Henry Alford (police officer) facts for kids

Henry Alford (born February 12, 1816 – died February 20, 1892) was a very important police officer in early South Australia. He was actually the colony's first police officer who rode a horse! After working for the police force, he decided to become a hotel owner. His two sons followed in his footsteps and also ran hotels.

Early Life and Arrival in Australia

Henry Alford was born in Acton, a part of Middlesex, England. He moved to South Australia on a ship called the John Pirie. He arrived in August 1836, first landing at Kangaroo Island. He had a one-year work contract with the South Australian Land Company.

One of his first jobs was to travel to Tasmania (which was then called Van Diemen's Land). His mission was to buy and bring back two horses and two bullocks. These were the very first horses and bullocks ever brought into the new South Australian colony! After this, he worked for John Barton Hack, who was building up his farm animal collection.

Becoming a Police Officer

Henry Alford was a brave person. He and two other volunteers became special police officers. Their job was to catch three escaped convicts from Tasmania. These convicts were led by an outlaw named Morgan. Alford and his team successfully caught them near the whaling stations at Encounter Bay.

In April 1838, the first Governor of South Australia, Governor Hindmarsh, officially started a police force. Henry Inman was put in charge as the Inspector. Henry Alford was one of the first twenty men to join this new police force. This was actually Australia's very first officially formed police force!

Alford was assigned to the Mounted branch. These officers wore uniforms, carried weapons, and trained like soldiers. They were different from the Foot, or Metropolitan, police. The Foot police were more like the "Bobbies" you might know from London.

Rising Through the Ranks

In October 1838, the new Governor, Governor Gawler, arrived. He promoted Inman to Superintendent of Police. Soon after, James Stuart and William Baker Ashton became sub-inspectors.

Henry Alford was a very hardworking and effective officer. In just three years, he made 54 arrests! By 1841, he was promoted to sergeant. Then, in 1842, he became a sergeant-major. Many people wrote about how dedicated he was. They mentioned how good he was at finding criminals. Many of these criminals were escaped convicts from other parts of Australia, like New South Wales or Tasmania.

In 1849, Alford was promoted to Inspector. This happened after the death of Commissioner Gordon. Later, in 1853 and 1854, he had a very important job. He was in charge of guarding valuable gold shipments. These shipments traveled from Mount Alexander to Adelaide.

Leaving the Police Force

In September 1853, Henry Alford decided to leave the police force. Many people in the public wanted to know why such a good officer would leave. His resignation happened after some changes in the police force. Senior Inspector Stuart was suspended and later dismissed. Another Inspector, William Rose, had also resigned earlier from the gold escort team.

A special investigation board looked into these events. They agreed with Stuart's suspension. They also removed Chief Inspector Alexander Tolmer from leading the force. It was a complicated time for the police.

Life as a Hotel Owner

Henry Alford had always been friendly with hotel owners. So, in March 1854, he joined their ranks! He took over the Stag Inn. This hotel was on the corner of Rundle Street and East Terrace.

Then, in 1855, he built his own hotel called the Glynde Inn. He became its owner in June 1856. His son, Henry Jr., also became a hotel owner. He took over the Red Lion on Rundle Street in 1858. Then, in 1860, he ran the Golden Rule in Pirie Street.

Alford's other son, Edwin, became a poundkeeper in Hectorville in 1868. A poundkeeper was someone who looked after stray animals. Edwin also helped manage the Glynde hotel nearby. This gave his father more free time to enjoy his garden and social life.

In 1876, Edwin left his poundkeeping job. He took over the Glynde hotel completely. He got married, and his wife also helped run the hotel. After Edwin passed away, his wife continued to manage the hotel until about 1911. This means the hotel was run by the Alford family for 55 years! This might even be a record for the state.

Henry Alford's final years were affected by a throat illness. This illness eventually caused his death. He was buried at the West Terrace cemetery. Many members of the police force attended his funeral to honor him.

Family Life

Henry Alford (February 12, 1816 – February 20, 1892) married Elizabeth Ann Drewett (around 1816 – June 26, 1875) in 1844.

• Henry Alford Jr. (around 1839 – March 21, 1882) married Mary Davis (around 1836 – August 30, 1880) on July 4, 1860. Mary was the second daughter of Mr. Samuel Davis of Glynde. Henry Jr. was the owner of the Golden Rule Hotel.
  • Samuel Davis Alford (1865–1866)
  • Henry Edwin Alford (August 17, 1862 – February 23, 1918)
  • Elizabeth Davis Alford (October 24, 1868 – November 1, 1953) married Joseph Toy (1866 – March 13, 1912) on August 5, 1890.
  • Arthur George Alford (December 14, 1870 – June 12, 1950)
  • Frank Alford (May 27, 1874 – May 21, 1878)
  • Mary Ann Alford married Conrad Ludwig Johann August Jahn (1854– ) on February 15, 1882. Jahn was the owner of the Jetty Hotel, Semaphore.
• Elizabeth Ann Alford (1846– )
• Edwin Alford (1847 – July 31, 1900) married Evelina Moore Townsend (around 1853 – October 11, 1915) in 1874. Edwin was a poundkeeper, then the owner of the Glynde Hotel.
  • Elizabeth Ann "Bessie" Alford (June 9, 1875 – ) married William Stokes Lumbers ( –1939) on September 23, 1903.
  • Eva Alford ( – )
• Julia Alford (1849– )
• Elizabeth Anne Alford (October 22, 1851 – )
• Mary Jane Alford (1854 – August 10, 1859)

Henry Alford married again to Ellen Taylor Hunter on May 31, 1877.