George Bertram Mussell KPM

Died

:

15 April 1913

Age

:

30

Rank

:

Police Constable

Force

:

Northumberland County Constabulary

Cause

:

Homicide - Shot

Duty Status

:

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Shot and killed after entering an inn to quell a disturbance. Posthumously awarded the King’s Police Medal for Gallantry.

On 6th April 1913 it was noted that £45 was missing from the accounts of the Sun Inn.

Nine days later, on 15th April, a heated argument over the money led to police being called to the inn. The owner was there with the new landlord and his wife, the owner intending to evict the current landlord due to the accounting errors and stock discrepancies.

PC George Mussell from Bedlington Police Station was sent to resolve the matter and although he was meant to be off duty he did the extra extra shift as a favour.

At the pub the disturbance escalated and the current landlord being evicted produced a shotgun and shot PC Mussell twice.

Sergeant Andrew Barton, on patrol nearby, heard the gunfire and rushed to the scene. He knew the landlord well and tried to reason with him but he was also shot twice. A third person, the wife of the pub’s new landlord, was also shot dead.

Posthumously awarded the King’s Police Medal for Gallantry.