"SIR WILLIAM HUGH TOMASSON, (1857 (?) -1922) Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire, had a good record for service in his native county. He was educated at Clifton College, and during the Zulu War he joined the Cape Mounted Rifles in the fight against the famous chief Cetewayo. After the war he returned to his birthplace, Barnby Moor. In 1880 he joined the Nottinghamshire Police Force, was stationed as Superintendent at Mansfield, and on the death of Captain Holden he succeeded as Chief of the force, an office he held for thirty years. His promptitude in action was illustrated soon after his appointment, when a Coal Strike was in progress, and at a certain pit violence and wrecking were threatened to begin on the morrow, but when the morning light broke, a band of soldiers were walking about the pit head, having been brought by train during the night, and everybody laughed, for the crisis was thus prevented. There were during his terms of office, great developments in the Colliery districts, and law and order in the two hundred and sixty-one parishes of the County were under his supervision. During the visits of royalty to Nottinghamshire he had special charge. His care was recognized, he being made Police Inspector for the Northern district of England, and he received the King's Police medal. During the great War he had special duties, one of which was the charge of guarding the high explosive works at Chilwell. He was made a commander of the Order of the British Empire, and later was knighted. Outside his duties, he for twenty-two years was Honorary Secretary of the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, and on retiring received a testimonial, £564 being presented."
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