Alfred Biggs Rodaway

Died

7 January 1864

Age

Rank

Police Constable

Force

Newport Harbour Police

Cause

Drowned

Duty Status

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Found drowned on his beat having slipped into the mud near Old Blaina Wharf, Newport Docks.

Roll of Honour Citation

Found drowned on his beat having slipped into the mud near Old Blaina Wharf, Newport Docks.

Circumstances

Having rescued a drunken seaman from the river and took him to the docks Police Station to "sleep it off". He then returned to his beat where he slipped into the water and drowned.

Having rescued a drunken seaman from the river and taken him to the docks Police Station to “sleep it off” PC Rodaway then returned to his beat where he was visited by the duty Sergeant about 3:00pm. Later that afternoon Alfred’s body was found in the mud on the banks of the River Usk near the Old Blaina Wharf at Newport Docks.

Having recovered his body the rescuers noted that his watch had stopped shortly after 4:00pm and they assumed he must have gone in the water within an hour of seeing the Sergeant. The reason for Constable Rodaway being on the river side of the wall and the apparent safety of the path was never established.

An appeal was made to support Alfred’s widow and their ten children, the youngest being only two weeks old. £120 6s 9d was raised to support the family.