03/09/2026
PC Cyril Nelson Read was tragically killed alongside police colleagues and wardens whilst heroically leading more than 400 people to safety on 13 March 1941 during the Blitz.
They were evacuating residents from shelters in St Anne’s School, Chatham Place, L7 where a parachute mine had been dropped and was precariously suspended in the rafters. Just after the last person was led out the bomb detonated, killing the rescuers and destroying the school and surrounding buildings.
Cyril was buried at Anfield Cemetery. His colleagues presented his widow Muriel with this inscribed truncheon. The inscription on the plaque on the truncheon reads:
"From members of B Division Liverpool City Police as a token of respect of their late comrade Con 73 "B" Reid (sic) killed on duty, March 1941"
The truncheon was donated to the Museum of Liverpool's collection by Cyril's family.
Find out more about PC Cyril Nelson Read's story and other survivors stories from the Liverpool Blitz; https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/museum-of-liverpool/blitz/more-stories-liverpool-blitz --police-constable-cyril-nelson-read