History of Burnham-on-Crouch

Burnham-on-Crouch, Town Steps c1965
Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection.

History of Burnham-on-Crouch >> Burnham-on-Crouch Snippets

Burnham-on-Crouch Snippets

When researching for this website we often find a little snippet of information on a location or subject which may be of interest. Here's one for Burnham-on-Crouch.

Ipswich Journal 5 April 1851

A Policeman Accidently Drowned

On Saturday evening last, E.J. Wilmore, one of the Essex Constabulary force, whilst employed on the Crouch river, at Burnham, in the protection of the oyster fishery, was drowned by the upsetting of a boat. An inquest was held on the body at the Anchor Inn, Burnham ... when it appeared from the evidence of John Pryor, who saw the accident, that the deceased was in his own boat about a mile below the town, with the sails set, the wind blowing very hard at the same time, when a sudden squall filled the boat, and it went down under him; he (Pryor) immediately went to render assistance, but Willmore sank when he was just within a few yards of him.

The jury returned a verdict " Accidently drowned". The unfortunate occurrence is deeply lamented as the deceased bore a most excellent character, and was the support of an aged mother , a widow. He was one of the several constables appointed by the chief constable ... and paid for by the Burnham Oyster Company, for the protection of their property.