Walter Creech (1852 - 1883)

Born 1852 in Bampton, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Mary (Richards) Creech — married 1881 in Devon, England

Died 29 Jul 1883 at about age 31 in Barnstaple, Devon, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

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.

Burial

St. George's Churchyard, Georgeham, North Devon District, Devon, England^[4]

Inscription:

IN LOVING MEMORY

OF

P.C. WALTER CREECH

WHO DIED

IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTY

JULY 29TH 1883

AGED 31 YEARS

YE KNOW NOT WHAT SHALL BE ON THE MORROW. JAMES IV 14.

Sources

1. ↑ "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2NW6-LHJ : 1 October 2014), Walter Creech, 1852; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Tiverton, Devon, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
2. ↑ "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DRB-WGY : 22 May 2014), Walter Creech, 1881; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1881, quarter 1, vol. 5B, p. 664, Barnstaple, Devon, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
3. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2JF9-37F : 31 December 2014), Walter Creech, 1883; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Barnstaple, Devon, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/151546622/walter-creech), memorial page for Walter Creech (unknown–29 Jul 1883), Find a Grave Memorial no. 151546622, citing St. George's Churchyard, Georgeham, North Devon District, Devon, England ; Maintained by Gravely Obsessed (contributor 46872796) .

• "British Newspaper Archives, Obituaries," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q269-4TC7 : 18 March 2018), Walter Creech, 06 Nov 1883; citing Obituary, Exeter, Devon, England, United Kingdom, page 0005, Records extracted by FindMyPast and images digitized by FamilySearch. The British Library, London; FHL microfilm 102,001,280.

• http://www.policerollofhonour.org.uk/forces/england/devon+cornwall/devon+cornwall_roll.htm

Census Records

• "England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M71X-W4Y : 11 December 2017), Walter Creech in household of Thomas Creech, Bampton W Quarter, Devonshire, England; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census,"

• "England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27X-8J7K : 13 December 2017), Walter Creech, Georgeham, Devon, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census,"