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nearby Birmingham fast becoming a boom town, young William
decided to seek work there in order to try to provide a secure
home for his wife to be. Records show that he got a job as a
labourer to a Mr Appleton of Bull Street Birmingham. We do not
know when he arrived in Birmingham, but in 1854 he sent for
his bride and they were married on 24 September 1854 at the
parish church of St James, in Ashted, now part of Aston in
Birmingham. They lived at 9 Morris Buildings, Great Francis
Street and on his marriage certificate his occupation was
recorded as a brewer.
A year later, William Dipple sought employment as a Police
Constable with the Birmingham force. West Midlands Police
Museum archives show that William Dipple enrolled in the
police on 25 September 1855, a year after his marriage. From
the police archives we know that William was 5 feet 8½
inches (1.75m) tall, with a sallow complexion, green eyes and
brown hair. The Police surgeon's record shows that he accepted
Dipple into the police service on condition that he always
wore a truss whilst on duty. Maybe William had acquired a
groin injury, possibly a hernia from the days when he was a
brewer and moving quantities of beer around in barrels.
Perhaps this is the reason that William sought a new career.
Two years after their marriage, in the summer of 1856,
Harriot gave birth to the first of their eleven children:
Robert Charles Dipple was baptised in St James church, Aston,
Birmingham on 28th December 1856.
Next year, in 1857, his police records show that William
Dipple was cautioned for being late for duty on two occasions.
Maybe this was due to the fact that Harriet was pregnant again
with their second child and young Robert was becoming more
demanding. Sarah Ann Dipple was born on 18th June 1858 but was
baptised in Willersley Parish Church.
By 1860 Harriot was pregnant again, and in 1860 the records
show that Police Constable Dipple was caught in a beer house
on at least two occasions. Perhaps the officer was becoming
used to 'wetting the baby's head!'
William George Dipple, the third child was born in July
1860 and was baptised on 29th July 1860 by the vicar of St
James, the Reverend T Eagles.
The 1861 census, taken on 7th April records that the family
had now moved to 70 Henage Street, Nechells, Birmingham. A
Census had to include details of all persons resident at a
house, including children (and still does today). There was no
mention of the young William George Dipple as he had died in
December 1860 when he was about six months old. Again, the
police records show that on 18th December 1860, P.C. Dipple
was sentenced to 14 days drill for being in the Train Tavern
at 5.25am on 11th December and drinking whilst on duty. By
this time he may have been seeking solace from alcohol.
On 20th April 1861, P.C. Dipple should have been at the
Public Office (Court). He was disciplined for his missed
appearance on 23rd April. It may be that his wife was ill at
this time as the fourth child Charles was born on 21st July
1861 (baptised on 28 December 1862). The family were still
living at 70 Henage Street.
A year later Arthur William Dipple, the fifth child was
born but like many of the children of the day succumbed to the
harsh life and times and was buried on 18th December 1864 in
Witton Cemetery, Birmingham.
The following year, 1865, the family had moved to 49 Henry
Street when the sixth child, Herbert George was baptised at St
Matthews church, Duddeston, Birmingham on 19 June 1865. Young
Herbert survived only another 11 days - by 1 July 1865 he too
had died.
The seventh child, Annie Maria, was born on 19th February
1868 but survived only 18 months before she died in August
1869. Again William and Harriet were to stand at the graveside
burying another child. It is difficult to imagine their
feelings standing there in Witton Cemetery in September 1868 -
only two children were left alive from seven births.
Edward the eight child in the family was born on 28th
February 1869 and the ninth, William Henry was born in 1871.
Edward survived but William was to die in February 1872.
The family had moved again by this time and were now living
at 49 Henry Street.
Emily Harriet, the tenth child was born on 13th March 1872,
baptised at home and died only 17 days later. On 9 April 1872
she followed her deceased brothers and sisters to Witton
Cemetery where she too was buried.
Harriot was soon pregnant yet again and on 5th July 1873
the eleventh child Blanche Dipple was born. By this time
William was aged 43 and Harriot was 41. Three months later
Blanche had become another infant mortality statistic and had
died, being buried on 15 October 1873
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