A CLIP around the earhole from the local bobby was formerly a sharp, but highly effective, treatment for mischievous kids, confirm Denis Brown, once on the receiving end.

In picking up on our recent police-box theme, Denis, of Gerrards Lane, Sutton Leach, says: "I think Fred Taylor missed one box out, at Rivington Avenue, between Windlehurst Avenue and Pine Avenue.

"The subject brings to mind an incident during the war, in which Fred Taylor or Bill Carter (another old-time policeman) may have been involved."

With a couple of boyhood pals, Denis was playing on the roof of an unfinished air-raid shelter in Pine Avenue when a copper cycled by. He immediately swung round on spotting the lads.

"We hastily climbed down and hid (as we thought) in the shelter." The policeman positioned himself by the door and ordered the kids out.

"As we emerged and went past him, we each got a clip around the head with his heavy gauntlet glove. And if we ducked down, we got a boot up the backside."

As this summary justice was meted out, the youngsters heard the bobby's warning: 'Stay off that roof. If you fall you'll break yer neck!'

Denis, who bears no grudges whatsoever, signs off: "Perhaps Fred could confirm if it was him or not?"

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.