Well that was a bit of a waste of time, I asked for information and got this:- Many thanks for the information concerning Mr Page. I will add his name and details to the list we continue to collate. You can keep up to date with any developments through the Rotherwas Munitions website. So they have nothing on him either.
Now have the death certificate. He wasn't actually in any of the forces per se. Death date: 27th November 1942, Royal Ordinance Factory, Bulllingham. Name: Arthur Sidney Page Sex: Male Age: 36 years Rank or profession: War Department Constable of The Hostel, Ross Road, Hereford. Cause of Death: Internal haemorrhage from a gun shot wound accidentally received - Accidental death. Certificate received from F ????? deputy coroner for the South Division of Herefordshire. Inquest held 15th December 1942. When Registered: 18th December 1942.
Hmmm..... I wonder if he was "on Active Service" undertaking his constabulary duties of guarding the Royal Ordnance Factory. Also, how was he shot "accidentally"? As the certificate involved the Coronor, there should be an inquest report somewhere..... or even a newspaper report.
I have looked, honest, but had no luck. Many things didn’t get reported during the War for obvious reasons. Maybe this ‘accident’ was deemed not to throw a good light on what went on at the factory and so just got covered up? Anyway, you’ll be the first to know if I find anything with some more devious searches......
Well, I have tried every devious search I can think of - and come up with absolutely nothing. I suppose the fact that there are no Herefordshire papers on-line after 1919 doesn’t really help Sorry
I cant find any mention anywhere not even on a memorial roll I found for War dept police! sorry no luck
For what it’s worth which is probably zilch....I came across a site, Gentleman’s Military Interest Club, one enquirer was searching for a War Department Constabulary serviceman, the answer was to try Ministry of Defence as they have quite a collection of records from the WDC from 1925-1964 and later when they were phased out as late as 1974.
Just speculation, of course... perhaps he was standing in the wrong place when some ordinance was accidentally discharged.
He's not listed here... http://www.policerollofhonour.org.uk/forces/national/ministry_of_defence/mod_roll.htm#war_department
Maybe because he didn't die in the line of duty? Perhaps he was doing something unauthorised with a firearm and it went off.......
