Obituary – John Wailes
I regret to inform you of the death of retired Sergeant John Norman Wailes, aged 72 , of Blackwood who passed away peacefully at St. Andrews Hospice, Airdrie, in the early hours of Saturday 18 November 2017.
John joined Lanarkshire Constabulary on the of 10th August1965 and was posted to the landward area covering Plains and Caldercruix, where he stayed locally in digs. He was always a popular, very capable and helpful colleague.
He was also held in high regard by the public he served. John married his wife Jean in 1971 and they moved to a Police House in Kirkmuirhill.
John worked through the transition to Strathclyde Police in 1975.
In 1977, John transferred to the Traffic Department, Road Patrol at Motherwell Police Office, where he excelled in his work and earned a good reputation.
In 1980, he was promoted Sergeant to Rutherglen Police Office and was admired for his quiet, calm and collected manner, no matter what mayhem was presented to him. Many a Probationer and colleague benefitted from his example and wise counsel. He also worked at ‘N’ Division, Coatbridge as a patrol sergeant.
Inevitably, John transferred back to Road Patrol Sergeant at Motherwell in 1982, he was an excellent mentor, readily approachable and well respected by his colleagues as a sensible and sound gentleman and a great Sergeant to work with, particularly, for his laid-back, smiling manner, he was one of the good guys.
During his rest days John played golf occasionally, apparently, he could hit the ball for miles but seldom in the right direction.
He retired from Traffic, Motherwell on 1 October 1995, after 30 years’ exemplary police service.
After six months John took a driving job with the Emergency Doctor’s service in Lanarkshire putting his knowledge of the area and sound driving skills to good use. After 3 years, he became the ‘Starter’ at Hollandbush Golf Club, Lesmahagow, a post he held for 12 years.
