Family of city air raid victim to join parade

THE family of one of the most senior serving British police officers killed in the Second World War will be in Hull to take part in the Remembrance Sunday parade and service this week.

James Smith was Assistant Chief Constable of Hull City Police when he was killed during an air raid on the city in 1941.

His sons Frank and Ted Smith will lay a wreath at the war memorial in Paragon Square before joining Humberside Police Chief Constable Tim Hollis for a special Remembrance Sunday luncheon.

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After joining Hull City Police in 1907, Mr Smith served in the First World War with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, and when demobilised in 1918 returned to the detective branch of the force.

He was eligible for retirement in 1939, but with another war looming and civil defence preparations under way, his sense of public duty saw him stay on.

He achieved the rank of assistant chief constable in 1940 and in the same year was awarded the King’s Police Medal for outstanding service.

Mr Smith’s sons will wear this and other medals won by their father during the parade and march through the city.

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The medals have spent the preceding years either in the possession of the family or the force.

Mr Hollis said: “As a former professional soldier myself, I was delighted when my colleagues tracked down ACC Smith’s medals and made contact with his sons.

“In 2009 the family kindly donated the medals and other memorabilia of their father’s career in the Army and Hull City Police to the force and the items are on display at police HQ. For my part, I promised to have the Humberside Police marching contingent have the medals on parade in 2011 in order to mark the 70th anniversary of their father’s sacrifice for the people of Hull. I am so pleased that his sons, Ted and Frank, have made the journey to Hull to join us for what I regard as a most special day.”

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