Pc Charles William Alger of Great Yarmouth Borough Police was shot on 18th. August 1909 when he was called to St Andrew's Road in Gorleston, Norfolk to reports of a man assaulting his wife. There he was shot in the neck at point blank range by Thomas Allen, a 56-year-old rat catcher, poacher and known thief. The force of the blast blew off Pc Alger's police number badge (37) from his tunic's collar.
PC Alger was taken to hospital but he died later the same day.
Allen was found guilty of Pc Alger's murder and was sentenced to death, but he was later declared insane and reprieved. He spent the rest of his days in Broadmoor psychiatric hospital in Berkshire. He died in 1920
Pc Alger is believed to be the only Norfolk officer murdered on duty. He was 37 years old and left a wife and four children under the age of ten.
Pc Alger's grave is in Gorleston's old cemetery.
Written and performed by Matthew Ceiley
Thanks to Martin Swany for the inspiration
1 окт 2024
