Memorial details

Memorial type
Board / Plaque / Tablet
District
Chesterfield
Town
Chesterfield
County
Derbyshire
Country
England
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945)
Ceremony
  • Unveiled
    Date: 14 October 1943
    Attended by: Councillor J.W. Thompson (Vice -Chairman of the Watch Committee) performed the unveiling; others present included the Mayor, Chief Constable and Police Officers
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
88497

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Current location

Wall-mounted in a corridor
not accessible to the public
Chesterfield Police Station
Beetwell Street
Chesterfield
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S40 1QP
England

OS Grid Ref: SK 38410 70925
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Previous locations
  • (On the site of the current Chesterfield Library)
    Chesterfield Borough Police Station
    New Beetwell Street
    Chesterfield
    Chesterfield
    Derbyshire
    S40 1QN
    England

    OS Grid Ref: SK 38282 70980
    Denomination: Undefined
Description
Rectangular varnished oak board, with triangular top in which there is the Chesterfield Borough coat of arms. The inscription is in painted gold-lettering. The first column of names lists those who served in World War 1 (including one fatality); columns 2 to 5 list those who served in World War 2 (none of whom are indicated as having died).
Inscription
Borough of Chesterfield/ Police/ Roll of Honour/ 1914-1918/ (names)/ 1939-1945/ (names)
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Armstrong, F V
Arnold, J
Ashmore, J H
Ashwood, B
Barber, J C
Barrett, R
Beales, W E
Cadman, F
Calow, A R
Carr, G
See details for all 61 names
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 15
    Served and returned: 14
    Died: 1
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Surname, followed by initials and military unit
    Order of information: Listed non-alphabetically in the first column
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
    Total names on memorial: 46
    Served and returned: 46
    Died: 0
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Surname, followed by initials and military unit
    Order of information: Listed non-alphabetically in the 2nd to 5th columns
Components
  • Board
    Measurements: depth c50mm, height c700mm, width c1400mm
    Materials: Wood - Oak
Listing information
Condition
History
The memorial was actually erected part-way through WW2, on 14/10/1943. At that time it was stated as listing the names of 54 officers who had volunteered for the Armed Forces in both World Wars. (As that figure of 54 included 15 who had served in WW1, the number of officers who had volunteered by that stage of World War 2 must have totalled 39; the names of a further 7 officers were subsequently added to the WW2 section). Those who had enlisted in WW2 were reported to have included members of the Police War Reserve and the Police Auxiliary Messenger Service.
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Responsibility
Derbyshire Constabulary
Reference
  • Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald on 9/11/1945 reported: "When it is complete the story of the splendid war service rendered by members of the Chesterfield Borough Police Force will make good reading. It will reflect credit not only on Chief Constable Milner but also on the many officers who volunteered for active service. The number of these men who attained commissioned rank is also surprising. Some of them are back again on the streets all the more efficient for their war service. Those who have returned include Major J. J. Dangerfleld. R.C.0.5., who served with the 8th Army North Africa and Italy to return to take part in the invasion the Continent; F./Lt. Gordon who flew Beaufighters and was sent to the Far East on special assignment. His brother, F /O. P. L. Maynard. also a member of the Borough Force, is still in the R.A.F. flying Beaufighters. * * * Other familiar faces back with the Chesterfield Borough Force, include F./O. G. W. Carr, who was with Coastal Command in Catalinas; F./O. A. R. Calow. who was a bomb aimer in bombers and took part in many operational flights over enemy territory. Also back is F./Sgt J. Rowan, who was an air gunner and wireless operator in heavy bombers; Sgt. G. G. Harvey, R.C.0.5., who was awarded the B.E.M. for consistent acts of gallantry and initiative from D-Day onwards, and R.Q.M.S. J. B. Fox, who served in North Africa and Italy. This is not complete list, but they typify what Chesterfield police officers have done and achieved, and Chesterfield people congratulate them and welcome them back to the familiar uniform. " www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000541/19451109/030/0001
  • Derbyshire War Memorials (derbyshirewarmemorials.com/chfield-d/d723/d723.html )
  • Derbyshire Courier 14/11/1914 reported: "POLICEMEN SOLDIERS. The police force has done splendidly. This quiet unobtrusive body is scarcely ever thought about in these stirring times, but theirs is a fine record. They have sent eleven of the constables to serve the colours. This is a most creditable achievement. Here is the list, and it is on the cards that more are to follow: P.c. Dixon wears the Coldstream Guards uniform; P.c. Needham is with the Lincolns; P.c. Knopp has joined the R.H.A.; and the veteran P.c. Ashmore, of Boer War memories, has again re-joined his old regiment, the R.F.A. (may he prosper); P.c. Beal is now a gallant Hussar; and P.C. Clay a jolly Marine ; the Grenadiers are fortunate, insomuch as that famous regiment claims the assistance of three of Chesterfield’s constables Crookson, Dennis and Harris; while P.c. Evans goes to be instructor at Derby; and P.c. Clarke has joined the R.F.A. The good wishes of every townsman will go with these members of the Borough Police Force The hope is that all may return unscathed heroes of a hundred fights, and once more their familiar figures adorn our streets, wearing the ornate uniform of the Chesterfield Borough Police." www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000395/19141114/087/0004
  • Derbyshire Courier 26/6/1915 (page 5) reported the death of Joseph Robert Needham on 16th June, aged 31, while serving in the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. His lengthy obituary included a photograph of him, along with two Chesterfield Borough Police colleagues (Dixon and Knopp), which was taken on the day they were recalled to the Colours at the outbreak of the War. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000395/19150626/110/0005
  • Derbyshire Courier 24/1/1920 (page 7) reported on the dinner hosted by Alderman G.A. Eastwood (Chairman of the Watch Committee) on 19/1/1920 in honour of the service of members of the Chesterfield Borough Police, of whom 15 are named on the WW1 section of the Roll of Honour board. Mention was made that, out of a strength of 38 officers at the start of the War, 20 had enlisted for military service, of whom one (Joseph Robert Needham) had died and another had not resumed duty due to injuries received in France. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000395/19200124/138/0007
  • Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald 15/10/1943 (page 5) reported: "MEMORIAL PLAQUE UNVEILED Ceremony at Chesterfield Police Headquarters. Fifty-four names of members of Chesterfield Borough Police Force who volunteered for service with H.M. Forces in this war and the last are artistically inscribed on a handsome memorial plaque which was unveiled at police headquarters yesterday (Thursday) afternoon by Coun. J. W. Thompson (vice-chairman of the Watch Committee). The Chief Constable (Mr. L. Milner) explained the object of the plaque, and commented that Insp. Harris and Sgt. Dixon, whose names were inscribed as having served in the last war, were still on the Force. The Mayor (Coun. Wm. Baines) also spoke. The plaque was made and inscribed by Reserve Constable Fredk. Garlick. The names on the memorial include members of the Police War Reserve and the Police Auxiliary Messenger Service." www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000541/19431015/095/0005

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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