The Day we received a bomb at our home.

My eldest Grandson Adam Mellor, was one year and a few month old. On a weekday in 1989, his father, my son, Stuart John Mellor, was in the habit of bringing him to our home at 118, Birches Barn Road, where we would have him for several hours, whilst our daughter in law did some part time work. We loved having him. Stuart usually arrived at about 8.30pm and his visits coincided with the visit of a post lady, we had her for years. My wife, collected the post, and put it on the Kitchen Table, it was near Christmas, and amongst the post was a small colourfully wrapped packet. My wife, said, "someone has sent you a Christmas present"
I opened all my mail, with a paper knife, I slit open the bottom of the package. I then saw the tell tale wires, which my knife has not touched. I said, Thia may be a bomb and threw it into the hallway. It did not detonate. My wife, took the child outside, the back door, onto the lawn. My son, open the front door, and kicked the object onto the front lawn, again it did not detonate. I telephoned "999" and reported the incident. The operator said," two more, one to the Chief Constable and one to Superintendent V Morris, at Birmingham Road, have been deteted at the Sorting Office.
In the interim period, the police had arrived. The used a waste disposal Lorry, to stop all traffic at Birches Barn Road and St Phillips Avenue, and in a few minutes, had shut sown Birches Barn Road, completely. It remained like that for the next five hours. The Police did not examine the packet. The Bomb Disposal team, Army where called. They sent in the small tractor on caterpillar tracks and camera. They kept in touch with me, via open telephone. At about 12md they announced the bomb, was an High Explosive charge, with incendiary elements, which if it had detonated, would have caused serious injury and a fire. It was their intention to detonate it in situ. We had to withdraw from the house, into the rear orchard. The detonation took place, it made a 3foot, wide, by 1 foot deep hole in the lawn, and dislodged 8 roof tiles on the verandah. The incident was over. I made a formal statement, and received a a call from Geoffrey Dear, commiserating with me, a similar call from Vic Morris, who was an old Friend. Invitation to the Incident Room followed, and 6 weeks later the enquiries into the three bombs, were curtailed. Who was responsible. I do not know.There were many theories, IRA, BLF, my former service experieneces., in Palestine It came to naught. An unpleasant experience.

John Mellor Remembers

John Mellor Remembers

Some Person are not lovers of history and the Past

I was posted to West Bromwich Police Station, in 1965, I was not there long. I did have an opportunity of visiting the old unused cells, and discovered that th No. 1 The Occurrence Books, from the passing of the County Police Act, were intactm dry and stacked in 25 years piles. A complete history of the Police station, its visitors, its criminals and it good deeds. I did not return until 1972. The old police station had been destroyed in the name of progress.
I checked the station on assuming command of the sub-division. I went into No.1 Cell, and found the books still in tact. I spoke to the Borough Librarian and archivist, and told him of the books.He was intrigued. The Divisional commander, known from now on as DC, had changed B had left and other B had assumed command, in 1974, to coincide with the new amalgamated Police Service, we where no longer a Force.
I spoke to him, about utilising the cell, but preserving the books. He was not pleased. He asked me to leave it to him, He would deal with it.
I took a day off, the following week, I was on the upper floors a few days later, when Sergeant S, who had always worked in the Divisional Office, Said to me "You can use the cell now, the gaffer told me to take the books to the cupola and burn them. It took three journies with the Divisional van" I remember, he appeared to have a sardonic smile. I thanked him. I never metntioned i tagain. Years later, I was asked by the very efficient, Museum controller in the new West Midlands Police, where all the books had gone from the old West Bromwich Division. I advised him of their disposal. I will not repeat his remarks, something about "Attila, the......."

The Gentle Mander, Wightwick Manor.

Sir Geoffrey and Lady Mander, were still living at the Manor, when I was at Compton. When he was away, the house, was special attention. Sir Geoffrey was a magistrate, and an important one. The number of documents he signed was tremendous. It was usually on a Friday pm after due notice. The household was more relaxed than The Mount, but both were was easy to talk to. He usually told me a story, his favourite, being when with a group of bankers, who with his title and house, thought he was a Conservative. He delighted in telling them he supported the Labour Party., after they had attacked Labours leading figures. He had a good sense of humour. Lady Mander, was a cultivated person, interested, in the ways of the locality and delighted in the stories, of our various problems, with the new arrivals in our area. In the summer, at parties, there was a few traffic problems, but a lot of personalities, film stars, stage stars, poets and politicians. A real eye opener sometimes. He never forgot however was on duty, and personally took us for refreshments. As a magistrate I had to dirnk whatever, he gave me. Ha. Ha. He generousely donated the property to the National Trust. A fine gesture, by a fine couple.

The Mander of the Mount, Tettenhall Wood

The Manders I met, during the period 1950 to 1955, whilst stationed as a Constable at Tettenhall and Compton, and living at Tettenhall Wood.
I was the fist constable to be stationed at Tettenhall Wood. The Compton sub-section had grown out of proportion with the development of the Tettenhall Wood and Castlecroft estates. We had at this time many of the old families of Wolverhampton, within a decade to be dispersed. The Manders were probably the most important. My memories.
Lady Mander and Daisy St Clair Mander, Mother and daughter lived at The Mount, Tettenhall Wood, a impressive Victorian mansion. One butler, one gardened, I remember, they lived opposite the Mount in semi-detached houses, built at the same time as the Mount. The Butler name, I feel, was Rochester.I visited four times before this house was sold(I would not mention the name of the man who bought it)My visits, were usually confined to taking documents to Miss Mander, for signature, she was a magistrates. You arranged your visit via the butler. My first visit, was to see Lady Mander. She had asked specifically for me, and I was intrigued. I made my first visit, and rang the long pull bell at the door(still in situ)the Butler answered and escorted me, helmet under right arm(Dixon of Dock Green fashion)to the Minstrels Gallery, where sat, this charming elderly lady, who invited me to sit, and offered coffee. She chatted about my service life, my family, told me of her delight at living at the Mount. She then said, “we have discovered in my late husbands gun cabinet Two Steyr Rifles”, I do not think we should have the. What do I do. I explained, the surrender position, which I would deal with. She then said, “I will call Daisy, my daughter”. This she did by alerting the butler. Miss Mander, arrived, I was formally introduced(very embarrassed)Miss mander, who was blunt and to the point, said, “The cleaners from the village, say you are a countryman, and shoot” I agreed. She said, “You can shoot in out grounds abound 6acres at that time. Will you kill the foxes. “I responded, “I will shoot any vermin on your grounds.”. I made three more journeys. Lady Mander died, and the property sold. A link with the past.

During the time that I was a Police Constable, at Tettenhall and Compton, it was necessary to visit Wrottesley Hall, seat of the Wrottesley family. The estate was at this time (1950 to 1955)quite extensive. The hall was marked for "special attention" which meants that any police officers, in the vicinity should walk around the hall, be watchful, but not be obvious. I enjoyed visiting the hall, and the lake(pool)on which there were Black swans, beloved by the 4th Baron Wrottesley. One april afternoon, I walked around the hall, and ended up by the swans which I loved to watch. I had been in position about three minutes, when I saw a man approaching he pool, He was dressed in a nondescript raincoat and an old trilby. I thought, vagrant, but the man continued to walk towards me. He then said, "enjoying the swans" A cultured voice. This was no vagrant. I replied, "Yes" He then said, "They are from Australia" He continued to talk to me, about various subjects. He then said, "Would you like a cup of tea". My reply, was "Yes My Lord" I went into the hall, and he disappeared, and came back with two cups of tea and a tray. I enjoyed my team explained our system of supervision, And left, I never saw hime again. I was impressed by this man, with a title, and the ability to talk to anyone, without side. I never saw hime again. I was quite upset when the 5th Baron, sold the estate

Diamond Jubilee medal. Open scope.

National servicemen and Hostilies only personnel, before the passing of the National service Act, have received no recognition, although many served in dangerous situations, which did not qualify them for a campaign medal. The medal would cost pence, certainly a lot less than the recently issued lapel badge, cost. This may be the last time, men and women who served their Sovereign and country, can be acknowledged. Normally medals are issued to existing members of the armed forces and establishment figures. The rank and file are as usual forgotten. They to are proud and remember their serviceand devotion to their country.The government should use this opportunity to remember the service of a dwindling group of men and women.

This is a petition on the Prime Minister Website to widen the scope of the medal, being considered at this time
Please consider signing it.