Deceased officers honored at Remembrance Memorial Service in Scotland
Families, friends and colleagues have honored and commemorated police officers who died on duty in Scotland.
Sep 8, 2022
By Paul Jacques
The Scottish Police Memorial Trust’s annual memorial service returned to Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, on Wednesday, September 7, after two years of virtual ceremonies due to the pandemic.
This year the names of 16 officers who died between 1850 and 1934 have been added to the Roll of Honour, which commemorates the life and service of every Scottish officer who has died in service since 1812.
The memorial stones now bear 328 names, including 12 law enforcement officers who died in the service of a police service in Scotland, including an officer from the Metropolitan Police Service, ten officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC and a police officer American secrets.
Scottish Police Memorial Trust co-founder Christine Fulton MBE, whose husband PC Lewis Fulton was killed on duty in Glasgow in 1994, said: ‘Having not been able to run a service since 2019 it is wonderful to be able welcome our families and returning guests to the Scottish Police Memorial.
“Since the last service, 30 more names have been added to the memorial, 28 of which are historic. It is our honor to ensure that all of these officers will be remembered and respected for generations to come.”
Scottish Police Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM, trustee of the charity, said: ‘Today is a significant and poignant event, for the loved ones of the officers we honor and for the police family in Scotland and beyond.
“Police is more than a job – it’s who we are. Agents work selflessly for the good of their communities, sometimes putting themselves in harm’s way. Behind each of our agents are family members and friends who provide invaluable support to agents in the performance of their duties.
Wreaths were laid by the Chief Constable, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans Affairs Keith Brown MSP, and the Lord Lieutenant of Fife, and on behalf of the Scottish Police Memorial Trust, British Transport Police, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, Scottish Police Authority, Scottish Police Federation, Association of Scottish Police Superintendents and Retired Police Officers Association, Scotland.
A Lone Piper’s Lament was played by the grandson of a central Scottish police officer who died on duty in 1967, before a minute’s silence, followed by the release of doves to conclude the service.
The Police Scotland Memorial now bears 328 names, with details of the following officers added ahead of this year’s service:
Constable Archibald McDonald, City of Edinburgh Police (01/02/1850) – Constable McDonald died when he fell into the Water of Leith while pursuing a suspect wanted for assault. He and another officer attempted to cross the river, but he slipped on the ice and fell into the water and was lost to sight. His body was recovered a few hours later. He had about 18 years of service in the police.
Constable William Leslie, Leith Burgh Police (12/05/1857) – Constable Leslie died after falling in Leith Harbor while on night duty and drowned. He was 26 and single.
Constable James FitzgeraldGlasgow City Police (26/03/18620 – Constable Fitzgerald died after being found unresponsive at the foot of the stairs in the communal fence at 174 Main Street, Anderston, Glasgow. He was taken home by colleagues and medical attention was sought for his head injury, however, nothing could be done, and he died a few hours later, he was 51 and was survived by his wife and family.
Constable John Graham, Greenock Burgh Police (11/04/1864) – Constable Graham fell ill on duty at Steamboat Quay, Greenock and proceeded to the police station to be relieved of duty. Passing through Cathcart Square he collapsed and was taken home where he subsequently died. He was 48 and is survived by his wife.
Agent Peter Skirving, City of Edinburgh Police (28/06/1869) – Constable Skirving was helping to put out a fire among the bushes of Whin on Calton Hill when he fell and broke his leg. He was transferred to the Royal Infirmary, but a week later it was deemed necessary to amputate his leg. Constable Skirving died a few days later. He was 33 and single.
Constable William Swanson, City of Edinburgh Police (13/11/1870) – Constable Swanson has not returned from day duty and all inquiries as to his whereabouts have been negative. The following morning her hat was found floating in the Union Canal at Fountainbridge and a further search located her body. He was 48 and is survived by his wife.
Constable Archibald Buchanan, Greenock Burgh Police (11/21/1880) – Constable Buchanan fell ill while on duty at Greenock Police Station and was taken to his home where he subsequently died. He was the oldest member of Burgh’s police force and served as a turnkey at night. He was 76 years old and had 45 years of service in the police.
Constable Hugh Fleming, Greenock Burgh Police (2/24/1884) – Constable Fleming collapsed and died at Greenock Police Station after returning to rest after feeling ill during his beating. He had been ill for some time and had just returned from sick leave. The drill instructor, he was 46, had seven years of service in the police and was survived by his wife.
Constable John Jamieson, Partick Burgh Police (17/10/1886) – Constable Jamieson collapsed and died in a common end on his way to Downie Place, Dumbarton Road, Partick. He was 46 and is survived by his wife.
Constable George Thomson, Dundee City Police (19/03/1891) – Constable Thomson fell ill on duty at Dundee Harbor and was taken home where he subsequently died. He was 60 years old and had 31 years of service in the police.
Constable William Murchie, Renfrewshire Constabulary (17/05/1896) – Constable Murchie collapsed and died in Lawmarnock Road, Kilbarchan on his pace while conversing with a farm servant. He was 41, had 12 years of police service and was survived by his wife.
Constable James Stewart, Glasgow City Police (18/05/1901) – Constable Stewart died after being hit by an electric tram on Sauchiehall Street in Wellington Street, Glasgow. He had been helping an elderly woman cross the road and was returning to his point when the tram knocked him over, into the path of an oncoming horse-drawn carriage. He was 47, had about 25 years of service in the police and was survived by his wife and three children.
Sergeant John Robinson, Glasgow City Police (26/10/1907) – Sergeant Robinson collapsed while tending to fans leaving Hampden Park after the Glasgow Cup Final. He was taken to hospital but died in the taxi nearby. He was 57, had 27 years of police service with Glasgow City Police after serving six years with the Royal Irish Constabulary. He is survived by his wife.
Agent Peter Creamer, Glasgow and South West Railway Police (03/08/1909) – Constable Creamer collapsed and died on duty at St Enoch’s Station, Glasgow. He was speaking with a colleague from Glasgow City Police when he fell ill and was attended to at the left-luggage office. Medical assistance was called but he died before anything could be done for him. He was 64 years old and is survived by his wife.
Agent Duncan Taylor, Fife Constabulary (03/08/1916) – Constable Taylor collapsed while on duty on his beating at Inverkeithing. He was taken to Dunfermline Hospital where he underwent surgery but later died.
Inspector Alexander Henderson, London & North Eastern Railway Police (25/05/1934) – Inspector Henderson collapsed and died at Waverley Station, Edinburgh. He was 58, had about 30 years of police service and was survived by his wife and daughter.
