Special Constable William Ewart Bee East Riding of Yorkshire Special Constabulary and Civil Defence
Defence Medal. Special Constabulary Long Service Medal. Civil Defence Medal.
The Man William Ewart Bee was born on Friday 17th May 1901 at 8 Claremont Avenue, Kingston Upon Hull, son of William Henry a Boiler Plater and Sarah nee Scott he was one of three children, one of whom died very young and an older brother, Thomas Henry born in 1895 but tragically killed in action on 27th September 1917 in France aged 22. By 1911 the family were living at 34 Wynburg Street, New Bridge Road in Hull.
William was just too young to see overseas service in World War I and following his education became a Machine Mechanic.
During the last quarter of 1922 aged 21 he married Emily Davis in Hull and they had one son Kenneth W Bee born in 1925.
William joined the East Riding of Yorkshire Special Constabulary in about 1939 and was living with Emily and Kenneth at 35 Princes Avenue, Withernsea. He served in the SC throughout the war and was awarded the Defence Medal and Special Constabulary Long Service Medal. He retained his links following the war joining one of the Civil Defence organisations and subsequently awarded the Civil Defence long Service Medal.
William passed away during the last quarter of 1977 aged 76 in Hull and Emily 10 years later aged 87 in December 1987 also in Hull.
William was just too young to see overseas service in World War I and following his education became a Machine Mechanic.
During the last quarter of 1922 aged 21 he married Emily Davis in Hull and they had one son Kenneth W Bee born in 1925.
William joined the East Riding of Yorkshire Special Constabulary in about 1939 and was living with Emily and Kenneth at 35 Princes Avenue, Withernsea. He served in the SC throughout the war and was awarded the Defence Medal and Special Constabulary Long Service Medal. He retained his links following the war joining one of the Civil Defence organisations and subsequently awarded the Civil Defence long Service Medal.
William passed away during the last quarter of 1977 aged 76 in Hull and Emily 10 years later aged 87 in December 1987 also in Hull.
The Story The medals awarded to William Ewart Bee were acquired from E-Bay on 3rd April 2023 and of interest because of the double long service combination, one not seen too often, but difficult to prove as the Civil Defence long Service is unnamed.
An initial search on Ancestry, revealed William on the 1939 census and showing him as serving in the SC, this enabled his date of birth to be entered and basic biographical detail to be obtained, made easier by his unusual names.
An initial search on Ancestry, revealed William on the 1939 census and showing him as serving in the SC, this enabled his date of birth to be entered and basic biographical detail to be obtained, made easier by his unusual names.
East Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary helmet plate
Medal Details:
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Special Constabulary Long Service Medal: WILLIAM E.BEE
- Civil Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
This page last updated 6 Apr 23
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