Constable Robert CAMPBELL (46)

05 Nov 1863
City of Glasgow Police

PC Campbell died after he was assaulted by a drunken male who was acting suspiciously in a common close. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Late in the evening of the 4^th November 1863, two women were dropping the shop keys off to their employer, Mrs Brown a fruiterer who had premises in Glassford Street, Glasgow. Mrs Brown lived a short walk away at 30 Stockwell Street and access was via a ‘pend’ into a courtyard which gave access to the rear of a spirit merchants and led to a common close.

‘It being very dark, there being no gas on the stair’, one of them almost fell over someone causing her to scream loudly and both to run back out onto the street.

PC Robert Campbell was across the street and asked ‘Hilloa miss, what’s ado with you?’ They explained there was someone on the stairs, so he went back with them to see who was there.

Shining his lantern, he saw a man slumped part way up the stairs and lit the way for the women to pass safely. He then spoke to the male, remarking that it was a strange place to be sitting and questioned him further on why he was there.

A few minutes later the two women heard a police whistle and the sounds of a commotion in the close. One resident, Margaret Fullerton heard a bang at her front door and when she went out onto the landing saw a police lantern lying on the floor. She saw Constable Campbell on his back fighting with a man who was kneeling on top of him with his hands around the officers’ throat. Margaret immediately went to the constables’ assistance and the accused made off down the close and apparently made good his escape.

PC Campbell needed a few moments to compose himself, and Margaret told him not to go after the accused as he was obviously too strong for him. Campbell said he would be looking for him on his beat and left. Margaret Fullarton later gave evidence that, soon after he left, she heard a further commotion and PC Campbell cry ‘Murder’!

It would appear the accused had waited for PC Campbell in the dark courtyard and had attacked him, but by the time other witnesses came to his assistance Campbell had the accused under control.

PC Campbell was suffering from an injury to his head, was ‘quite exhausted’ and had someone blow his whistle for him.

Three detectives answered the call for assistance and took the accused into custody while PC Campbell, although starting to show signs of weakness down one side, went looking for the two original witnesses. When he failed to return, the Detective Officers went looking for him and found him lying in the dark courtyard. They commandeered a passing cab and had him conveyed to a Doctor, who advised cold water cloths be placed on his head, then home.

PC Campbell later took a turn for the worse and the doctor was called out at 4am, when he brought leeches to try to relieve the pressure. Unfortunately, on arrival he found there was nothing further to be done. PC Campbell died just before 7am on 5^th November.

The accused, an ex-soldier who had served with the 78^th Highlanders, was subsequently tried for murder before Lord Neaves. Medical evidence showed PC Campbell had died of bleeding in his brain, but under cross-examination the Doctors were unable to rule out a predisposition to such an injury. The defence claimed it was ‘natural apoplexy’ and the accused denied any recollection of the incident, stating he had been drunk and asleep the whole time. The charge of murder was subsequently withdrawn by the Advocate Depute and the accused was convicted of Culpable Homicide.

Constable Robert Campbell was 46 years of age and had about 13 years’ police service. A native of Ayr, he was married and had 4 children.  The youngest, his only daughter was just 5 years old. He had been seriously assaulted on duty 4 or 5 years previously and his wife Agnes was of the opinion that it had affected his health, leaving him physically weaker than before.

It obviously didn’t affect his courage though.

PC Campbell’s name is inscribed on the Scottish Police Memorial and will never be forgotten.

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