Memorial details

Memorial type
Roll of honour or book of remembrance
District
Bristol
Town
Portishead
County
Avon
Country
England
Commemoration
First World War (1914-1918)
Ceremony
  • Presented
    Date: 18 July 1921
    Attended by: Sir John Swaish (Chairman of the Watch Committee) presented a copy to each of the five Bristol Constabulary Divisions (including HQ)
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
90103

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Current location

On the wall of the meeting room
whose doors open onto the Memorial Garden.
Avon and Somerset Police and Fire HQ
Valley Road
Portishead
Bristol
Avon
BS20 8JJ
England

OS Grid Ref: ST44867 75571
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Previous locations
  • Bristol Constabulary HQ ("Bridewell" Station)
    Nelson Street
    Bristol
    Bristol
    Avon
    BS1 2LE
    England

    OS Grid Ref: ST 58920 73254
    Denomination: Undefined
  • Bristol Constabulary HQ
    Bridewell Street
    Bristol
    Bristol
    Avon
    BS1 2LE
    England

    OS Grid Ref: ST 58885 73282
    Denomination: Undefined
  • Show More (1)
Description
Framed illuminated Roll of Honour, comprising three paper panels on which the names are listed alphabetically. The central panel has the Bristol Coat of Arms at it head, and the Bristol Constabulary crest at its foot. That panel's borders incorporate emblems of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the national flags of Allied countries, and the names of some major First World War Battles, such as Mons and Jutland. The two side panels have illuminated borders that comprise just stylised leaves. N.B. The Roll of Honour omitted any annotations re the decorations received by those named on it, unlike the Bristol Corporation WW1 Book of Remembrance in which they were also commemorated -see War Memorials Register reference 90125. (Five copies were made of the Roll of Honour. In July 1921 the Superintendents of the Constabulary's four Divisions and Inspector Taylor of HQ were each presented with a copy, to be prominently displayed in their premises).
Inscription
BRISTOL CONSTABULARY/ Roll of Honour/ (names)
Inscription legible?
yes
Names on memorial
Adams, W
Aggett, W
Andrews, B
Ashford, H
Athersuch, S
Ayers, H
Back, G
Backshall, J
Bailey, E
Bailey, F
See details for all 265 names
Commemorations
  • First World War (1914-1918)
    Total names on memorial: 265
    Served and returned: 224
    Died: 41
    Exact count: yes
    Information shown: Surname, initial, Police collar number and Division, military unit, rank, whether died or survived
    Order of information: Listed alphabetically by surname, in five columns (one column per side panel and three columns on the central panel).
Components
  • Roll of honour
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Paper
  • Frame
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Wood, Glass
Listing information
Condition
History
June 2019: the redesigned Memorial Garden opened at Portishead HQ, containing the Police Memorial to officers killed in the line of duty; the WW1 Roll of Honour (which had been cleaned and restored) was erected in the adjacent Gordano Room./ 2/6/1995: Avon & Somerset Constabulary's new HQ at Portishead was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. (The HQ copy of the WW1 Roll of Honour was moved to Portishead, where it was placed temporarily in storage). / 1/4/1974: Bristol Constabulary merged into Avon & Somerset Constabulary, which adopted Bridewell Station in Nelson Street as its HQ./ 1928: Bristol Constabulary HQ moved to new premises in Nelson Street (which retained the name "Bridewell" Station), taking the WW1 Roll of Honour with them. / 18/7/1921: five copies of the Roll of Honour were presented, one to each of Bristol Constabulary's four Divisional Superintendents and one to Inspector Taylor re HQ staff in Bridewell Street. (The four Divisions were 'A': City Centre and HQ in Bridewell Street, 'B': Bedminster, 'C': Brandon Hill, and 'D': St Philips). Each was asked to display them prominently at their premises.
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A
Responsibility
Avon and Somerset Police
Reference
  • Western Daily Press 19/7/1921 (page 3): reported at length on the presentation of the five copies of the Roll of Honour, so that each of the four Divisions plus HQ could display their copy in a prominent position on their premises. The report mentioned that 266* members of the Constabulary had served in the War, of whom 38* were killed and 64 were wounded (10 of whom had returned to the force on light duty). Nine had gained commissions, five had been promoted to warrant rank and 125 to non-commissioned rank. Among the honours that had been gained were a Military Cross, seven Distinguished Conduct Medals, eight Military Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, and eight foreign decorations. (*The Roll of Honour actually listed 265 as having served, of whom 41 died).
  • On 12/6/2019 Avon & Somerset Police announced the unveiling of their redesigned Memorial Garden at HQ, dedicated to all their officers who have died in the line of duty throughout the Constabulary's history. (www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/news/2019/06/avon-and-somerset-police-unveil-redesigned-memorial-garden/ )
  • BBC News Channel online report on 7/8/2005 (news.bbs.co.ik/1/hi/england/bristol/4125636.stm ): stated that the "Bridewell" Police Station was due to be vacated the following day. (At that time, the HQ copy of the Roll of Honour was transferred from that building to Avon & Somerset Police HQ at Portishead).
  • Western Daily Press 10/10/1928: reported on the demolition of the former Constabulary HQ building in Bridewell Street. (It was at that station that the HQ copy of the Roll of Honour had originally been erected. At that time, it was moved to the new HQ in Nelson Street, which thereafter colloquially known as "Bridewell" Police Station).

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-90103

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