Edward Thomas Chipp

Having been told that his taxi to take him home was waiting at the door, DCC Chipp, who had seemingly been in good health throughout the evening, was leaving a dinner function to mark the opening of the Gloucester Guildhall, when about 10:50pm, he suddenly became unwell and clutched at the wall as though to save himself from falling.

His knees appeared to buckle beneath him and then, without saying a word, Edward fell to the floor and died.

It transpired that DCC Chipp had, for some time, been suffering from diseases of the kidneys and heart and was aware these conditions could shorten his life.

Edward had been connected with the Constabulary for thirty-three years. He had worked his way up from the ranks, serving as a superintendent in Coleford before, in 1877, becoming the Deputy Chief Constable.

DCC Chipp left a wife and four children, a daughter from his second marriage and three sons from his third marriage, the youngest of whom was just eight months old.