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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Metropolitan Police Force WW1/WW2 Book of Remembrance

    Metropolitan Police WW1/WW2 Book of Remembrance

    Source: Copyright Brian Fare (WMO 269181)

    1/1

    Current Location

    In the Nave, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, Westminster, City Of Westminster, Greater London, SW1P 3PA, England

    OS Grid Reference

    TQ 29973 79401

    Denomination

    Church of England

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    Names listed on this memorial

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    © WMR-47945

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    Type of Memorial
    Roll of honour or book of remembrance
    WMR Reference Number
    47945
    Description
    Blue leather-bound Book of Remembrance, housed within a glazed oak cabinet. The title page depicts the Metropolitan Police badge in burnished platinum, blue and crimson, followed by the dedication. The facing page has a wreath of blue oak leaves and London Pride; the ribbons and words "The Glorious Dead" are in gold and the words above and below the wreath are an extract from the oath made by each Constable on joining the Force. The pages within the Book list the names of the officers who died on military service or as the result of enemy action, and the Division to which each Officer was attached; they also include drawings of London landmarks. The final page of the Book has a drawing of the Cenotaph in Whitehall, surrounded by a laurel wreath studded with gold. (The decorations and miniatures are by Dorothy Hutton, and the laying and burnishing of the gold and platinum was done by Vera Law. The dark blue binding is by Sydney Cockerell. The case which holds the Book of Remembrance is in English brown oak, designed by Edward Barnsley).
    Inscription
    (Oak case): 1914 - 1918 METROPOLITAN POLICE 1939 - 1945 (Book 1st page): METROPOLITAN / POLICE / ROLL OF HONOUR / 1914 - 1918 / AND / 1939 - 1945 (Book 2nd page): TO THE GLORY OF GOD / AND IN PROUD REMEMBRANCE / OF / MEMBERS OF THE / METROPOLITAN POLICE / METROPOLITAN / SPECIAL CONSTABULARY / AND METROPOLITAN / POLICE WAR RESERVE / WHO LOST THEIR LIVES / ON ACTIVE SERVICE / OR BY ENEMY ACTION / THIS BOOK IS HUMBLY / DEDICATED (Ensuing pages): (names)
    War
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Number Commemorated
    374
    Died
    374
    Information shown
    Surname, forenames, Metropolitan Police Division
    War
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Number Commemorated
    702
    Died
    702
    Information shown
    Surname, forenames, Metropolitan Police Division
    Maker(s)
    • Dorothy Hutton, Artist

    • Vera Law, Artist

  • Sydney Cockerill, Book Binder

  • EDWARD BARNSLEY, Carpenter

  • Ceremonies

    Unveiled

    27 July 1950

    His Majesty King George VI performed the unveiling

    Custodian
    Westminster Abbey

    Components

    Book

    Made from: Leather


    Condition: Good


    • https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/269181/
    • A description of the Memorial can be found at https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/metropolitan-police-roll-of-honour . Their copy of the Order of Service for the Remembrance event held at Westminster Abbey on 17/5/1919 included a list of 346 Metropolitan Police officers who died in WW1. and can be found at https://www.westminster-abbey.org/media/8933/metropolitan-police-service-1919.pdf
    • Coventry Evening Telegraph 27/7/1950 (page 1) reported: "KING UNVEILS A MEMORIAL. Six Hundred men of the Metropolitan Police watched the King unveil in Westminster Abbey today a memorial book of honour to the 1,076 officers, regulars and auxiliaries who lost their lives during the two world wars. The Queen accompanied his Majesty". https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19500727/007/0001