Are you related to any of these 15 Dundee war heroes? If so, the police want to hear from you
by Stephen Eighteen
Police are looking to trace family members of fallen war heroes remembered on the Dundee Police War Memorial.
Tayside Police is holding a rededication ceremony of the war memorial in October.
The war memorial, located in Bell Street at the junction of West Marketgait, was unveiled in October 1922. Originally inscribed with the names of police officers that fell during the Great War, additional names were added following World War II.
Chief Inspector Alexander Brodie said: "We are already in contact with some family members however, we would like to contact relatives of those named below to invite them along to the ceremony."
William McLeod
Constable William McLeod
Constable McLeod was born on Skye and was a teacher prior to joining Midlothian Constabulary where he served for 5 months before transferring to Dundee City Police.
His father was a schoolmaster on Skye, before moving to Edinburgh. Constable McLeod was the youngest of three boys.
John Fyffe
Constable John Fyffe
Constable Fyffe was born in Dundee and joined Broughty Ferry Police on 13th November 1911 prior to its amalgamation into Dundee City Police.
On 5th August 1914, Constable Fyffe is recorded as 're-joined the military' which indicated military service prior to joining the police service.
James Wann
Constable James Wann
Constable Wann was born in the St. Peter area of Dundee. He was the eldest of 3 sons of James (a joiner) and Clementina Wann. Aged 15, he worked as an office boy before joining the police in 1911.
Constable Wann was married to Bertha Hogg Wann on 6 July 1916 and they resided at 144 Princes Street, Dundee. Together, they had a daughter (Alice Hogg Hunter Wann) who was born on 11 October 1914.
John Brimner
Constable John Brimner
Constable Brimner was born in Dundee and resided with his parents at 65 Watson Street, Dundee. Constable Brimner's father, James was a flour lorry driver. Constable Brimner followed in his older brother's footsteps when he joined the police in 1915. George was also a policeman and retired in 1939 after 29 years on the same beat (High St – Overgate).
On 1 July 1915 Constable Brimner joined the Royal Field Artillery in Glasgow.
Edward Eggie
Constable Edward Eggie
Constable Eggie was born on the 13th July, 1887 in Rattray, Perthshire, the son of William Eggie and Helen Haggarty. He had four sisters Jane, Mary, Georgina and Christina.
He was educated at Rattray Public School and prior to joining the police served his time as a draper's apprentice.
Constable Eggie left the police service to join the Scots Guards attesting on 10th March, 1915 and arrived in France on 6th October, 1915.
William Simpson
Constable William Simpson
Constable Simpson was born in Springfield, Fife and was the son of Mr and Mrs James A Simpson. He was married to Catherine Summers Simpson of 22 Morgan Street, Dundee having married on 11 June 1915.
Police records shown that he was a 'farm servant' prior to joining the police service on 21 September 1911. Constable Simpson joined the Scots Guards on 20 January 1916 and was subsequently posted to the 'Household Brigade' on 7 June 1917. He was then transferred back to the Scots Guards (2nd Battalion) on 6 March 1918.
On 20 May 1918 Constable Simpson sustained gunshot wounds to the head from which he subsequently died.
Constable Graham was the son of John (engine driver) and Margaret Graham of 67 Oliver Park, Hawick, Roxburghshire.
Constable Graham was single and had been a hosiery warehouseman prior to joining the police service.
He left the police service to join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in August 1941.
Constable Taylor was born in St. Macher, Aberdeen and was the son of Mr. John Alan Taylor (Innkeeper) and Maggie Hamilton Taylor, of Carnoustie, He was a keen golfer and dux at school. Prior to joining the police service Constable Taylor was a clerk.
On 19 August 1942, Constable Taylor left the police service and saw active service with the Cameron Highlanders.
Robert Boslem
Constable Boslem was born in Stirling and was the son of Thomas Boslem and Agnes Boslem (nee Sneddon). He was married to Marion Cameron Boslem (nee Gunn) and resided at 31 Beach Crescent, Broughty Ferry. Constable Boslem was a plumber prior to joining the police service.
He left the police service on 19 August 1942 and saw active service with the Cameron Highlanders. He attained the rank of Lieutenant prior to being taken prisoner and later died in a German camp hospital.
Constable MacGregor was the son of John and Annie MacGregor. He was married to Margaret and resided in Dundee. Constable MacGregor was a native to Glasgow and was a salesman before joining the police service.
He passed his police promotion exam for promotion to Sergeant on 14 February 1939 and for Inspector on 11 February 1941.
On 24 June 1942 Constable MacGregor left the police service to join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he became a pilot.
On 10 June 1944 Constable RAF records indicate that Constable MacGregor was "killed on active service – accident to aircraft"
Constable Woodhouse was the son of William K. Woodhouse (engineer) and Elizabeth Beck Woodhouse, of 65 High Street, Johnstone, Renfrewshire. He was unmarried.
He was a member of the Police War Reserve in Renfrewshire (21.11.40 – 24.5.41) prior to joining the police service in Dundee.
On 15 July 1942, Constable Woodhouse left the police service to serve with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (218 Squadron) as a Pilot Officer (Air Gunner).
On 23 September 1943, Constable Woodhouse was one of a crew of 7 flying in a Stirling Mark 3 bomber (number EJ104). Scheduled to attack Manheim in Germany as part of a squadron of 12 bombers, Constable Woodhouse's aircraft took off from RAF Downham Market at 1925 hours.
On same date records indicate that he was 'missing presumed dead'.
Colin Menzies
Police records indicate that Constable Menzies was native to Scoonie, Fife and was the son of Thomas B. Menzies (clerk) and Catherine Menzies.
He joined the police service on 26 December 1933 as a 19 year old whose former occupation had been a student.
Constable Menzies passed his police promotion exam for promotion to Sergeant on 08 July 1938 and for promotion to Inspector on 14 July 1939.
On 25 June 1942 Constable Menzies left the police service to serve with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as a Sergeant (Air Bomber)
George Lawson
Constable George Lawson
Constable Lawson was born in Edinburgh and was the son of Alexander Small Lawson (schoolmaster) and Franc
es Anne Hall Lawson (nee Simpson) of North Berwick, East Lothian.
Prior to joining the police, police records indicate that he was an apprentice electrician and resided in St. Andrews. Constable Lawson was unmarried.
Constable Lawson passed his police promotion exam for promotion to Sergeant on 14 February 1939, but was unsuccessful in his promotion exam for Inspector on 11 February 1941.
On 18 July 1941, Constable Lawson left the police service to serve with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as a Flying Officer (pilot).
Robert Stirrat
Constable Robert Stirrat
Born on 2 January, Constable Stirrat was originally from Kilmaurs, Ayrshire but grew up in Coatbridge. After being a student for a time he joined Dundee City Police on 04 January 1937 and was confirmed on 06 April 1938. He proved to be a good athlete, competing as a runner at many police sports meetings.
He was married to Kathleen and the couple lived at 3 Boyd Place, Broughty Ferry.
On Monday 5 May 1941, Constable Stirrat began his shift at Broughty Ferry Police Office, and a short time later was called to investigate a report of an 'unfamiliar object' at Fisher Street.
Upon approaching, he found the object to be a mine, and knowing the extreme danger they posed he attempted to secure it to prevent it drifting back out to sea.
Suddenly, and without warning, the mine exploded, blowing off Constable Stirrat's right arm and both legs below the knee as well as shattering the windows of nearby houses.
He died, aged just 24, in Dundee Royal Infirmary at 3.16pm that afternoon.
'If you are relative or knows someone who may be connected with these men, please get in touch with the police via media.dundee@scotland.pnn.police.uk.
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