George Benjamin Breach

George Benjamin Breach is my 2X great grandfather.

Extract from unpublished PhD thesis by D. Oakensen:

"In choosing their new Chief Policeman the Commissioners only considered an internal candidate: George Breach. His qualifications were that he was formerly a Brighton policeman, had been in the Brunswick force for nearly 10 years, and that he was "a very steady, active and intelligent man". There were tangible benefits attached to the job. He received a payrise of 3/ weekly, a pay differential of about 15t, and was excused night duty. However, he was also required to live above the police station, expected to do additional day duty, and even when off duty he was only allowed to be away from the police station for half an hour at a time, (and then only if a member of his family was available to deal with callers at the station) . Breach remained in charge of an expanding Hove police force until he retired in July 1877.

When George Breach was given payrises his ancillary duties were always enhanced so that by 1853 he was responsible for hackney carriage licensing and inspection, and for superintending the scavengers who cleaned the streets, collected ashes, and cleaned the sewers, as well as being responsible for policing and fire fighting. From 1855 he effectively became the district's Surveyor as well. "

1812 - 1888 Age 30 in 1841 census (HO107; Piece 1112; Book: 14; Civil Parish: Hove; County: Sussex; Enumeration District: 8; Folio: 18; Page: 28; Line: 12) living in Brunswick Street West, Hove with wife Susannah and children. A watchman.

Age 39 in 1851 census (HO107; Piece: 1647; Folio: 63; Page: 11) living in the police Station, Brunswick Rd. West, Hove with wife and children. A superintendant of police.

Age 49 in 1861 census (RG9; Piece: 605; Folio: 68; Page: 20) living in 1 Brunswick St. West, Hove with wife and son.

Age 59 in 1871 census (RG10; Piece: 1092; Folio: 107; Page: 85) living in The Town Hall, Hove with wife Susannah. A Chief Superintendant of Police.

Age 69 in 1881 census (RG11; Piece: 1097; Folio: 82; Page: 37) living in 39 Blat Rd., Hove, Sussex with wife Susannah and brother in law William Hilton. A retired policeman. Deaths Dec/1888: Breach George/Age 77/Steyning/2b/171.

The Police Committee minutes record that GB Breach died on 7 October 1888.

pretty sure that G Breach (senior) is buried in the old Hove Municipal cemetery, Old Shoreham Road, Hove

A photo of the old Brunswick Commissioners Town Hall (the police station was the far end of the ground floor of this building) where George Breach had "rooms" for several years, can be found on the following link: http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/brunswick_st_west_history.htm.

(The picture isn't that good because it is a very narrow road. This building was in fact built in the 1830s not the 1850s!)