STEVE Spencer, the T&A editorial artist, came across the following story in Bradford Daily Telegraph for October 6. 1914.

Under the headline ‘BRADFORD DETECTIVE HERO - KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE - END OF A PROMISING CAREER’, he saw this.

“The Bradford detective force has lost one of its most promising and highly respected members by the death of Maxwell Solomon, who is believed to have been the only Jewish policeman in the country.

“Solomon was formerly in the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, and at the outbreak of hostilities he was called up to accompany the first Expeditionary Force to France.

“He took part in the battles of Mons and on the Marne, and he received wounds on the 17th September from which he succumbed in hospital in France.

“Detective Solomon had a most promising career before him in the Bradford City Police force, for he had already established himself in the confidence of the Chief Constable and the Watch Committee, being appointed to special work.

“He was a linguist of considerable ability and could speak French and German perfectly. Only recently he was highly complimented by the Bradford City Coroner for his efficiency as an interpreter in connection with the death of a French artist in Bradford.

“Solomon was highly respected by the rank and file of the Bradford force, and yesterday the Chief Constable (Mr. Jos. Ferndale) went over to Leeds to convey Bradford’s condolence to his wife, who is residing with her mother in Richmond Road.”

Steve checked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and found the following few details.

Maxwell Solomon, service number 7449, was a private. He reportedly died on September 14, 1914, at the age of 25, although this information does not tally with the newspaper account, which has him wounded on September 17. Discrepancies of this sort were common 100 years ago.

Maxwell Solomon’s wife Mary lived at 2 Harry Crescent, Upper Accommodation Road, Leeds.

l After several years research, Cottingley Village History Society will be revealing what it has managed to find out about the men of the village who served in World War 1.

Remembering Cottingley’s Heroes of WW1, the title of the exhibition at the Cornerstone Centre, Cottingley (BD16 1RP) on November 8 and 9, concerns the lives of between 150 to 170 men. Of these 30 were killed and five received awards for gallantry.

The exhibition will be open from 10am to 4pm on both days. Admission is free.