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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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Now at my age what I'm doing, 1980's in my prime it was the other way round George. tempis fugit.

John,

Know how you feel,as a 20 year old Civil Servant,in the 1970's I had no problem with the thought of serving in the Front-Line.

Nowadays the Pay Corps would suit me fine. :D

George

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George

Thanks for the information on Fife Constabulary. In relation to serving in chosen profession during war, I think I would have preferred to serve in my local regiment, the DLI. However I believe many did not get the choice in the 1st WW, the army asked the Chief Constable of Durham for 50 men to serve in the MFP and MMP which he allowed, otherwise he would not let them leave as he had already lost over a third of the force with men being recalled to the colours and many others having resigned to join up.

John

Thanks for the information on John Briggs, I will add it to my research.

Hywyn

I already have the history of the 183 men from the north east, I am after men from other forces who served in the MMP and MFP.

Mabel

Thanks for the history of Horace Calton, I will add his details to my research.

John

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John

I can give you details of 6 Wakefield City Police men who volunteered for the MFP in WW1 -

PC56 John Poucher, born 1892 at Martin, Lincs., joined Force 11.6.1913 and resigned 30.4.1938. Enlisted 21.5.1915. and returned to police duty 22.9.1919. P/2727 L/Cpl.

PC28 Isaac Robinson, born 1888 at Dalton-in-Furness, joined Force 16.3.1910. Retired 14.1.1935. Enlisted 14.11.1915 and returned to police duty 2.6.1919. P/2654 L/Cpl.

PC48 Edmund Rothwell, born 1888 at Ryhill, Wakefield, joined Force 20.10.1909. Returned medically unfit 2.5.1922. Enlisted 14.11.1915 and returned to police duty 30.6.1919. P/2655 L/Cpl.

PC2 Harry Shillito, born 1886 at Darrington, Pontefract, joined Force 15.11.1911. Retired on pension 17.8.1936. Enlisted 27.6.1915 and returned to police duty 27.1.1919. P/1814 L/Cpl.

PC46 Hayston Storey, born 1892 at Oulton, Cumberland, joined Force 18.11.1914. Resigned 23.1.1921. Enlisted 21.11.1915 and returned to police duty 22.9.1919. P/2726 L/Cpl.

PC11 Joe Jackson, born 1877 at Dirtcar, Wakefield, joined Force 21.12.1898. Retired on pension 3.1.1924. Enlisted 18.6.1915 and returned to police duty 13.3.1919. I have not been able to identify his MIC on Ancestry, as the J Jackson's in MFP there only have the War & Victory Medals, and I know from a photo of him that he also had the 1915 Star.

There were 2 West Riding Constabulary men in the MFP who were WW1 casualties-

PC1366 Edgar Hartley Booth. Enlisted at Wakefield P/2828 died 10.9.1916 and buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Cemetery, Egypt.

PC910 Harry Credland. Enlisted 16.6.1915. P/1655 L/Cpl. Returned to police duty 2.8.1919, suffering from tubercular disease and died 6.4.1922. A note by this man's name says that 19 members of the Force enlisted in the MFP at the same time.

Also a Sergeant Robert W. Doherty (a member of the West Riding Force) and in the Military Police was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal but no other details given.

Colin Jackson

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Colin

Thanks for the above details, I will add them to my research. In relation to Sgt Robert W Doherty, he was Sjt P/845 MMP and was from Wakefield. He was awarded the MSM 3.6.1919 for Egypt and a Mention in Dispatches 13.7.1916 Mediterranean Ex Force.

John

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  • 2 months later...

Is there any further news about the war memorials that were laid out in the grounds of North Riding Police Headquarters? I think that if nothing has been done we may need to draw peoples' attention to them before they are beyond saving.

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The book "Gentlemen at War" is about the police in WW2 but does have quite a bit bout the organisation of the police - especially temporary and special police, in WW1.

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Is there any further news about the war memorials that were laid out in the grounds of North Riding Police Headquarters? I think that if nothing has been done we may need to draw peoples' attention to them before they are beyond saving.

Will have a ride over and see. What is the betting? Cheers Jim K

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  • 2 weeks later...
The book "Gentlemen at War" is about the police in WW2 but does have quite a bit bout the organisation of the police - especially temporary and special police, in WW1.

The London Police Force now under the Met still have some records via the Widows and Orphans section relating to WW1. Plaques were made and hung but subsequently damaged - some restoration has taken place and they have been rehung since. A member of the force at that time and who was either kia or dow and has dependant children, the family may have received support from W&O fund. An aunt in law was educated at a "boarding" type school whilst younger sister remained at home with mother. Police Officer enlisted in 1915 and was dow in April 1918 aged 47!

Miffycat2

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Is there any further news about the war memorials that were laid out in the grounds of North Riding Police Headquarters? I think that if nothing has been done we may need to draw peoples' attention to them before they are beyond saving.

Hello High Wood and pals. I did respond earlier, but my reply seems to have disappeared. I did revisit the memorials and found them in the same position and condition, although they have now acquired a red stain to the stone, where the dye from the poppy wreaths has leached out. This is due to the wreaths standing in the water that cannot escape. The memorials were designed to be upright and inside! The bronze part of the memorial to Lt Col Chaytor (the original model of Sanders of the River) is also becoming tarnished through exposure to the elements. Got photos if anyone interested. Perhaps we should move this thread to memorials in danger? Best wishes, yours aye, Jim K

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Jeremy,

I've researched my own force, Norfolk, which included a Chief Constable being KIA in November 1916, so if your guy needs any advice then let me know.

Steve

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Jeremy,

I've researched my own force, Norfolk, which included a Chief Constable being KIA in November 1916, so if your guy needs any advice then let me know.

Steve

I'd love to know how/where you start the research on a county/town force?

In the collection of research and medals I have accumulated, I seem to have an abundance of pre-WW1 Policemen.

Dick

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Dick

The records of many of the old Borough forces are lodged with local Public Record offices, however if they have been retained by the force they eventually amalgamated with, you sometimes have problems viewing, as they say they do not have the time to check for information on the men you are researching. Files or ledgers at the records offices usually have a closure date which varies in different areas, I came across between 70 and 100 years. I wrote to the Chief Constables of the local forces and two out of the three in my area gave me permission to view their files. I now have the history of all those KIA, and also the men who served in the north east forces, a total of 965. If you would like me to check out the names on the medals you have I am willing to do so.

John

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We're quite lucky in Norfolk as those that were KIA are remembered at our HQ on a plaque and there is a dedicated history group that do a lot as well.

It's sometimes best to look at the force websites as some actually record things there and list the force historians.

Steve

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  • 2 years later...

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

Jeremy

Either myself, or a colleague John Fraser would be the contact for Lothian and borders I have a web page on the Force website up and running as well.

John

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Thanks John - I think it was Nottinghamshire Police Force that my contact was after. Must admit, after two and a half years I am struggling to remember.

Incidentally, I know John Fraser very well. John pipes on the battlefield trips I guide for and I have been with him on many of his visits to the graves of men from his station war memorial. Small world eh?!

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Thanks John - I think it was Nottinghamshire Police Force that my contact was after. Must admit, after two and a half years I am struggling to remember.

Incidentally, I know John Fraser very well. John pipes on the battlefield trips I guide for and I have been with him on many of his visits to the graves of men from his station war memorial. Small world eh?!

It is indeed , John is a "well kent face" around the battlefields and a good piper, he was over at the Menin Gate on the 11th of the 11th last year.

John

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There are plenty of seniors who dont take kindly to those who have served and have the ribbons to show these days unlike in previous days when they had thiers as well.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Cardiff Central Police Station holds the Cardiff City Police memorial which is about to be re-located. This newspaper cutting from the Western Mail during early 1915 shows how vulnerable Police Forces were to the contribution of cops re-called to the colours in 1914:

post-28754-0-70630100-1327790140.jpg

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post-27849-0-07579800-1327791889.jpg

Hi just noticed this thread has kicked into life again , just recentley I decided to look at my grandfathers police service and through another member of the forum who was a great help managed to get me his warrant number . after that it was reasonably plain sailing one phone call and i had his service record by email in minutes at no cost . He was in the met police and they have a history centre , im not sure if any of the other regions have the same but might be worth a look in your area . heres the link for the met http://www.met.police.uk/history/records.htm#pension_recs

if i can help in anyway please ask

regards Dave

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  • 1 year later...

The north east forces had 183 men serving in the MFP and MMP, and I have the history of these men. I have also traced many men from other forces who served in the MFP and MMP from going through the Police Review & Parade Gossip 1914 - 1920. If any member has any information on men who served in other forces throughout the country KIA or otherwise, I would appreciate the information.

John

John

details on Willie Stevenson

you may already have most of it

Sergeant WILLIAM STEVENSON

S/9592 1st Bn Gordon Highlanders

William enlisted on 22nd of March 1915 whilst residing with his wife and three children at 1 Hedley Terrace

South Hetton Co Durham giving his occupation as a Police Officer

On the 2nd March 1916 William was wounded in a bombing post in trenches East of Ypres, later in the day

the bombing post shelter was blown up ,William buried in the explosion, His body was found and recovered a

week later during repairs /cleaning of the trench, His body reburied

He was the son of the late Thomas Stevenson ( died 1885) and the late Mary Smith previously Stevenson (nee Upton)

and the stepson of the John Thomas Smith ( his widowed mother having remarried)

He was the husband of Isabelle Stevenson (nee Kernick) the couple married in Easington Co Durham in 1910

On the 1911 census he can be found residing with his newly wed wife at 1 Hedley Terrace South Hetton his occupation

given as a serving Police Constable for Durham County Council

On the 1901 census William can be found employed as an agriculture labourer at NewhamBridge farm Linthorpe Middlesbrough

Born Middlesbrough enlisted Sunderland

SANCTUARYWOODCEMETERY

Do you have his police service number ? I believe it was either 687 or 887

regards Ray

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Ray

Thanks for posting the above information, the only part I did not have was his parents. He was born 29th November 1883 at Middlesbrough and joined Durham County Constabulary on 13th May 1907 as PC 697 and posted to Darlington. I have his marriage certificate if you would like a copy, pm me you e-mail address, I also have a small photograph of him taken from a local newspaper I could also send. Are you a relative of William, and is so do you have any photographs of him?.

John

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There is a Memorial to the men of Lanarkshire Constabulary at Hamilton (former HQ).

Lanarkshire was amalgamated into Strathclyde (affectionately known as Strathglasgow), and now all part of Police Scotland.

The memorial lists names of men who served in WW1 and WW2.

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-ftopic411.html

Tom.

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Ray

Thanks for posting the above information, the only part I did not have was his parents. He was born 29th November 1883 at Middlesbrough and joined Durham County Constabulary on 13th May 1907 as PC 697 and posted to Darlington. I have his marriage certificate if you would like a copy, pm me you e-mail address, I also have a small photograph of him taken from a local newspaper I could also send. Are you a relative of William, and is so do you have any photographs of him?.

John

John PM sent

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