Admin/biog history
Beds Times and Independent, 4 March 1927, page 9
DEATH OF MR. G. R. SETCHELL
The death took place on the 24th February at his residence in Howbury Street, Bedford, of Mr. George Robert Setchell, formerly an Inspector of the Bedford Borough Police, and for 26 years a member of the force. Mr Setchell, who was 70 years of age, had been ill with influenza and bronchitis for about a week.
He leaves a widow, and one son, Inspector Setchell, of the County Police, and two daughters, Mrs. George Osborn and Miss Setchell. He is also survived by six brothers and two sisters (Mrs. Guest, Bedford, and Mrs. Crouch, Luton). Another brother was the late Mr. H. Curtis, Milton Ernest. These were the children of the late Mr. George Setchell, for 28 years Superintendent of the Commercial Road Baths and known to generations of Bedford schoolboys by the familiar name “Bung”.
The late Mr. G. R. Setchell was born in 1856. After serving about two years in the Metropolitan Police, he joined the Bedford Constabulary on the 29th October, 1881, was promoted to sergeant 29th May, 1891, and Inspector 7th July, 1896. He resigned on the 27th December, 1907. He succeeded the late Ex-Inspector W. Haynes as Court Crier to the Borough Quarter Sessions, and held that office for the rest of his life. He was also Hon. Secretary to the Bedford and District Retired Police Officers’ Association, and Hon. Treasurer to the Russell Park Social Club. Mr. Setchell was held in general esteem for his intelligence, geniality, and obliging disposition.
The funeral took place on Tuesday, when the Rev. R. O. Roberts, Vicar, read the first part of the service at Holy Trinity Church. The chief mourners were Mrs. Setchell (widow), Mrs. G. Osborn (daughter), Mrs. L. Guest (sister), Messrs. F. Setchell, Walter Setchell (of Southampton), and Lewis Setchell (of Nottingham), brothers, Insp. G. Setchell (son), Mrs. Whitworth of Kempston (niece), Mr. G. Osborn (son-in-law), Mrs. Walter Setchell (sister-in-law), and Mr. and Mrs. G. Setchell (nephew and niece). The Borough Police were represented by Inspr. Green, Sergts. Sanders and Jennings and twelve constables, and the County Police by Supts. Church and Tingey. The following officers and member of the Russell Park Club, of which the late Inspr. Setchell was Hon. Treasurer, were also present: Mr. H. L. Waygood (President), Mr S. H. Simcoe (Secretary), Mr Harold Yorke (Sick Benefit Secretary), Mr. J. Hermon (Entertainment Secretary), Mr. A. C. H. Worby, Mr. J. Hazelton, and Mr. A. C. Wright. Messrs. Charles Negus. Ltd., were the undertakers and there were a very large number of floral tributes.
THE BEDFORD RECORD & CIRCULAR 8th September 1953
Long Police Service. Death of Former Deputy Chief
Deputy-Chief Constable of Bedfordshire until his retirement in 1940, ex-Supt. George Frederick Setchell, M.B.E., died at his home, 157 Howbury Street, Bedford on Thursday.
During the period between the death of the then Chief-Constable, Lieut.-Col. Sir Frank Stevens, and the appointment of Com. W.J.A. Willis as his successor, Supt. Setchell was Acting Chief Constable. He had a fine record of service.
Born in Bedford, Mr. Setchell was 65. He was educated at Bates’ School and then went to Messrs. Wells of Bedford as a cabinet maker. After a period at Britannia Works, he joined the County Police in April 1910, receiving his early training in Dunstable. In May, 1912, he was transferred to Barton and in 1919 he went to Southill.
His first promotion was in July, 1924, when he returned to Dunstable as a sergeant. In September, 1925, he became Inspector at the Bedford Headquarters and also Inspector under the Food and Drugs Act, this taking him all over the County. Promotion to superintendent came in August, 1929, and he was Deputy-Chief Constable after the retirement of Superintendent M.J. Clark in April, 1937.
Brave Action
In 1916, while stationed at Barton, Mr. Setchell was awarded the Merit Badge for a brave action in stopping a runaway horse, which probably saved school children in the vicinity from injury or death.
His name also appeared in the New Year Honours of 1938 when he became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) and was decorated by the late King George VI in London.
During his police career of thirty years, and particularly as a senior officer, it fell to him to investigate all manner of affairs and detect all kinds of offences against the law, from the smallest misdemeanours to the crime of murder. He was in charge of the arduous operations undertaken in the Woburn district and throughout the County on the tragic disappearance of the Duchess of Bedford in March, 1937.
Retirement Tributes
Many tributes were paid to Mr. Setchell when he retired from the force on 30th June, 1940. He was presented with an inscribed canteen of cutlery by the Chief Constable and all other ranks of the Bedfordshire Constabulary.
After his retirement, Mr. Setchell was for a short time liaison officer to the Bedfordshire Home Guard. He then joined the Auxiliary Fire Service. After the war he spent his retirement more quietly in gardening or occasionally in fishing. He was a Freemason.
Mr. Setchell leaves a widow and three children, Mrs. Joyce Brownridge, of Bedford, Mr. Frank Setchell of Kempston and Mr. George R. Setchell, of Bedford.
The funeral service took place at St. Cuthbert’s Church, Bedford, yesterday (Monday) and was followed by cremation. List of those attending service omitted.