THE man who founded Glasgow’s first police museum began his career in the force as a constable in 1880 – and ended it as Superintendent and Chief Inspector 45 years later.
Every Glasgow police officer, whether constable or future Chief Constable, began their professional career in the force with a personnel record. Before 1932, these records were inscribed into large volumes which form part of the Strathclyde Police archives in the Glasgow City Archives collections. So it is that Constable (later Inspector) James Napier shares a page with the future Chief Superintendent John Ord.
Ord was born in Aberdeenshire in 1861. He became a labourer before moving down to Glasgow to join the police force there in 1880.
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In doing so, he joined thousands of others from the Highlands and islands who moved to the city seeking work and opportunities for advancement. He rose through the ranks quickly: constable, sergeant, detective, inspector, lieutenant and finally Superintendent and Chief Inspector of the Detective Department with an annual pay of £272 in 1904.
A single line in his personnel record hints at one of his most high-profile cases: “30 June 1909. Awarded the Merit Certificate for efficiency in the detection of crime and particularly for service rendered in the Gilchrist Murder Case.”
Marion Gilchrist, a wealthy woman in her eighties, was murdered in her own home in December 1908.
The prime suspect in the police investigation was Oscar Slater who was tried, found guilty and imprisoned for the crime.
However, many people believed in Slater’s innocence and were convinced that his imprisonment was a miscarriage of justice. The public campaign to free him was driven and championed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. Doyle’s papers relating to the case and campaign are part of the City Archives collections and include references to Ord’s handling of the investigation.
After 1909, Ord’s commendations continued. These included the King’s Coronation Medal for “long and meritorious service” in 1912 and the King’s Police Medal for distinguished service in 1914. It was only years later in 1927 that it was accepted Oscar Slater had been wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of Marion Gilchrist and he was released. The case was never solved.
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While Ord’s police personnel file lists his biographical details and service history, there are other items in the Glasgow City Archives collection which reveal his personal pursuits.
He was keenly interested in history, especially that of Glasgow’s police force. Indeed, such was his interest that he’s credited with founding the city’s first Police Museum. He was a member of the Old Glasgow Club and lectured on the city’s policing history when the force moved from their old headquarters in the Central Police Office in South Albion Street in March 1906.
Ord’s other historical interests were varied and gave rise to several publications. Some of these can be found in our collections.
For example, The Story of the Barony of Gorbals was based on his lectures on Old Gorbals to various public bodies including the Kinning Park Co-operative Society Educational Guild.
We also hold a signed copy of his 1922 book, Some Local Superstitions. In this work, he recounts the old Glaswegian belief that mermaids once dwelt within certain parts of the Clyde, luring river travellers to their death. In Glasgow, it was also believed to be lucky if a traveller met with a black cat at the outset of his journey. Another lucky talisman for Glaswegians was the horseshoe, the most popular object for display in the city’s homes according to Ord.
John Ord retired from the force in February 1925 after forty-five years of service to the city. The list of his previous addresses within his personnel record chart the rise in his fortunes.
As a recruit, he resided in Crosshill. By the time he was pensioned from the force, he was living in Monteith Row next to Glasgow Green, one of the most exclusive addresses in the city. He died there only a few years later in the spring of 1928.
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