BEAUCHAMP LODGE 1422 - The West Kent Military Lodge

Norwell Roberts QPM - Amazing

Author:
Mark Eyles-Thomas
PDProvGM West Kent, Member of Beauchamp Lodge No.1422
Date:
11 June 2022

'I Am Norwell Roberts' is now available to buy at Freemasons' Hall.

As you may know Norwell Roberts QPM was London's first black police officer, symbol of acceptance, of a diverse police force, of a changing Britain, and is today a proud Freemason, but did you know that Norwell Roberts is a Past Master of Beauchamp Lodge No. 1422? And that Norwell was:

  • The First Black Detective in the Metropolitan Police
  • The First Black Police Officer in the Metropolitan Police
  • The First Black Police Officer to serve 30 years
  • The First Black Police Officer to be awarded the Queens Police Medal for Distinguished Service
Book Availability - Norwell Roberts QPM

Get your copy of his book here

A picture of Norwell Roberts QPM promoting his book I am Norwell Roberts inside the shop at Freemasons’ Hall

Amazon states: To appreciate the present and how far we have come we sometimes need to revisit the uncomfortable past, no matter how painful. 

Norwell Roberts QPM, who became the Met's first Black police officer in 1967, found out he had a new job the same way the readers of the Daily Telegraph did. The headline read 'MET TO HAVE FIRST COLOURED POLICEMAN'.

From that day forward his face became a symbol - of acceptance, of a diverse police force, of a changing Britain. He was turned into the poster boy for progressive policing - but his day-to-day reality was anything but. Greeted with prejudice, ridicule, and rejection, he refused to quit. 

And thus began an extraordinary career that placed him on the frontlines of a tumultuous period in Britain's history. Stationed at embassies, anti-war protests and riots, his race singled him out and landed him on front pages around the world. 

I am Norwell Roberts is the incredible true story of the man behind the headlines, in his own words. Honest, moving, and impossible to forget, it is a story of resilience against the odds, and of one man's ability to make a difference. Norwell Roberts QPM.

You can visit Norwell’s Roberts QPM Member Profile here

If you’d like to know more about us or how to join our Military Lodge simply click the contact us link and message us your details. We will be very happy to answer any enquiries you may have.

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