1973, London, Canada

[Father Bill]

This was the London Police Pipe Band under the leadership of the late Constable Maurice Coughlin, P.M.



"Moe" was the school safety officer, and so popular with the children that although school safety was under the direction of the Traffic Section of the London Police Department, (Lord only knows why) he was not allowed to direct traffic because little children would run right through traffic into the middle of the intersection to give him a hug.

He was (in)famous for his spiked moustache (not clearly visible here). The Police Act said that an officer could not grow a moustache "beyond" the corners of his mouth. Moe contended that it meant "downward" which was the civilian trend in the 70s and when the sergeant told him to cut off the spikes, he respectfully suggested that the sergeant charge him under the act to see what the judge would say and test the law, which they did. Moe won the case and briefly, spike moustaches became stylish among the police in the province.

While the kids loved him, they also feared him. When he was in a school, he would station himself at the intersection of two or more hallways in the morning and when the national anthem was played during opening exercises, he would bring his boot down hard on the terazza floors and stand rigidly at the salute. Children who were in the halls would stop moving in both respect and terror for fear that they'd go to jail if Cst. Coughlin caught them walking through a hallway during the national anthem.

Good memories... and even a few missing chips in the hallways of some schools decades later. Moe was my friend.

[Tarheel]

Seems Constable Coughlin was a man to be respected and held in awe instead of fear. I believe I would have liked him.

[Father Bill]

Seems Constable Coughlin was a man to be respected and held in awe instead of fear. I believe I would have liked him.

Actually Machiavelli said that those leaders are most successful who are either feared or loved, but those who do best are those who are both loved and feared.

[imrichmond]

That photo certainly brings up memories for me. I was pipe major of the City of London Police Pipes and Drums from 1975 to 1977 and I knew Moe Coughlin well. Unfortunately, sometime between the date of this photo and 1975, Moe had been struck by a vehicle whose driver was under the influence. I believe he was directing traffic around an accident site at the time. Although he recovered fully from his injuries, his legs and knees were left badly scarred. For this reason, Moe stopped wearing a kilt. He continued to lead the pipe band for many years, but after his accident, he wore a police dress uniform with a drum major's baldric. I joined the police pipe band in early 1975 and have never seen Moe wear a kilt. Indeed, your posted photo is the only image I have ever seen of him kilted.

Kilted or not, he always cut an impressive figure on parade and was an exemplary drum major. With his RSM-style mustache--and the voice to match--and his military bearing, Moe simply exuded authority. Off parade, he was a magnificent tenor and delighted in singing Scottish and Irish songs.

[Ordway]

This was the London Police Pipe Band under the leadership of the late Constable Maurice Coughlin, P.M.<br>
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<img src="http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=27452&amp;stc=1" border="0" alt=""><br>
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"Moe" was the school safety officer, and so popular with the children that although school safety was under the direction of the Traffic Section of the London Police Department, (Lord only knows why) he was not allowed to direct traffic because little children would run right through traffic into the middle of the intersection to give him a hug.<br>
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He was (in)famous for his spiked moustache (not clearly visible here). The Police Act said that an officer could not grow a moustache "beyond" the corners of his mouth. Moe contended that it meant "downward" which was the civilian trend in the 70s and when the sergeant told him to cut off the spikes, he respectfully suggested that the sergeant charge him under the act to see what the judge would say and test the law, which they did. Moe won the case and briefly, spike moustaches became stylish among the police in the province.<br>
<br>
While the kids loved him, they also feared him. When he was in a school, he would station himself at the intersection of two or more hallways in the morning and when the national anthem was played during opening exercises, he would bring his boot down hard on the terazza floors and stand rigidly at the salute. Children who were in the halls would stop moving in both respect and terror for fear that they'd go to jail if Cst. Coughlin caught them walking through a hallway during the national anthem.<br>
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Good memories... and even a few missing chips in the hallways of some schools decades later. Moe was my friend.

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Father Bill: &nbsp;I forwarded your message to Cst. Coughlin`s son who is a friend and former colleague. &nbsp;He asked that I inform you and the forum that his father is alive and well at 88 years of age and driving from London to Perth, Ontario with his 90 year old wife to see his children, granchildren and great grandchildren. &nbsp;He will surely get a kick out of the post.<br><br>
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[Father Bill]

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Father Bill: &nbsp;I forwarded your message to Cst. Coughlin`s son who is a friend and former colleague. &nbsp;He asked that I inform you and the forum that his father is alive and well at 88 years of age and driving from London to Perth, Ontario with his 90 year old wife to see his children, granchildren and great grandchildren. &nbsp;He will surely get a kick out of the post.<br><br>
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Thanks for that. Moe is a marvellous old chap. I'm delighted to hear that he's in such good shape! Hope I've got all the details right now that I have an expert checking my data!

Thanks much!