In the last few months BTP History Group members have been responsible for getting two fallen railway policeman fully recognised on their gravestones at Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries. In each case they had been awarded the Military Medal, but the this was not shown on the headstone.
Corporal George JAY of the Military Foot Police had been a PC with the Great Eastern Railway Police prior to his war service. He died from his wounds, aged 35, on 24th March 1918 and is buried at the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium.
Thanks to efforts by Peter Zieminski, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission acknowledged the omission, and in May 2015 we were pleased to hear that the letters ‘MM’ had been added to the headstone. In September 2015, Ed Thompson and Steve Beamon visited the grave, and were able to photograph the stone. They were pleased to note that the cross left by BTPHG members on a previous visit was still in situ.
Sergeant Frank Victor BEWSEY of the 15th Brigade Royal Horse Artillery had been a PC with Great Northern Railway Police. He was Killed in Action on 15th November 1917, aged 26 years, and is buried at Adinkerke Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Our World War One Roll of Honour team (Richard Stacpoole-Ryding and Ed Thompson) have been continuing their efforts on this important project and identified that as with George JAY, the record that Frank BEWSEY had been awarded the Military Medal was missing from his gravestone. Earlier this month Ed was able to report that his contact with the CWGC had been successful and that BEWSEY’s records have been updated and put on their website. The headstone will be amended in due course.
The CWGC certificates can be seen here: JAY_G BEWSEY_F_V
The 2015 Poppy Appeal has been launched by the Royal British Legion. Their website can be accessed by clicking on the poppies.