Dear Bert Ross,
Congratulations on "DATAS" in the "Call Boy" (Autumn 1976). Datas and I were Special Constables stationed at Brixton Police Station, having joined them in 1915.
Our hours of duty were 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the days we were available for duty. All Officers and men were mustered together a quarter of an hour before Parade.
It was on one of these occasions that Datas asked if I had got a pound in my pocket, which I certainly had. During this time, the men were arriving back from their early duty, which included an Officer whom Datas got in conversation with, starting an argument about something. The Officer got very annoyed, and said "You don't know anything. You couldn't even tell me the date I was born!"
I immediately came out with "I bet you a pound he can!" The Officer turned round and said "Done, here's my pound". The bet was on. Datas replied, giving the correct date of the man's birth, with his usual remark, "Am I right, Sir?" The Officer said, "Yes, by Jove you are!" I collected the two pounds, and we split it between us. Datas was the reserve Constable, and I was the Clerk in charge. I was sitting at the desk, leaning on the Register, when Datas remarked "May I tell you when you were born?" I said "I already know it". The Register contained all the dates of everyone's birth, and Datas had memorised the lot!
Thank you for your column calling to mind this remarkable man.
Yours sincerely,
Frank Sleap,
34, Biddulph Mansions,
Biddulph Road,
Maida Vale, W9 1HX.