A SECOND World War hero police officer who was laid to rest in an unmarked grave has been honoured with a memorial, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Northumbria Police and partners.
On the night of April 10 1941, North Shields exploded with the deafening sound of blaring air raid sirens.
Many lives were lost that night, including Police Constable Mornington Alfred Clements, an officer serving with the then Tynemouth Borough Police, who was also a veteran of the First World War.
Read more: Downing Street party fines: More than 50 fixed-penalty notices issued
PC Clements was on duty, based at the junction of The Quadrant and Wallsend Road, when the Police Box which he and his colleague, War Reserve Constable George Murray, a retired Police Inspector, were sheltering inside was struck.
Sadly, both men died in the line of duty that fateful night.
They were buried at Preston Cemetery. Retired Inspector Murray was buried in a marked grave; however, PC Clements was placed in a grave with no official markings.
More than 80 years later, thanks to the research work of Northumbria Police staff member Tim Cousins, work began to see the PC’s commitment to the Force and his country recognised with a headstone honouring his contributions to the community and his beloved North Tyneside.
Tim and Inspector Jim Gray, Chair of Northumbria Police Federation, worked closely with members of the Police Roll of Honour Trust to ensure that PC Clement received the fitting tribute and will be remembered for generations to come.
On Friday, an audience, including Northumbria Police Deputy Chief Constable Debbie Ford and descendants of PC Clements, gathered at the unveiling of the headstone to remember his sacrifice and that of his colleague.
Tim said: “Each and every person who has lost their life in service has their own unique and individual story, a story that deserves to be told and remembered.
“When I discovered that PC Clements has been laid to rest in an unmarked grave, I felt it imperative that he was given a memorial fit for the hero he was.
“I want to thank Northumbria Police Federation, The Roll of Honour Trust, North Tyneside Council Bereavement, the North Shields branch of The Co Operative and everyone who has played their part in securing a worthy headstone for PC Clements.”
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here