Plaque 1939-45 Police HQ

Police H.Q., Elvet

Durham Constabulary Headquarters Aykley Heads.

1939-45

Unveiled 12th April 1947 by Mr. Chuter Ede, Home Secretary.

Brass

Killed while serving in H.M. Forces
(Names)
Killed on Constabulary Duties
(Names)
The Durham Constabulary proudly
inscribe above the names of those of their
comrades who gave their lives for all in the
Second World War 1939-1945

Plaque approx. 60 inches high x 36 inches wide (152cms x 91cms) with 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 using in Roman capitals.

1. 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.

2. The plaque was unveiled at the opening of the new premises at Aykley Heads. The building originally housed the administrative offices of the former Royal Ordnance Factory which fell vacant in 1946. The Police were to be rehoused here from Durham for ten years.

Photos: John and Mavis Dixon; Malcolm Smith

Sunderland Echo and Shields Gazette
18/04/1917 reports proposed opening of building the following day.

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

Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
John and Mavis Dixon;
David Sloan;
Dorothy Hall

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