Absolutely, Josling was totally vindicated, though, as you point out, the Home Sec was stiff-necked about it and only reluctantly compensated him. Apparently, Josling retired as a much-loved and respected headmaster. The hidden story is how the hierarchy – and who among them – decided to wreck his career in favour of Goddard, who was as bent as a nine-bob note. That's a pattern that's is replayed to this day (I know an officer who fell foul of certain senior people). And you're right – a Josling prize would be a fitting tribute to a wronged man – but it would also be a bit of a contradiction in a force meant to be imbued with honesty.
A most interesting piece. Thank you for posting. I enjoyed your book, too. I was interested to know also what happened to Horace Josling after he was forced to resign. Some seven years later, in February 1929, and supported by his MP Jack Hayes (himself a former Policeman), Josling eventually received a grudging admission from the police that he was innocent and that he should not have been hounded as he was. Josling's wife had taken a job to support them both so he could attend Goldsmith's College and obtain his teaching certificate. By 1929, when his name was cleared after 7 years, he was already headmaster of a Shropshire village school. Josling was offered his job back - at his former rank of sergeant, but he declined. After much prevarication and criticism the Home Secretary reluctantly agreed to compensate him with a one-off payment of £1,500. Many protested, saying this was insufficient compensation for a seven year loss of income and complete loss of pension, but Josling said the money was not so important as the fact that his name had been cleared, albeit so late in the day. Wouldn't it be great if a prize for an honest policeman could be established - the Horace Josling Prize. Then again, all police officers are expected to be honest, aren't they?
Absolutely, Josling was totally vindicated, though, as you point out, the Home Sec was stiff-necked about it and only reluctantly compensated him. Apparently, Josling retired as a much-loved and respected headmaster. The hidden story is how the hierarchy – and who among them – decided to wreck his career in favour of Goddard, who was as bent as a nine-bob note. That's a pattern that's is replayed to this day (I know an officer who fell foul of certain senior people). And you're right – a Josling prize would be a fitting tribute to a wronged man – but it would also be a bit of a contradiction in a force meant to be imbued with honesty.
A most interesting piece. Thank you for posting. I enjoyed your book, too. I was interested to know also what happened to Horace Josling after he was forced to resign. Some seven years later, in February 1929, and supported by his MP Jack Hayes (himself a former Policeman), Josling eventually received a grudging admission from the police that he was innocent and that he should not have been hounded as he was. Josling's wife had taken a job to support them both so he could attend Goldsmith's College and obtain his teaching certificate. By 1929, when his name was cleared after 7 years, he was already headmaster of a Shropshire village school. Josling was offered his job back - at his former rank of sergeant, but he declined. After much prevarication and criticism the Home Secretary reluctantly agreed to compensate him with a one-off payment of £1,500. Many protested, saying this was insufficient compensation for a seven year loss of income and complete loss of pension, but Josling said the money was not so important as the fact that his name had been cleared, albeit so late in the day. Wouldn't it be great if a prize for an honest policeman could be established - the Horace Josling Prize. Then again, all police officers are expected to be honest, aren't they?