War reserve constable (or WRC, war reserve police constable, WRPC) was a voluntary role within the ranks of the British police forces. As suggested by the title, the role was as a voluntary police constable during the war. War reserve constables were sworn in under the Special Constables Act 1923, and had the full powers of a police officer.
History
The War Reserve Police was introduced in 1939 and at the height of World War II in 1944 there were 17,000 war reserve constables.[1] The rank was dissolved on 31 December 1948, causing 686 officers to be discharged from service, and the remainder being recruited for service as a regular or special constable.[2]
Most officers were aged between 25–55 and undertook twelve hours of unpaid annual training.[3]
Despite British police traditionally being unarmed, officers were armed with Canadian Ross rifles during wartime for protection from enemy action, enemy sabotage and to assist with the armed forces.
Duties of a WRC included the usual activities of a constable, as well as:
Regular police officers were supported by 39,500 male auxiliary officers on full-time service (War Reserve Constables) as well as thousands of Special Constables.[5]
Uniform and equipment
Uniform and equipment was the same as a regular constable, with the exception of uniform epaulettes which were detailed WRC above the collar number and divisional sign. During the war officers wore named Brodie helmets, with "W. R. Police" or "POLICE" marked on the front, instead of traditional police headgear. However, peaked caps were sometimes worn.[6]
The traditional police whistle was worn, as well as the police duty cuff-band.[7]
Notable war reserve constables
Jack Avery, a war reserve constable who was stabbed to death in Hyde Park in 1940. There is a plaque near this place to commemorate him.[8]
John Christie was accepted as a WRC after authorities failed to check his background (he had an extensive criminal record). He later went on to be a notorious serial killer in London, and was hanged in 1953 for his crimes. However this was after Timothy Evans was hanged for two of the murders, a major miscarriage of justice.
Archie Sexton, a professional boxer who was awarded the George Medal for his services in the War Reserve.
Arthur Bacon, ex-professional footballer, was killed in an air raid on Derby on 27 July 1942 while serving as a War Reserve Officer. He is commemorated at Chesterfield FC, and had also played for Derby, Manchester City, Reading and Coventry.
War reserve officers killed in the line of duty
Numerous War Reserve Constables were killed in the line of duty during World War Two including those listed below.
Metropolitan Police: Jack William Avery (stabbed by a suspect); Ernest Taylor (fell whilst attempting to extinguish a light); Charles Scutt (bomb explosion whilst on patrol); Charles Huck (injuries in air raid whilst investigating a fire); Arthur Gurr Thorburn (killed by delayed action bomb whilst guarding a bomb site); Gordon Farrant and Arthur Stead (killed together in a bomb explosion on the roof of the Houses of Parliament); Frederick Broadhurst, Ben Parker, Lewis Morgan (all separate bomb explosions)[9]. Israel Abrahams (struck by a tram whilst on his beat during blackout); Reginald Block (injuries from bomb explosion at power station); William Collier and Charles Squires (killed together by a landmine); Alexander Bruce and Thomas Cockburn (killed together in bomb explosion in Ruislip); Simeon Glen and Arthur Myers (both killed in bomb explosion in Hammersmith); Alexander Levy and George Tree (killed together in bomb explosion in Stepney); Albert Hinds and Frederick Browne (separately killed by anti-aircraft shells); Albin Keller and Ernest Hunt (separately killed by flying bombs); Harold Lambert (shell explosion); Thomas Killeen (alongside five regular police colleagues when Holloway Police Station was bombed); Alfred Knapp (alongside 2 regular police colleagues in a bomb explosion); Thomas Pickett, Leslie Brown, Lewis Morgan, Arthur White, George Gray, Francis Taylor, Thomas Jones, Joseph Ward, Leslie Craydon (all separate bomb explosions); Coronation Elmer (from injuries sustained during air raid on Soho); Charles Wilding (from injuries sustained in a bomb explosion). [10]
Birmingham City Police: Harold Kavanagh (killed by enemy action, air raid at Acocks Green); William Hodgetts (killed by enemy action during air raid)[10]
Sometimes War Reserve Constables were killed off duty but their deaths were related to their police work (for example, eight died whilst off duty at Kilburn Section House when it was hit by a bomb).[9][10]
Women's Auxiliary Police Corps (WAPC)
The WAPC was set up in 1939 and was similar to the WRC, except only some of its members were attested as constables. At most, there were 5,000 full-time WAPCs, including 500 attested WAPC constables.[21] This was the first step towards allowing women to join the UK's special constabularies, which they had still been unable to do in 1939.
↑ Brayley, Martin J (2005). The British Home Front 1939–1945. Osprey. pp.52, 53. ISBN978-1-84176-661-4.
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