Blue in Blue...and Silver too!
Sergeant John William Blue the Black Watch and Glasgow Police
John William Blue
The Man John William Blue was born on Thursday 7th February 1924 son of John Cook a Gardener and Isabella nee Hewitson a Nursery Assistant. He had two brothers, David M and Ronald, his religion was Presbyterian.
At the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939, John was only 15 years old and too young to enlist; following his education he became a Chauffeur / Gardener and in 1941, aged 17 joined the 3rd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, Home Guard for a year until 14th February 1942 aged 18 when he was called up, enlisting into the 70th (Young Soldier) Battalion of the Black Watch Royal Regiment of Scotland with service number 2767222, becoming a Vehicle Mechanic, specialising in gun carriages.
He was embodied on 26th at No 8 Infantry Training Centre, Perth and at the time living with his parents at 102 Newlands Road, Glasgow, he was described as 5’.11 7/8” tall a chest of 35½“, fresh complexion, grey brown eyes and dark brown hair.
On 5th May 1943 he was transferred to the 8th Battalion BW, going Absent Without Leave on 27th for which he was fined one days pay. On 11th November 1943 John was posted to North Africa seeing service in Italy and landing on 27th. On 1st February 1944 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment).
On 8th February 1944, a day after his twentieth birthday, John was reported as ‘missing in Italy’ this appearing on Army List 1400. It seems in fact he had tried to desert as he was found and placed under close arrest on 22nd February awaiting trial. He was reported as rejoining his unit on 17th March 1944, appearing on List 1419.
John was Court Martialed for desertion on 14th June, found guilty and sentenced to five years penal servitude by Major General P S Gregson-Ellis, President. His first two years were subsequently remitted and to be served in a military unit, for ‘special reasons’ he was not returned to the UK. He was committed to No 9 Field Punishment Camp on 3rd July and on 27th November transferred to No1 Military Punishment and Detention Barracks and then to 34 Special Training Barracks.
At the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939, John was only 15 years old and too young to enlist; following his education he became a Chauffeur / Gardener and in 1941, aged 17 joined the 3rd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, Home Guard for a year until 14th February 1942 aged 18 when he was called up, enlisting into the 70th (Young Soldier) Battalion of the Black Watch Royal Regiment of Scotland with service number 2767222, becoming a Vehicle Mechanic, specialising in gun carriages.
He was embodied on 26th at No 8 Infantry Training Centre, Perth and at the time living with his parents at 102 Newlands Road, Glasgow, he was described as 5’.11 7/8” tall a chest of 35½“, fresh complexion, grey brown eyes and dark brown hair.
On 5th May 1943 he was transferred to the 8th Battalion BW, going Absent Without Leave on 27th for which he was fined one days pay. On 11th November 1943 John was posted to North Africa seeing service in Italy and landing on 27th. On 1st February 1944 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment).
On 8th February 1944, a day after his twentieth birthday, John was reported as ‘missing in Italy’ this appearing on Army List 1400. It seems in fact he had tried to desert as he was found and placed under close arrest on 22nd February awaiting trial. He was reported as rejoining his unit on 17th March 1944, appearing on List 1419.
John was Court Martialed for desertion on 14th June, found guilty and sentenced to five years penal servitude by Major General P S Gregson-Ellis, President. His first two years were subsequently remitted and to be served in a military unit, for ‘special reasons’ he was not returned to the UK. He was committed to No 9 Field Punishment Camp on 3rd July and on 27th November transferred to No1 Military Punishment and Detention Barracks and then to 34 Special Training Barracks.
1939-45 Star. Italy Star. War Medal 1939-45. Silver Jubilee Medal 1977. Police Exemplary Service Medal.
428 Tantallion Road, Glasgow. Former Police accommodation.
However, on 24th June 1945, he was released, no remission was granted but his sentence was suspended, having served 376 days most likely as the war had ended and troops being sent home. He spent some time in hospital and then compulsorily transferred to the King’s Own Royal Regiment on 26th August. On 17th May 1946 John’s entire sentence was remitted and on 24th September he was promoted to Lance Corporal followed by War Substantive Corporal on 13th March 1947.
He returned home 15th May 1947 and transferred to the Z Class Reserve from 12th October until 10th February 1954, being released from any reserve liability on 30th June 1959. However, his total reckonable service came to 3 years 144 days, with his time in detention deducted and his substantive rank given as Private.
John was initially awarded the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star and War Medal 1939-45, his records showing these were forfeited due to his sentence for desertion, however, the medals are shown as ‘issued’ on 25th June 1949, which may have been due his subsequent seemingly good behaviour and promotions.
Upon his release on 22nd July 1947, he was described as
“A loyal sober and industrious Non-Commissioned Officer with 5½ years service at home and overseas, who has demonstrated his leadership and reliability. He has specialised in Motor Transport (in particular Gun Carriages) and possesses sound mechanical knowledge with like ability”.
In 1948 aged 24 John was still living at 102 Newlands Road and married Margaret Mair Anderson, a School Canteen Assistant in the same year in Pollock. They had two daughters, Fiona born on 16th May 1961 and Lorna 15th March 1965.
On 20th June 1950 he joined the Glasgow Police, his previous misdemeanor now behind him, he was described as 5’.11” tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. His trade was Motor Driver,
In 1953 he was living at 100 Newlands Road, his mother Isabella and brothers David and Ronald still at 102.
The 1960 Electoral Register shows him living at 428 Tantallion Road, Glasgow in police accommodation.
He was promoted to Sergeant 21st March 1966 on ‘A’ Division and undertook various courses, Sergeant’s Initial training, Firearms, CS gas training and Police war duties. He gained extensive experience as an urban beat patrol officer, plain clothes squads, custody cells, bar officer, enquiry department and as a Beat Patrol Sergeant. On 19th June 1972 he was awarded his Police Exemplary Service Medal.
In 1977, about the time of his retirement, John was awarded the silver Jubilee Medal 1977 as a Sergeant in Strathclyde Police, this force having been created in 1975 following amalgamation of other forces including Glasgow. He now lived at 915 Cathcart Road, Glasgow.
John was commended a number of times during his service, in 1954 for apprehending a burglar whilst off duty, in 1956 whilst on plain clothes duty arresting three men for theft and one for burglary, 1959 on plain clothes duty for arresting two persistent burglars, 1962 arresting a man for theft and in 1968 arresting another persistent burglar,
Following his retirement John worked as a Bank Security Guard and lived with Margaret at lived at 0/2 11 Gavinton Street, Glasgow.
He died on 2nd August 2008 at 1915h, aged 84 of metastatic lung cancer at the Prince and Princes of Wales Hospice, 71/73 Carlton Place, Glasgow. His funeral being held at Linn Crematorium, St Mungo Chapel, Lainshaw Drive on Friday 8th August at 1330h.
He returned home 15th May 1947 and transferred to the Z Class Reserve from 12th October until 10th February 1954, being released from any reserve liability on 30th June 1959. However, his total reckonable service came to 3 years 144 days, with his time in detention deducted and his substantive rank given as Private.
John was initially awarded the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star and War Medal 1939-45, his records showing these were forfeited due to his sentence for desertion, however, the medals are shown as ‘issued’ on 25th June 1949, which may have been due his subsequent seemingly good behaviour and promotions.
Upon his release on 22nd July 1947, he was described as
“A loyal sober and industrious Non-Commissioned Officer with 5½ years service at home and overseas, who has demonstrated his leadership and reliability. He has specialised in Motor Transport (in particular Gun Carriages) and possesses sound mechanical knowledge with like ability”.
In 1948 aged 24 John was still living at 102 Newlands Road and married Margaret Mair Anderson, a School Canteen Assistant in the same year in Pollock. They had two daughters, Fiona born on 16th May 1961 and Lorna 15th March 1965.
On 20th June 1950 he joined the Glasgow Police, his previous misdemeanor now behind him, he was described as 5’.11” tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. His trade was Motor Driver,
In 1953 he was living at 100 Newlands Road, his mother Isabella and brothers David and Ronald still at 102.
The 1960 Electoral Register shows him living at 428 Tantallion Road, Glasgow in police accommodation.
He was promoted to Sergeant 21st March 1966 on ‘A’ Division and undertook various courses, Sergeant’s Initial training, Firearms, CS gas training and Police war duties. He gained extensive experience as an urban beat patrol officer, plain clothes squads, custody cells, bar officer, enquiry department and as a Beat Patrol Sergeant. On 19th June 1972 he was awarded his Police Exemplary Service Medal.
In 1977, about the time of his retirement, John was awarded the silver Jubilee Medal 1977 as a Sergeant in Strathclyde Police, this force having been created in 1975 following amalgamation of other forces including Glasgow. He now lived at 915 Cathcart Road, Glasgow.
John was commended a number of times during his service, in 1954 for apprehending a burglar whilst off duty, in 1956 whilst on plain clothes duty arresting three men for theft and one for burglary, 1959 on plain clothes duty for arresting two persistent burglars, 1962 arresting a man for theft and in 1968 arresting another persistent burglar,
Following his retirement John worked as a Bank Security Guard and lived with Margaret at lived at 0/2 11 Gavinton Street, Glasgow.
He died on 2nd August 2008 at 1915h, aged 84 of metastatic lung cancer at the Prince and Princes of Wales Hospice, 71/73 Carlton Place, Glasgow. His funeral being held at Linn Crematorium, St Mungo Chapel, Lainshaw Drive on Friday 8th August at 1330h.
Former Strathclyde Police Headquarters, Pitt Road, Glasgow.
The Story The medals awarded to John William Blue were acquired from E-Bay on 28th April 2024 and of interest because of the Silver Jubilee 1977 and Police Exemplary Service combination, a sub theme of this collection.
With the medals came John Blue’s service papers, these proved to be an interesting read as he had deserted during World War II, been Court Martialed and forfeited his World War II entitlement, although it seems they were reinstated following his subsequent good service and promotion to Corporal.
Much research had already been completed before their acquisition enabling, with the help of Ancestry and google a reasonable and interesting biography to be pieced together.
Thanks to the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, who kindly found his records, including a picture of John Blue, his biography could be extended even more.
Interestingly his service records show he was not entitled to the Defence Medal, despite having served time in the Home Guard, yet his police photograph clearly shows him wearing the Defence Medal ribbon. As his medal index card cannot be located on Ancestry, his Defence Medal will be added to the group as it is as he wore his medals.
With the medals came John Blue’s service papers, these proved to be an interesting read as he had deserted during World War II, been Court Martialed and forfeited his World War II entitlement, although it seems they were reinstated following his subsequent good service and promotion to Corporal.
Much research had already been completed before their acquisition enabling, with the help of Ancestry and google a reasonable and interesting biography to be pieced together.
Thanks to the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, who kindly found his records, including a picture of John Blue, his biography could be extended even more.
Interestingly his service records show he was not entitled to the Defence Medal, despite having served time in the Home Guard, yet his police photograph clearly shows him wearing the Defence Medal ribbon. As his medal index card cannot be located on Ancestry, his Defence Medal will be added to the group as it is as he wore his medals.
John Blue's Police Commendations
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Italy Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Silver Jubilee Medal 1977: SGT J W BLUE Strathclyde Police 7/6/77
- Police Exemplary Service Medal: SERGT. JOHN BLUE
This page last updated 30 Nov 24
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