Tomorrow is Halloween, but at Dominic’s school it’s “History Day” and the kids can come dressed in costume… provided that they are dressed as a historical figure.
Dominic’s costume is a London Bobby(sp? one of the police, anyway)… so I need to fit that theme to a historical figure so that he can wear his costume to school.
Well, I can’t think of a specific London Bobby, but the costume itself is historical. Maybe he could learn a little bit about the history of the uniform and how they came to be called “bobbies.” That sort of thing.
How about Sir Robert Peel, the man that formed the first British police force? They were called Peelers after his last name and later Bobbies after his first.
London Bobbies are named after Robert Peel, the founder of the Police Force - who was a historical figure himself. So you’ve got it made.
'ello 'ello 'ello, what’s going on 'ere then ?
Dunno if there are any – you got many famous cops over your way ?
I’d suggest a generic Bow Street Runner – can’t remember now if they were the first police force in the world but they were the first here (established in the 1750’s by Henry Fielding).
Must be more info on the web somewhere.
Just to avoid confusion: The Bow Street Runners ‘evolved’ into Peel’s police force several decades later. I say evolved, they developed a reputation for entrepreneurial activities not wholly in line with the nature of their employment. It was felt there was a need for a London-wide, yet centralised/organised Force with a little more integrity so Peel took the job of putting it together loosely based on the Runners.
There is actually a metro station in Montreal named after Sir Robert Peel.
[sub]I just want attention.[/sub]
Ok Robert Peel it is… I’ll post a picture when I get one 
Hmm. I was going to suggest Lestrade, Superintendent Battle or Bulldog Drummond.
But since they’re literary figgers, I don’t reckon they count.
Glad someone came up with Robert Peel for ya, Opal. I was no damn help at all.
You Brits dissapoint me 
Dixon of Dock Green, the greatest Bobby of all time
pah foiled. I was going to suggest George Dixon.
Others (almost none of whom wore a uniform):
Reagan and Carter from the Sweeney
Lestrade et al from Holmes
Sir Robert Mark (can’t beleive any american would have heard of him though)
Sir Melville MacNaghten (failed to catch jack the ripper)
Sting! (think about it)
Geoff Capes (olympic shotputter and bobby)
Jason King (but not for a small boy eh?)
The laughing policeman
Callan
If I think of anymore I’ll let you know.
Jason King of ‘Department S’ ! – the ultimate 70’s icon
owl - did he have a touch of the Gary Glitters, I have no idea ?
Re Jason King:
Don’t think he was a nonce, but he was as camp as a row of tents so perhaps not what one would want a small boy to be acting like, if he’s knocking on strangers doors and asking for sweets!
I don’t suppose you could try to pass as “Dirty 'Arry” or “T.J. 'Ooker”
Ok, here is the little tyke all dressed up:
I know it’s not very authentic, but it’s darn cute!
He was very much TV’s flavour of the month in the 1970s with a bright future ahead of him. Then he was arrested for some ‘lewd conduct’ in a genetlemen’s public toilet, and rapidly vanished from view. These days he’d probably do a George Michael, go on chat shows and laugh it all off, and use it to his advantage.
