In memory of those Police Officers who died as a result of the air raid carried on Birmingham on 10 April 1941. 285 tonnes of explosives were droppped on the city with Saltley wagon works, Midland Railway, Rover Motor Company and the gas works at Nechells and Saltley being among the targets. Rowland Thomas Harman Sub-Commander Special Constabulary Died 10 April 1941 Rowland was killed when a delayed action bomb exploded at 122, Kenelm Road, Small Heath. Remembered with honour Bertie Gready (23 yrs) Constable A97 Died 10 April 1941 at Digbeth Police Station Of 37 Ravensdale Road, Small Heath. Son of Bertie Kibby Gready, and Gladys Janet Frances Gready, of Hollisters Farm, Bilton, Bristol; husband of Nancy Meredith Gready. Bertie was killed when a high explosive bomb landed in Allison Street, Digeth, directly outside the mess room. Bertie and other officers sustained the full force of the blast. He was assisted by Temporary Sergeant Galloway and Police Surgeon Stoner who suspected he had a fractured skull. He was taken to the General Hospital but was found to be dead on arrival. Remembered with honour Mark William Sellek (40 yrs) Detective Inspector Died 0110hrs, 10 April 1941, Newton Street Mark was killed when engaged in fire watching duties on Post No 1 at Steelhouse Lane Police Station. A bomb struck the building and Mark was killed instantly. He was promoted to inspector in December 1938 and had been commended in relation with work connected with the IRA. Remembered with honour Ralph George Wilkinson (50 yrs) Special Constable Died 10 April 1943 Special Constable; of 311 Bordesley Green East. Son of the late Mr. G. Wilkinson; husband of Edith Wilkinson. Died at 76 Richmond Road. Remembered with honour "They also serve who stand and wait." (John Milton)
Hi Several years ago I was granted access to the Birmingham City Police archives and researched all the men on the WW1 and WW2 RoH. During my research I became aware that the graves of those killed in England were either non existant or in severe decay. The West Midlands Police Federation awarded me £9,000 to either renovate the headstones or, where there were none, to place one. See http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/mail/news/tm_headline=home-front-heroes-to-get-fitting-tribute%26method=full%26objectid=18888093%26siteid=50002-name_page.html (Thats not me in the photo) Took a long time and much burocracy but all was completed a few years ago. Regards, Graeme
Remembering: Jack Frederick Goodchild Constable Died: 12/4/1941 Jack was killed as the result of a detonation of a delayed action bomb which fell on Park Dale Road,Sheldon, Birmingham. Remembered with honour.
Hi The Police report merely stated, “He was on duty and was killed when a High Explosive bomb exploded in Parkdale Road, at 4.05pm on 12 April 1941.” Graeme
re Bertie Gready His wife Nancy remarried but in 2000 her second husband died. Regretfully, Nancy was suffering from senile dementia and was totally unaware that she could, having become a widow for the second time, claimed the police pension that was cancelled when she remarried. It was only in April 2010 when relatives of Nancy handed in some memorabilia to West Midlands Police Museum that it was realised that she was entitled to thousands of pounds in back dated police pension. Museum curator Dave Cross said: “An application was made and in excess of £10,000 back pension was paid to the widow in order that she may enjoy her final years in the rest home in which is now living. See From the Archives: Pension payment is a silver lining - CrimeFiles - News - Birmingham Mail and From the Archives: Pension payment is a silver lining - CrimeFiles - News - Birmingham Mail Graeme
keith From the Archives: Police heroes gave their lives in the Blitz.. - Crimes from the archives - CrimeFiles - News - Birmingham Mail Graeme
Hi The Police report merely stated, “He was on duty and was killed when a High Explosive bomb exploded in Parkdale Road, at 4.05pm on 12 April 1941.” Graeme Thanks, Graeme. Its nice to put a face to the names. I got the info re the delayed action bomb from the BARRA site. Keith
Hi keith The info from Barra, and the newspaper cuttings, were as a result of a book I had printed for the Museum (2 copies only, theirs and mine) from the information I gleaned from the service records. The pictures of Mitchinson and Lewis were from their files. Graeme
Remembering: Leonard Mead, Constable, War Reserve Died 17/5/1941 Len was killed as on duty at Elkington Street, Aston, at 1.10 am on Saturday, 17th May 1941 during an air raid. Buildings hit that night included ICI works, Dunlop Rubber Company, Wolseley Motor Works and Kynoch works. Although not classed as a 'serious' raid 30 people were killed. (With thanks to forum member Graeme Clarke) Remembered with honour.
Remembering: Harold Barrow Constable E292, Birmingham City Police Died: 27/9/1940 Constable, Birmingham City Police; of 31 Alfred Street, King's Heath. Husband of Margaret Dorothy Barrow. Injured at 31 Alfred Street; died same day at Selly Oak Hospital. Harold was born in Cheshire. Harold was off duty when the bomb struck. He was apparently in the scullery when the bomb struck possibly preparing to get ready for night duty. His wife was in the living room. The bomb wrecked the whole of the rear of the house knocking Harold down and pinning beneath the debris. Mrs Barrow, who was also injured, ran into the street for assistance. William Fellows of 14 Albert Street and Norman Whitlock of 37 Alfred Street, went into ther house and pulled Harold from the debris. Whitlock rendered First Aid until an ambulance arrived. Harold was taken to Selly Oak Hospital. Dr. Hay treated him. He was found to have two wounds, one in the left side of his chest and the other on the left side and slightly below the ribs. The wounds had possibly been caused by sharpnel which had perforated the left lung and Harold died shortly after arrival. Source: Birmingham Air Raids Association With thanks to forum member Graeme Clarke
