John was appointed by Middlesbrough Borough Police on 10th December 1909 and by the Watch Committee on 23rd December 1909 as PC 8. He was 6 ft tall. From the 23rd December 1909, he was on a probation period of 6 months. John's appointment was confirmed on 27th June 1910 when he became a 4th class PC, then a 3rd Class PC on 25th May 1911 and a 1st class PC on 19th December 1912. On 27th April 1915, John resigned to join HMF and enlisted with the RAMC at Middlesbrough. He was bringing in wounded from devastated woods, ruined villages and trenches when he was killed in action. *** On 14th August 1916, a letter sent by Capt. Snodgrass reads, "He was an ideal serjeant, a man of outstanding gallantry and noble character himself, he was an inspiration to the stretcher bearers who served under him. For fourteen days previous to his death he had led his squad through continuous shellfire, bringing back the wounded in the same cool and cheerful way in which he always acted on such occations. He could not have died a nobler death, but it will be a long time before those of us who were with him at the time will get over the shock of it." On 18th August 1916, a letter from a S/Sjt. of his unit to the Chief Constable reads, "Jack Fawbert was a man respected by all offers, Ncos and men in his unit. He rose from the ranks by sheer ability and devotion to duty. As brave as a lion, he would never order his men to go where he would not go himself. He preferred to lead them, and they would have follwed him to an inserno if necessary. In fact, during the whole period he was out here he went into many an inferno. He was a trusted and faithful conrade, without affectation, and a grand leader of men. When his death occured all officers and men felt that they could do no more. For days they had been working in a hell of shell fire, bringing wounded from the devastated woods, ruined villages and trenches, to the dressing station, and the srain was beginning to tell. Jack Fawberts death put the finishing touch to all. Men do not often give way to grief, but on this occasion those who had worked like heroes for days and days without faltering, absolutely broke down. It was a terrible blow to us all." On 28th September 1916, The CC reported to the Watch Committee that ex PC Fawbert, a Serjeant in the R.A.M.C. had been KIA on the 24th July 1916. The WC had under consideration the question of granting a gratuity, but the deceased ex PC had no dependants. The Committee ordered that the rateable deductions contributed by the deceased constable to the Police Pension fund be refunded to the legatees named in the will. [Information researched and provided by John Grainger]