Category: Public Relations

Wednesday, July 30 marks the 170^th anniversary of the death of the first police officer from Surrey Constabulary killed in the line of duty.

Deputy Commissioner, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, joined serving and retired police officers, town councillors and local residents to commemorate Inspector William Donaldson. 

The memorial service, held annually on the last Sunday of July on Memorial Green in Haslemere, was also attended by Inspector Donaldson’s great-great-grandchildren, Jane Matthews and Henry Pelham.

Cllr Jacquie Keen MBE, Deputy Mayor of Haslemere, led the service alongside Rev Justin Manley-Cooper and Chair of the Police Remembrance Trust, Rev David Wilbraham.

‘Hero of Haslemere’

Inspector William Donaldson, known as the ‘Hero of Haslemere,’ was violently attacked in Haslemere town centre by a group of railway labourers known as navvies on the night of the July 29 1855. 

Donaldson, along with Constable James Freestone, had been patrolling pubs in the area to check that they were closing in time for the Sabbath. 

Arriving at The King’s Arms, they found a group of navvies celebrating receipt of their fortnightly wages.  When Inspector Donaldson told them to leave, most of them complied except for Thomas Woods, who took offence to having to be forced to depart. 

Groups of navvies were still milling about the town, and when the officers told them to disperse, a brawl started.

During the scuffles, one of the mob, David Smith, was arrested and taken to the town’s lock-up. Angered by the arrest, a group of 30 navvies marched up to Market House – now known as Haslemere Town Hall – and the location of where their friend was being held, demanding his release. 

‘Murder, murder’

When Inspector Donaldson refused, Thomas Woods hit him over the head with an iron bar, causing him to fall to the ground, where he was kicked and stamped on by other attackers in the mob. Constable Freestone was also badly injured but was saved by two local residents who heard his cry of “murder, murder” and came to help. 

Inspector Donaldson was taken to his home, where it is believed that upon seeing his wife Janet at the door, whispered: “My dear wife, I am dying.” These were to be his last words.

Inspector Donaldson died at 3am on July 30 1855 due to a fracture of his skull. He was 47.

‘An honour’

The Deputy Commissioner said: “It was an honour to be present at the service to pay my respects and commemorate Inspector Donaldson.

“He is, rightly, remembered now as the ‘Haslemere Hero’ for his dedication to keeping the town safe, for which he made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Remembering William and the bravery shown by him and his colleagues that night brings a stark reminder of the threats our officers still face to this day.

“We remember William alongside the 26 other Surrey officers who have died in the line of duty since, and I am incredibly grateful to the wonderful officers serving our county today, wearing their uniform with pride whilst keeping Surrey safe.

“As with William and James on July 29 1855, our officers continue to run towards danger in order to protect our communities, and I know that William’s sense of service lives on in Surrey Police today.”

‘So proud’

Inspector Donaldson’s great-great-grandson Henry Pelham, 83, said: “He makes me feel so proud, it still brings a lump to my throat.

“There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t mention his name.”

At the service, Henry Pelham presented a cheque for £1,100 to Rev David Wilbraham in support of the Police Remembrance Trust from the proceeds of his book, Inspector William Donaldson 1807 – 1855, The First Surrey Police Officer to be killed in the Line of Duty.

The Police Remembrance Trust is custodian of the UK Police Roll of Honour and records the name of almost 5,000 officers who have died on duty.  There are 27 Surrey police officers recorded on the Roll.