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Byrnes Memorial, Plumpton
locality:-   Plumpton
civil parish:-   Hesket (formerly Cumberland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   memorial
coordinates:-   NY49643705
1Km square:-   NY4937
10Km square:-   NY43


photograph
BQF30.jpg (taken 11.3.2009)  
photograph
BQF31.jpg  Incsribed sandstone:-
"DO OR DIE / HERE CONSTABLE JOSEPH BYRNES / FELL ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 29 / 1885. SHOT BY THE THREE / NETHERBY BURGLARS. WHOM HE / SINGLE HANDED ENDEAVOURED / TO ARREST." (taken 11.3.2009)  

evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
placename:-  Byrnes Monument
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"BYRNES MONUMENT / / / HESKET / EDEN / CUMBRIA / II / 73905 / NY4964937048"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Roadside monument. Inscribed RESTORED 1911. Red sandstone. Recessed plaque inscribed HERE CONSTABLE JOSEPH BYRNES FELL ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 29 1885, SHOT BY THE THREE NETHERBY BURGLARS WHOM HE SINGLE HANDED ENDEAVOURED TO ARREST; set in chamfered surround under shaped pediment."

story:-  
Anthony Berry Rudge, James Martin alias John White, and James Baker also known as John, murdered Inspector Thomas Simmons, Romford, January 1885.
They were active later in Cumberland, and burgled Netherby. After several incidents during a chase, they were spotted on the railway line by a signalman near Plumpton, who warned the local police constable. He, Joseph Byrnes, intercepted them, but was shot, and tipped over a wall out of sight, 29 October 1885. He was found, taken to the Packhorse Inn, but died before the doctor arrived. The thieves were caught and hanged at Carlisle Gaol, 8 February 1866.
PC Byrnes gravestone is in Penrith Cemetery.
The thieves are buried in Carlisle Cemetery (near a marker '15')

Netherby, Arthuret

Rhodes, Linda &Abnett, Kathryn: 2009: Romford Outrgae, The: Pen and Sword Books (Barnsley, South Yorkshire0:: ISBN 978 1 84563 076 8

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