Frederick Hale

On 6th June 1904, Sergeant Hale, a non-swimmer, was found drowned in the Gloucester and Berkeley Ship Canal near Hempsted Bridge, six days after going missing while on foot patrol.

It was believed that he had tripped over one of the mooring rings and fallen in. Frederick was last seen as he dismissed an officer from his duty at midnight on 31st May but he failed to meet another officer at 1:00am as arranged.

The first Constable said he met Sergeant Hale near The Avenue Hotel and they walked together as far as the Bristol Road Sub-Station, where Frederick remarked “It is 12 o’clock now and you can go home”.

The location where Frederick’s body was discovered was considered to be very dangerous due to the ropes and chains on the embankment and had he shouted for help nobody would have heard him.

Frederick had served for almost twenty-two years, having joined the force on 8th June 1882. He was promoted to Sergeant on 1st June 1901.