History fans to hear tale of Cambuslang cop turned war hero
Retiredofficertogivetalk onsoldierkilledinWWI
NIKI TENNANT
Lanarkshire history buffs will learn about the bravery of a former Cambuslang police officer and war hero who was killed in action on the Western Front during WWI.
The story of Constable Jeremiah Shannon will be among those told by retired police inspector, Margaret McLean, when she addresses the Lanarkshire Family History Society on Thursday, March 12.
When Cumbernauld Police Officebased Margaret retired in 2005 after 35 years’ service with the force, she found time to concentrate on her long-held fascination with genealogy and family history.
This led to her completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Genealogical and Heraldic Studies at Strathclyde University.
As part of her course, she undertook research into the men of the former Lanarkshire Constabulary who swapped their blue serge tunics for khaki uniforms in order to fight in WW1.
Among them was PC Shannon who had joined the police after serving in the Scots Guards and was stationed at Cambuslang when he was ‘recalled to the colours’ on the outbreak of WWI.
When killed in action on the Western Front in 1918, he was a Lieutenant in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers.
During her talk on ‘the Officers of Lanarkshire Constabulary who fell in WWI,’ Margaret will recount his story and those of other former local policemen who did not return to their beats in Lanarkshire but now lie in foreign lands.
The talk will begin at the Clo Centre in Motherwell at 7pm on March 12 and a welcome is extended to all.