2nd & 3rd Coldstream Guards - Roll of Honour & Awards 1939/46

This is the only info I have on him. There is some confusion where he actually died. Where he was at, near or what area he was in.

 

Interesting to see that he is recorded on Cheshire Constabulary War Memorial. It wasn’t unusual for men to join a Police Force after their 4 years service in a Guards Regiment. That was my father’s plan when he enlisted in early 1937 but the war got in the way and he didn’t pursue it post war.

I understand Scots Guards had some 500 Police officers in their reserve in September 1939 - Coldstream likely had more as they had 3 Battalions compared to SG 2 Battalions.

SG started to recall their reservists 1st Dec 1939 but some were quickly returned to the Police during 1940/41 before being recalled once again in 1942 after German bombing raids reduced.

Cheshire Police covered some urban industrial areas that suffered heavy bombing that are now in Greater Manchester & Merseyside Police areas.

Steve

 

I asked my dad, he thinks…”George first joined the Cold Stream Guards when he was very young, living in Sheffield Yorkshire England. That’s the first time he joined to do his training. He left after his training and joined the police force in London, North Finchley, then he was called up to the Army again just before the war started”.

I am confused on something, when he wrote home to his mom and dad, Dec 24, 1943 he put at the top of the letter, No. 2, 3rd Battalion but he is listed in everything else as 2nd Battalion. I will attach pic. So would they go to different Battalions if needed?

 

Hi,

What you say about him joining the Met Police is contradicted by the Cheshire Roll of Honour entry. If he left the Army in January 1939 he wouldn’t have been able to serve in London & Cheshire before the outbreak of war.

Please post the letter so members can see what is written in the original.

Steve

 

I am confused too. I need to do more research. I am getting conflicting info. I don’t have the letter, just a crummy picture of the top. When I see my dad, I will copy it.

 

Hi,

The only definitive way forward for you to track his service movements will be to get his service records.

I think the Roll of Honour will be an indisputable source. You could try Cheshire Constabulary HQ for details of his service. He may have been a member of one of the former Borough Police Forces that have been subsumed into Cheshire Police in various reorganisations since the end of the war.

As their army service numbers are close he likely knew Miller Smith 2657063. He was from Middlesbrough but joined Southport Borough Police when he left the Coldstream Guards. He was recalled and ended up in No 2 Commando. He was captured in Norway September 1942 (Operation Musketoon) and executed in Germany - one of the first Commando’s executed under Hitler’s Commando Execution order.

There is a memorial plaque for him in Southport Police Station.

SMITH, Miller | ͏



Steve

 

Pam,
Your father might be entitled to send for your grandfather's medals:

Apply for a medal or veterans badge

Regards,

Janet