“THEY served their country with bravery, pride and honour – they set an example for us all” – that’s from our Chief Constable as Essex Police remembers its officers who served during World War Two.
A total of 291 officers from the Essex, Southend, and Colchester forces served in the armed forces.
Sadly 34 died, including two when headquarters in Chelmsford was bombed in November 1940.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “This week, as the nation marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day and remembers those who fought and died for our freedom, we remember those brave officers who served in World War Two.
“I am honoured to be part of a force whose officers and staff did their bit so courageously, some paying the ultimate price.
“We continue to have a proud connection to our armed forces with Colchester Barracks and our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
“And we maintain that tradition of public service today, protecting and serving Essex whether that be through our expanded Neighbourhood Policing Teams who will be more visible and accessible from this spring, or our specialist detectives putting burglars, violent criminals, and sexual predators behind bars.
“In the same way then we united against a common enemy, we will unite with you, our communities of Essex, to mark this landmark moment. You will see us out and about supporting the many events taking place this week and enjoying them with you.”
The officers who died are:
Richard Beart Ball – 27 June, 1945
Leonard Douglas Bannister – 15 April, 1940
Cecil Pete Ernest Bearman – 25 August, 1944
Basil John Boggis – 13 June, 1938
John Henry Coventry – 20 June, 1943
Robert Curry – 24 July, 1944
Albert Davies – 4 August, 1944
Hermanus ‘Herman’ Bertrum De Leur – 20 September, 1944
Reginald Kitchener Ford – 5 October, 1943
Edward Jack Gillingham – 14 October, 1940
Harold Greenhaigh – June 12, 1043
Lawrence Charles Hartman – 14 January, 1944
William Henry Heap – 10 June, 1944
Reginald Thomas Hunt – 20 May, 1944
Norman Kaye – 18 July, 1943
David Miller Kirk – 16 June, 1944
Maurice ‘Dixie’ George Lee – 16 November, 1940
Alexander Henry Barlow Mackay – 10 Septemer, 1942
Albert Ronald Oxenham – 22 May, 1944
Felix Owen Warboys Pauley – 16 February, 1944
Herbert ‘Bert’ Edward Charles Pegrum – 6 May, 1941
Henry Charles Pigerham – 14 August, 1942
John Noel Rumsby – 11 September, 1944
Alexander ‘Alex’ Simpson Scott – 16 November, 1940
William Munro Sim – 19 September, 1940
Geoffrey William Smith – 24 March, 1943
Francis William Tarry – 11 September, 1944
Gerald Norman Totterdell – 17 December, 1942
John ‘Bill’ William Towers – 26 January, 1941
Leonard Wilfred Vernon – 26 June, 1942
Harry Warden – 17 March, 1943
Frederick George ‘Freddie’ Waring – 31 December, 1944
Gordon Grieve Warner – 25 November, 1942
Frederick Walter Woods – 31 March, 1944
You can read more about those who died on our website: https://www.essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex-police/au/about-us/essex-police-memorial-trust/world-war-two/world-war-two/
We only have photos of a few of the officers who died during World War Two and would love to have more to honour their memory. If you or someone you know has any photos or more information about our fallen former colleagues please contact the Essex Police Museum: https://www.essex.police.uk/museum
