Mind the Gap – an interview with W Bro Norwell Roberts, QPM

30 November, 2020

As a content officer for the Provincial Communications Team I was asked recently, “if you could interview anyone famous in freemasonry, who would you choose?”

The Duke of Kent being off the cards of course, it took me no time at all to nominate a man who undoubtedly remains one of the most influential icons of the 20th century; WBro Norwell Roberts, QPM.

For those of us who commute into London listening to the familiar sound of “Mind The Gap” as you board the train, you’ll most likely also recognise a man who has closed the gap in many ways in an extraordinary career. For 53 years he has maintained his presence as the poster-boy for the Metropolitan Police, and during my career as a Police Officer – Norwell was always (and still is) a man of legend – most notably of course as being the first black officer in modern UK policing. And yet, it wouldn’t be until I’d seen him holding court at the Radlett Masonic Centre a couple of years ago that the penny dropped. That sudden realisation and the feeling you get when you recognise that not only does someone share the occupation as you do, but also those shared common values and desire to learn more about those hidden mysteries of nature and science from the institution we are all proudly a part of.

Indeed science holds particular significance for Norwell, because it was on the back of his career as a lab technician that set the path for his future career. 

To kick off I was keen to know how Norwell was first introduced to freemasonry. He explained “In 1985 whilst stationed in the CID Office at Acton Police Station, I was asked to train some “wayward lads” in my own time at a TA Centre. These lads were certainly going to go off the rails if they were not given a purpose in life; at that time I was extremely fit having played football, cricket, rugby, Basketball – (summer and winter), boxing, tug O war and squash. I also trained the Ealing & Acton Football Teams. They won their league due to the fact that they were fitter than their opponents. Yes I take the credit. I was a tough trainer and it paid off. One day after a training session the Brigadier in charge asked me if I was a Mason. I replied that I was not. He then offered me the opportunity to join his Lodge which met at Wilmington in Dartford, Kent. Of course he forgot to mention that it wasn’t free. I joined and eventually went through the Chair although I had to leave at one point due to my undercover work. The rest as they say is history.”

Norwell’s career in freemasonry has extended of course to other orders, and he  is in the Mark, Royal Ark Mariner, Royal Arch, Royal & Select Masters and the Craft. Of his favourite Craft office, Norwell said “ I would have to say that my favourite office in the Craft was Senior Deacon. I suppose it is because I jumped from Steward to Senior Deacon due to circumstances. I always remember bellowing to the Candidate “Stand Still” while at the same time bringing down my left hand very firmly on his right shoulder. It made him jump much to the amusement of those present.”

A man who is active and keen to get out and about, Norwell shared the kind of things he has been doing to keep himself occupied, “During the lockdown I have not been idle. You are probably not aware but I am one of those who only needs 3 hours sleep; so each day I wake up at 3.30am. I start my routine with 500 stomach crunches (although you would never think so due to the size of my “Derby Kelly” (Belly). I then check the messages on my computer until 5am, after which I go for a short walk finishing off with a few stretching exercises. It isn’t as bad as it sounds really. It’s just discipline.” Even though face to face meetings are suspended, his work as the Mark Provincial Grand Almoner my work never stops. He says “I make an average of 10 phone calls each day. I make my first call at 8.30 each day. I have in fact sometimes made as many as 30. This is a very important part of an Almoner’s work especially at this time when most of the Members are elderly and welcome a friendly voice on the other end of a phone. Most of them prefer a call as they have not yet mastered the internet. I think that I can spare 5-10 minutes each day if it brings a smile to the person at the other end.”

Turning to his police career, I was keen to know what Norwell’s proudest moment would have been. He said “I would have to say undoubtedly the proudest day of my career was in 1996 when I went to Buckingham Palace to collect the Queens Police Medal for Distinguished Service (QPM). I was the first Black Man to retire after completing 30 years service in the Metropolitan Police. I had already been presented with my Long Service Medal after 22 years service.” He also has a training suite named after him at the renowned Hendon Training School, something he is very proud of as it is an honour bestowed on no other modern day policeman.

In terms of achievement, he said “I received a Legend award in 2016 due to the fact that the Black Community thought that I was an inspiration to others having endured many difficulties because of my colour throughout my career. Others were able to stand on my shoulders having shown them that it could be done. I am also a Listed Londoner having appeared on the Robert Elms Radio Show. I guess that being THE FIRST is pretty much up there as well.”

Stigma in regards to being a mason and a police officer is still quite prevalent these days. I asked Norwell what he’d say to an officer who is in two minds as to whether or not to apply to become a freemason. He said “I would, and have encouraged others to join the Craft. I think that one ought to be honest and tell the prospective Candidate that “Masonry is not free” He also went on to say, “I would point out the demands made on his time and family life. He must be of the right calibre of a person, and I would point out that there is quite a lot of studying involved. I think that too many Candidates think that Masonry is one big “jolly up”. Although the Festive Board is an integral part of being a Mason it is not the most important part. Norwell was keen also to recommend, “I would suggest that the Candidate speaks to various Masons of all ages and Ranks to see why they became Masons. We all joined for different reasons. He can then formulate his own reasons should he wish to join perhaps taking a bit from all of them.

As a pioneer in the sense of being the first modern-day black Police officer in the UK. It was interesting to understand how accepting his colleagues were of him joining. Norwell explained “ It is well documented that I had a fairly rough time when I joined the Met in 1967. I certainly was not welcomed by my racist colleagues with open arms. I do not make any excuses for them but you have to bear in mind that this was in the 60’s when things were a lot different to 2020.

I think that in those days people did not welcome change and therefore the fact that there was going to be one black man in 27,000 did not sit well. They made it tough but no one said life was going to be an easy ride? Unfortunately my detractors would be disappointed as the more they kicked against the more determined I was to succeed. I was made of sterner stuff, and if I am honest on reflection I surprised myself. I suppose I did not want to disappoint those from the Home Office who selected me as someone they thought would make a go of it and who gave me that opportunity.

Fast forward to my retirement party; there were 600 guests including the then Commissioner of Police. The irony is that many of those racist policemen who attended were the same ones who rallied against me all those years ago. (I have to smile now. Norwell -1 Detractors –Nil)

Reflecting on where he had been posted to, if he had one place that he was most fond of working at, where would that be. He said “I worked at many stations in the Met. It may seem strange in view of my forgoing answer but the station I enjoyed most was Bow Street where I had my grounding. The reasons are that my duties were varied…. From standing outside the South African Embassy during the Apartheid season…to directing Traffic in the Strand and everything that working in the West entailed.

Then there were the demonstrations as well as being on duty for Film Premieres. Covent Garden Market taught me a lot and I learned cockney rhyming slang, also back slang.

I met lots of nice members of the public, one of whom I would eventually marry. People whom I met in those days, or with whom I had dealings with, managed to contact me many years later, by writing to Scotland Yard. The letters were addressed to ‘London’s first Black Policeman’. They were forwarded to me. So I guess that I must have done something right or at least I would like to think so.

Few of us get the opportunity to be invited to attend Buckingham Palace, and what that must have felt like. Norwell reflected, “Going to the Palace in 1996 was out there with the best as I was able to take my family including my Mother in Law.” He said. “I had a chauffeur and we had a pass which enabled us to drive through the gates and walk up a few steps to the holding area whilst we waited to be ushered into the room to be honoured. The press were there to record the event for the world press. I was presented with my medal by Prince Charles. He said to me “Well done”. He asked me a little bit about crime in Golders Green. (He must have done his homework – or someone did for him – as he seemed to know that I was the Detective Sergeant in charge of the Crime Desk at Golders Green) He said “We need more men like you”

One of the things you are told before being presented was that you must not ask questions or make comments. I thought that I would only be there once so I said to him “Well you could do with a few black Guardsmen as well”. He agreed.

I then happen to look up at the two members of the Household Cavalry who stood either side of him with their swords and whose eyes were piercing into mine. That was a clue for me to go. This was when I knew that I had overstayed my welcome. Then followed a swift court bow and retreated walking backwards!

I have to say that a few years later I met him again at Hendon Training School when we were both honoured guests at a Passing out Parade. He remembered me. We exchanged a few words.

Another experience was being invited with my wife to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. I met a couple of my former colleagues who worked there. That too was memorable.

Ritual as we know can be a challenge, particularly with those who have families and the demands of work. When asked what technique or tip would you give to a Brother trying to imbed the book he said, “I do not find learning the ritual easy. As you get older it becomes more difficult to retain. I tape my ritual and play it over and over again. That works for me. I also find that if I put a bit of expression into the ritual it comes easier. That also works for me.

However there is no substitute for seeing ritual done properly. I am not a fan of ritual being read but realise that not everyone can retain what they read. There is however no substitute for attending Lodges of Instruction.”

What is not more commonly known about Norwell is that his family had an association with Policing. He said “Although I had three uncles who were high ranking officers in the Police in the West Indies and my Grandfather who was a Station Sergeant in Anguilla where I was born, I was not drawn to the Police as a career. It was only in 1965 that I applied unsuccessfully. No reason was given. Personally I think that the Force was not ready as yet to accept a Black man into the police.

In 1966 whilst doing my job as a Scientific Laboratory Technician for one of London University’sColleges that I saw an Advert tin the Daily Mirror which read ‘London needs more Policemen’ I had passed all my exams as a Laboratory Technician in some 14 subjects which as well as the usual which included Glassblowing and being proficient in using the Photomicroscope. Do you know that I used to be able to cut a section by hand which was one celled thick using a cut throat razor? That in itself is an art. I thought that I would apply as a joke as I did not expect to be accepted having previously applied. Clearly the joke backfired. The rest is history!”

Norwell’s experiences of growing up in the ‘50’s and his time in Policing were clearly a challenge in terms of racial acceptance. In contrast he explained how different his experience was within our ancient institution “ I have to say that in Freemasonry I have always been made to feel welcome which is a far cry from the ‘dark days’ (no pun intended) when I joined the police. I can say no more than people are welcome to look at my progress in Masonry which is there for all to see.” In terms of visible representation, he said “ I think that the visible representation in Masonry has stayed the same as all manner of persons are represented – from a road sweeper to a Stockbroker. All are made welcome provided that they meet the necessary requirements. What we need are younger men to join Masonry. We do not sell ourselves to the public as much as we could.”

Supporting a brother in a time of need is a fundamental requirement of a freemason, and Norwell priortises this very highly. “So far this week I have sent a few cards and gifts to Brothers.” He said, “ I have spoken on the phone to many brothers, some with dementia and one who has lost his friend. One of the courses I enjoyed during my police service was a Counsellors Course for Managers. As a Detective you ask questions. As a Counsellor you listen. I like to think that I am a good listener which all too often is all that is needed especially during the lockdown.” Through his contacts he discovered that one particular Brother had not left his house since March. As part of his routine to support, Norwell provides a friendly voice to him daily. He is also a dab hand with technology and has taken part in Zoom Meetings outside Masonry too. This has included a school and for a group of 75 solicitors who work at Scotland Yard. 

After a hard day’s labour in the lodge there is always the debate as to the preferred festive board feast. In terms of his favourite meal, he said “I enjoy most meals at the festive board although those who know me will tell you that I do not appear to eat very much at the festive board. I suppose a good ‘Sexton’ goes down well. Before you ask Sexton Blake = Steak.” In relation to that other hotly debated question, Port or Brandy, “I enjoy both Port and Brandy at the Festive Board.”

As many of us look ahead as to what we would most enjoy doing when the restrictions are lifted in masonic terms, Norwell’s reflects, “I suppose like everyone I am looking forward to a bit of normality and getting back to fraternal affection.”