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Incident
Between one and two o’clock in the morning of 23rd December 1856, PC Vaughan and another officer arrested two drunken men for causing a disturbance after being refused entry to a public house in Chester Street, Birkenhead. The officers were escorting the men to the nearby police station when, as they entered Bridge Street, one of the men attempted to escape and a scuffle broke out during which William was stabbed in the chest, with the blade piercing his heart.
PC Vaughan died in the police station about twenty minutes later.
He was survived by his elderly mother and his sister. It was reported that his father had been killed while serving with the Royal Irish Constabulary.
Survivors
He was survived by his elderly mother and his sister.
In Our Keeping
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170 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Constable Vaughan served with the Birkenhead Borough Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Birkenhead Borough Police has lost 11 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 691 officers killed feloniously in ENG, 24.8% of the 2,786 remembered there.
William is one of 1,170 officers killed feloniously in United Kingdom, 30.9% of the 3,791 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1856, 1 officer at Birkenhead Borough Police was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 2.
In 1856, 1 officer in ENG was killed feloniously, the 93rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 147.
In 1856, 1 officer in United Kingdom was killed feloniously, the 133rd heaviest of 216 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 167.
In 1856, 6 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 191st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 25. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Birkenhead Borough Police whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 39; the middle age was 33.
William was 25. Of the 620 killed feloniously in ENG whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36.
William was 25. Of the 1,048 killed feloniously in United Kingdom whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 44; the middle age was 36.
William was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 20% of these deaths at Birkenhead Borough Police; May holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 60%.
December holds 10.3% of these deaths in ENG; May holds the most, 12.4%. Tuesdays: 12.2%.
December holds 8.1% of these deaths in United Kingdom; May holds the most, 12.6%. Tuesdays: 13.5%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Birkenhead Borough Police, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 24.8% of all 2,786 deaths in ENG, the 3rd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 30.9% of all 3,791 deaths in United Kingdom, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Birkenhead Borough Police has 11 officers remembered here, William among them.
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John Matthews Sep 4, 1854
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William Vaughan Dec 23, 1856
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Michael Gandly Sep 24, 1870
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James Davis Sep 29, 1877
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James Goodwin Nov 11, 1879
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James Daley Jun 3, 1923
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Albert Pratt Nov 15, 1937
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John Banister Davies
May 14, 1938
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Archibald James McTavish May 6, 1941
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Herbert Swetnam May 6, 1941
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Albert Lett Jun 28, 1942
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Birkenhead Borough Police are honored on badge.nw.
