All the many corners of the excellent British Transport Police History Group website (1) are worth exploring. None more so than the carefully complied list of those who lost their lives in service and the lists of those who have been honoured by the sovereign for their commendable conduct. Of course the latter list includes those who could expect a ‘gong’ because of their rank or the nature of the job they did, but there can also be found many whose achievements in policing are of the first order. Among them are officers recognised for their bravery, sometimes in the most dreadful of circumstances. One thing that is clear is that in every generation (including the current one) there has never been a shortage of officers who are willing to risk their lives in the execution of their duty. While reading the lists one name struck me: William Charles BRERETON. He was a PC (acting detective) stationed in one of the less glamourous locations on the railway network, namely the Bricklaye