[Assistance requested] Toronto policemen Great War KIA with former police service in Britain

[SemperParatus]

Hello everyone, this is my first post on this great website, thanks for having me.

I'm hoping for your help in filling in some blanks. I'm in the advanced stages of a research project on Toronto Police Force officers killed in the Great War, a project that's close to my heart. My aim is to have a display in the Toronto Police Museum up and running in 2018 and have some non-profit literature published.

Out of the 27 Toronto policemen killed in action, 6 of them formerly served as police officers in Britain, and I'm hoping some of you gentlemen with archival access can provide some service details of these men in their former police forces (I already possess their TPF and Military service files).

 

William Edward Arnold

(b. 9 May 1884 - Buckinghamshire, England)

Toronto Police Force P.C. 406, No. 6 Police Station, Hired 6 Oct 1911

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Sergeant 233

Died of Wounds 26 March 1915 (Shot by sniper in trenches near Dickiebusch, Belgium on 17 March 1915)

3 years service in the Hampshire Constabulary

 

Randal Chantler

(b. 21 December 1889 - Northwhich, Cheshire, England)

Toronto Police Force P.C. 481, No. 7 Police Station, Hired 2 June 1913

19th Battalion (Central Ontario) CEF, Lance Corporal 157110

Killed in Action 8 May 1917 (Battle of Fresnoy)

1-1/2 years service in the Cheshire Constabulary

 

James Gammack, sometimes spelled "Gammock" 

(b. circa 1882 - Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland)

Toronto Police Force P.C. 33, No. 9 Police Station, Hired 1 April 1910

1st Battalion, Scots Guards, Guardsman 5550

Killed in Action 13 October 1915 (Battle of Loos)

14 months service in the Metropolitan Police

 

 

Thomas George Harding 

(b. 18 September 1891 - Feltham, Middlesex, England)

Toronto Police Force P.C. 574, No. 7 Police Station, Hired 16 Nov 1914

15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada) CEF, Private 678064

Killed in Action 15 August 1917 (Battle of Hill 70)

16 months service in the Eastbourne Police

 

 

 

George Brewin Stannage 

(b. 3 September 1886 - London, England)

Toronto Police Force P.C. 452, Hired 13 Nov 1912

22nd Battery, 6th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery CEF, Bombardier 304442

Killed in Action 22 April 1918  

2 years service in the Warwickshire Constabulary

 

 

Alfred Sim

(b. 1 September 1891 - Aberdeen, Scotland)

Toronto Police Force P.C. 470, Hired 11 April 1913

15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada) CEF, Private 192688

Killed in Action 6 October 1916 (Battle of Ancre Heights)  

15 months service in the Edinburgh City Police

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2017 by SemperParatus
title change

[Dave Wilkinson]

Firstly, the surviving personal records for those who served in the provincial police forces of the UK are, in the main, very scant. The Metropolitan Police records are reasonably well preserved and someone on here may be able to help you. The Cheshire Constabulary maintain a museum with website. They will provide details from any records they have, but there are charges to be paid. Go to their website for details. I doubt that you will have much success with the others. Most of the provincial forces have deposited their personnel records with their County or Local Record Offices. In quite a few cases, the records have either been intentionally destroyed or were lost as a result of enemy action during the last war.   Best of luck!

Dave.  

[peter monahan]

  Having just done a small book on men from my area who died in the Great War, I applaud your efforts and interest!  I'm in Alliston and a former Torontonian, so I even know where your museum is!  I'm sorry to hear Dave's prognosis.

[SemperParatus]

Dave, thanks, I was worried that would be the answer. I'll reach out to the individual organizations and see what if anything can be drummed up. These men all had relatively short service so my expectations are low. Can any one who has access to the Metropolitan Police records see if they can find anything on Gammack? There are a few RIC men too not listed as I have a contact in Ireland looking into them.

 

And thanks for the encouragement Peter, I'll be sure to post something on here when it's completed.

Edited September 3, 2017 by SemperParatus

[SemperParatus]

To anyone who is interested, the tip of the iceberg to my project can be read here.

A little amateur but I hope you enjoy it.

Edited September 3, 2017 by SemperParatus
Fixed link

[Dave Wilkinson]

Matt,

Warwickshire Police have a History Society who may be able to help you with the ex Warwickshire Constable. They have a very basic web site with a "contact" tab. 

Best wishes, Dave.  

 

[SemperParatus]

Thanks again Dave.