Shropshire Constabulary Explained

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
  • 5 February 1946–6 February 1946 : Anthony Tew^[9]
• 1946–1962 : Douglas Osmond (later Sir Douglas Osmond)
• 1962–1967 : Robert George Fenwick
• 1967 : Merged with other forces to form West Mercia Constabulary

Notes and References

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