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Brentford Familes - Mumford and Brown

Arthur Fanning wrote in 2005:

John Oman Mumford, born 1851

My Great-great-uncle (by Marriage) was John Oman MUMFORD, born 1851 in London. In 1871, he joined the Metropolitan Police, and eventually in March 1892, he became the Sub-divisional Inspector in charge of the old Brentford Police Station in the High Street. He lived in Married Quarters at the Station until 1897, when he retired on pension and moved to 14, Lateward Road, Brentford.

The following report appeared in the Police Review in 1897:

RETIREMENT OF AN INSPECTOR.- Having completed upwards of twenty-five years' service in the Metropolitan Police Force, Sub-divisional Inspector Mumford has retired on a pension. Mr.Mumford came to Brentford in 1891, on the retirement of Sub-divisional Inspector ROWLING, his immediately preceding appointment having been at Albany Street in the S Division.

During his residence in Brentford, Inspector Mumford has gained the respect and esteem of the general body of the residents alike by his genial and kindly bearing and by the efficiency with which he has discharged the onerous duties of his position. Mr. Mumford intends, we understand, to enter into business in Brentford.

***

On retirement he became the licensee of a public house in the High Street, until his death in 1899 in Brentford Cottage Hospital. His wife Catherine (nee BROWN) took over the licence, assisted by her daughter Minnie (as barmaid), but Minnie died in 1905 at the age of 20. Catherine died in 1919 in Beckenham, Kent, but I do not know when she gave up the pub John, Catherine and Minnie share a grave in Brentford Old Cemetery.

Author - Arthur Fanning

I was brought up in Isleworth (at the back of Kneller Hall), and my only real connection with Brentford, was that during the war years I passed through it on my way to school at Gunnersbury.

Research notes and links

John Mumford took over the George IV Public House when he retired (number 50 High Street, on the corner of Goat Wharf), a few doors along from the Police Station at no. 42.

In the 1913 directory a Mrs C Mumford is listed at the George IV. Joseph B Hart had taken over by 1920.

Published August 2005