PC George Legrove
George Legrove was born on 31st December 1889 in Greenwich, the son of George Legrove senior, and his wife, Emily. On 20th April 1911 George joined the City of London Police and was allocated warrant number 7812.
Awards
King’s Police Medal (George V issue)
Announced, the London Gazette, 1st January 1918
Circumstances of Award
The bombs of the Second World War’s Blitz have almost completely obliterated the memory of Germany’s aerial bombing campaign of World War 1. This first air war was initially carried out by Zeppelins, but by 1917 the Germans were using Gotha and Giant aeroplanes to launch their attacks against London.
With night flying a thing of the (not too distant) future, the Germans would attack during daytime. One such mission was against the City of London on 13th June 1917. Sir William Nott-Bower, then Commissioner of the City of London Police sets the scene:
“The day was a lovely one, bright sunshine, a cloudless blue sky, a clear atmosphere, a flight of silvery aeroplanes, little puffs of smoke from our own bursting anti-aircraft shells, showing for a moment against the blue sky and gradually dispersing ….
I was in my office when the alarm was given of approaching aeroplanes. I at once went out into the street to watch their coming. They arrived over the centre of the City about 11.40 am. The formation consisted of at least fourteen aeroplanes of the very latest type”.
As the planes arrived over the City their bombardment commenced. A German high explosive bomb fell at Aldgate at 11.40 am leaving 22 injured and 13 dead. PC Legrove of the City of London Police was one of those hurt, receiving a serious injury behind his right knee as well as other wounds. However, despite this, PC Legrove went to the assistance of Emma Morgan, a bus conductress. Her left leg had been severed by the bombing. PC Legrove, having sent a bus driver to call an ambulance, then gave first aid to Miss Morgan until he collapsed from blood loss.
George retired from the force on 19th April 1936 with a pension of £153 13 2. In 1939, he can be found living at 4 Elmwood Drive, Epsom and Ewell, Surrey with his wife Daisy and son, also called George. Daisy dies in 1960. George Legrove KPM lives on until 1983, dying aged 93 in Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
Bibliography
Assorted genealogical records
Farmery, J P (1995). Police Gallantry, 1st edition. North Manley: Periter and Associates Pty Ltd
Nott-Bower, J (1926). Fifty Two years a Policeman, 1st edition. London: Edward Arnold & Co
Daily Mirror, 30 May 1918