| Surname: | Plummer |
| Initials: | F G |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | P/1854 |
| Notes: | MFP. From Ringmer. Awarded the 1915 Star, Victory and War Medals. First served abroad (1) France, 11/10/1915. Formerly a Police Constable in the Sussex Constabulary. He enlisted in 1915 and served in Rouen, Boulogne, Ypres, Balieul, Armentieres, Albert and Arras before going to Behtune and Lille. After the Germans had evacuated Lille L/Cpl Plummer was the first man of the Allied Armies to enter the City and was carried shoulder high by the inhabitants of Lille. He later married a girl from Lille, Mdlle. Catteau. On the 10th anniversary of the liberation Sunday, 14 October 1928 Mr Plummer was invited back to Lille and was presented with a special gold medal by the city. The medal is of artistic design. on one side it is inscribed " Ville de Lille" and it bears in imposing relief, the head and shoulders of La Deesse. In the background is a representation of the magnificent building, La Bourse, and at the foot is a shield bearing the arms of Lille. On the reverse side Oak and laurel leaves for the only decoration and there is the inscription: " A Frederick George Plummer. 14 October 1928. The medal in solid gold is the size of a 5 shilling piece, only 2 others have been awarded, 1 to the French President and the other to a prominent French Politician. Mr Plummer is the only Englishman to received this honour. (Info from local Sussex newspapers via RMP Museum). Extract from the Sussex Agricultural Express, 23/10/32 RETIREMENT OF PC PLUMMER. Next Monday, PC Frederick George Plummer of Chailey, retires from East Sussex Constabulary after 25 years service, including four years with the Military Foot Police during the war. PC Plummer has been stationed at Chailey for the past nine years, and during that time the painstaking and conscientious manner in which he has performed his duties has earned the esteem of the inhabitants. On Friday, at the Boys' Heritage Craft School, in the presence of the boys and staff, he was presented with a leather suitcase on behalf of the Heritage. The presentation was made by Leonard Vaughan, who made the case. Mrs Kimmins, OBE expressed their appreciation of the services PC Plummer had rendered. one of PC Plummer's most cherished possessions is a solid gold medal with which he was presented by the City of Lille, Belgium, on October 14th 1928. The presentation took place in connection with the tenth anniversary of the vacation of Lille by the German Army in the closing stages of the war. The German Army retreated before the final great onslaught of the Allied Armies, and left the city on October 14th 1919. Before retreating they blew up the bridge leading into the city, and the English troops worked all night to replace it. Mr. Plummer who was then serving with the Military Foot Police, was the first English soldier to cross the bridge and enter the Grand Place. it was to celebrate this event that Mr Plummer was presented with the gold medal by the major of Lille. For a year after the Armistice, Mr Plummer remained in Lille, and married a French lady. Mr Plummer, who is a Sussex man, having been born at Ringmer, will continue to reside at Chailey, and as from the first of next moth will act as Chailey Common Ranger. Extract from the Sussex Agricultural Express 4 November 1932. Chailey Policeman's Retirement. Police Constable Frederick George Plummer, who has been stationed at Chailey since January, 1923 retired on Monday, after having completed over 25 years service in the East Sussex Constabulary. Joining the Force in June, 1907, Mr Plummer has also served at Lewes, Newhaven, Robertsbridge, Bexhill and Crowborough, and had a distinguished career with the Military Foot Police during the Great War and was the first English soldier to enter Lille after the Germans had been driven out in 1918. To celebrate this , he was presented with a solid god medal by the city of Lille in 1928. Mr Plummer will continue to reside at Chailey, where he has been appointed Common Ranger. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Belgian Croix de Guerre (London Gazette: 30792 Page: 8182 July 12, 1918) |
| Citation: | France & Flanders. |