Gloucestershire Constabulary

<span class="wrapper"><p>(See Q/Y1/6/William Morris for form of recommendation and appointment to the Gloucester Constabulary force, 1884-1885, and Q/Y4/4/16 for pages from the Gloucestershire Constabulary register of charges and copy photograph of Morris, 1895)</p> <p>(See Q/Y7/37 for programme of memorial service for Edward George James at Mitcheldean Church on 22 April 1968)</p></span>

(Acc. 8746) Documents donated by Mr G Sindrey, 31 Newland Street, Coleford GL16 8AJ, 23 November 2000

The photograph of Sergeant Morris was given to Mr Sindrey by Morris's granddaughter, Mrs N Virgo. Sergeant William Morris was stoned to death on the morning of 10 November 1895. Sergeant Morris and Police Constable Cornelius Harding were on duty at Viney Hill in the Forest of Dean when they came across a party of drunken foresters from the Whitecroft and Pillowell district of West Dean. These men had been to Blakeney stopping at various public houses on the way home. The sergeant and constable remonstrated with them and a fight ensued, during which both officers were struck down by stones, then the men ran off. P.C. Harding regained consciousness but Sergeant Morris was found to be dead, having received a fractured skull and broken neck. Three young colliers were arrested and charged with the murder of Sergeant Morris and the attempted murder of P.C. Harding and were later convicted of manslaughter. They were James Morgan (aged 24), George Morgan (aged 19) and George Hill (aged 18). Sergeant Morris was 32 years old at the time of his death and had served for over 10 years in the force. He left a widow and three small children. There was a great deal of public sympathy and a subscription fund was set up which raised the sum of £1084 after expenses. Sergeant Morris was buried at Lydney churchyard on 13 November 1895.

The certificate of service of Constable James was given to Mr Sindrey by James's daughter, Mrs Joan Rooum. Police Constable Edward George James was born in Leckhampton on 22 October 1892 and joined the Gloucestershire Constabulary on 1 May 1919. He was constable in charge at Mitcheldean during the early 1930s and at Newnham-on-Severn throughout the 1940s. He was pensioned on completion of service on 31 January 1949 when his conduct was described as exemplary.

The background information given above was taken from The history of the Gloucestershire Constabulary 1839-1985 by Harry Thomas (Gloucester, 1987)