Military Provost Staff Corps

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Soldier Details:
Surname: Whitehead
Initials:   A.
Rank:   Lance Corporal
Army No.:  P/994
Notes:   MMP. Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals. First served abroad (1) France, 24/8/1915. Class Z Reserve 11/5/1919. He enlisted 1/2/91 in the 2 Dragoon Guards, No. 3791, age 18.8 years, occupation Plumber and served 11 years and 26 days. Served Home 1/2/91 to 30/11/93, India 1/12/93 to 26/10/94, Egypt 27/10/94 to 3/11/96, Home 4/11/96 to 2/11/98, Home 3/11/98 to 8/2/00, South Africa 9/2/00 to 24/8/02, Home 25/8/02 to 5/4/03, Army Reserve 6/4/03 to 30/11/03. He re enlisted 6/2/15 in the MMP, aged 41.10 years, occupation Police Constable, address: 1 Police Buildings, South Shields. Served Home 6/2/15 to 23/8/15, BEF 24/8/15 to 11/4/19, Home 12/4/19 to 11/5/19, 12/5/19 to class Z reserve. Info from Pension Index Cards:- 2/MW/1466. Whitehead, Alfred, MMP, P/994, L/Cpl, 11/5/19 to discharge, born 1873, married, 1 Police Buildings, South Shields. 2/5/19 pension commenced, disability injury to left knee, attrib. Dormant. Also:- Whitehead, Alfred, MMP, L/Cpl P/994, 37982, 2DG, DEAD 9/1/25, 11/5/19 to discharge, 2/MW/1466. Stamp: Ad 10/5/19 at 8/8 from 12/5/19 until further notice, Chelsea no. Z/MMP/1621, received 12/5/19. Alfred Whitehead.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (3)
  1. Decoration:   Queen's South Africa Medal Gazette Date: 1901-09-01 Gazette Issue: WO 100/113 Gazette Page: 119
Citation:   Clasps: Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, Cape Colony, Orange Free State. Awarded as Pte 6 Dragoons Guards, No. 3791. Remarks: Reserve 2 Dragoon Guards.
  2. Decoration:   King's South Africa Medal Gazette Date: 1903-12-03 Gazette Issue: WO 100/302 Gazette Page: 140
Citation:   Clasps: South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902. Awarded as Pte 6 Dragoon Guards, No. 3791, Remarks: Reserve 2 Dragoon Guards.
  3. Decoration:   Commendation Gazette Date: 1916-04-20 Gazette Issue: Police Review Gazette Page: page 190
Citation:   Police Review 20/4/1916 page 190. Brave South Shields Constable. Lance Corporal Whitehead, of the South Shields Police, who is serving in France with the Military Mounted Police, has earned by his bravery the warm praise of his commanding officer. In a report the latter wrote:- “His example of absolute fearlessness and calm under very trying conditions undoubtedly helped to prevent panic among a large civil population and assisted materially the work of the Army. Lance Corporal Whitehead was proceeding down -------- road to relieve Corporal Westropp when shelling commenced. He went to Westropp’s assistance and helped him in the duties he performed. He also patrolled shops, the windows of which were broken, exposing goods, and moved soldiers standing outside the shops away from them to prevent either looting or charges of looting. He investigated and reported to APM a case of looting involving the theft from a damaged shop of 400 francs which had been in a cash box, but the troops were not in any way involved.” The Chief Constable of South Shields is very gratified that one of his force should have so distinguished himself, and he brought the report of Lance Corporal Whitehead's commanding officer before the Committee, which put on record their appreciation of his exemplary donduct.