Chief Inspector Roy James Gore West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police
The Man Roy James Gore was born on Tuesday 7th August 1928 in Cinderford, Gloucestershire.
Roy attended school and was too young to serve during World War II, however following his education he enlisted into the Royal Navy in about 1946 serving for two years before joining the Police in 1948 aged 20. He served in one of the constabularies then covering West Yorkshire, for example Barnsley Borough, Doncaster Borough, Leeds or Bradford City Police. In July 1949 he was awarded the Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Medal as a Probationary Constable, having qualified in basic lifesaving and artificial respiration techniques. He spent the early part of his career working in the Barnsley and Doncaster areas.
On Saturday 23rd December 1950 aged 22 Roy married Joan Driver at St Mary the Virgin Church, Riddlesden, Keighely, Joan’s home village and by 1954 they were living at 8 Sutton Road, Don Valley and had no children.
Roy was promoted to Sergeant, Inspector and Chief Inspector and in about 1971, awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal. In 1974 he was transferred into the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Constabulary, created when part of the West Yorkshire Constabulary was amalgamated with Leeds and Bradford City Police under the Local Government Act 1972.
In 1977 he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal and it is interesting to note that Roy served in the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Constabulary during one of their most difficult periods, the horrific Yorkshire Ripper investigation, although he may not have been directly involved with the case.
Roy attended school and was too young to serve during World War II, however following his education he enlisted into the Royal Navy in about 1946 serving for two years before joining the Police in 1948 aged 20. He served in one of the constabularies then covering West Yorkshire, for example Barnsley Borough, Doncaster Borough, Leeds or Bradford City Police. In July 1949 he was awarded the Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Medal as a Probationary Constable, having qualified in basic lifesaving and artificial respiration techniques. He spent the early part of his career working in the Barnsley and Doncaster areas.
On Saturday 23rd December 1950 aged 22 Roy married Joan Driver at St Mary the Virgin Church, Riddlesden, Keighely, Joan’s home village and by 1954 they were living at 8 Sutton Road, Don Valley and had no children.
Roy was promoted to Sergeant, Inspector and Chief Inspector and in about 1971, awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal. In 1974 he was transferred into the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Constabulary, created when part of the West Yorkshire Constabulary was amalgamated with Leeds and Bradford City Police under the Local Government Act 1972.
In 1977 he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal and it is interesting to note that Roy served in the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Constabulary during one of their most difficult periods, the horrific Yorkshire Ripper investigation, although he may not have been directly involved with the case.
Roy retired from the Police on 27th January 1978 aged 49 and lived with Joan at 17, Low Bank, Embsay, Skipton, North Yorkshire. They were a happy couple and had a privileged life, travelling extensively after retirement, especially enjoying cruises; the Caribbean, Europe and Singapore being their favourites. Joan also taught Roy to dance which they enjoyed doing on their holidays and were both very sociable people. They particularly like the Highlands of Scotland and spent many years camping and later hotel stays in the region. Roy was also a keen gardener.
In later life Roy sadly suffered with dementia, moving into Herncliffe Nursing Home in Keighley. He passed away on 2nd August 2010 aged 81 and his funeral service took place at Skipton Cemetery on Tuesday 10th August at 1100h, his ashes being scattered in his beloved garden at Low Bank.
Joan lived a further 10 years and died at 17 Low Bank, on Sunday 18th October 2020 aged 92. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and restrictions in place at the time there was a private funeral held.
In later life Roy sadly suffered with dementia, moving into Herncliffe Nursing Home in Keighley. He passed away on 2nd August 2010 aged 81 and his funeral service took place at Skipton Cemetery on Tuesday 10th August at 1100h, his ashes being scattered in his beloved garden at Low Bank.
Joan lived a further 10 years and died at 17 Low Bank, on Sunday 18th October 2020 aged 92. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and restrictions in place at the time there was a private funeral held.
The Story The medal pair awarded to Roy James Gore were acquired from Norman W. Collet on 18th August 2021, having first been seen a week or so before on sale from the Medal Centre, but missed.
They were of immediate interest because of the Silver Jubilee 1977 and Police Exemplary Service Medal combination, together with his life saving medallion awarded as a Probationary Constable.
Oddly no birth or death details could be found on Ancestry.UK, yet his marriage details and an electoral register from 1954 were available. However, his will and that of his wife were located and helped add a little more information, Roy’s wife, Joan only passing away in late 2020.
Also of interest are the fact he served in the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police during the notorious ‘Ripper’ investigations and is likely to have known the Chief Constable Ronald Gregory and his Secretary Marjorie Swift, who also received the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977, quite likely at the same ceremony. Her medal is also in this collection.
Contact was made with relatives of Roy Gore and his niece very kindly agreed to provide some photographs and additional biographical detail allowing a time served Senior Police Officer to be remembered.
They were of immediate interest because of the Silver Jubilee 1977 and Police Exemplary Service Medal combination, together with his life saving medallion awarded as a Probationary Constable.
Oddly no birth or death details could be found on Ancestry.UK, yet his marriage details and an electoral register from 1954 were available. However, his will and that of his wife were located and helped add a little more information, Roy’s wife, Joan only passing away in late 2020.
Also of interest are the fact he served in the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police during the notorious ‘Ripper’ investigations and is likely to have known the Chief Constable Ronald Gregory and his Secretary Marjorie Swift, who also received the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977, quite likely at the same ceremony. Her medal is also in this collection.
Contact was made with relatives of Roy Gore and his niece very kindly agreed to provide some photographs and additional biographical detail allowing a time served Senior Police Officer to be remembered.
Roy James Gore's Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Medallion
Medal Details:
- Silver Jubilee Medal 1977: CH INSP. ROY J.GORE
- Police Exemplary Service Medal: CH INSP ROY J.GORE
This page last updated 9 Sep 21
325