Harry Leslie Stanton

PC Stanton was last seen alive about 6:20pm on the evening of 28th January 1929 but after failing to meet another police officer at 7:00pm as planned, a search was established to locate him.

Shortly after midnight his body was found on the railway line at the foot of a steep embankment near the entrance to Netherton tunnel, though his beat would not have normally have given him reason to enter the railway system.

He was found lying on his back having sustained a serious head injury but still had hold of his truncheon across his chest. His trousers were ripped, his coat collar had been torn and a button was missing.

With conflicting medical opinions regarding whether PC Stanton had been the victim of foul play or had been struck by a train, the inquest into his death recorded an open verdict.

Having joined the police in May 1926 Harry had been an officer for more than two-and-a-half years. He was due to be married in March.