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Name: CATCHPOLE, Ernest Knightley 'Catchie' (Capt.)

Birth Date: 5 Jan 1888 Hammersmith

Death Date: 1980 Hastings

First Date: 1915

Last Date: 1964

Profession: Kenya Police 1920-46. Retired as Deputy Commissioner Kenya Police having acted as Commissioner. Continued in retirement as Police Officer i/c Airfields Guards. Superintendent of Police, Kenya in 1939, appointed 1928. Originally Asst. Supdt. 1920.

Area: Nyeri, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nairobi, Mombasa, Nanyuki

Married: In Kingston on Thames 1928 Marjorie Dare Abbott b. 26 Jan 1906 Edmonton, d. 30 Dec 1989 Bexhill

Children: Guy St. George (23 Apr 1930 Nakuru-14 Feb 2014); Anthony (1932)

Book Reference: EAWL, Police, Staff 39, KAD, Red 25, Red 31, Hut, Colonial, Red 22, Dominion, Gazette

War Service: WW1 Second Rhodesia Regt. Seconded to KAR 1917 (Capt. 1919) Mentioned in despatches.

School: Board schools ?

General Information:

Source: Rev. G. St. G. Catchpole
Police -  In 1928 cattle thieving, especially in areas adjacent to the pastoral tribes, also began to increase. It was believed that many of the cattle stolen from farms on the Uasin Gishu Plateau, Lumbwa and the Upper Rift Valley had been driven into the extensive forest region to the north of Londiani. A round-up was organized. Superintendent R.F. Rainsford was placed in charge of the operation and assisted by Superintendent E.K. Catchpole, Asst. Superintendents H.C. Croysdale and J.G. Leslie, 8 other European officers, some 200 African Police, and a few African guides and trackers. The forest was encircled and entry started simultaneously from 9 different points on its fringes. The operation proved highly successful. On the Lumbwa side 2,500 head of cattle were rounded up, and on the Eldama Ravine side 2,000 head were found with the Wanderobo when they should not have had more than about 700. It had been tough but rewarding work, while the cattle-rustlers were taught a salutary lesson.
KAD 1922 Asst. Superintendent of Police, Nanyuki also shown as at Nyeri
Rhodesian Police 1910-15; KAR 1915-20; Asst. Supt. Police Kenya Dec 1920; Supt. 1928; Ag. Asst. Comsnr Oct 1933-Aug Colonial - 1934; Serv. brother of St. John of Jerusalem 1938
Dominion - Superintendent of Police - 1930
Gazette 26/1/1921 - Arrived on 1st Appointment - Asst. Supdt. Police - 10/1/1921

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