THICK, William
Born : Nov 20th 1845, Salisbury, Wiltshire. He was the son of
Charles and Mary Thick.
1868 : Mar 6 - Joins Metropolitan Police, warrant number 49889.
He was posted to H Division (Whitechapel) then B Division (Chelsea), then
P Division (Camberwell) and finally back to H Division where he spent the
remainder of his career.
1893 : Retired.
1902 : Showed Jack London around the East End while the writer
was researching "The People of the Abyss".
1930 : Died
Thick had the nickname "Johnny Upright" (In fact Chapter 2
of "The People of the Abyss" which concerns Thick is entitled
"Johnny Upright"). Walter Dew said this was because he was upright
in walk and methods but villian Arthur Harding said it was because he fitted
people up. Frederick Wensley who was to become the Chief Constable (CID)
said that Thick was on of the finest policemen he had known.
Source:
Begg, Fido, and Skinner. The Jack the Ripper A-Z.
