George Catt

Died

:

31 May 1838

Age

:

30

Rank

:

Special Constable

Force

:

Parish of Boughton

Cause

:

Accident

Duty Status

:

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Accidentally shot dead by the military while helping to suppress a riotous mob during the Battle of Bossenden Wood in Dunkirk, Kent.

Following the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, the sufferings of impoverished agricultural labourers in Kent had significantly worsened.

Led by John Nichols Tom, a Cornish merchant who had been imprisoned for perjury, had spent three years in Kent County Lunatic Asylum and who claimed to be Sir William Courtenay, a group of farmers and agricultural labourers marched around the countryside in protest.

Mindful of the Swing Riots of 1830, a local magistrate issued a warrant for Courtenay’s arrest and a large group of men, consisting of a few police officers and hundreds of soldiers, was despatched to make the arrest and disperse the protesters.

The two groups confronted each other in Bossenden Wood and during the short battle that ensued, eight rioters, one solider and Special Constable Catt were killed.