Chief Constable 1839 – 1842
(No picture exists of George Robbins. The image below shows the uniform he would have worn prior to joining the force)
George Robbins was born to Thomas and Anne in East Wellow, Hampshire in 1802. He was a Captain in the 17th Lancers and a Major in the Hampshire Militia. He had what was described as a very good military career. On 28th May 1833 he married Maria Catherine Elton in Clifton, Gloucestershire. In 1839 he was appointed as the first Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary. In the 1841 census he is shown as living at St James Crescent, Winchester with his wife and three servants. In 1851 he is shown as living at 118, Forest Lodge, Fawley and is shown as a Justice of the Peace. Also living in the house were his wife and four servants. In the 1861 census he is still shown as living in Fawley, but at 9 Forest Lodge. Also present at the time were his wife and three servants. He is shown as a Magistrate and ex Major of the Militia. Finally in 1871 he is shown as living at 91 Standerwick, Court near Wells in Somerset with his wife, four servants and a groom. He is still shown as a Magistrate in Hampshire. As Chief Constable he had a salary of £300 per year and forage of £100 for two horses. This compared to 18 shillings a week for a constable. The force at this time comprised of 14 Superintendents, and 91 constables. As the Chief Constable he decreed that nothing could be purchased for use by the force without his written permission. He resigned in 1842. He died on 29th November 1873. The following memorial can be found at West Wickham, Kent – “George Robbins, formerly a Captain 17th Lancers and Major Hampshire Militia, died November 29 1873 aged 71 years”.
