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Location
Formerly in Cowes Police Station, Cowes, Isle of Wight IWM War Memorials Archive Record This is not recorded by the IWM War Memorials Archive Description Memorial Display board of newspaper cuttings relating to Police Officers who died while serving in the Army during the Great War, as well as listing those who served. The Display board is located in the rest room of Cowes Police Station, where several of the named police officers served. Thanks to Hampshire Constabulary and John Pullen (Neighbourhood Watch) for access to the Police Station to photograph and record the Display board. |
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Memorial
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Inscription
THE FIRST WORLD WAR
"THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918" Between 1914 and 1918 a large number of Isle of Wight Police Officers volunteered for service in the Army. This included several from Cowes Police Station. Sadly some made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives as a result. Reproduced below is a selection of cuttings from the Isle of Wight County Press. These cuttings follow, sometimes tragically, the progress at War of these officers. Transcripts of newspaper cuttings
Isle of Wight County Press
8 August 1914 ISLAND POLICE CALLED UP The Army Reservists who left the Island on Wednesday to rejoin the colours included 13 of the County Contabulary, and they received a hearty send off from their many friends. Supt. J.H. Gallaway [1] (Deputy Chief Constable) and Inspectors Salter and Sibbick [2][3] were at Newport Railway-station to bid them farewell. In order to supply the deficiency thus occasioned in the force several police pensioners have returned to duty, including ex-Inspector T. Cass [4] and ex-Sergt. W. Cass, [5] and some 15 special constables have been sworn in. [1] James Henry Gallaway (b. 1874) resident at Kings Field, Fairlee Road, Newport, in 1911 [2] John James Salter (b. 1872) resident at Kings Field, Fairlee Road, Newport, in 1911 [3] Oliver Sibbick (b. 1879) resident at Victoria Road, East Cowes, in 1911 [4] Thomas Edwin Cass (b. 1863) resident at 8 Quay St, Newport, in 1911 [5] William Cass (b. 1853) resident at 3 South View, Ventnor, in 1911
Isle of Wight County Press
5 September 1914 ISLAND POLICE AND THE WAR Police Constable Page, [1] stationed at head-quarters Newport, who had served 12 years in the Dragoons before joining the I.W. County Constabulary, has patriotically re-enlisted for service in the Expeditionary Force. As there was no vacancy in his old corps he joined the Hampshire Regiment and is now at the depôt at Winchester awaiting orders. P.C. Sampson, [2] of Cowes, a native of Newport, where he served in the Territorials, has also volunteered for foreign service. This will make over a quarter of the members of the County Police force, which numbers 60, who have left to serve their country in the war. We understand the Standing Joint Committee have decided to pay 5s. a week to the wife or other dependent of these men, and in the case of a married man the wife will be allowed to remain in the police cottage rent free till the end of the war. [1] Herbert Page; details not known [2] Stanley Sampson
Isle of Wight County Press
26 September 1914 SANDOWN P.C. Homewood, [1] who was serving at the Front with the Coldstream Guards and has been in the thick of the fighting, is now in hospital, having being poisoned, it is presumed, by the water. He is going on very satisfactorily. [1] George Henry Homewood, b. 1888 Framfield Sussex, in 1911 at Guards' Depot, Caterham, Surrey. Pte 6931 Coldstream Guards. Survived war.
Isle of Wight County Press
3 October 1914 ISLAND CONSTABLES AT THE FRONT The following Constables from the I.W. County Constabulary are now serving in His Majesty's Forces, those marked by an asterisk being shown to be at the Front : * Bombr. Ed. B. Jackman, Freshwater, R.F.A. A.B. Jobe Woodford, Shanklin, H.M.S. Grafton Gnr. George Priddle, Cowes, R.H.A. Gnr. Fred Burton, Yarmouth, R.G.A. Bombr. Harold Luckett, E. Cowes, R.G.A. * Pte. Albert F. Turner, Ventnor, Grenadier Guards. * Pte. Thomas Hartnell, Oakfield, 9th Lancers. * Pte. George Homewood, Sandown, Coldstream Guards * Gnr. Alfred Martin, Newport, R.F.A. * Sergt. Jesse Mills, Ventnor, Coldstream Guards Lce-Corpl. Arthur Batley, Newport, Rifle Brigade * Pte. George Dobson, Newport, Grenadier Guards * Farrier Henry Matthews, Cowes, R.H.A. KITCHENER'S ARMY Farrier Stanley Sampson, Cowes, 6th Lancers Corpl. Herbert Page, Headquarters, Newport, 10th Hants Regt.
Isle of Wight County Press
24 October 1914 ISLAND CONSTABLE IN A FRENCH HOSPITAL Writing from St. Nazaire, France, where he is in hospital, Pte. G. Homewood, of the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards, a member of the Island Constabulary, formerly stationed at Sandown, states that he ahs had a few narrow escapes, but is now safe and may return to the Front again at any time. He proceeds to state that some people may have thought it a waste of money to pay the Reserves, "but you ought to see the old men out on this campaign. There are some old enough to be your fathers, but they still stick it very well, and are mostly as good as the young ones."
Isle of Wight County Press
14 November 1914 ISLAND POLICEMAN WOUNDED Sergt. Jesse Mills, of the Coldstream Guards, who was a constable in the Island Police at Ventnor, was wounded on October 25th, and is now in hospital at Dublin.
Isle of Wight County Press
21 November 1914 ISLAND POLICEMAN DIES OF BATTLE WOUND We regret to announce that Sergt. Jesse Mills, of the Coldstream Guards, who, as announced last week, was wounded whilst fighting at the Front on October 25th, died in hospital at Dublin on Monday night. Sergt. Mills was serving in the I.W. County Constabulary at Ventnor when the war broke out and was much respected by those in the Force and all who knew him. He was wounded in the left thigh. This is the first casualty reported to date among the 16 members of the Island Police who are serving in connection with the war. The funeral of the deceased took place with full military honours in Dublin on Thursday morning, when the Island Police were represented by a member of the Force, P.C. Sampson, who was stationed at Cowes, when he joined Kitchener's Army, and is now training at Dublin in the Lancers. The interment was in the Military Cemetery in Dublin and the band of the Royal Irish Constabulary attended.
Isle of Wight County Press
28 November 1914 ANOTHER ISLAND POLICEMAN WOUNDED Official news has been received that Pte. George Dobson, of the Grenadier Guards, who until the outbreak of the war was a police-constable at Newport, has been wounded in the recent fighting at the Front. He is now in hospital at Kensington Palace Gardens with a bullet wound in the shoulder. He is the second member of the I.W. County Constabulary to be wounded. Pte. Dobson has since written from hospital to Insp. Sibbeck, [1] stating: "I am glad to say that my wound is not serious. It is a bullet in the left shoulder, which I got on Tuesday last (17th inst.) in the house-to-house fighting around Ypres. The bullet has gone right through, so I shall not have the pain of getting it out. As the bone has been fractured, it will be a week or two before it is right again. I am very sorry to hear about poor Mills - (Sergt. Mills (Coldstream Guards) who died of wounds) - He was in the same Brigade as myself, and I can tell you we have been properly through it. There are only 300 of my battalion left out of 1300, so I am very thankful to get off with as little as I have. I heard that Holmwood [2] was wounded and in hospital in France, but I have not heard of Hartnell or Martin." Another member of the Force, Br. Martin, R.F.A., has sent home a message, dated the 16th inst., stating that he is keeping well. At the funeral last Thursday at Dublin of Sergt. Jesse Mills (Coldstream Guards), the first Island policeman to fall in the war, full military honours were accorded, the band of the Royal Irish Rifles, as well as that of the Royal Irish Constabulary, being present. The coffin was borne on a gun-carriage through the main street into Phœnix Park and thence to the Military Cemetery. As already state, ex-P.C. Sampson, now in the Lancers, represented the Island Constabulary at the interment. That a brother [3] of the late Sergt. Mills has also lost his life at the Front, having been killed in action whilst serving with the Royal Field Artillery, adds pathos to the death of Sergt. Mills, who died from serious shell wounding in the thigh and back. His parents live at Bognor, Sussex, and much sympathy is felt for them. [1] Inspector Oliver Sibbick [2] George Henry Homewood [3] His brother was George Mills (CWGC record)
Isle of Wight County Press
12 December 1914 LETTERS FROM ISLAND POLICEMEN AT THE FRONT Gunner George Priddle of Z Battery, R.H.A., attached to the 3rd Cavalry Division, formerly a constable at Cowes, writes to P.C. F. Kemp, of Cowes, from the Front: "We have been out here since November 5th and have been in action for several days, but are having a rest for a day or two." He mentions that he has had two brothers at the Front, and another in the Navy. He adds: "I expect we shall see a good many fresh faces in the Force when we return. I have met several old pals since we have been out here in different batteries. We have heard this morning that the German Emperor has poisoned himself. Of course it is only a rumour." Another ex-Cowes Policeman, Shoeing-Smith Matthews, R.H.A., has written to P.C. Kemp from the Front stating that he is well.
Isle of Wight County Press
26 December 1914 ANOTHER EX-ISLAND POLICEMAN WOUNDED Corpl. Saunderson, 2nd Suffolk Regiment, formerly a police-constable at Barton and Ventnor, and at the outbreak of the war a member of the Portsmouth Police Force, has been wounded in the back by shrapnel, and is in the Red Cross Hospital at Stratford-on-Avon.
Isle of Wight County Press
13 February 1915 DEATHS SIVIER - Feb. 7, at Cowes, Herbert Stanley Sivier, aged 20 years. - Mr and Mrs Sivier and family desire to tender their sincere thanks for all letters of sympathy and for kindness shown them in their sad bereavement and for beautiful flowers sent; also to thank the police at Cowes station for kind attention shown to their dear son in his short illness; also the police and others who attended the funeral.
Isle of Wight County Press
13 February 1915 SPECIAL CONSTABLE'S DEATH - On Sunday the death occurred at the Police-station of Special Constable Herbert Sivier, who had been engaged as a constable since the depletion of the ranks of the Island Constabulary on account of the war. The deceased, who was only 20, was a very steady and promising young fellow, formerly in the employ of Messrs Dear and Morgan. He was on duty on Friday, when he complained of having a cold. The following mrning he was reported seriously ill with double pneumonia. He was attended by Dr. Hudson, but his condition rapidly became worse, and he passed away in the presence of his parents on Sunday afternoon. He was the son of Mr and Mrs George Sivier, of Park-road, for whom much sympathy is felt. The funeral took place at Northwood Cemetery on Wednesday. The Rev. D.S.W. Nicholl (St. Mary's Church) officiated. A party from the Island Constabulary acted as bearers. The family mourners father and mother, Messrs. Alfred and Walter Sivier (brothers), Mrs. Suter (sister), and Mr. G. Suter (brother-in-law). The Island Constabulary were represented by Insp. Salter, Acting Sergt. Chisholm, P.C.'s Denham, Gamble, and Kemp (Cowes), and Corney (headquarters), and Temporary Constables P. Morgan, A. Leal, and Sibbick (Newport). Insp. Bignell was unable to attend due to illness. The following employées of Messrs. Dear and Morgan also attended: Messrs. W.F. Burnett, C.W. Allen, J.G. Balmbridge, W. Perkins, H. Parsons, Bull, W. French, E. Denham, C. Brooking, and H. Munt. The two principals of the firm, Messrs. J. Wright-Brown and J.G. May, were prevented from being present, the former due to indisposition and the latter being away on business. There were floral tributes from hsi sorrowing father, mother, and brothers; his affectionate sweetheart; Amy and George; mr. and Mrs. Suter, sen.; Mr. and Mrs. Bull; Mr. and Mrs. Rowe; Mr. Goble and daughter; "With deepest sympathy from the Cowes Police"; "With deep sympathy from the employées of Messrs. Dear and Morgan, in remembrance"; and "With sincere sympathy from Dear and Morgan.". The funeral arrangements were very efficiently carried out by Mr. W.G. Thomas.
Isle of Wight County Press
27 February 1915 MORE SPECIAL CONSTABLES At the County Petty Sessions, on Saturday, the following were sworn in as special constables, and were thanked for their attendance by Supt. J.H. Gallaway on behalf of the Chief Constable (Capt. H.G. Adams-Connor, M.V.O): Calbourne parish - Dr. Howard Hawkins and Messrs. Ernest Attrill Hawkins, James Gash, Andrew Luke Barton, and George Whittington; Godshill parish - the Rev. Pemberton R.H. Bartlett (vicar) and Messrs. Herbert John Wickett, R.D.C., and Oliver A. Hayles. The following special constables were sworn in at the Newport Police-station on Saturday afternoon before the Mayors of Newport and Ryde and the Chairman of the St. Helens District Council: Carisbrooke - Messrs. Arthur James, James Simmonds, Charles Tosdevin, Frank Attrill, J.H. Deacon, T.C. and L.H. Morris, R.D.C., Gatcombe - Messrs. R.Y. Morgan, R.D.C., G. Williams, Joseph Cox, and Frank Rann. It has been decided that special constables are exempt from service on all juries.
Isle of Wight County Press
6 March 1915 SPECIAL CONSTABLES At the County Petty Sessions on Saturday Mr. Aubrey A.H. Wykeham, one of the Justices, was sworn in as a special constable during the war, as also were the following for Chale parish: Messrs. Henry Way, Charles Windle, William Middleton, Charles Chiverton, Walter Davis, and Walter Barton. Bembridge - the following were sworn in as special constables before Co. J.F.C. Hamilton, J.P., and Mr. G.H. Harrison, J.P., at the Bembridge Sailing Club on Wednesday: Messrs. H. Weaver, H. Hapgood, P. Weaver, J.C. Riddick, P. Watton, and Wm. Love. The following have been sworn in as special constables for the parishes in the West Wight mentioned below :- Freshwater and Totland - Messrs. G.E. Toogood, S.J. Ansell, A. Smith, C. Hannam, C. White, G. Moyce, and F. Honnor. Yarmouth - Major C.P. Dean and Messrs. J.A. Cole, E. Chambers, W.R. Hall, J.B. Doe, R. May, and E.G. Brett. Thorley - Mr. E.H. Lunn Wellow - Mr. G.A Kingswell Brook, Brighstone and Mottiston - Messrs. Aubrey A.H. Wykeham, J.P., W. Brown, F.A. Linington, T.W. Hookey, A. Bryson, G. Morris, James Attrill, and A. Warne, and the Rev. C.A. Shaw. Shorwell - Messrs. J.Y. Jolliffe, D.J. Minchin, and A. Draper.
Isle of Wight County Press
13 March 1915 BRADING At Brading Town-hall on Friday night, before Col. W.H.G. Gordon, J.P., and Mr. James Dore, J.P., the following were sworn in as special constables: Messrs. James Taylor, William J. Guy, Richard Harper, John Edwin Bonn, George Cox, and Frank C. Corbett.
Isle of Wight County Press
20 March 1915 ISLAND POLICE WAR CASUALTIES P.C. Homewood, of Sandown, who has been serving in the Coldstream Guards since the commencement of the war, was accidentally injured by a fall whilst taking part in a bayonet charge at the Front, and has returned to England for hospital treatment. P.C. Saunderson, of Newport, who was wounded some time ago, has returned to the Island for rest. Homewood took part in a very spirited bayonet charge in the neighbourhood of La Basse when the British forces rushed a German trench. In a letter written since his return to England, Homewood says he had personally accounted for three of the enemy and was continuing, when he stumbled and fell, sustaining some internal injury. He went into the trenches again, but eventually had to be carried out to hospital. He is making good progress, however, and hopes to visit the Island soon.
Isle of Wight County Press
3 April 1915 ISLAND CONSTABLE'S LETTER Gunner George Priddle, of G Battery R.F.A., who at the outbreak of war was a police constable at Cowes, writes to the police head-quarters, under date march 30th, as follows: "I hope this will find all my old comrades in the best of health. I saw P.C. Jackman last Saturday, also my brother, [1] who is a farrier-sergeant in his battery, and last evening I came across P.C. Martin. We are all in action very close to each other, but I do not expect we shall be here very long, as we really belong to the cavalry. We had a bit of excitement yesterday morning, as the Germans had the cheek to shell our billet while we having breakfast. It was a bit lively for a while, but I am pleased to say no lives were lost, although the man standing next to me and another were slightly wounded, also three horses, two of which had to be destroyed. I shall not be sorry to get back to the old job again, and hope the war will be over before next winter, as I should not like to have another the same as this one. I am pleased to say the weather is changing for the better. With kind regards to all." [1] Serjeant 44380 Frederick Priddle, R.F.A. who was killed in action in France, 19 June 1917. CWGC record
Isle of Wight County Press
24 April 1915 DEATHS JOHNSON - Jan. 24, at Gustrow, Mickelenburg, Germany, prisoner of war, William Johnson, 1st King's Royal Rifles, youngest surviving son of S. Johnson, of Romanville Cottage, Brading, late of the I.W. Constabulary, aged 31. The preceding notice does not appear on the Cowes display board
Isle of Wight County Press
8 May 1915 ISLAND POLICEMAN KILLED IN ACTION ARTILLERYMAN'S THRILLING STORY. - KEEPING THE GERMANS AT BAY. News has reached the Island that Bombdr. Fred Burton, of a heavy Battery, R.G.A., who was serving as a constable in the County Constabulary at Yarmouth on the outbreak of war, was killed in action during the serious fighting following the German attacks around Ypres on the 24th ult. The deceased soldier, who was 30 years of age, was a native of Doncaster, and served in the R.G.A. from 1904 until 1912. He joined the I.W. Constabulary on March 1st of the latter year, and after being stationed at Newport for over two years had been transferred to Yarmouth for several months when war broke out. He rejoined the colours on the general mobilisation. He was well known in the Island as a good cricketer, for while still in the R.G.A. he was stationed for several years at the Western Forts, and since joining the Police Force he had won general esteem. After joining the Police Force he married Miss Drudge [1], a Freshwater lady, and the deepest sympathy is felt for the young widow, who is left with a baby, [2] born last Christmas whilst the late Bomdr. Burton was home on leave from the Front. One of his comrades, writing to relatives in the Island on the 28th ult., says: "I am sorry for not writing to you lately, but you must think yourself lucky to get this. We have been on the go for three days without a break. We should have still been on the go, but for our ammunition giving out. The road the ammunition had to come up was being swept away by shell fire, so we had to get out of our position and go through it ourselves. The guns went first and we had to walk five miles down a road where a German shell was dropping every 10 yards. How we got through the Lord only knows. I had a charmed life that day; it was last Saturday. My gun went off before it ought to have done, the wheel hit me in the face, I turned two somersaults, and landing on my ankle sprained it. I often thought I was lucky, as any ordinary man would have had his skull 'bashed' in (I have always been told I am thick in the head). I have a lovely black eye. The next thing that happened was when we had to dash out of action. I went out into a field to bring in a lamp I use for laying on at nights, and as I was coming back three shells pitched around me in a ring and the force threw me in a heap on the ground. I said to myself 'Good-bye, Flo.' A couple of chaps were coming to bring poor old Jim in, when I startled them by getting up. If any one had told me a tale like that I should have said they were 'chancing their arm.' How I got down that road I do not know. I could hardly put my foot on the ground, and we had to go across 200 yards of open ground in full view of the Germans, and hang me if I did not stand fascinated at the sight. There were men and horses dropping everywhere. Poor Burton, the Yarmouth policeman, was killed not more than 10 yards from where I was standing. It was only in the morning he was showing me a photo of his 'kiddie' that had just been born. We kept the Germans at bay for two hours at a range of 3000 yards, and not a British soldier in front of us. I expect we shall be made a fuss of in the papers. Our major was only 400 yards from the Germans observing, and not another person except the telephonist near him. We had a shell burst five yards from our gun, which made a hole 37 ft across and 11 ft deep. We knew we were in for it, as a German aeroplane dropped two smoke balls over us and told the Germans where we were." [1] Emily Margaret Drudge, married 2 Oct 1913 at All Saints Church, Freshwater. [2] Diana Emma Eugenia Burton, born 1914.
Isle of Wight County Press
16 Oct 1915 ISLAND POLICE CONSTABLE'S EXPERIENCES Gunner W. Priddle, [1] G Battery R.H.A., a Freshwater man, who was a constable in the Island Police when called up in the Reserve, writing to Insp. J. Salter, of Newport, on October 7th, says: "I am in the best of health at present. We have been in action several times at different parts of the line since I last wrote, and have been lucky indeed, only having had a few men wounded. We had a narrow shave at the end of April. The Huns sent over about 30 big shells, which all dropped in a space of about 100 years, but they did not do any damage to us or our guns. They were trying to find a heavy battery of ours, which was just behind us, but they did not do so, and for every shell they sent over, our heavy battery sent two in return. Our division took part in the advance on the 25th. It was the worst bombardment I have heard, and the noise was terrible. I saw a great number of German prisoners brought in by our infantry. Those of our wounded who could walk came back carrying German helmets, and some were wearing them. One of our batteries brought out several guns which our men captured. It was a great pity that the rain came on as it did, for it made the observation work of our airmen and officers very difficult. I shall be very pleased when this is all over to get back with you all again. I am afraid it will be a long time yet, but we must hope for the best." [1] actually Gnr. George Priddle
Isle of Wight County Press
23 Oct 1915 CONSTABLES AS MILITARY POLICE Police-constables W. Stevens (Newport), W. Herrington (Wroxall), and G. Lavery (Haylands) are going up for service in the military police during the war.
Isle of Wight County Press
2 December 1916 RYDE POLICEMAN WINS THE MILITARY MEDAL Sergt. O.H. Palmer, formerly a member of the Borough Police Force and now serving in France, recently wrote to the Chief Constable (Mr. Charles Greenstreet), and the following are extracts from his letter: "I have not enlightened you of the fact that I am the proud possessor of the Military Medal. You say I am lucky to dodge the Huns. Well, they frequently try to give us a treat, and I still hope to be lucky. I am pleased to learn that Mr. John I. Barton is to be Mayor again, as the town will have a long way to go to find a better man for the job, in my opinion. How are the Worcesters treating you? I hope they are giving you no trouble, as Fritz can give us all we need. We have lost Holbrook and Dennis from the company. I saw Holbrook recently, but he was on the move then. I hear through the C.S.M. that he was on leave. I get the County Press every week and follow the details of the town closely. The thing that is most trouble to you seems to be the Lighting Order. If you were here you would enjoy the joke."
Isle of Wight County Press
13 January 1917 SOLDIERS FROM THE POLICE FORCE In accordance with general policy throughout the country, the four remaining young members of the I.W. County Constabulary of military age joined the Colours in the New Year, namely, P.Cs Kemp, Rogers, and Whillier (Cowes), and Corney (Head-quarters, Newport), and they are all in the Grenadier Guards. This makes 28 who have joined from the Island Police, 24 being regular and five temporary members of the Constabulary.[1] [1] This is how the County Press reported the numbers - even though the addition is incorrect !
Isle of Wight County Press
21 April 1917 ISLAND POLICE CONSTABLE AT CAPTURE OF MONCHY - GERMAN PRISONERS DANCING FOR JOY AT BEING CAPTURED Gr. George Priddle, R.H.A., who joined up from the I.W. Constabulary at the commencement of the war, was accidentally injured by being run over after the capture of Monchy last week and is in hospital at that place. In a cheery letter to Insp. J. Salter, of Newport, he says that they went with the cavalry, and on coming out of action the same night he was unfortunately knocked down, and the gun-wheel went over his right leg just above the ankle. Fortunately no bones are broken. He adds: " I hope to have a few days' leave before going out again," which our readers will agree is a very modest hope for one who has been at the Front since September 1914. Gr. Priddle, describing the fighting, says: "The Huns went out very sharp this time, and left guns and ammunition in good working order behind them, as well as other things, all showing that they were in a hurry to get away. As the prisoners came in they were dancing with joy at being captured. I think the Huns are having a good time now. they are getting from us what they gave us early in the war, and I hope it will teach them a lesson."
Isle of Wight County Press
8 September 1917 COWES P.C. Denham left to join up early this week. About half of the pre-war members on the County Constabulary have gone on service.
Isle of Wight County Press
13 October 1917 NEWPORT Pte. George Rogers, Coldstream Guards, of Barton's-village, a member of the County Constabulary when he joined up, is in hospital owing to an accidental injury received whilst at bayonet exercise in France.
Isle of Wight County Press
20 October 1917 NEWPORT It was Pte. Harry Rogers, youngest son of Mrs. Rogers, of 11 Barton-road, who has been in hospital in France, not Pte. G. Rogers, as stated in error last week.
Isle of Wight County Press
22 June 1918 P.C. George H. Homewood, who on the outbreak of war went to the Western front in the Coldstream Guards and has the Mons ribbon, has been released from the Army for police service as a result of regrading, and he was re-sworn at the County Petty Sessions on Saturday, when he was congratulated on his safe return from service. He is the second Service member of the County Constabulary to return to police duty.
Isle of Wight County Press
7 September 1918 Mr. Tom Kemp, of Fairlee-road, has received the sad news that his son Corpl. Fred Kemp, Coldstream Guards, aged 30, was killed on August 27. His officer writes: "We went over the top at 7 a.m., and I saw a good deal of him during the wait. He was a fine example to the men, being perfectly cool and in excellent spirits during the trying ordeal of waiting. He went over with his platoon and was shortly afterwards killed by a machine-gun bullet. He was a thoroughly good soldier and a splendid fellow, and was liked by both officers and men. By his death we have lost a friend whom it will be difficult to replace." He is the third member of the County Constabulary to fall in the war. He was stationed at Head-quarters and afterwards at Cowes. He joined up in January, 1917, and went to France in March. He was a single man, his sweetheart having met with a fatal accident at Cowes some months ago by falling from a window. He was a member of St. Paul's Brotherhood. A younger brother is serving.
Isle of Wight County Press
11 January 1919 At the County Petty Sessions on Saturday two members of the County Constabulary, formerly stationed at Newport, were resworn on returning from the Army to Police duty. They were P.S. Batley, who, after serving in the Rifle Brigade, was training in an officer cadet corps for a commission when hostilities ceased, and P.C. Martin, who has served as a sergeant-major of Engineers in France. Both have served on the Western front. The Chairman (Mr. G. Shedden, J.P.) [1] warmly congratulated them on their safe return and complimented them on the services they had rendered for King and Country, saying that they were all glad to see them back again. [1] Mr Shedden's son, Captain Graham Percival Shedden, was killed in action in 1914. CWGC record
Isle of Wight County Press
25 January 1919 ISLAND CONSTABLES RETURN FROM THE WAR Five more Island police constables were re-sworn before the County Justices at Newport on Saturday. They were Br. G. Priddle, R.H.A. (Cowes), Guardsmen A.H. Turner, Grenadier Guards (Ventnor), and George Dobson, Grenadier Guards (Newport), who have been on active service for over four years, and Guardsmen Harry Rogers (Cowes) and Ralph Whillier (Cowes), both of the Coldstream Guards, who have similarly served for two years. Br. Priddle was temproarily taken prisoner by the Germans in the first battle of Cambrai in November 1917, but the German guards over him were shot and he was released by men of the Shropshire Light Infantry. Br. Priddle had a narrow escape, two shrapnel bullets passing through his helmet.
Isle of Wight County Press
8 March 1919 POLICE OFFICER'S RETURN FROM MESOPOTAMIA. Sergt-Major Luckett, R.G.A. a constable in the County Constabulary, who prior to joining up was stationed at Newport and East Cowes, is home from Mesopotamia, and was welcomed and heartily congratulated on his safe return by Ald. G. Fellows, J.P., who was presiding at the County Bench on Saturday. The sergeant-major had been in Mesopotamia for some two years, and witnessed the surrender of the Turks towards Mosul at the end of October.
Isle of Wight County Press
31 May 1919 COWES WOUNDED GAZA HEROES Pte. W.J. Clark, 4th Hants, who was formerly in the I.W. Constabulary and had a fishmonger's shop in Carvel-lane when called to the Colours, has made a good recovery from his severe wounds received in the battle of Gaza, necessitating the amputation of a leg. He has been home on leave this week from Roehampton, where he is to be fitted with an artifical limb. Another Cowes man, Pte. T.W. Chambers, who has a business in Medina-road and was also very seriously injured in the Gaza fighting, in which his battalion (the I.W. Rifles) distinguished itself, has just been discharged from the Army. Although in greatly improved health, his injuries are of a more or less permanent nature. He was for some time a patient at Gatcombe House Red Cross Hospital. Further Information This table lists alphabetically all the men identified in the cuttings above. In some cases it has not been possible to identify them with certainty, especially those Special Constables appointed to fill the gaps created when Police Officers went to War. The IW Constabulary Memorial Scroll is held at Newport Police Station. Note : in the table below all references to Mottistone use the spelling as given in the County Press - Mottiston.
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Page last updated : 7 January 2014 (added William Johnson)
Page last updated : 7 January 2014 (added William Johnson)