Shropshire Constabulary

Shropshire Constabulary was the territorial police force responsible for policing rural Shropshire in central England from 1840[1] until 1967, when it became part of West Mercia Constabulary.[2]

History

The Shropshire Constabulary was formed along with borough forces in the towns of Shrewsbury,[3] Bridgnorth,[4] Ludlow,[5] Much Wenlock[6] and Oswestry.[7] In the early years they were known as ‘Paddy Mayne’s grasshoppers’ and rabbits because the first Chief Constable was Irish and the constables wore green uniforms.[8] The headquarters were at 27, Swan Hill, Shrewsbury.

In 1947 the Shropshire Constabulary absorbed Shrewsbury Borough Constabulary. On 1 October 1967 the Shropshire Constabulary was amalgamated with the Worcestershire Constabulary, Herefordshire Constabulary and Worcester City Police to form the West Mercia Constabulary, later the West Mercia Police.

Chief Constables
  • 1840–1859 : John Dawson Mayne (first Chief Constable of Shropshire)
  • 1859–1864 : Captain Philip Henry Crampton
  • 1864–1866 : Colonel Edward B. Cureton
  • 1866-1889 : Colonel R. J. Edgell
  • 1890–1905 : Captain George Williams Freeman
  • 1905–1908 : Major Llewellyn William Atcherley (later Sir Llewellyn Acherley)
  • 1908–1914 : Gerard Lysley Derriman (killed in action, World War I, 1915)
  • 1916–1918 : A. Wood-Acton
  • 1918–1935 : Major Jack Becke
  • 1935–1946 : Lt Colonel Harold A. Golden
  • 1946–1962 : Douglas Osmond (later Sir Douglas Osmond)
  • 1962–1967 : Robert George Fenwick
  • 1967 : Merged with other forces to form West Mercia Constabulary

References
  1. "British Police History". british-police-history.uk. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  2. "Conservation of West Mercia Police records – Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service". www.explorethepast.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  3. "Shropshire Constabulary and Shrewsbury Borough Police - WW2". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  4. Council, Shropshire. "Shropshire Community Directory - West Mercia Police (Bridgnorth)". search3.openobjects.com. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  5. Neal, Toby. "Former Shropshire police chief dies at 95". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  6. Smith, Rory. "Coronavirus: Police increase patrols after lockdown breaches in Bridgnorth, Oswestry and Much Wenlock". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  7. Johnstone, Janet (2016-08-31). Oswestry and Whitchurch in the Great War. Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-4738-4385-1.
  8. "Shropshire Constabulary, 1859". Shropshire Archives. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  9. New Police Chief Gives Up Post. Derby Telegraph. 6 February 1946. p. 8
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