A MEMORIAL is to be laid by West Mercia Police officers on the grave of a policeman who was brutally murdered over a century ago, writes Sophie Wheeler.
Officers will be laying a wreath in memory of James Davies at his grave in Beoley Church Grounds, Icknield Street, at 1pm on Thursday, February 28.
For the last ten years an officer from Alvechurch and Wythall police has been maintaining a roadside memorial stone in Weatheroak which marks the spot where his body was found.
Father of three, James Davies was brutally murdered on Saturday, February 28, 1885 by Mosses Shrimpton a well known poacher who had recently been released from the gaols.
Over 130 years since his tragic death PC Davies is to be remembered by Alvechurch, Wythall and Bromsgrove Police to commemorate the death of one of their own.
James was an officer for the Worcestershire Constabulary and was killed while on duty, travelling on foot to meet the Alverchurch constable.
He never made the meeting after being stopped and killed by Shrimpton on Eagle Street Lane who was believed to have been poaching in the early hours from a nearby farm.
Shrimpton had previously served seven years in jail for assaulting another Worcestershire policeman.
When police put together his release and evidence was found, Shrimpton was arrested and later sentenced to death.
He was the last person to be hanged at Worcester Gaol.
PC Davies had last been seen at 2.15am that morning after meeting a Wythall policeman but did not make his next meeting at 4am.
At 8.30am James’ body was found by John Twigg who was on his way to work at Weatheroak Hill farm his body was covered in blood and he was found with slashes and stab wounds all over his face, neck and hands.
A coroner’s inquest found James had defended himself hence the slash to his hands but ultimately died from a severed wind-pipe and cuts to the carotid artery.
Officers, neighbours and mourners set up a memorial fund in his name to help his widow look after their three children and newborn baby, raising £1,408.
Some of the money raised was put towards the roadside memorial which reads ‘JD 1885′.
But the memorial stone had to be replaced by Redditch Police Station after it was vandalised over 20 years ago.
PC Davies’ memory has been kept alive for the last 134 years by Wythall Police who are keen to remember one of their own.