A MEMORIAL service has been held on the Isle of Man in tribute to a police officer from Oldham who died after a horrific accident during a motorbike race close to 50 years ago.

PC Denis Hamer transferred from Lancashire Constabulary to the Isle of Man Constabulary (IOMC) in 1975, moving to the island with his wife Rosemary.

He had previously served in the RAF for a year from 1968 and he worked in Ormskirk as a police officer from 1969 until his transfer.

Denis and his wife Rosemary moved over to the island to enjoy the quality of life on offer and immediately fell in love with it.

A newspaper article of PC Hamer and his wife Rosemary after they arrived on the Isle of Man

A newspaper article of PC Hamer and his wife Rosemary after they arrived on the Isle of Man

But on September 7, 1976, Denis was on duty at Union Mills for race duties during the Manx Grand Prix motorbike race.

His post was at the Strang Road junction, next to the Methodist church and post office.

Tragically, one of the riders lost control of his motorbike, which struck Denis, fatally injuring him. He was aged 26.

PC Denis Hamer

PC Denis Hamer

Rosemary moved back to the UK not long afterwards and had never revisited the island, the emotions such a visit would evoke being too strong. She has since remarried.

After a public appeal by Isle of Man police's historian online page, the force contacted Rosemary and Denis' nephew, Andy Townsend.

Chief Officer Dean Johnson, the force's historian and head of Special Constabulary, was regularly in touch with the family before arrangements were made to install a memorial plaque in a service.

The memorial service was held at Union Mills Methodist Church, yards from where Denis was killed and where he was initially taken for first aid.

The Reverend Steve Ingrouille, assisted by the IOMC Chaplain, Rev Jo Dudley planned and conducted the short service, which was held in the chapel due to the poor weather.

A piper, former police officer Paul Davenport, played the Manx National anthem and the Royal anthem which added a haunting poignancy to the event.

The IOMC standard was also present, paraded by Special Constable Glyn Harper.

In attendance were members of Denis’ family, Rosemary, her husband Harry, Denis' sister Joyce Townsend and her three sons, Andy, David and Jim along with Jim’s partner, Pauline.

The Lieutenant Governor, Lt Gen Sir John Mortimer KCB; DSO; MBE unveiled the memorial during a brief lull in the rain.

One former officer in attendance said that “standing in the rain for five to 10 minutes was not much to ask, bearing in mind Denis’ sacrifice”.

Also in attendance was the Department of Justice and Home Affairs minister, tJane Poole-Wilson, former and current police officers – many of whom had known Denis and even been on duty that fateful day, former marshals who had been on duty and members of the congregation of Union Mills Methodist Church.

The latter had also prepared a wonderful buffet of homemade cakes, sandwiches and supplied copious amounts of tea and coffee to keep everyone warm.

From left; PC Hamers nephews David Townsend and Andy Townsend, his widow Rosemary Ashton, Rosemarys husband Harry Ashton, Chief Officer Dean Johnson (IOMC historian and head of IOM Special Constabulary), sister Joyce Townsend, Jims partner Pauline

From left; PC Hamer's nephews David Townsend and Andy Townsend, his widow Rosemary Ashton, Rosemary's husband Harry Ashton, Chief Officer Dean Johnson (IOMC historian and head of IOM Special Constabulary), sister Joyce Townsend, Jim's partner Pauline

The plaque

The plaque

Rosemary said: “I was very anxious returning to the island as I haven’t been able to face coming back since Denis was killed. I am so glad I did.

"I now feel a huge sense of relief and feel that I could happily return again”

Joyce added: “I can’t believe just how friendly everyone has been. It has been amazing”

Following the service, Andy said: "It was a good event for everybody to be at. The memorial is at a place where people can go and remember what happened.

"From what I have been told my uncle was really outgoing, helpful and very ambitious."

Andy added that he is glad his mum, Joyce, got the chance to see a memorial for her brother, something Denis' late parents Alice and Jim were not able to see.

He also praised Chief Officer Johnson and his family for helping to make the service possible.

The memorial was produced by island stonemason’s T E Cubbon of Castletown and is made of black granite with gold relief.