Pay your respects to Haslemere’s hero, Inspector William Donaldson, the first Surrey police officer to be killed on duty.

Donaldson was killed in Haslemere in 1855 during the 'Haslemere Riot,' where his skull was smashed by a chunk of metal – a tragic death that is still remembered in the county to this day.

Born in Scotland in 1807, Donaldson married Janet Clement in 1835. He moved to London around the time of his marriage, before relocating to Surrey. By November 1854, he was stationed in Haslemere.

In July 1855, Donaldson and his constable, James Freestone, checked on the King's Arms Public House in Haslemere to ensure the strict licensing hours were being obeyed. 

The pub was full of 'navvies' who were working on the London to Portsmouth railway. When the policemen told the men to drink up and leave, a brawl broke out, leading to an arrest. 

The man was locked up in the town's ‘cage’ but a riot began when some of his allies demanded his release. They beat Donaldson to death and seriously injured his constable and the town doctor before police reinforcements arrived.

Donaldson’s heroism is recorded on the Police Roll of Honour, and he is still celebrated as the 'Hero of Haslemere'.

To mark the anniversary of his death, Haslemere gathers annually on the last Sunday of July for 'Donaldson Day.' Join this year's event on July 28 at 12 pm on Memorial Green.

This memorial event has been held every year since 1995, when a local historian discovered the murder.