John Cashmore
Born 5th June 1884, 24 Ault Street, West Bromwich
Son of William Cashmore and Louisa Cashmore nee Bartram
Husband of Florence Maud Cashmore nee Shonk, married 30th May 1914 at St Pancras Parish Church
Joined the City of London Police 2nd September 1909
Brown eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion, 6 ft 1.5 inches in height
Warrant Number 7585
Collar Number B227
Served at Snow Hill Police Station
Private, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards
Service Number 5054
Killed in action at Vermelles, Belgium on 26th October 1915
Buried at Vermelles Cemetery
Remembered on the City of London Police WWI War Memorial, Wood Street Police Station
From the Police Review: “PC John Cashmore, London City Police, was killed in action on October 26th last whilst serving in France with the Expeditionary Force. He was born in West Bromwich on June 5th 1884, and joined the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards at the age of 19. He transferred to the Army Reserve in April, 1909, and joined the City of London Police the following month. He rejoined the Army on August 4th, 1914. PC Cashmore leaves a widow, to whom we offer our sincere sympathy”.
Extract from references provided for John Cashmore upon his application to join the City of London Police (Source: City of London Police Personal File held at the London Metropolitan Archives):
“Private J Cashmore 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards has been in my company since I have commanded it (about 5.5 years). I have always found him willing and obliging. He is a clean smart man, honest and sober. During the latter part of his service he has been employed as Commanding Officers’ Orderly, a position which is only given to clean smart men. I can thoroughly recommend him for a position of trust”.
Capt, No 1 Company, 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, Bachelors’ Club, Piccadilly, 27th August 1909
“Sirs, John Cashmore worked for us in our foundries for a period of about 5.5 years, during which time he conducted himself to our entire satisfaction, and left us owing to shortness of work”.
CJ Robertson, A Kenrick and Sons Ltd, Ironfounders, West Bromwich, 11th August 1909
The above photograph of John Cashmere appeared in “Police Review”, 17th March 1916