Henry G E Speake

Died

3 August 1937

Age

Rank

Police Constable

Force

Shrewsbury Borough Police

Cause

Drowned

Duty Status

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Drowned as he suffered cold water shock when he entered the River Severn while pursuing three youths.

Roll of Honour Citation

Drowned as he suffered cold water shock when he entered the River Severn while pursuing three youths.

Circumstances

Three youths who were missing from the Saltersford Training School, Holmes Chapel were caught by Constables Speake and Meredith. As they were escorting the boys back they again ran off. Both Constables pursued the youths, after nearly a mile of running one of the boys entered the River Severn and Constable Speake immediately went in after him but immediately began to suffer the cold water shock which subsequently proved fatal.

After running nearly a mile, PC Speake entered the River Severn while pursuing three youths who had earlier been reported missing from the Saltersford Training School in Holmes Chapel.

The boys had previously been caught by Henry and another officer but as they were being escorted back, the boys again ran off with one entering the river in an attempt to escape.