New memorial plaque honours fallen police officers

A memorial plaque to honour North Yorkshire Police officers who died during wartime has been unveiled at a World War Two visitor attraction.

The chapel at Eden Camp Modern History Museum near Malton is home to a number of memorial plaques commemorating the war dead from various local institutions and organisations.

However, it was a serving police officer who noticed there was no dedicated memorial recognising North Yorkshire's police officers who died while serving abroad.

Sgt Lee Holmes said he felt they should have a "permanent place where their sacrifice could be remembered and honoured".

Holmes, who serves on the Yorkshire Coast came across the omission during a visit to the chapel at the former prisoner of war camp.

He said he was "struck" that there was nothing to honour police officers of the North Yorkshire Police's historical constabularies, including the North Riding Constabulary and City of York Police who also signed up to fight.

"Historically, these officers served in constabularies that pre-dated the formation of North Yorkshire Police," he said.

The veteran, who served in the Yorkshire Regiment, brought it to the attention of Eden Camp who agreed to commission and install the plaque.

The unveiling of the memorial plaque formed part of a special commemorative service, during which Holmes read out the names of the fallen officers.

A North Yorkshire Police wreath was then laid at the memorial stone.

The event took place ahead of the annual Remembrance period and followed North Yorkshire Police's recent achievement of the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award, recognising the organisation's commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans and military families.

The Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, Tim Forber attended the ceremony alongside representatives from Eden Camp and the force's Armed Forces Covenant team.

"It is great to see the contribution, the sacrifice of those officers permanently remembered here at Eden Camp," he said.

Summer O'Brien, Collections and Engagement Manager at Eden Camp, said they were privileged to have been part of the project to "preserve the memory of those who served and gave their lives for the freedoms we have today".

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