Talk by George Barnsley: History of Policing in Lanarkshire

Members of Rutherglen Heritage Society greatly enjoyed a talk given by George Barnsley on 23rd. February 2023 in Rutherglen Library on the history of policing in Lanarkshire.

George Barnsley had a long, varied and distinguished career in the Police, working in the CID and the Serious Crime Squad. He rose to the rank of Superintendent, before retiring in 2010. Since then, he has set up his own training and consultancy business and has written a book entitled The Lanarkshire Police Chronicles. He is Chairman of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society.

In his talk, George told us of the efforts of the LPHS to preserve police archives, artifacts and memorabilia and of his central part in the campaign to obtain posthumous bravery awards for officers such as PC George Edwards and DS Ross Hunt, both of whom were killed in the line of duty.

The stories of those officers are included in George's book, several copies of which were purchased during the evening. George also gave an account of the courageous actions of Cambuslang-born WPC Isabella Rankine who was involved in a firearm incident in the Gorbals in the 1950s, and as a result of which, she received a bravery award.

The talk was very well received by an appreciative audience which comprised Heritage Society Members, website subscribers and guests.

We're very grateful to George for giving us this talk.

© 2023 by Rutherglen Heritage Society.

Links:

The Lanarkshire Police Historical Society website. Click here

Glasgow World website article 20Jan2023 about PC George Edwards and DS Ross Hunt. Click here

Ringwood Publishing website, precis of The Lanarkshire Police Chronicles. Click here