Aftermath

Had these men survived and returned from the war the question that must be asked is what would they have found on their return?

Certainly the mood of the country had changed completely. The initial fervour and patriotism had made way for some cold clinical re-assessment of both political and social standards. Within Sussex over a 1,000 Guardsman from Shoreham Camp protested on the streets of Brighton at the slow demobilization process. Was this really a 'land fit for heroes'? There was undoubtedly a sense of victory in that the British Empire had proved victorious. Equally there was a sense of relief from what had become a war weary nation. This was after all the end of the 'war to end all wars'.

The Police Officers returning to their pre-war forces found that this period was critical in the history of the service. The immediate post-war years were marked by economic boom, rapid demobilization, and much labour unrest. Within the service there was growing discontent at pay and conditions not keeping pace with the cost of living. Many officers found themselves in serious financial straits. A Police Union was formed and members were recruited from forces throughout the country. There were Police strikes in both 1918 and 1919. The Government acted by setting up a committee under the Chairmanship of Lord Desborough.

Following the publication of the 'Desborough Report' the Police Act of that year
introduced standard rates of pay and conditions of service , with a common code of discipline for all forces. The report was a turning point for the improvement of the service generally.

Below are the official casualty figures derived from Statistics of the Military Effort of the British Empire during the Great War (H.M.S.O. 1922)