SPECIAL CEREMONY FOR SCOTTISH POLICE OFFICER PC JAMES GORDON ON THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

THE bravery of a Police Officer; described as a "forgotten hero"; was remembered in a ceremony on Wednesday, 13 November 2013, to mark his grave with a headstone 120 years after his murder on Merseyside.

Late on Sunday, 12 November 1893, PC James Gordon, 26, and a colleague, Constable Whalley, disturbed 3 men who had broken into the yard of Foster's Navigation Boiler Works in Atlas Street, St Helens attempting to steal hens.

As they attempted to arrest the criminals PC Gordon was hit across the head with an iron bar, receiving terrible injuries.

With the help of other officers the 3 men were all detained. Having received first aid, the officer was sent home and told to report back on duty the following morning.

However, PC Gordon never returned to duty. He died from his injuries in the early hours of the following morning.

PC Gordon was originally from Kinneff in Kincardineshire.

On Wednesday, 13 November 2013, a host of dignitaries attended a special ceremony organised by The Police Roll of Honour Trust in memory of the brave young Policeman including the Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Ian Pilling, Chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, Peter Singleton, the Mayor of St Helens and the Leader of St Helens Council.

Geraldine Winner, the widow of Michael Winner who set up the Police Memorial Trust following the death of PC Yvonne Fletcher in 1984, was also in attendance. This was her 1st public engagement since her husband's death.

Mounted Police Officers led the official party to the old section of the cemetery off Hard Lane. During the service a bugler played the last post and reveille.

Merseyside Police form a guard of honour and a lone piper played during the service.

Steve Lloyd, the Trust Manager of The Police Roll of Honour Trust, said:- "Although PC Gordon's name and sacrifice is well recorded by The Police Roll of Honour Trust I am sad to say that this brave young officer has lain in an unmarked grave since his death. Indeed this would have continued to be the case had it not been been for research undertaken on our records and research by members of the Friends of St Helens Cemetery, one member in particular, Mrs Brenda Neary, who is herself an ex-Police Officer. As this is the 120th anniversary of PC Gordon's death the Police Roll of Honour Trust believe it is both right and fitting that we mark the service and sacrifice of this local forgotten hero. Our motto is 'Lest we forget' I hope this will prove that those are not just empty words. To that end the trust commissioned a specially engraved headstone from a local monumental masons which has been erected at his unmarked grave. As an organisation we have never had a murdered Police Officer in an unmarked grave before. This proves the job of a Police Officer never changes. It will always be inherently dangerous. We may never know why this local Police hero was left in an unmarked grave. The Trust are pleased to be able to make his grave so that everyone will know where young PC James Gordon lies at rest. His duty well done."

Superintendent Chris Markey, said:- "Every day Police Officers go about their duty and do not know what their day could bring. PC Gordon's death is a reminder to everyone that, on a daily basis, officers can be called upon to go into unexpected situations, and show great bravery and courage usually when other people are at the worst moments in their lives. I am personally very proud and humbled to have been invited, together with colleagues and members of the community to pay their respects to this officer on this very special day. Merseyside Police is pleased that his passing has been commemorated in this way and hope that this fitting memorial will serve as a constant reminder of his sacrifice for the community he served here in St Helens."