Cambridgeshire

Police

History

Notes

Policing the Borough of Wisbech in the Isle of Ely

| Introduction | Superintendent Burke and the Wisbech Watch Committee | Biography William Martin Burke |

Short Biography of William Martin Burke, Superintendent Wisbech, 1859-60

William Martin Burke born 10 Oct 1816 at Loughrea, Co Galway, Ireland, the son of Thomas Burke, gentleman

Served as a soldier in the 45th Foot for 5 years, 1838 - 1843

4 Feb 1845 married Charlotte Flatt, daughter of Joshua Flatt tailor, at St John the Evangelist, Smith Square, Westminster. William was a warder at Millbank Prison and they were living at 8 Grosvenor Street. His father, Thomas Burke, gentleman, was by this time deceased.

Served in the Metropolitan Police for 4 yrs

1851 Census William Burke, age 32, living at the lock up, Upton cum Chalvey, Buckinghamshire, Occupation "Supt Police" born Ireland, Galway. Wife Charlotte, 28 yrs, b 1823 Diss Norfolk, daughter Maria 6yrs b 1845 Diss Norfolk, son Bryon age 2yrs b 1849 Clerkenwell, son Walter age 1 year b. 1850 Clerkenwell. William served for a year as a Superintending Constable in Buckinghamshire.

4 April 1853 Pontefract Quarter Sessions West Riding, William Martin Burke appointed Superintending Constable for Division of Lower Osgoldcross, West Riding, at an annual salary of £125

East Riding Archives Finding No DDCL/233/97. Information and complaint of William Martin Burke of Goole against John Turner of Killingley, farmers' son, 1 Mar 1855, At Beal, otherwise Beaghall, parish Kellington, trespass in search of game on land occupied by John Poskitt, farmer, owned by Lord Cannock

9 Aug 1855 at Hull, William Martin Burke, widower, Supt of police, resident at Snaith, married Jane Newbold née Harris, age 42, living at Bridge Street Hull, a widow, daughter of a land agent John Harris.

West Riding Constabulary Inspector and Superintendent examination books:
William Martin Burke one of the first officers appointed to the newly formed West Riding Constabulary, appointed 1st Jan 1857, posted initially to Lower Osgoldcross where he had been the Superintending Constable, 1st May 1857 posted to Staincross. In 1857 described as 5ft 8in, fair complexion, blue eyes.

26 Nov 1858 married Sarah Holdsworth spinster from Cudworth, at Roystone Yorks. Gave occupation as Superintendent of police, living at Barnsley.

10 April 1859 resigned from West Riding Force

May 1859 moved from Barnsley to head Wisbech Borough Police as a Superintendent

November 1860 Resigned from Wisbech Borough Police. Last seen leaving Wisbech to go to Cambridge

Reputed to have gone to Nova Scotia, but no trace found of William and his family from this point onwards

(Probably not connected) - In the 1861 census Jane Newbald, resident in Hull, age 50, 2 children Eliza 23 and Frederic A 21yrs. Husband Robert Newbald aged 61 occupation railway co's agent. No trace of William Martin Burke in the 1861 or 1871 census returns.

This page was last modified: 06 November 2025, 15:10

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