Alexander Simpson 'Alex' Scott - Essex County Constabulary.
Served 1st June 1934. Died 16th November 1940.
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 Police
Constable Alexander 'Alex' Scott was born at Chigwell, the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Scott of Braeside, High Road, Chigwell. He was posted to Grays
when he joined the force. In 1935 - the following year - Alex Scott became
a motor patrol driver at Headquarters, qualifying as a first class driver
and wireless operator.
When war began, traffic officers were armed with revolvers and given
the extra job of guarding HQ. Teams of three men worked a 24 hour shift,
taking it in turns to watch for fires and guard the front and back of
the main buildings.
During a night raid on London, one German plane turned back towards Chelmsford
and dropped its shrapnel bombs on HQ: Alex Scott was one of two officers
killed. He had only been married eighteen months, and his wife Myrtle
joined the WAAF after his death. They lived at 93 Springfield Park Road,
Chelmsford. In January 1994, a few weeks before her own death, Alex Scott's
widow Myrtle wrote;
At 24 I married Alex Scott and we were to have eighteen months of wedded
bliss. He was an all-round sportsman who was loved by all, a policeman
based at headquarters where he was a wireless operator on the cars.
The war was on and for a holiday we went to Chigwell to stay with his
mother and father. After that we went on to Grays to a pal of Alex's
from headquarters.
When we returned to Chelmsford he had to go on duty. That was the last
I saw of him. That afternoon I went to the pictures to see a film but
instead I slept through it. Going home, I felt something was wrong.
During the evening a policeman came and told me that Alex had been killed.
He took me to my mother who lived nearby. I went to bed and did not
wish to get up. My brother came in and kept worrying me to go downstairs
and eventually I did. I had such a caring family, eight brothers and
sisters and of course, I can't forget my loving parents.
Alex's mother asked if he could be buried at Chigwell so that is where
he lies today. The next thing was for me to get out. My brother-in-law
and sister nagged me to go dancing with them and gradually I started
to go out again. The only thing to do when you lose someone is get out
again as soon as possible. It helps. A few months later I joined the
WAAF and left Chelmsford. I was a wireless operator, as I had learned
Morse code in the guides.
I was so pleased when Alex was remembered at the memorial service at
police headquarters in 1992. He was the love of my life and I've shed
a few tears writing this. I still feel his presence sometimes, watching
over me. When I look at his photograph I ask 'Why did it have to happen?'.
Alex Scott is commemorated in the Civilian War Dead Register in Westminster
Abbey.
Police Constable 480. Serial Number 3392.
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