pc cleaver 

Alfred Charles CLEAVER KPM

b.1896 Ireland ~1984 Cheshire.

Chester City Police 1922~1949.

Cheshire Constabulary 1949~1953.

 

Prior to entering the Police Service Alfred Charles CLEAVER served as a Territorial Soldier with the 1/5th battalion South Lancashire Regiment. During World War 1, on the 13 February 1915 his unit landed in France. It was initially attached to 12th Brigade of the regular 4th Division. It had a short attachment between November 1915 and January 1916 with the 36th Ulster Division and then finally joined the 166th Brigade of the 55th West Lancashire Division. It saw action on the Somme in 1916, Ypres and Cambrai in 1917. In the great German offensive of 1918 it fought a notable defensive action at Givenchy before taking part in the final successful Allied Offensive in Artois. During his War service he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

He joined Chester City Police on the 21st December 1922 and served as Constable 38 at Chester. In 1932 he was awarded the Kings Police Medal for Gallantry, the only Chester/Cheshire Officer to be awarded such a prestigious medal, and the Bronze Medal of the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire. His citation reading ‘In the early hours of Saturday 2nd December 1932 Constable Cleaver arrived at the scene of a fire at 15 Trinity Street, Chester. He found the front door and living room ablaze and flames sweeping across the passage. He rushed through the flames and up the stairs. He removed two children to safety and returned to bring out another child and the mother. He returned a third time and brought out a fourth child. In an example of outstanding courage, he sustained burns which required treatment at the Infirmary’.

He remained with the Chester City Police until transferred to Cheshire Constabulary under the Police Amalgamations in 1949. He retired from the Cheshire Constabulary on the 4th August 1953 having attained the rank of Inspector.

 

His Awards from left to right and in order of precedence (1) Kings Police Medal (Gallantry). (2) WW1 1914-1915 Star. (3) World War 1 War Medal. (4) World War 1 Victory Medal.  (5) World War11 Defence Medal.  (6) Queen Elizabeth 11 Coronation Medal 1953.  (7) King George V1 Police Long Service Good Conduct Medal.  (8)  The Bronze Medal of the Society of the Protection of Life from Fire.