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Senior Police Officers

in Ringmer


(There are photographs available for those Officers whose names are in blue)


Hugh Annesley
, from the Metropolitan Police, was appointed an Assistant Chief Constable in Sussex in the mid 1970's and took lodgings at Cheyney House for a short time, subsequently occupying a police house in Harvard Road, again on a temporary basis. Mr (now Sir Hugh) Annesley rose to be Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

 

Reginald Ernest Breffit, OBE MA was Chief Constable of East Sussex from 1936 until he retired in 1965. With his wife and two sons he lived at Holm Lodge, Lewes Road, Ringmer from 1937 until the late 1950's when they moved to Old Malling Farm, Lewes. "Reggie" (as he was known to his force, died at Laughton on 24 June 1976. His funeral service at Ringmer Church was attended by many serving and former colleagues. He and his wife and elder son are buried in the new Churchyard. His second son emigrated to Australia and is also deceased.

 

John David Dibley, OBE, an Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex from 1976 to 1989, came to live in Ringmer in 1984 and remained there following his retirement until his death in 2007.

 

Janet Skeef began service at Hastings in 1951, transferred to East Sussex Constabulary in 1954 and was stationed at Hove. She was appointed to be the first Woman Detective Constable in the Force in 1956. On formation of the amalgamated Sussex Police in 1968, she was posted to Force Headquarters and promoted to be the first Woman Superintendent in the County. At the time of her retirement there were 182 women police officers. She has lived in Ringmer since 1974.

 

Thomas Christopher Williams, LLB Barrister-at-Law CBE QPM was appointed Chief Constable of the Sussex Constabulary on its formation on 1 January 1968. Mr Williams had previously been Chief Constable of West Sussex. With his wife, he came to live at Little Manor, Ringmer, from 1968 until his death on 9 September 1972. He died tending the roses in the garden at Little Manor. His funeral service was also at Ringmer Church with full police honours and in the presence of many colleagues from Sussex and other police forces in the UK. The service was conducted by the Archdeacon of Lewes, the Very Revd Max Godden and the Rev Austen Williams, of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, and brother of the deceased.