
An Inspector Recalls
Memoirs of a Railway Detective
Graham Satchwell(Author)
The History Press Ltd
Published on 30. January 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
978-1-80399-792-6 (ISBN)
Description
'The best of the genre' - Duncan Campbell, The Guardian
Born in inner-city Birmingham, from an 'impeccable working class pedigree', Graham Satchwell was diagnosed with a serious illness at age 7 - a condition which should have barred his entry to the police force. Forty-two years later, he was Britain's senior-most railway detective. In a career that encompassed every CID rank and involved some of the country's toughest gangsters, petty thieves, bomb threats, terrorism, the odd politician and even the Queen, Graham Satchwell has seen it all.
Infused with humour and genuine down-to-earth wisdom, An Inspector Recalls is a frank and intimate account of a life spent on the frontier between crime and punishment that recalls the gangsters, politics and often questionable police culture of the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
Born in inner-city Birmingham, from an 'impeccable working class pedigree', Graham Satchwell was diagnosed with a serious illness at age 7 - a condition which should have barred his entry to the police force. Forty-two years later, he was Britain's senior-most railway detective. In a career that encompassed every CID rank and involved some of the country's toughest gangsters, petty thieves, bomb threats, terrorism, the odd politician and even the Queen, Graham Satchwell has seen it all.
Infused with humour and genuine down-to-earth wisdom, An Inspector Recalls is a frank and intimate account of a life spent on the frontier between crime and punishment that recalls the gangsters, politics and often questionable police culture of the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
Reviews / Votes
'The best of the genre.' -- Duncan Campbell * <i>The Guardian</i> *More details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Stroud
United Kingdom
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
20 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 130 mm
Width: 198 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
320 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80399-792-6 (9781803997926)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
04/2016
The History Press Ltd
€13.99
Available for download
Person
GRAHAM SATCHWELL is a former detective superintendent, British Transport Police (1968-99) who served in every rank of CID within the British Transport Police. He received official commendations for detective work from HM judges, chief constables, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Lord Lieutenant of London. For many years Britain's most senior railway detective, his books include Great Train Robbery Confidential and An Inspector Recalls for The History Press.
Content
Title
Copyright
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1 From Nappies to Football Boots
2 Joining the Force
3 Transferred to CID
4 Promoted to Sergeant
5 Temporary Inspector
6 Detective Sergeant
7 Divisional Inspector
8 Detective Inspector
9 Transferred to Force HQ CID
10 The Police Staff College
11 Temporary Chief Inspector
12 A Policeman at University
13 Back to Inspector
14 Chief Inspector
15 Police Staff College - Director of Studies
16 Detective Superintendent
17 Onward and Upward or Over and Out?
Epilogue
Copyright
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1 From Nappies to Football Boots
2 Joining the Force
3 Transferred to CID
4 Promoted to Sergeant
5 Temporary Inspector
6 Detective Sergeant
7 Divisional Inspector
8 Detective Inspector
9 Transferred to Force HQ CID
10 The Police Staff College
11 Temporary Chief Inspector
12 A Policeman at University
13 Back to Inspector
14 Chief Inspector
15 Police Staff College - Director of Studies
16 Detective Superintendent
17 Onward and Upward or Over and Out?
Epilogue