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Calling WPC Crockford
In the early 1950s, the Berkshire Constabulary finally opened its ranks to more women. And WPC Crockford was one of those early pioneers...
When 21-year-old Gwendoline Crockford signed up to join the Berkshire Constabulary in 1951, she had little idea of what she was getting herself into. Whether carrying a human skeleton out of the woods, finding a missing child, investigating thefts, or chasing an escaped zebra, every day brought fresh adventures.
In this nostalgic, tender and honest account of post-war British society, we follow a bright, determined woman navigating a man's world, serving as many people as she can. From performing traffic duties to unravelling a dark secret at the heart of an impoverished family, WPC Crockford's career was full of joy, thrills - and heartbreak.
Written by her daughter Ruth, this is the story of a real-life woman police constable as she embarks on her police career.
When 21-year-old Gwendoline Crockford signed up to join the Berkshire Constabulary in 1951, she had little idea of what she was getting herself into. Whether carrying a human skeleton out of the woods, finding a missing child, investigating thefts, or chasing an escaped zebra, every day brought fresh adventures.
In this nostalgic, tender and honest account of post-war British society, we follow a bright, determined woman navigating a man's world, serving as many people as she can. From performing traffic duties to unravelling a dark secret at the heart of an impoverished family, WPC Crockford's career was full of joy, thrills - and heartbreak.
Written by her daughter Ruth, this is the story of a real-life woman police constable as she embarks on her police career.
390 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2022
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29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 14, 2023
This was an interesting and true account of a woman constable
March 23, 2023
fantastic read
What a trailblazer. Loved every moment of reading this book. Having recently moved to Wokingham area made the read really interesting. Well written and a very easy read.
What a trailblazer. Loved every moment of reading this book. Having recently moved to Wokingham area made the read really interesting. Well written and a very easy read.
February 21, 2023
Without the help of her mother, whose death was the impetus to record anecdotes relayed to the author as a child, the reader shouldn't underestimate the amount of research that went into this narrative. What I admire is how the events arising through the career of Gwen Crockford are set firmly within the history of her time. As a female pioneer, perhaps this light-hearted read should be recommended in schools to encourage girls into traditionally male careers!
April 26, 2024
I think she had her rose coloured glasses on most of the time.
August 4, 2022
Great read really enjoyed this
March 15, 2025
All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com
Last year my local library (where I happen to work!) invited Ruth D’Alessandro, author of the WPC Crockford trilogy, to speak about her novels. The books are based on Ruth’s mother’s experience of being a WPC in 1950s Berkshire (which happens to be just down the road!). Ruth spoke with so much love and affection about her trailblazing mother, the stories her mother would tell and the difference she made to the local Wokingham community. I was captivated by Ruth’s words (which probably wasn’t the most ideal situation as I was in charge of changing the slides for Ruth’s talk!! 🙈). So of course, I had to read the first book – Calling WPC Crockford.
I very much enjoyed Calling WPC Crockford. I think it’s the first non-fiction book (narrative non-fiction? biography? memoir?) I’ve read in…years, perhaps? Having heard Ruth speak though, I knew I was in safe hands. The trilogy is clearly a work of love and that absolutely shines through on the page. Life in Wokingham for Gwendoline Crockford isn’t as interesting or exciting as she had hoped. The war has thankfully come to an end, rationing is still in place and Gwen is ready to make some big changes. Looking out of her office window at the police station over the road, she sees Berkshire’s only female police sergeant. She’s smart, she commands respect. And that’s the moment Gwen knows that she’s going to join the police force.
The book covers the first few years of Gwen’s career as a WPC in Wokingham. From the early days of training at Mill Meece, to being a respected member of Wokingham police station, all the way to her senior officers recommending Gwen apply for detective training at Hendon. The first part is almost like a short story collection. Short, thoroughly entertaining vignettes detailing some of the strangest, silliest and saddest experiences in her career. The second part goes into more detail, fleshing out those experiences, adding layers to what the reader already knows. As a female police officer Gwen is the first port of call for any cases involving women and/or children. There was one storyline in particular that I found tough going. And knowing that the cases in the book all happened in real-life only added to that. Utterly heart-breaking.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Calling WPC Crockford is a fun, entertaining, eye-opening glimpse into the not-so-distant past. I tend to read quite dark crime fiction most of the time so this was a wonderfully refreshing change for me. Fans of Heartbeat (ITV) and Call the Midwife (BBC) will certainly enjoy this trip down memory lane. I particularly enjoyed the historical aspect of the book, delving into 1950s social history. I thought the characters were all beautifully drawn (not sure how much artistic license the author used but it all felt very authentic) with Gwen being a standout favourite. I love a strong female lead and that’s exactly what Gwendoline Crockford is. All in all, an engaging, heartfelt tribute to the author’s mother. Compelling, nostalgic, laugh out loud funny in parts, heart breaking in others. Pretty much the perfect mix! I would pick up the second and third books in this trilogy without a moment’s hesitation. Recommended.
Last year my local library (where I happen to work!) invited Ruth D’Alessandro, author of the WPC Crockford trilogy, to speak about her novels. The books are based on Ruth’s mother’s experience of being a WPC in 1950s Berkshire (which happens to be just down the road!). Ruth spoke with so much love and affection about her trailblazing mother, the stories her mother would tell and the difference she made to the local Wokingham community. I was captivated by Ruth’s words (which probably wasn’t the most ideal situation as I was in charge of changing the slides for Ruth’s talk!! 🙈). So of course, I had to read the first book – Calling WPC Crockford.
I very much enjoyed Calling WPC Crockford. I think it’s the first non-fiction book (narrative non-fiction? biography? memoir?) I’ve read in…years, perhaps? Having heard Ruth speak though, I knew I was in safe hands. The trilogy is clearly a work of love and that absolutely shines through on the page. Life in Wokingham for Gwendoline Crockford isn’t as interesting or exciting as she had hoped. The war has thankfully come to an end, rationing is still in place and Gwen is ready to make some big changes. Looking out of her office window at the police station over the road, she sees Berkshire’s only female police sergeant. She’s smart, she commands respect. And that’s the moment Gwen knows that she’s going to join the police force.
The book covers the first few years of Gwen’s career as a WPC in Wokingham. From the early days of training at Mill Meece, to being a respected member of Wokingham police station, all the way to her senior officers recommending Gwen apply for detective training at Hendon. The first part is almost like a short story collection. Short, thoroughly entertaining vignettes detailing some of the strangest, silliest and saddest experiences in her career. The second part goes into more detail, fleshing out those experiences, adding layers to what the reader already knows. As a female police officer Gwen is the first port of call for any cases involving women and/or children. There was one storyline in particular that I found tough going. And knowing that the cases in the book all happened in real-life only added to that. Utterly heart-breaking.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Calling WPC Crockford is a fun, entertaining, eye-opening glimpse into the not-so-distant past. I tend to read quite dark crime fiction most of the time so this was a wonderfully refreshing change for me. Fans of Heartbeat (ITV) and Call the Midwife (BBC) will certainly enjoy this trip down memory lane. I particularly enjoyed the historical aspect of the book, delving into 1950s social history. I thought the characters were all beautifully drawn (not sure how much artistic license the author used but it all felt very authentic) with Gwen being a standout favourite. I love a strong female lead and that’s exactly what Gwendoline Crockford is. All in all, an engaging, heartfelt tribute to the author’s mother. Compelling, nostalgic, laugh out loud funny in parts, heart breaking in others. Pretty much the perfect mix! I would pick up the second and third books in this trilogy without a moment’s hesitation. Recommended.
February 11, 2023
Ruth D'Allesandro provides an exciting and entertaining tale of her mother Gwen Crockford's career as one of the early Women Police Constables in England during the 1950s. The book is semi-fictionalized and told in first person narrative to give it immediacy, relating this lady's experiences with humor and compassion. You get an intriguing insight into life in post-war England and the camaraderie among a police force (men and women) trying to serve its public - though not without some of the problems of sexism. Some of the problems of the populace are heartbreaking, though. It's fascinating to see how Crockford and social worker Hilda Bloom use their wits and hearts to pioneer a method of questioning children suffering sexual abuse to communicate their victimization.
June 4, 2025
This book is excellent. The author has written the real-life story of her mum, Gwen, who was one of the first women to work in the police force in the 1950s.
It was very interesting reading about how the police force operated back then. The stories were great, with funny moments and heartbreaking moments, and the descriptions made me feel like I knew the characters.
Gwen's story is inspiring. She brought such empathy to her role and was a pioneer, finding ways to improve processes, to have a positive impact on the community.
I definitely want to read the other two books in this series, to find out what Gwen did next.
It was very interesting reading about how the police force operated back then. The stories were great, with funny moments and heartbreaking moments, and the descriptions made me feel like I knew the characters.
Gwen's story is inspiring. She brought such empathy to her role and was a pioneer, finding ways to improve processes, to have a positive impact on the community.
I definitely want to read the other two books in this series, to find out what Gwen did next.
June 24, 2024
This wasn’t my usual type of book but I was seriously impressed. Realistic description of the local area and vivid characters brought this book to life. The mystery man found in the woods was a very clever frame as elements of his story emerge during the book. Beautiful writing with snaps of humour. Highly recommended.
March 25, 2022
This is truly a delightful book. A real trip back in time with an insightful journey through the eyes of a policewoman in the 1950’s where she encountered some shocking and heartwarming events. I want to know what happens next…
September 21, 2022
Loved this book, an insight into how policing was a lot different in the 50s. Very strange that I read the chapter about the Coronation on the day of the Queen's funeral. I'm hoping there's more books as to how life continued in the police force.
August 18, 2023
3 1/2 stars. Sweet without being sugary. Charming, a sense of humor and also heart-breaking. A glimpse of the all too human, at times, weird, and just mundane things that take up a policewoman's career and life in the early 1950s in England. Well written.
February 26, 2025
Fascinating story about a women police officer in the ‘50s in England. A couple of the stories were hard to listen to but the author was tactful and stuck to the details. I really enjoyed the characters and their relationships. ( no romance or potty words)
( 👂🏻 📖)
( 👂🏻 📖)
September 22, 2025
Calling WPC Crockford by Ruth D’Alessandro ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fact/fiction account of a WPC in 1950s England. I read this for research purposes but found myself caught up in the story, laughing and crying along with the heroine. Well written and worth a read.
A fact/fiction account of a WPC in 1950s England. I read this for research purposes but found myself caught up in the story, laughing and crying along with the heroine. Well written and worth a read.
March 15, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, enjoyed the characters, couldn't be put it down. Looking forward to the next book!
April 20, 2022
Just finished reading this memoir. It is well written and engaging, sensitive and humorous in turn. I look forward to the next instalment.
April 7, 2023
Fabulous, fascinating and funny. Couldn’t put it down. Wonderful insight into the times. A gentle yet gripping read … and the next one had me even more hooked!
January 29, 2025
Interesting review of police in 1950s
A bit confusing as slipped from ‘at the time’ to benefit of hindsight
Easy listen and informative
A bit confusing as slipped from ‘at the time’ to benefit of hindsight
Easy listen and informative
March 26, 2025
Loved this book, although my 50s childhood was spent in Maidenhead and Windsor I worked across Crowthorne Bracknell and Wokingham in the 90s so it was really interesting
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews