Bring DS Laurie Scott's medals home to The Met
Donation protected
It was only a week or so ago now, that eagle eyed retired Police Officer Jamie Arnold spotted a group of medals, which were to be auctioned on the 16th July. They were those of DS Laurie Scott, + included a George Medal for exceptional bravery whilst arresting an armed + dangerous fugitive, + his Military medals awarded during his service in WW2. Jamie decided to share the story with other colleagues on FB + the seed of thought was planted, around initiating a campaign to rescue these medals. That is where this fabulous adventure started....
Laurie Scott was called up in 1940 + joined the specialist Parachute regiment. He saw combat in Italy + at Arnhem, where his company were parachuted into intensive fighting, eventually becoming trapped in Oosterbeek Penisular. Laurie fortunately survived, but his company suffered very heavy losses.
He later went onto serve in Palestine, where he was part of a deployment to police the fanatical terrorist groups.....not one for the faint hearted.
After being demobbed in 1946 he joined the Metropolitan Police, where he served at Hornsey, Bow Street, Wood Green + Old Street. Like his military service, he had a very distinguished + interesting career, which included many investigations around serious crime, organised criminality + murder. Most notable was the arrest of 16 members of the infamous Richardson Gang on World Cup day in 1966.
Laurie was awarded the George Medal, the highest order for bravery, after being threatened on numerous occasions by an armed with a loaded firearm, whilst trying to detain him. Without thought for his own life, he continued to pursue the criminal + successfully overpowered him.
After retiring in 1976, the year I joined the job, he became the Civilian CID office manager, where his experience, gravitas, humour + compassion were used to great effect.
He finally fully retired in 1985 + later died at the ripe old age of 90, which makes him a gold card holder of the 30/30 pension club.
Laurie was an amazing character, who was loved by his family + held in the highest esteem by his friends/colleagues. Described as a consummate professional, with a wicked sense of humour + a passion for charity collecting. He even waved the charity box under the nose of a visiting Commissioner!
The response by the Police family has been overwhelming, with many pledges of money. This allowed us to make the decision to bid at auction + we successfully secured the medals for 11,000, plus 28% non negotiable auction fees. The company have been very supportive + I now have 60 days to collect all the pledges. If we receive anything over those costs, that amount will be donated to Police Charity in his name. Laurie’s daughter Jan heard about our campaign + immediately donated a very handsome sum towards the fund.
The plan is to donate the medals to the Met Police Museum, where future generations can appreciate officers like Laurie, who have served their country above + beyond the call of duty.
There will be a formal document drawn up, ensuring these medals remain forever in the Police community.
We have always been a team + always will be, even when we are no longer serving. Therefore together we will make this happen to bring those medals + memories home, where they belong.
Please donate to this campaign, all mounts no matter how small are crucial + truly appreciated. I thank you in anticipation xx
Contact will now be made with the Auction House DWN, to determine the final amount required by them. The funds will be transferred into a bank account + then sent by BACs transfer to DWN, to produce an audit trail on ownership. Once the account is settled arrangements will be made for the medals to be collected + stored by the Heritage Centre, until the official handover. Any monies left after the purchase will be divided between Met Police Charities, or discussions may take place on a Commemorative board for all bravery award holders.
A comprehensive document of all donors will be produced, which will be held by the Heritage Centre as provenance
Laurie Scott was called up in 1940 + joined the specialist Parachute regiment. He saw combat in Italy + at Arnhem, where his company were parachuted into intensive fighting, eventually becoming trapped in Oosterbeek Penisular. Laurie fortunately survived, but his company suffered very heavy losses.
He later went onto serve in Palestine, where he was part of a deployment to police the fanatical terrorist groups.....not one for the faint hearted.
After being demobbed in 1946 he joined the Metropolitan Police, where he served at Hornsey, Bow Street, Wood Green + Old Street. Like his military service, he had a very distinguished + interesting career, which included many investigations around serious crime, organised criminality + murder. Most notable was the arrest of 16 members of the infamous Richardson Gang on World Cup day in 1966.
Laurie was awarded the George Medal, the highest order for bravery, after being threatened on numerous occasions by an armed with a loaded firearm, whilst trying to detain him. Without thought for his own life, he continued to pursue the criminal + successfully overpowered him.
After retiring in 1976, the year I joined the job, he became the Civilian CID office manager, where his experience, gravitas, humour + compassion were used to great effect.
He finally fully retired in 1985 + later died at the ripe old age of 90, which makes him a gold card holder of the 30/30 pension club.
Laurie was an amazing character, who was loved by his family + held in the highest esteem by his friends/colleagues. Described as a consummate professional, with a wicked sense of humour + a passion for charity collecting. He even waved the charity box under the nose of a visiting Commissioner!
The response by the Police family has been overwhelming, with many pledges of money. This allowed us to make the decision to bid at auction + we successfully secured the medals for 11,000, plus 28% non negotiable auction fees. The company have been very supportive + I now have 60 days to collect all the pledges. If we receive anything over those costs, that amount will be donated to Police Charity in his name. Laurie’s daughter Jan heard about our campaign + immediately donated a very handsome sum towards the fund.
The plan is to donate the medals to the Met Police Museum, where future generations can appreciate officers like Laurie, who have served their country above + beyond the call of duty.
There will be a formal document drawn up, ensuring these medals remain forever in the Police community.
We have always been a team + always will be, even when we are no longer serving. Therefore together we will make this happen to bring those medals + memories home, where they belong.
Please donate to this campaign, all mounts no matter how small are crucial + truly appreciated. I thank you in anticipation xx
Contact will now be made with the Auction House DWN, to determine the final amount required by them. The funds will be transferred into a bank account + then sent by BACs transfer to DWN, to produce an audit trail on ownership. Once the account is settled arrangements will be made for the medals to be collected + stored by the Heritage Centre, until the official handover. Any monies left after the purchase will be divided between Met Police Charities, or discussions may take place on a Commemorative board for all bravery award holders.
A comprehensive document of all donors will be produced, which will be held by the Heritage Centre as provenance
Organizer
Annie Gooch
Organizer
England