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Fore Street, Probus, Cornwall. Around 1913
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Fore Street, Probus, Cornwall. Around 1913
The placard on the cottage reads " Cornwall County Police". The village Police Constable poses for the camera. The lady and the two children are probably the Policemans wife and children. The same lady can be seen in photograph TRURI: PROct.5, in the distance looking from the roadway outside this cottage towards the camera. In that photograph her clothing and hairstyle, with a bow, are the same. Which would suggest that the photograph was taken on the same day. According to the 1911 Census of Probus, the Police constable was PC Mark Prust aged 28. Born about 1883. His wife was Maud Prust aged 26. At that time they did not have any children and they had been married for under two years. Their address was " Sunnyside, Probus." According to the 1901 Census of St Austell, Maud, nee Westcott, was aged 16 and living with her family in Blowing House Hill, St Austell. She was a dressmaker by trade. Under worker it stated " Own means." Further research using the book " One & All, A History of Policing in Cornwall, The Cornwall Constabulary 1857-1967" by Ken Searle, Published by Halsgrove in 2005, found that PC 6 Mark Prust was a carpenter from Hartland, Devon, prior to being appointed on 2nd November 1904 to the Cornwall Constabulary. On 19th May 1909, he married Maud Westcott at the Methodist Chapel, Tregonissey, St Austell. He had served at Bodmin, Falmouth and Truro from 1st May 1909. Probus village Police station was probably a satellite village station of Truro Police station. In the photograph Maud has two children. The child in the pushchair is about 12 months or under and the standing child is around 2 years old. This research information and Mauds style of clothing, including the height of her skirt hemline, would suggest that these two photographs (TRURI:PROct.5 and TRURI:PROct.6) were perhaps around taken around 1913. Photographer: Samuel John Govier
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TRURI : PROct.6
Media ID 15240362
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a moment in time on Fore Street, Probus, Cornwall, around 1913. The focal point of the image is a charming cottage adorned with a placard that proudly reads "Cornwall County Police". Standing outside the cottage is the village Police Constable, striking a pose for the camera. Accompanying him are what appears to be his wife and two children. The lady's attire and hairstyle in this photograph closely resemble those seen in another picture taken from afar (TRURI: PROct. 5), suggesting they were taken on the same day. According to historical records such as the 1911 Census of Probus, we learn that PC Mark Prust was serving as the Police constable at that time. He was married to Maud Prust, who worked as a dressmaker before their marriage less than two years prior. Their address was noted as "Sunnyside, Probus". Further research reveals that PC Mark Prust had previously worked as a carpenter in Hartland, Devon before joining the Cornwall Constabulary on November 2nd, 1904. The village police station in Probus likely served as an outpost for Truro Police station based on its proximity. In this photograph, Maud can be seen with their two young children - one seated comfortably in a pushchair while another stands beside her at approximately two years old. Through meticulous investigation using Ken Searle's book "One & All: A History of Policing in Cornwall" it becomes evident that these photographs (TRURI:PROct. 5 and TRURI:PROct. 6) were most likely captured around 1913 due to various factors such as clothing styles and other contextual details. Preserved by photographer Samuel John Govier (not associated with any company), this remarkable print offers us an intimate glimpse into life over a century ago – showcasing not only individuals but also the evolving landscape of Probus, Cornwall.
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