Charities Merge
Representatives from the police family gathered at the US Embassy on Thursday 20th April to mark the merger of National Police Memorial Day with the Police Roll of Honour Trust, establishing the new Police Remembrance Trust.
Recognised by Royalty and with a combined 43 years of honouring those who serve and those who have died or been killed on duty, the charities have joined as one in their shared, whole-hearted commitment to ensure the sacrifices of police officers throughout the UK and Island of Ireland are never forgotten. It is the charity’s resolve and pledge to officers serving today that if the very worst should happen, they will not be forgotten, their families will not be forgotten – the charity is here for them. On behalf of the now combined group of Trustees, newly elected chair of the Police Remembrance Trust, Reverend Canon David Wilbraham MBE said: “This is a huge moment in the history of these two charities. We acknowledge and pay tribute to retired Inspector Joe Holness OBE QPM, the founder of National Police Memorial Day, and those who have developed the Police Roll of Honour Trust establishing it by Royal Charter.
“We believe that together we can build on their vision, work and commitment. To all who have been involved with National Police Memorial Day and the Police Roll of Honour Trust we are grateful for your support over the years and invite you to remain on this journey with us with continuing commitment and enthusiasm.”
Paul Griffiths OBE, said: “This is a hugely exciting time as we take this new singular charity forward and I am proud to be part of it.”
Mr Griffiths paid tribute to now retired National Police Chaplain David Wilbraham, saying: “I can think of no better person to chair the Police Remembrance Trust. David is a force of nature with 45 years in policing, both as an officer and police chaplain. His passion for policing knows no bounds and his empathy, care and pastoral care for those at their lowest points has been a lifeline to many.”
Over the coming months work will continue to make this new partnership a reality.
National Police Memorial Day will remain an important date for the police family and preparations are well underway for a special weekend in Cardiff when guests will be welcomed to mark the 20th Anniversary of National Police Memorial Day. The British Police Symphony Orchestra will be performing on Saturday 23rd September in St David’s Hall, followed by the remembrance day service on Sunday 24th September, also in St David’s Hall. All are welcome to attend.
As well as maintaining National Police Memorial Day, other priorities for the new Police Remembrance Trust is to build on the efforts already in progress to establish a Welsh Police Memorial, and to continue working in partnership with the new UK Digital Police Memorial.
This marks a new era for UK police memorial charities and the Police Remembrance Trust firmly believes that recognising bravery, commitment, integrity, dedication and sacrifice is a great reflection of the vast majority of those involved in policing today. Affirming their role and telling their stories can be part of the solution to the issues they and the service currently face.
About National Police Memorial Day
The charity serves to:
- Remember police officers who have been killed or died on duty
- Demonstrate to relatives, friends and colleagues of fallen officers that their sacrifice is not forgotten
- Recognise annually the dedication to duty and courage displayed by police officers
King Charles III became the Patron of the National Police Memorial Day charity in 2006 as Prince of Wales.
More than 5,000 police officers have died while on duty since the modern service was formed over 180 years ago. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of National Police Memorial Day.
National Police Memorial Day is held each year on the nearest Sunday to Saint Michael’s Day, the patron saint of police.
Support from across the service and from police related charitable causes for National Police Memorial Day has been widespread and is recognised by Government and Royalty as an official national day.
Services have been held all over the United Kingdom to reflect the national contribution made by the police. The inaugural service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday 3rd October 2004, with subsequent services rotating yearly thereafter round England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
This years’ service will take place on Sunday 24th September 2023 at St David’s Hall Cardiff, with a special evening of entertainment taking place on Saturday 23rd September, courtesy of the British Police Symphony Orchestra.
About The Police Roll of Honour Trust
The Police Roll of Honour Trust (PROHT) was formed in March 2000, as a registered charity, and was later incorporated by Royal Charter, with clear aims and objectives, in the provision of a record of all those police officers who have lost their lives ‘on and in the line of duty’, since the earliest of times throughout the United Kingdom, and Ireland up until 1922.
It commemorates their sacrifice in public service and provides a focal point and visible means for family and friends to reflect on the loss of their loved ones and to know that their loss is not forgotten. There are over 5,000 deaths listed in the ‘Roll of Honour’. In 2015 the Trust published a book listing all of those who died, it is known as the ‘UK Police Roll of Remembrance’.
It is the objective of the PROHT to ensure the provision of a record of all those Police Officers who lost their lives in a manner that dictates their name be added, historically or contemporaneously, to the United Kingdom’s Police Roll of Honour.