Setting the Scene
World War Two lasted for 68 months during which time London came under enemy attack for about 47 months with the results that have been well documented over the years. The ‘Blitz’ of 1940/41 was a period that showed how Londoners can survive and even excel. It was also a period in which the Metropolitan Police Force were put under severe pressure and proved their worth. The Police did have an incredible roll to play during the war and even before it had started plans were put into action to increase its strength to deal with the extra work load expected.
An Auxiliary Police Force was created being made up of three categories:
1st Reserve; Re-engaged pensioners
2nd Reserve: Specials on full time duties and pay
3rd Reserve; Recruited for war service only.
It was the third group that was the largest of the three and the cause of the average height of the force to drop.
Within 48 hours of going to war the Auxiliary Police number had increased by 27.000. Within the year with no sign of invasion or air attacks many were released to return to their old jobs.
During the early stages of the war, police officers were unable to join the Armed Forces: this was to change in 1941. The losses to the RAF during the Battle of Britain had put a strain on obtaining young men to fly the planes. Early in 1941 the Police Force allowed the younger regular officers to apply to join the RAF or Fleet Air Arm as pilots or observers. During the course of the year 800 police officers joined up. In 1942 the age to join the RAF was increased to 25 year olds then later to under 30 year olds. In time the other Services were open to police officers to join and by 1944 over 4,000 officers had joined up. 1696 of these officers joined the RAF.
Major news items at the beginning of 1941 had been the death of Amy Johnson (32) when her plane crashed into the Thames Estuary. She had been transporting planes to RAF bases from the factories as a member of the Air Transport Auxiliary.
British troops had stormed Tobruk in Libya, a major Italian Naval base and Joseph Kennedy (father to JFK) retired from being the US Ambassador to London.
Unemployment had fallen in February to an all time low of 580,849. Meat rationing was just 2d per week, enough to buy 3/4 lb of stewing beef or two small chops. An egg a fortnight was a bonus.
An Auxiliary Police Force was created being made up of three categories:
1st Reserve; Re-engaged pensioners
2nd Reserve: Specials on full time duties and pay
3rd Reserve; Recruited for war service only.
It was the third group that was the largest of the three and the cause of the average height of the force to drop.
Within 48 hours of going to war the Auxiliary Police number had increased by 27.000. Within the year with no sign of invasion or air attacks many were released to return to their old jobs.
During the early stages of the war, police officers were unable to join the Armed Forces: this was to change in 1941. The losses to the RAF during the Battle of Britain had put a strain on obtaining young men to fly the planes. Early in 1941 the Police Force allowed the younger regular officers to apply to join the RAF or Fleet Air Arm as pilots or observers. During the course of the year 800 police officers joined up. In 1942 the age to join the RAF was increased to 25 year olds then later to under 30 year olds. In time the other Services were open to police officers to join and by 1944 over 4,000 officers had joined up. 1696 of these officers joined the RAF.
Major news items at the beginning of 1941 had been the death of Amy Johnson (32) when her plane crashed into the Thames Estuary. She had been transporting planes to RAF bases from the factories as a member of the Air Transport Auxiliary.
British troops had stormed Tobruk in Libya, a major Italian Naval base and Joseph Kennedy (father to JFK) retired from being the US Ambassador to London.
Unemployment had fallen in February to an all time low of 580,849. Meat rationing was just 2d per week, enough to buy 3/4 lb of stewing beef or two small chops. An egg a fortnight was a bonus.
© Alan Graham 2021