Memorial details

Memorial type
Board / Plaque / Tablet
District
Leicester
Town
Leicester
County
Leicestershire
Country
England
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918)
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 21 September 1921
    Attended by: Mayor George E Hilton unveiled the memorial
  • Dedicated
    Date: 21 September 1921
    Attended by: Archdeacon F.B. MacNutt officiated
  • Show More (1)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
70547

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Current location

In the foyer
Leicestershire Police
Mansfield House Station
Belgrave Gate
Leicester
Leicester
Leicestershire
LE1 3GQ
England

OS Grid Ref: SK 58870 04933
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Previous locations
  • In the foyer
    Leicester City Police Headquarters
    Charles Street
    Leicester
    Leicester
    Leicestershire
    LE1 1SH
    England

    OS Grid Ref: SK 59213 04304
    Denomination: Undefined
  • On an external wall of the building
    Leicester City Police HQ
    Town Hall
    Town Hall Square
    Leicester
    Leicester
    Leicestershire
    LE1 9BG
    England

    OS Grid Ref: Undefined
    Denomination: Undefined
  • Show More (1)
Description
Rectangular plaque with decorative engraved border and the Leicester Coat of Arms. The lettering of the inscription is engraved in black, with some red capitalisation. Within the border, a wreath is etched at top left and top right, containing the words 'Valour' and 'Devotion' respectively. A banner in the top section of the plaque bears the quote "Our children shall measure their worth". (The quote is a line from Rudyard Kipling's poem "The Verdict"; permission to include it on the memorial was obtained from Kipling by Superintendent Charles Hart. It was later also incorporated into Leicester City Police's combined WW1/WW2 memorial - see WMR 14752).
Inscription
VALOUR DEVOTION/ 1914 1919/ LEICESTER CITY POLICE/ OUR CHILDREN SHALL MEASURE THEIR WORTH/ To the glorious memory of our/ Gallant Comrades/ Who nobly and cheerfully gave their lives for England./ (Names)
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Bailey, W. A.
Briggs, J
Cobley, J
Hazelwood, R
Hutson, F
Maddock, E
Manton, G. A.
Osborn, A. W.
Percival, T
Reeves, A. E.
See details for all 11 names
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 11
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 11
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Police rank, surname, initials, military unit
    Order of information: Alphabetically by surname, in two columns
Components
  • Plaque
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Brass
Listing information
Condition
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Responsibility
Leicestershire Police
Reference
  • Nottingham Journal 22/9/1921 (page 3) printed a lengthy report of the unveiling: 'LEICESTER AND DISTRICT NEWS. POLICE HEROES. Leicester's War Memorial Tablet. DEDICATION CEREMONY. An impressive ceremony took place in Leicester Town Hall-square yesterday afternoon, when a memorial tablet in remembrance of the eleven members of the City Police Force who were killed in the war, was unveiled by the Mayor (Councillor G. E. Hilton). There was a huge gathering present and all the available members of the force were in attendance. The tablet, which is a simple but effective one, was designed by Detective Supt. Hart and executed by Mr. Cockshaw. The entire cost has been defrayed by subscriptions amongst the force only, and the arrangements were in the hands of a committee composed of the following:- Inspector Keen (chairman) Supt. Hart, Inspector Dix, Inspector Underwood, Sergt. H. Hall. P.c.s Day and Riddington and Sergt. Thornton (hon. sec.). Notable Company. The Mayor was accompanied by Ald. Lovell (chairman of the Watch Committee), Ald J. Chaplin (Deputy Mayor), the Venerable Archdeacon F. B. Macnutt, the Rev. Edward Elliott, the Chief Constable (Mr. H. Allen), Col. C. E. Oliver, T.D., Major Brock, C.M.G., D.S.O., Capt. Gelland, D.S.O., Ald Sir Jonathan North, Mr T W. Wright (Magistrate's Clerk) Councillor S. Folwell (High Bailiff) and many others. A firing party and buglers were in attendance from Glen Parva Barracks, and all the relatives of the fallen officers were present, being accommodated with seats directly in front of the platform. The police band was also in attendance and played the accompaniment for the hymns. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the hymn "O God, our help," after which prayer was offered by the Rev. Edward Elliott, of the Archdeacon-lane Baptist Church. Force's War Record. The Chief Constable then gave the details of the war record of the force. There were 295 members of all grades on 4 August, 1914, and 19 reservists were at once called to the colours. Many volunteered at once, but only 108 were permitted to go, so that 127 served in the Army all told. Of those one received a commission, 10 warrant rank, 47 received non-commissioned rank, and 17 wore decorations. Thirty-five were wounded and 11 lost their lives. Of the eleven, eight were killed in action and three died as results of service. The Mayor said he felt it indeed an honour to perform the ceremony. It was a record of which the city could be justly proud. They realised that those men cheerfully gave their services to their country, and faced unheard-of dangers in the pursuit of their duty. Archdeacon's Tribute. In the course of an interesting address Archdeacon Macnutt said it was not flattery when he said that some of the finest soldiers in the British Army were those who came from the police forces of England. He referred to the line on the tablet: Our children shall measure their worth," but it was up to those children to see that their sacrifice was not in vain. It was for them to see that the fruits of the victory were not wasted, for as the poet Milton had truly written, "Peace hath her victories, no less renowned than war." Three volleys were then fired in the air. and the "Last Post" was sounded. After which the Chief Constable placed a handsome wreath on the tablet, and the ceremony concluded with the National Anthem. The committee have received large framed photographs of the gallant eleven, which are now hung round the walls of the Recreation Room. After the ceremony all the relatives were entertained to tea in the police station. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001897/19210922/048/0003
  • A further photo of the unveiling can be found at imageleicestershire.org.uk/view-item?i=1868&WINID=1462456922665#.VytSWuRmqNJ
  • A photo of the unveiling can be found at imageleicestershire.org.uk/view-item?i=1867&WINID=1462456911368#.VytSTuRmqNJ

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

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© WMR-70547

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