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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Police officers who fought in the Great War


J Banning

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Does anyone know of a GWF member who researches Police Officers who fought in the Great War?

I have been contacted for help on tracing details of men from a certain county police force but am up against it with other projects at the moment and thought there may be someone who specialises in this subject who I could refer my contact to. Any ideas?

Thanks

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There is a book, Gentlemen at War - or something similar. It is actually about WW2 and the volunteer police, but may have something about WW1

Sorry I can't give more. I don't have a copy.

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Hi Jeremy,

Can you say which county force is involved? If it is Hampshire Police or its constituent forces then I may be able to assist / point them in the right direction.

I believe that there is also a website 'The Thin Blue Line' that covers Surrey and Sussex police forces.

Marc

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Hi Marc,

No, it’s not Hampshire but Nottinghamshire. I have suggested that the guy joins the forum but await to hear from him with what exactly he needs.

Thanks for the offer though.

All best,

JB

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JB,

again no help to you but if anybody else is interested I have some info on Met Police men on the Menin Gate!

Regards,

Scottie.

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JB,

It's way off your beat,if you'll excuse the pun. :D

You could refer your friend to the Fife Constabulary(Scotland) web-site(pictorial History Section 1912-1920) and he'll find some information on Police Officers who fought.The Force itself must have undertaken this research, from their own records, and may be able to offer general advice on how this was done.

George

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The local council minutes book and the Chief Constable's annual reports should give many names. Each city had their own Chief Constable and the force was controlled by the local Watch Committee. The Chief Constable was responsible for informing the Watch Committee about those men who had joined the armed forces and also about deaths and recommendations for pensions ect. Local police stations often had rolls of honour.

TR

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I have traced 965 police officers from the following forces if anyone wants history on any relative.

Berwick on Tweed Police, Northumberland County Constabulary, Newcastle City Police, Gateshead Borough Police,

South Shields Borough Police, Tynemouth Borough Police, Sunderland Borough Police, Durham City Police,

Durham County Constabulary, Middlesbrough Borough Police, Hartlepool Borough Police, River Tyne Police,

River Wear Police.

John

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Yet to visit, but, i'm led to believe Monkmoor Police Station in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, contains two memorial plaques for the men of the Shropshire Constabulary who fell in both wars.

Neil

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As already referred to but not directly, bear in mind there were many more Forces in 1914 than there are now. Most large Cities and Towns had their own Force surrounded by the County Force. It may also be worthwhile to contact the local Police Federation (the equivalant of a union) as they are often able to help in all such issues.

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Thanks for all the advice. When my contact gets in touch again I’ll give him these details and advise he joins the forum. He has a list of men he hopes to find more about so I expect you may hear something from him soon.

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Hi friends, I researched and have visited all the men of the North Riding Constabulary who died in the Great War. All were lost in France and Flanders. The Force HQ formerly had beautiful memorials to those Officers and to those lost in the Second War. Their names were picked out in red and gold. There was also a memorial to those officers murdered in the execution of their duty. However, a Chief Constable with no former connection with the force or Yorkshire - as is the fashion these days, ordered them to be removed from inside the entrance area and had them laid flat in the grounds. Sadly, despite protests, they remain there still, open to the elements, slowly rotting away. I doubt that anyone in a senior position can even tell you where to find the names of the fallen now. Yours aye, Jim K

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Jim K,

Can you tell us where these memorials are laid out in the open now please?

Many thanks

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Jim K,

Can you tell us where these memorials are laid out in the open now please?

Many thanks

Hi Kim, they are at Police Headquarters, North Yorkshire Police, Newby Wiske Hall, Northallerton. They are to the right of the reception entrance in what resembles a listless flower bed. Suggest you ask permission to see them upon arrival! Good luck! Yours Aye, Jim K

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Hi this might be of general interest, these fine groups of men are 3 of the 4 Edinburgh City Police Divisions photographed shortly after the war sporting a multitude of medals.

John

A Division

B Division

C Division

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Nice photos, John. I have a similar one of the Preston Borough Force in 1922. Plenty of gallantry medals on show.

Ken

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John,

lovely photos, thank you for sharing them.

Had a chuckle at the 'A' Div one as the 'Guvnor' sitting in the middle, front row looked like he was only wearing one medal compared with the men around him! :D

Regards and best wishes,

Scottie.

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Thank you Jim, next time I head out to Northallerton I shall call in.

Kindest regards

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John,

lovely photos, thank you for sharing them.

Had a chuckle at the 'A' Div one as the 'Guvnor' sitting in the middle, front row looked like he was only wearing one medal compared with the men around him! :D

Regards and best wishes,

Scottie.

The original are about two feet across with incredible detail, I was able to pick out the previous owner of my collar number, 221A , I was the last to hold the number. There are quite a few trio's , MM's and at least one DCM. Re the Guv'nor not much changes :rolleyes: , I just wish could post the hires versions.

This snippet of picture shows you the detail

John

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Does anyone know of a GWF member who researches Police Officers who fought in the Great War?

I have been contacted for help on tracing details of men from a certain county police force but am up against it with other projects at the moment and thought there may be someone who specialises in this subject who I could refer my contact to. Any ideas?

Thanks

Hi,

I have a few press cuutings of RIC Officers who signed up

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John,

great that you managed to find you 'predecessor' in the photo! a real link with history. Would love to see the original photo, the snippet you posted looks wonderful!

Thinking back to when I joined in 1975 many of my colleagues had WW2/Korea medal ribbons displayed on their tunics, what ever must have they thought when I turned up! :huh:

Take care of yourself out there!

Regards and best wishes,

Scottie.

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Mate,

I record that some 123 policemen from all parts of Australia served and embarked in Light Horse units during the war.

S.B

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I am surprised that police were allowed to join up at all. Would not they have been in an exempt occupation and not

released by the Chief Constable or whoever was in charge, and as they obviously did join was any effort made to

replace them. Guess the public still required protecting war or no war.

david

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David,

I cannot answer your question as to why serving Police Officers were released for War Service,however,if you have a look at the web-site I have already referred to(Fife Constabulary-Pictorial History) you will see an example of a Certificate given to a Special Constable,recognising his police service in WW1.

George

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My local paper has a percentage of Police officers being released for Army service in 1915 following an Act of Parliament, at this point a large number of the single men joined up. They appeared to have been replaced by some rather aging Special Constables for the duration of the war and men who were retained beyond thier normal end of service. There was a spate of retirements in 1919 of men in their late 50's / early 60's once their colleagues had rejoined the ranks.

John

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