John Richard Hoult

Killed while on foot patrol at Avonmouth Docks, Bristol, when the rear wall of Transit Shed No. 1 collapsed on top of him and crushed him to death. He is the only member of the force known to have lost his life on duty.

He was born in Bristol and served in the 4th (City of Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment – the “Glosters” before joining the Port of Bristol Police where he served for six years. He left behind a wife and two daughters.

In 2021 a plaque to commemorate the death in service of PC John Hoult, a Dockyard Policeman, was unveiled by the Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol.