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

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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

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* 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 : Captain 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

## References

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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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