THE first Surrey policeman to be killed in the line of duty was remembered by Haslemere Town Council at a special ceremony last Sunday.

Inspector William Donaldson – ‘The hero of Haslemere’ – was fatally injured on July 28, 1855, during a riot, when a group of drunken navvies stormed the town hall, where a rioter he had arrested was held.

The inspector was battered to death while defending the hall and his heroism is still remembered thanks to the efforts of a local historian, the late Jeff Harwood, who came across the records of his death in 1984.

They revealed that in the subsequent trial the perpetrators escaped with charges of manslaughter but were transported to serve their sentences in Australia.

The 44-year-old inspector’ widow and five children, who had lived in the house now known as Old Coppers in the Petworth Road, left the area shortly afterwards.

Since 1984 a group of stalwarts, including retired and serving police officers, meet up on the last Sunday in July for a short ceremony outside the town hall.

A memorial plaque was placed on the building in 1994 and guests at the annual ceremony traditionally walk around the town hall three times in tribute.

Special guest at Sunday’s ceremony included the inspector’s great, great grandson Henry Pelham, who came with his wife Jean, Superintendent Duncan Greenhalgh, Waverley Deputy Mayor Simon Inchbald and Cranleigh Parish Council chairman Mary Foryszewski.

Haslemere Mayor Sahran Abeysundara described the events of the fateful night, Mr Pelham revealed more about the life of his heroic ancestor, and Supt Greenghalgh explained what police work involves to keep the public safe today.

The mayor then led a procession three times around the town hall, once for Inspector Donaldson, once for Constable Freestone and once for Dr Bishopp.

Both men risked their lives to assist the inspector on the night.