The History
The need to support our Orphans is as great today as it was then. We currently support nearly 250 children and young adults.
Frederick Griffiths headstone was found badly damaged believed by kangaroos. It was restored by the Victorian Police Historical Society and re-dedicated at a ceremony attended by the Australian Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Descendants of other Orphans who had emigrated
The War Memorial Tablets were re-dedicated and displayed following a ceremony at Simpson Hall (the then Metropolitan Police Training School)attended by His Royal Highness Prince Charles and Her Royal Highness Camila Duchess of Cornwall
The War Memorial Tablets which were found badly damaged in storage were commissioned for restoration
The Memorial Stone was restored free of charge by Ernest Larner and Sons. It was re-dedicated and placed in the Police Memorial Garden at Hendon at a ceremony attended by General Sir Michael Walker, Chief of General Staff and the Orphanage Head Boy from 1935/36
Old Scotland Yard closes and the Memorial Stone is placed in storage
A former resident dies in Australia bequeathing a large sum of money in memory of ‘The happy times she and her younger brother had spent at the Orphanage’ nearly 60 years before
Queen Elizabeth II becomes our Patron following the death of King George VI
The Orphanage close on 31st July and on 1st August the Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund is left to continue the welfare support for the families
The War Memorial Stone and Tablets are given to the Metropolitan Police for safekeeping. It is originally displayed at Old Scotland Yard
King George VI becomes our Patron following the Abdication of King Edward VIII
King Edward VIII becomes our Patron following the death of King George V
His Royal Highness Prince of Wales opens the War Memorial Hospital and a marble War Memorial Stone is dedicated to the 345 Police Officers who lost their lives. They are all listed on 2 wooden memorial tablets
Frederick Griffiths is one who emigrated and sadly during the voyage he had a minor accident causing an abscess in his hip. He died just a few weeks later in January 1923 aged just 16 years. The local Police and Community paid for his funeral and headstone.
The Police Pensions Act is announced which provides more incentive to keep children at home. This ultimately hastens the closure of the Orphanage
Agreement is reached for Orphans to emigrate to Australia. 31 Boys and Girls sailed before it was stopped in about 1930
During the Great War nearly 300 ex-scholars served their Country. 21 paid the ultimate sacrifice
King George V becomes our Patron following the death of King Edward VII
King Edward VII becomes our Patron following the death of Queen Victoria
Lt Col Sir Edmund Henderson died
The Orphanage is unable to accommodate every Orphan so a Compassionate Allowance of £2-12s-0d is introduced for those who cannot be placed
Queen Victoria becomes the first Patron of the Orphanage
The City of London Police Force contribute to the funds are become members
The Orphanage is opened by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Lt Col Sir Edmund Henderson
