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Walter was born in 1852. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Creech. [1]
UK Census Date 1861: Living with his parents, five siblings and one visitor in Thirston New Road, Bampton W Quarter, Devonshire, England. Aged 9 and a scholar.
Walter married Mary Richards in 1881 in Barnstaple, Devon, England.[2]
UK Census Date 1881: Living with his wife Mary in Georgeham, Devon, England. Aged 28.
Occupation: Constable Of Devon Constabulary
On 29 July 1883 Police Constable Walter Creech was involved in an altercation with a Mr George Geen. He had warned George Geen for causing a disturbance; he was then fatally stabbed by Mr Geen.
"It was a Saturday evening about 7 o'clock and George Geen was in the King's Arms, a public house near the Church. After several glasses of beer he seemed to be making somewhat of a noise so that the constable came in and asked him to be quiet as he could be heard all over the village. George asked him to have a glass of beer, but the reply was, "Not from the likes of you." This seemed to have annoyed George who became abusive and a friend of his, Mr Bale, tried to quieten him down and took him home. George remarked to Mr Bale that he had a knife at home and he would kill the **** (referring to the constable). George left his home shortly afterwards and was seen in conversation with a villager. The policeman was passing and put his hand on George's shoulder and advised him to go home. Thereupon George made a feint at the constable with a stick and drew a knife from his pocket, thrusting it into the policeman's left side. P.C. Creech foiled him and walked home, only to die the next morning at 6.00 a.m. After the attack George walked home and about the village, knife in hand and threatened to kill other persons. He was arrested and taken to Braunton for the night.
On Monday 8th November 1883 the case came before Mr Baron Muddlestone and the prison surgeon, Mr Caird, reported that George Geen was in such a bad state of health that he was unfit to take his trial that day and thought that he was breaking up. In the afternoon the surgeon reported that the prisoner had died."
Walter was just 31 years of age when he was murdered by George Geen.[3]
His killer died while awaiting trial for his murder.
St. George's Churchyard, Georgeham, North Devon District, Devon, England[4]
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Categories: St George's Churchyard, Georgeham, Devon | Murder Victims | Constables