laps of the city in U7 to shake off the dogs before getting to the station, but that may be an apocryphal story!Editors note - It sure has the ring of truth Davie, and will check with both Jim and Ray.
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Mike Johnson
weatherbird was always followed by a ragtag pack of {mostly} friendly dogs, and spent a lot of time on the water side of Front Street. When asked where he lived, his stock reply was 'wherever night take me, mon'. I heard he was from St Lucia, also called 'First and Last' because of it's position in the Islands chain.He usually tried to provoke the beat cops at Christmas time, to get a free bed, a clean up, and a good meal for the Holidays. It became a game we played, him trying to get arrested, us trying not to do it! He usually won.
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George Rose
'Mockingbirds' name was Madeline Lovella Richards - she married a Ratteray. I was involved with her as the investigating officer in an interesting death investigation when she walked into Hamilton Police Station early one December morning in 1968 and told the station officer “I am responsible for his death. He had a knife in his hand and I struck him. My Lord, what have I done?”
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Davie Kerr
Because I didn't spend too much time on the beat in Hamilton before going to Traffic, I didn't have too much contact with the local "characters", but one I do remember was Eugene Hilgrove Scott. One week of nights (during the period when I was "Under Punishment" and forbidden to do anything except walk the beat: that was punishment?), when I think I must have been the only man on the beat, I found him sleeping in the grounds of the Cabinet Office and sent him on his way. Two nights later he was there again: I sent him on his way again, with the warning, "Scotty, next time you'll get locked up." And three nights later he was there again. True to my word I locked him up, and the next day the magistrate gave him 9 MONTHS in Casemates! I left him alone after that.....
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Terry
Terry said :
[quote name="Terry"]Mr. Mills.Weatherbird.Knew him well.Editors note - Thanks Terry. Could you briefly elaborate on "Mockingbird"? Never thought of it before but two of our characters were "bird"! And how about the character who spent decades in St. George's.
She was a character. Actually Hamilton's 'Bama'. Forgot her real name/s. Female drunk and prostitute. Nothing to look at for an old woman but what ever.Never had direct dealings with her but assisted Betty Osborne with an arrest.Alvin Anderson aka Bama. Had lots of dealing with him; mostly drunk in public, drinking in a public place, offensive words et al.St. George law back in the early 70's was 4 hours imprisonment for minor infractions ( I think I help him about 4 times for similar periods.) Beat paperwork and court. But when he really crossed the line well he had to go.Editors note - I'm sure modern society would frown on "short term imprisonment" for the Alabama's and Mockingbird's of this world, but it didn't cost the tax payers anything or clog up the courts!
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Terry
Terry said :
Mr. Mills.Weatherbird.Knew him well.Editors note - Did you ever have dealings with him Terry?
 In the 60's a couple of times.John Williams and I picked him up one day at his old haunt outside the ferry terminal. Him and Mockingbird were at it which was strange as they were friends.Dropped him off on King Street. Different kind of policing back then.Otherwise than that never had much dealings as I moved to the East and worked there at this time until he passed.Editors note - Thanks Terry. Could you briefly elaborate on "Mockingbird"? Never thought of it before but two of our characters were "bird"! And how about the character who spent decades in St. George's.
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Terry
Mr. Mills.Weatherbird.Knew him well.Editors note - Did you ever have dealings with him Terry?
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