Shropshire Constabulary was the territorial police force responsible for policing rural Shropshire in central England from 1840 until 1967, when it became part of West Mercia Constabulary.
History The Shropshire Constabulary was formed along with borough forces in the towns of Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Much Wenlock and Oswestry. 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. 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 : 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 TewNew Police Chief Gives Up Post. Derby Telegraph. 6 February 1946. p. 8 1946–1962 : Douglas Osmond (later Sir Douglas Osmond) 1962–1967 : Robert George Fenwick 1967 : Merged with other forces to form West Mercia Constabulary
References