Stories of the heroism of Surrey police officers who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars have been told in a series of Remembrance services.
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend attended a poignant service at Guildford Cathedral on Remembrance Sunday, before giving a reading at the Force’s Mount Browne HQ on Armistice Day.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson travelled to Ypres in Belgium with the Ceremonial Association of Surrey Police.
During her visit, Ellie visited the grave of Henry Bullen.
Henry served as a Police Constable with Surrey Constabulary. A former Grenadier Guard, he was recalled during the First World War, and on October 26 1914 was killed in action – the first member of the Force to die in the conflict.
We will remember them
Ellie also joined the Ypres Poppy Parade and Remembrance Ceremony, which concluded with a service at the Menin Gate.
She said: “I first visited the Menin Gate as a child, and remember being completely blown away by the significance and scale of the memorial and the sacrifices that were made during the First World War.
“This is a feeling which I still felt as an adult.
“Being able to lay a wreath there on Remembrance Day and pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to have freedoms we enjoy today was a huge honour, and an experience I won’t forget.”
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson marked Remembrance in Ypres, Belgium
Following that, Ellie joined representatives from the British Embassy and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for a second ceremony at Tyne Cot, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world.
In total, 111,961 service personnel are buried or commemorated at the site.
Before leaving Ypres, Ellie participated in the Last Post service, which takes place every day at the Menin Gate.
She said: “I have been lucky enough to witness the Last Post twice before.
“However, playing a part in the ceremony on Remembrance Day was an incredible, humbling, and deeply moving experience.”
Ellie travelled to Belgium with the Ceremonial Association of Surrey Police
Meanwhile, at Surrey Police headquarters, Lisa and her team joined the annual service held on the Chief’s lawn.
A speech was given about the life of Captain Owen Allard, a Surrey Constabulary officer who returned to policing after the Second World War.
Cpt Allard served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who fought in the Normandy campaign.
He was the last surviving member of the battalion following D Day.
Lisa said: “It is always an immense privilege to join Remembrance events and learn more about those who gave their lives to allow future generations to live in more peaceful times.”
The Commissioner also joined a service at Guildford Cathedral