Plaque 1914-18 Police HQ

Durham Constabulary Headquarters.

See Note 3 below

1914-18

Unveiled 15th December 1920 by Chief Constable, Mr. W.G. Morant.

Brass

The Durham Constabulary proudly
inscribe above the names of those of their
comrades who gave their lives for all in the
Great War 1914-1918

Plaque approx. 60 inches high x 36 inches wide (152cms x 91cms) with a rounded centre top, which contains the Durham Constabulary badge.

There is a single line border.

The names are listed in two columns, apparently in order of seniority, divided by a single vertical line.

The dedication is in a box at the foot.

The lettering is in Roman capitals.

1. This plaque was originally framed in mahogany.

2. From the Force, 421 had joined the forces, 52 were killed in action or died from wounds; 88 were wounded, 5 were taken prisoner, 12 gained commissions. All the other attained non-commissioned rank. 40 gained decorations for meritorious conduct.

3. The building at Aykley Heads was demolished in 2016. The Police have moved to a new building approx. 100 yards away. The memorials are not on show to the public. To see them you have to make a request in writing to the Estates Dept. They are now displayed behind the “secure line” of the building, hence the procedure to get in.

3. Cpl. Wm. Ashburn, named on the memorial, came from Rockcliffe in Cumbria.

4. Capt. A.E. Brock died of pneumonia in 1919. An account of his funeral is in the Northern Echo 09/01/1919.

Photos: John and Mavis Dixon; Malcolm Smith

Durham Advertiser
12/04/2018 Police Officers who served in WW1 are remembered

Durham Chronicle
17/12/1920 reports unveiling.

Northern Echo
16/12/1920 reports unveiling.

Policing the Land of the Prince Bishops The History of Durham Constabulary 1840-1990 Supt. Alan S. Watson and Supt. Derek Harrison LL.B.(Ret’d) Durham Books ISBN 1 872902 00 6 features the lists of members of the Police Force who were killed in 1914-18 and 1939-45

Blue Line to Trench Line A record of the police and military service of officers from north east police forces who were killed in action or died of wounds or disease during the Great War 1914-18 John Grainger 2019

Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
John and Mavis Dixon;
Tom Carlisle;
Dorothy Hall;
David Sloan;
Malcolm Smith;

John Grainger has researched the names on this memorial and would be pleased to hear from anyone with stories, photographs or memorabilia.

Contact:- monreith@aol.com