Author: John Grainger

COWE Henry
Private M2/079419
Army Service Corps
Motor Transport
1st Division (MT Coy)
Awards 1914 - 15 Star, BWM & Victory
Born 8th December 1893 at Kedslie, Melrose, Scotland.
Parents William & Euphemia (nee Simpson) Cowe lived at Muirhouse, Stow, Midlothian.
Brothers and sisters:- Mary Ann, Ebenezer, Janet, George & Agnes Cowe.
When applied for the police service he was a single man living at Todrig, Greenlaw, Berwickshire, occupation gardener, 5’10 in height.
Appointed Northumberland County Constabulary 19th July 1913 as PC 201, 3rd Class Constable.
19.7.1913 - 2.9.1913 HQ Morpeth (Training)
3.9.1913 Recruit posted to Whitley Bay
28.2.1914 He requested to resign, in a report he stated that Whitley Bay was too quiet for him, he informed his sergeant that he was going to join Metropolitan Police. The local superintendent asked Cowe’s sergeant to try and talk him out of resigning, and it appears to have been successful as he was then transferred to Ashington.
23.3.1914 Ashington
March 1914 Married (details of wife not recorded on his file, I have been unable to trace his marriage)
22.3.1915 Resigned to join HMF
22.4.1915 Enlisted Coventry as Private M2/079419 ASC (motor driver).
23.4.1915 Joined ASC at Grove Park for training
7.5.1915 Embarked Southampton on SS St Petersbourg
8.5.1915 Posted to Rouen, France
21.5.1915 Posted to 319 Motor Transport Company
11.6.1915 Admitted to a Field Ambulance, no details recorded on file as to whether illness or wounded.
2.8.1915 Posted to Base Motor Transport Depot
25.9.1915 Posted to 1st Division

CWGC headstone of PC Henry COWE

2.2.1916 - 10.2.1916 Leave
27.4.1917 Granted 1st Good Conduct Badge
25.8.1917 - 4.9.1917 Leave
7.3.1918 - 21.3.1918 Leave
22.6.1918 Admitted to number 22 Casualty Clearing Station suffering from broncho pneumonia contracted on army service. He died there at 3pm on the 30th, he had been ill for eight days and suffered pains in his back, legs and head.
30.6.1918 (Sunday) Died of illness in France aged 24 yrs
Buried in Pernes British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference V. D. 9
*****
Mother received a pension from the army of 4/- per day.
*****
His name is commemorated on the war memorials of Northumberland County Constabulary and the Parish of Stow, Scotland.

Parish of Stow War Memorial

Name of PC Henry COWE recorded on Stow War Memorial

99

LAW William
Private S/9941
Gordon Highlanders
3rd Battalion
Awards No overseas service
Born 11th October 1890 at Greenend, Ancrum, Hawick.
Parents James & Hannah Law of Sunnyside, Denholm, Hawick, Roxburgshire. Father was a farm servant.
Brother and sister:- James & Annie Law
Left school aged 14 years and commenced work as a garden labourer, he had many other jobs including farm servant/ploughman and harvester.
1911 Lived with his mother and brother at 4 Earlside Cottage, Cavers. William & James were employed as ploughmen at this time.
When applied for the police service he was a single man
living at Old Todderlie, Bonchester, Hawick.
Appointed Northumberland County Constabulary 11th October 1913 as PC 123, 3rd Class Constable.
11.10.1913 - 13.11.1913 HQ Morpeth (Training)
14.11.1913 Recruit posted to Blyth
30.4.1915 Resigned to join HMF, enlisted Galashiels as Private S/9941 Seaforth Highlanders.
29.5.1915 (Saturday) Died at City Hospital, Aberdeen suffering from spotted fever, he was aged 24 years.
Buried Cavers, Denholm cemetery, Grave reference 221.
*****
Two reports in his file after his death refer to an H. Law, Townhead, Denholm, Hawick (Mother) and a Mrs Law
3 Douglas Place, Galnhill. (Possibly his wife, although I have been unable to trace a marriage)
*****
His name is commemorated on the war memorials of Northumberland County Constabulary and Denholm, Scotland.

His brother James Law recorded on the war memorial served as Lance Serjeant S/3322 Royal Highlanders 8th (Service) Battalion and was KIA at Loos on 25.9.1915 aged 23 years.
His name is commemorated on Loos Memorial.
Panels 78 - 83.

Denholm War Memorial

Name of PC William LAW and his brother
James LAW recorded on Denholm War memorial

100

MacLENNAN David Bain
Corporal 6657
Scots Guards
1st Battalion
Awards 1914 Star with clasp, BWM & Victory.
Born 6th June 1887 at Bog of Auchterflow, Avoch,
Ross-shire, Scotland.
Parents Alexander and Catherine (nee McLennan) McLeman lived at the above address, they married on November 8th 1871 at Avoch.
Birth was number 33 of 1887 in the Parish of Avoch in the County of Ross and was registered by his father on 29th June. On the birth certificate his name is recorded as David Bain McLeman. His father was employed as a general labourer.
Brothers and sister all born Avoch:- James, Catherine, Alexander, William John & Kenneth McLeman
On leaving school he took employment as a farm servant
23.11.1906 Enlisted at Inverness as Private 6657 Scots Guards. He was a single man aged 19 years 6 months, occupation farm servant, 5’10 in height.
On Attestation Short Service form, the recruiting officer, a Colour Sergeant recorded his surname as McLennan. David signed the form as MacLennan, it then appears that the recruiting officer crossed out the letters ‘ac’ in his surname, then had David insert the letter ’c’ to have the signature match the details on the form.
5.12.1906 Posted 1st Battalion, London
4.12.1908 Service extended to complete 7 years with the colours. Qualified as a marksman, also had a machine gun qualification. Received 2 Good Conduct badges during his service.
25.2.1911 Posted to Egypt
8.8.1911 Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal
31.12.1911 Appointed paid Lance Corporal ‘G’ Coy.
2.1.1913 Returned to England
23.11.1913 Transferred to army reserve on completion of his term of engagement, his rank at this time was Lance Corporal, he was paid a gratuity of £7.
Informed army he intended to either join London Dock Police or Glasgow Tramways.

Appointed to the River Tweed Police as a water bailiff, he resigned this position on 21.2.1914.
6.3.1914 Married Elizabeth Sim Miller of Boldside, Galashiels.
When he applied for service with the Northumberland County Constabulary he gave his name as David Bain MacLennan. He was aged 26 years 7 months, 5 10¾ in height, occupation River Tweed Police Officer. Lived Boldside, Fishing Lodge, Galashiels with his wife.
Appointed Northumberland County Constabulary 16th March 1914 as PC 285, 3rd Class Constable.
16.3.1914 - 30.4.1914 HQ Morpeth (Training)
1.5.1914 Recruit posted to Wallsend
4.8.1914 Recalled to the colours, mobilized London with 1st Battalion.
13.8.1914 Embarked for France landing at Le Havre 13.9.1914 Battalion crossed the Aisne at Bourg and moved on to Paissy where they billeted for the night.
They received some casualties from long range artillery.
14.9.1914 Battalion moved at 5.30am via Moulins and Vendresse to a hill between Vendresse and Troyour.
They remained in trenches near Vendresse until the 19th September when they moved to billets at Oeuilly.
During this time the Battalion suffered the following casualties, three officers killed and three wounded, 16 men killed, 86 wounded and 12 missing. It appears that MacLennan was one of the casualties at this time.
14.9.1914 (Monday) KIA near Vendresse, France
Commemorated on a memorial at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre, Seine-et-Marne, France.
*****
His name is commemorated on the war memorials of Northumberland County Constabulary and Avoch,
Ross-shire, Scotland. (below)
*****
Letters with the police after his death stated that his
father was dead and his mother lived at Pitfour, Avoch. Three brothers were living in Canada, they were employed as a woodman, mason and carpenter. Another brother was a publican in Glasgow, his married sister was living in Ross-shire.

101

20.5.1919 His widow who was still living at Boldside, Galashiels applied for his 1914 Star, and acknowledged receipt of the medal on the above date, the medal was issued to Corporal McLennan, however the issuing slip had his surname recorded as MacLennan and his widow signed the form as E. S. MacLennan.
23.1.1922 It appears that his widow had remarried as she acknowledged receipt of BWM & Victory medals named to Private McLennan, and signed for them as Elizabeth Sim Lockie. Army casualty form had surname recorded as McLellan, this was then crossed out and McLennan entered.
*****
This man’s surname is spelt in a number of different ways from his birth certificate which has his surname recorded as McLeman. The army have his surname as McLennan which appears to be his mothers maiden name, the police have it recorded on his police file and their war memorial as MacLennan, and on Avoch war memorial it is MacLeman.
*****
A photograph of him is on the Roll of Honour at Avoch Church and records his name as McLeman which is his correct name as given on his birth certificate. However at the bottom of the photograph is endorsed that he was killed at Mont Houey on 28.10.1918.
The CWGC and Northumberland Police have his date of death as 14.9.1914. Checks on the CWGC site reveal that no man by the name of David Bain McLeman (birth certificate) or McLennan (army attestation form) were KIA, they record his name as David Bain MacLennan, and his parents name and wife’s name are also recorded as MacLennan.

PC David Bain McLeman (MacLennan) on the
Roll of Honour at Avoch Church, Ross-shire, Scotland.

McDOUGALL Robert
Acting Bombardier 45397
Royal Field Artillery
54th Battery, 39th Brigade
1st Division, 1st Army
Awards 1914 Star, BWM & Victory
Born 8th May 1887 at 3 Fetter Lane, Tweedmouth.
Son of the late Thomas & Mary Jane (nee Phillipson)McDougall. Sister Robina Brander lived at 9 Edward Street, Overnewton, Glasgow.
Occupation soldier, served as Gunner 45397 with the 63rd Battery, RFA. Also employed for 4½ years with North Eastern Railway at Tweedmouth Station.
He was a single man, 6’0¾ in height, and lived at 21 Church Road, Tweedmouth.
Appointed Northumberland County Constabulary 6th January 1914 as PC 56, 3rd Class Constable.
6.1.1914 - 25.2.1914 HQ Morpeth (Training)
26.2.1914 Recruit posted to Whitley Bay
5.8.1914 Recalled to the colours to rejoin his regiment
16.8.1914 Entered France
10.9.1915 (Friday) Died of wounds received in an accident, details of accident not known, he was aged 28 yrs.
Buried Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, French
Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference A. 18
*****
He sent a letter to police colleagues on the 7th September 1915 (3 days before he was killed) thanking them for tobacco that had been sent to him, and that he had wished he could have found Patterson to share it but he believed he would be at the rear making up a Guards Regiment. Two Patterson’s from the force were serving at that time, PC 59 Thomas & PC 199 James Patterson, both in Guards Regiments, they survived the war.
*****
His name is commemorated on the war memorials of Northumberland County Constabulary and Tweedmouth, Berwick where his name is almost unreadable.

Tweedmouth War Memorial, Berwick

102

SHOTTON John
Lance Corporal 12756
Irish Guards
1st Battalion
Also served as Trooper 3868
Household Cavalry (Life Guards)
2nd Battalion
Awards BWM & Victory
Born 3rd February 1895 at Choppington, Bedlington.
Parents Bartholomew & Jane Ann (nee Caisley) Shotton of Ridge Farm, Bedlington.
Brothers and sisters born Bedlington:- William Caisley Shotton (1899 - 1899), Margaret Mills Caisley Shotton (1900 - 1928), Mary Ann Boynes Shotton (1903 - 1994), & William Caisley Shotton (1910 - 1912).
When applied for the police service he was a single man, occupation miner at Netherton Coal Company, 6’0 in height, and lived at 40 Howard Row, Netherton Colliery.
Appointed Northumberland County Constabulary 24th August 1914 as PC 292, 3rd Class Constable.
24.8.1914 - 12.10.1914 HQ Morpeth (Training)
13.10.1914 Recruit posted to Wallsend
8.12.1915 Enlisted as Trooper 3868 Household Cavalry, 2nd Battalion, Life Guards at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Gave his home address as Ridge Farm, Bedlington and occupation as Police Constable serving at Wallsend.
8.11.1916 Entered France with 2nd Battalion, Life Guards
29.4.1917 Returned to England and to Reserve Battalion
29.1.1918 Transferred to Irish Guards as Private 12756 but retaining rate of pay of Household Cavalry.
31.3.1918 Returned to France with Irish Guards
2.9.1918 Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal 1st Battalion Irish Guards
20.10.1918 (Sunday) KIA France aged 23 years
Buried Vertain Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. Grave reference E. 10

CWGC records him as being killed while serving with the Irish Guards, his police file lists him as Trooper 3868 2nd Battalion Life Guards, and the police war memorial records him as Trooper, Life Guards.
His name is commemorated on the war memorials of Northumberland County Constabulary and the Chapel of Remembrance, St Cuthberts Church, Bedlington.

Name of PC John SHOTTON recorded on a panel
in the Chapel of Remembrance at St Cuthbert’s
Parish Church, Church Lane, Bedlington.
There is also a book which records all men from the
area who served and died, in the book Shotton is
recorded as living at 7 Third Street, Bedlington
and that he served with the Irish Guards.

PC John SHOTTON as a Trooper with the Life Guards

103

STROTHER John
Serjeant 37237
Northumberland Fusiliers
21st Battalion (Tyneside Scottish)
Awards BWM & Victory
Born 1st April 1894 Norham, Berwick, Northumberland.
Son of James & Fanny Strother who lived at Tweed Row, Horncliffe, Berwick-on-Tweed. Father employed as a salmon fisherman on the River Tweed.
Brother and sisters all born Norham:- Walter R. Strother, Fanny P. Strother, & Margaret Ann Strother.
When applied for the police service he was a single man, occupation salmon fisherman at Scotch New Waters, Union Bridge for eight years, height 6’1, and lived at Horncliffe, Berwick on Tweed.
Appointed Northumberland County Constabulary 17th September 1914 as PC 225, 3rd Class Constable.
17.9.1914 - 4.11.1914 HQ Morpeth (Training)
5.11.1914 Recruit posted Willington Quay
30.6.1915 Resigned to join HMF, enlisted Alnwick as
Private 37237 Northumberland Fusiliers 21st Battalion
(Tyneside Scottish). He was physical drill instructor at Alnwick and Redcar until July 1916, he then requested a posting to France which was granted.
9.4.1917 (Monday) KIA near Arras, France aged 23 years, he was Acting Serjeant Major at this time.
This was the first day of the Battle of Arras when the Battalion had to attack and take three trenches in the direction of Bailleul.
Buried Bailleul Road East Cemetery, St Laurent-Blangy,
Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference I. D. 26.
*****
His name is commemorated on the war memorial of Northumberland County Constabulary and on a Roll of Honour at St Cuthbert’s Church, Norham where the date he was killed has been recorded as the 10th April. (right)

CWGC headstone of PC John STROTHER

1.6.1917 Article in Berwick Advertiser, a soldier named Boaden who lived in the same area as PC Strother wrote from France on the 15th May 1917 to Strother’s mother;
Dear Mrs Strother.
I received your letter of the 9th, and note that you have received the photos I sent home. I am sorry that I cannot tell you what were your son’s wounds, but I will tell you what I know. On April 14th I was in the trenches near Arras, and being one of a party who were sent to seek rations I happened to pass close to the spot where two of our lads were lying. As we generally do I looked down to see if I knew either of them and my eye caught site of an envelope sticking out of your son’s pocket, which was addressed to Miss Purvis. Happening to know Felton very well myself, and that father knew it much better, it
flashed across my mind that the best thing I could do would be to send to that address what might be of
interest to the people concerned. Bending down I took the envelope and opening his ‘Army’ small book that was lying with the envelope, I found the other photos that you now have. To make sure that there should be no mistake, I had a look at his identification disc and found, Serjt Strother, No 37237, —–— Battalion.
As far as I could judge he must have been killed instantaneously and without pain for as he lay there, there was a look of peace on his face that seemed to tell of his painless death. That same night we were relieved from the trenches and I have never been back to that part since, for we are now back behind the line having a rest. I couldn’t say exactly where he has been buried, but we know for a fact that it is within a few miles of the town of Arras. I am afraid that is all I can tell you, and can
only extend my heartfelt sympathy towards you in your sad loss. Believe me to be,
Yours sincerely A.E. Boaden.

104

TAYLOR John
Lance Corporal 17557
Coldstream Guards
2nd Battalion
Awards BWM & Victory
Born 14th May 1895 at Whitley House, Newlands,
Belford, Northumberland.
Parents James (b 9.2.1855 & d 13.4.1931) & Isabella (nee Slater) (b 22.11.1857 & d 19.9.1933) Taylor lived at the above address. They married on 6.12.1879 at Ladykirk, Scotland.
Brothers and sisters:- James, William, Margaret, Janet, Archbold, Elizabeth & Ninian Taylor.
Previously worked with the Berwick Salmon Fishing Company and also as a farm servant.
When applied for the police service he was a single man, occupation goods guard with North Eastern Railways, 5’9¼ in height. Gave his address as c/o Mrs Anderson, Easter Millerhill, Dalkeith.
Appointed Northumberland County Constabulary 3rd May 1915 as PC 177, 3rd Class Constable.
3.5.1915 HQ Morpeth (Training)
4.11.1915 Resigned to join HMF
27.11.1915 Enlisted Newcastle upon Tyne as Private 174557 Coldstream Guards.
2.12.1915 Caterham posted to 5th Battalion
26.9.1916 Entered France with 2nd Battalion
1.12.1917 Appointed Lance Corporal
From the war diary of the Coldstream Guards;
24.8.1918 Battalion in reserve at Boiry
25.8.1918 Battalion paraded at 4pm and relieved the 1st
Battalion Welsh Guards in front line trenches at St Leger
26.8.1918 Front line trenches where two men were killed, two wounded, and one wounded by gas.
27.8.1918 The Battalion was ordered to attack on a 1500 yard front in conjunction with 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards and 1st Battalion Irish Guards. Zero hour was at 7am, therefore it was necessary to form up under cover owing to the daylight.
As soon as the artillery barrage commenced at Zero hour, the Guards advanced behind it at 200 yard intervals
All companies came under heavy machine gun fire and the Germans moved more machine guns into action on the flanks which caused heavy casualties. Number 1 Company on the left suffered severely, all the officers were hit. Number 3 Company on the right came under withering machine gun fire and were unable to get out more than 200 yards from the jumping off position.
In the centre numbers 2 & 4 Company took prisoners even though they were under intense machine gun fire, and two platoons advanced and took Bunhill Trench. The enemy moved large bodies of men to outflank the taken trench, where casualties had reduced the strength to 18. It was therefore decided to withdraw and the Battalion which was reduced to just over 100 men took up position in Leger as reserve with the Irish Guards.
Casualties were three officers killed and seven wounded, 55 men killed, 57 missing, six wounded and missing, 192 wounded, and four wounded but remained on duty.
Taylor was one of the casualties of that action.
27.8.1918 (Tuesday) KIA France aged 23 years, he was killed at St Ledger and initially buried at the New Churchyard, St Ledger.
Buried Croisilles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference III. C. I.

In a letter from Captain C. D. Nelthorpe to his family he said that Lance Corporal Taylor had been wounded at first but unfortunately died from the wounds and that his grave was at St Leger.
*****
23.5.1921 Father received his BWM & Victory medal
*****
His name is commemorated on the war memorials of Northumberland County Constabulary, Belford, and in a Book of Remembrance at St Marys Parish Church, Church Street, Belford
His brothers James and William were both serving with Northumberland County Constabulary with the rank of sergeant when he was killed.
WOOLLEY Robert
Private S/9940
Gordon Highlanders
1st Battalion
Awards 1914 - 15 Star, BWM & Victory
Born 12th February 1893 at Leith, Midlothian.
Parents George & Margaret Woolley of Craig Lodge, Clovenfords, Galashiels.
Brother & sisters:- John, Agnes & Bella Woolley
May 1908 - July 1909 Served with the North Eastern Railway Company.
When applied for the police service he was a single man living with his parents at the above address, occupation railway surfaceman, 5’9¾ in height
Appointed Northumberland County Constabulary 5th January 1914 as PC 168, 3rd Class Constable.
5.1.1914 - 25.2.1914 HQ Morpeth (Training)
26.2.1914 Recruit posted to Blyth
11.4.1915 He submitted a report to join HMF and told his sergeant that the reason he wished to join was that he
had been on holiday at Galashiels and he was jeered and
hooted at for not being in the forces, and this had made

PC Robert WOOLLEY

105

up his mind to join up. His divisional superintendent, James Irving authorized his request to resign and enlist.
30.4.1915 Resigned to join HMF
5.5.1915 Enlisted at Galashiels with Gordon Highlanders as Private S/9940
6.5.1915 Gordon Highlanders Depot
7.5.1915 Posted to 3rd Battalion
29.9.1915 Entered France with 1st Battalion
30.4.1916 (Sunday) KIA Flanders by the bursting of a trench mortar, he was aged 23 years.
Buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave reference M. 16
*****
His name is commemorated on Northumberland County
Constabulary war memorial.
YORKE Edward Bain Rogers
Rifleman 43867
Prince of Wale’s Volunteers
South Lancashire Regiment
1/5th Battalion
Also served as Private T4/161233
Army Service Corps
Awards BWM & Victory
Born 5th July 1893 at Westgate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Parents Helen and the late Edward Bain Rogers Yorke of 172 Newbiggen Road, Ashington.
Brothers and sister all born Newcastle upon Tyne:-William, James and Phyllis Yorke.
When applied for the police service he was a single man living at 222 Milburn Road, Seaton Hirst, Ashington, 5’10 in height, occupation coal miner at Coupen Coal Company, North Seaton Colliery.

CWGC headstone of PC Robert WOOLLEY

Appointed Northumberland County Constabulary 9th December 1914 as PC 297, 3rd Class Constable.
13.10.1914 HQ Morpeth (Training)
9.12.1914 Recruit posted to Wallsend
6.12.1915 Resigned to join HMF, enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne as Private T4/161233 Army Service Corps. He was later transferred as Rifleman 43867 to the South Lancashire Regiment 1/5th Battalion.
From the war diary of the South Lancashire Regiment;
9.4.1918 Battalion based at Beuvry where at 4.15am the Germans commenced a heavy bombardment of the area as far back as Locre. ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies went to positions north west of Gorre and the remainder went to Le Preol, astride the La Bassee Canal. Both detachments sustained heavy casualties whilst moving forward.
It was discovered that the Portuguese on the left flank had broken and withdrawn, leaving the flank exposed, and by 9am the German infantry started to close in from the vacant positions. Time after time the enemy was driven back with heavy losses incurred.
Severe fighting continued throughout the day, but by the afternoon a strong defensive flank had been organized and most of the ground lost earlier was retaken.
Fighting continued over the next few days, the Battalion was withdrawn on the 15th April, by which time 36 men had been killed since the fighting began.
Eight men were killed on the 9th April, and four of them, including Yorke are buried at Vielle-Chapelle.
9.4.1918 (Tuesday) KIA France aged 24 years.
Buried at Vielle-Chapelle New Military Cemetery,
Lacouture, Pas de Calais, France.
Grave reference III. F. 3
*****
His name is commemorated on the war memorials of Northumberland County Constabulary and Ashington, Northumberland.

CWGC headstone of PC Edward Bain Rogers YORKE

106

Memorial Plaque to Northumberland County Constabulary officers who were killed in action or died during the 1st World War,
it also includes the name of PC Robert Telford who was killed on duty by a bomb dropped by a Zeppelin at Willington Quay.
The plaque is located on a wall in the memorial garden of Northumbria Police Headquarters, Ponteland, Northumberland.

107

Police Constable 73 Robert TELFORD
Born 27th September 1892 at Gilesgate Bank, Hexham.
Parents John & Margaret (nee Pattison) Telford.
22.5.1909 Joined 4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (Territorial Force) as Private 555 and served for 2 years 199 days, resigned at his own request on 6th December 1911.
He had been employed as a farm labourer, a labourer in a quarry, and from April 1913 worked on the roads for Northumberland County Council in the Chollerton
District.
When applied for the police service he was a single man living at Wheat Hill, occupation farm servant, 5’9¾ in height.
Appointed Northumberland County Constabulary 23rd March 1914 as PC 73.
23.3.1914 - 30.4.1914 HQ Morpeth (Training)
1.5.1914 Posted Willington Quay, Wallsend Division
25.12.1914 Submitted his resignation stating that he ‘did not like the job’, and requested that it take effect from the 25th January 1915. This was accepted but he then withdrew his resignation and was allowed to continue to serve remaining at his current station.
31.5.1915 He made an application to resign to enlist with the Northumberland Fusiliers, it was accepted and he was awaiting his call up.
15.6.1915 PC Telford was killed while in the execution of his duty, by an explosive bomb dropped from a hostile airship at Howden, Willington Quay. Killed just before midnight when enemy aircraft made the second raid on the County and dropped bombs over Tyneside.

Inscription on base of gravestone reads:-
In Memory of PC Robert Telford aged 21 years who was killed by a bomb during a hostile air raid whilst performing his duty at Willington Quay on the 15th June 1915.
This memorial was erected by all ranks of the
Northumberland County Constabulary 18th August 1927

The police made contact with his 78 year old mother who lived at Middle Farm, Chollerton with one of her two married daughters. Father was deceased, as was his brother, who had been only 19 years of age. (Not on war service). They agreed to a memorial stone, which was paid for by police donations, and erected at Chollerton Churchyard, Northumberland where he is buried.
*****
The Zeppelin raid took place on the 15th June 1915, a local Superintendent gave evidence at an inquest held on the 17th in relation to the 16 persons killed in the raid, PC Telford’s inquest was to be held later.
A further 40 persons had been injured during the raid. The Superintendent stated that he saw the Zeppelin at 11.40pm on the Tuesday night. Shortly after he saw it discharging missiles, which were followed by flashes and reports, the Zeppelin was only over the area for 8 or 9 minutes. The officer produced a discharged bomb, which had been picked up after the raid. The result of the inquest was that death was due to bombs being dropped from a hostile aircraft.
*****
On the 18th June, the inquest was held on PC Telford, and the coroner expressed sympathy with the man’s relatives and comrades in the force. A police representative said that, although the constable had not died amidst the excitement and glory in which so many brave Northern soldiers had died recently on the field of battle, yet he had met his death in the discharge of his duty.
*****
Evidence was then given relating to a bomb being dropped at the point where the constable was on duty, and the wounds inflicted. He was standing outside of the Co-op butcher’s shop at Willington Quay (page 109)
*****
A doctor stated that there was a wound in deceased’s back, ten inches by nine. The ribs and part of the shoulder blade were entirely shattered. One of the lungs was badly damaged, there was a punctured wound in the neck, the right foot was shattered, and there were other cuts and bruises on his body. The uniform was tattered and torn. Death would have been instantaneous. The jury found that the deceased died from wounds received by the explosion of a bomb from a hostile airship.

Northumberland Constabulary badge
on the gravestone above the inscription
to the dead officer.

108

The Zeppelin Airship involved, L10 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Hirsch took off from Nordholz on the afternoon of the 15th June together with L11. Over the North Sea L11 turned back, having broken a crankshaft, L10 continued on its mission to bomb Tyneside. The airship crossed the coast near Whitley Bay and dropped about 60 explosive and incendiary bombs on Wallsend, Jarrow, Hebburn and South Shields

Aircraft had searched for the Zeppelin without success and it escaped back to Germany.
In September 1915, the L10 commanded by Klaus Hirsch was struck by lightening while on patrol over the North Sea and the airship was lost together with Hirsch and his crew of nineteen.

Telford was killed outside of the Co-op, just to the right of the tram.

Name of PC Robert Telford recorded on Chollerton War Memorial

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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY CONSTABULARY