The Countess of Wessex paid tribute to fallen police officers this morning in a speical commemorative service in London.
The 360 Metropolitan officers killed in the First World War were honoured, along with the thousands who served beside them, at St Martin-in-the-fields church in the city’s centre.
Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex joined Metropolitan Police chief Cressida Dick at the service, during which the stories of individual officers were told.
Revd Katherine Hedderly said the ‘commemoration to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War’ was a ‘one off’ service, which was attended by around 380 people.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex arrives at St Martin-in-the-Fields ahead of the service of remembrance
She said: ‘It was to honour those members of the Metropolitan Police who lost their lives in the First World War.
‘St Martin’s in the royal parish church, right at the centre of London, it is a home for them.
‘There were people representing all parts of the Metropolitan Police. It was really important to do it.’
Among the many reflections were those of the 12 Met officers, who had been recalled to service, who lost their life on 1st November 1914, when the battleship HMS Good Hope was sunk.
Another reading reflected on Special Constable Thomas Joseph Pinchon who died on the night of the 13th/14th October 1915, while directing the public to shelters during a Zeppelin raid.
Serving Metropolitan Police Officers were among the 380 at the service on Tuesday morning
During WW1, more than 4,000 officers were either re-called or volunteered for the military, while 18,000 served as London’s first line in defence.
In the conflict, 360 officers were killed in action.
Afterwards, 337 medals, including The Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.), the Military Cross (M.C.) and the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M) were awarded to Met officers for their gallantry.