The Barnet Eye Advent Calendar - 12th December

Today we are  half way through our advent calendar. We hope you've been enjoying it so far.

Today we feature a perhaps more solemn video than usual for the Advent Calendar, but I am sure you'll agree it is fitting. I think that at this time of year, we should remember those that have to work at Christmas and those that put their lives on the line, every day for us. This reminds us that being  policeman never has and never will be a "safe job".

This is the funeral for murdered Police Constable Nat Edgar. It shows the funeral procession moving slowly along High street to the gates of St. Marylebone Cemetery in Finchley. It featuress the Home Secretary Chuter Ede and Sir Harold Scott, Commissioner of Police. PC Edgar's mother is also present.

If you were wondering how PC Edgar died, here is a report. On 13th February 1948, PC Nathaniel Edgar was on plain-clothes duty in Wades Hill, Winchmore Hill, north London. There had been a string of burglaries in the area and, when he noticed a man acting suspiciously, he stopped and questioned him. People in the area heard the sound of three shots and, when they came to investigate the cause, saw a man running away. They found the policeman lying in the driveway of a house, dying. Before he expired, in hospital an hour later, he managed to tell colleagues that he written down the name and address of his killer, "Thomas, Donald, 247 Cambridge Road, Enfield," in his pocketbook. Brave til his last breath......

Sadly so many brave people in the emergency services are forgotten. Perhaps we can spare a thought for mums everywhere who won't have their sons or daughters at Christmas.

I have several friends who are serving police officers. One suggested that maybe the readers of the Barnet Eye would like to spare a few pounds to support the Police Benevolent fund as part of our Advent Calendar series. Although this is a London wide charity, I am sure we all agree that we should support retired police, their families and dependants who have fallen on hard times. Click here if you would like to donate.

If you would like to have a charity featured, please let us know via a Twitter DM or an email.




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