Constable Edward Francis Nicholson was my wife’s Grandfather. He was born in Shoreditch, London in September 1862. At the age of 18yrs he joined the Fifth Dragoon Guards and served for 12 years.

On 20th. September 1887 Edward joined Liverpool City Police. He served at Westminster Road Police Station as the Mounted Police, Ambulance and Fire Officer. He also took prisoners from various Police Stations in the city in a horse drawn wagon to the Main Bridewell, Cheapside.

It is fair to say that Edward would have been one of the first Officers to join the newly formed Mounted Police Department.

He was known as Ned by the local population and he could take the horse drawn ambulance into streets where other Police Officers would not be allowed by the locals.

He was a great horse betting man and had his own account with Littlewoods.

He retired on 13th October 1913 and died in Kirkdale, Liverpool on 26th. April 1945. On his death his son, Harold wrote to Littlewoods closing the account and they responded with a postal order returning monies owed to him.

Edward had requested his ashes be scattered at Beechers Brook, Aintree Racecourse, the home of the Grand National. In those days the Racecourse was owned by Americans, and Harold contacted them and his wishes was granted. It is said that Edward wanted the horses to kick up the turf and he would know, “There goes Ned flying by”.

Alfie Bramwell