Margate resident Nigel Cruttenden is the author of ‘Watch and Ward’ – a History of Margate Borough Police 1858 to 1943.
Nigel served with Kent Police for more than 40 years, 30 as a warranted police officer and many as a major crime scene supervisor or manager.
Here, he shares an exciting discovery made at an online auction:
For years, the history of the Margate Borough Police has fascinated me and other researchers, revealing long-forgotten tales of duty, dedication and the occasional stroke of misfortune. But history has a way of surprising even the most dedicated sleuths.
Recently, a simple online auction led to an extraordinary discovery—two photographs of Sergeant Daniel Shelvey, one of which is believed to be the earliest known image of a Margate Borough police officer
Captured in the studio of John Hearn at Fort Arcade, the photograph shows Shelvey in a Superintendent’s uniform. But look closely—there’s something missing. No insignia. That little detail tells us the image was taken between January 12 and March 6, 1858, a fleeting window in time when Shelvey briefly held the position of Superintendent before being almost promoted… but not quite.
The Man Who Nearly Became Chief—Three Times
Daniel Shelvey was the nearly man—the officer who was always next in line for the top job, but never quite got it. Despite this, he was the backbone of the Margate Borough Police, effectively running the force on an operational level for nearly 25 years. A man of impeccable discipline, respected by his colleagues and trusted by the local Public Health Board, he was, by all accounts, the glue that kept Margate’s law enforcement together.
Born in 1817 in Monkton, little is known of Shelvey’s early years or what led him to policing. What we do know is that in 1838, he took a bold leap, joining the London Metropolitan Police and serving in the rough-and-tumble streets of Marylebone—quite the contrast for a lad from rural Kent. However, after about a year, he returned home and, in 1843, joined the Margate Town Police, which was then under the control of Dover Town Council.
Fast forward to 1857, and Shelvey had become the senior constable, the man people turned to when they needed the job done. Then, in early 1858, opportunity knocked. With Margate finally gaining independence from Dover and becoming a borough, the town’s longtime Superintendent, Stephen Marchant, was forced to step down due to illness. With no hesitation, Shelvey was placed in temporary charge.
For nearly two months, he ran the show. He even received an official appointment as Superintendent pro tem on February 16, 1858. It seemed inevitable that he would get the job permanently. But when the Watch Committee met on March 6, despite recognizing his competence, they chose someone else—Henry Saunders.
Shelvey was promoted to Sergeant as a consolation prize, along with a pay rise. But this wouldn’t be the last time he’d be passed over for the top spot.
Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride
A decade later, in March 1868, Superintendent Saunders resigned, and once again, Sergeant Shelvey was left in charge. He had already been handling much of the day-to-day operations, so surely, this time, the promotion was his?
Apparently not. It’s unclear whether he even applied for the role, but he wasn’t among the final candidates interviewed. Instead, Thomas Compton was given the job.
Then, in August 1876, history repeated itself. With Compton stepping down, the local press speculated that this time Sergeant Shelvey would finally receive his long-overdue promotion. But despite applying, he was deemed too old for the role. Instead of a promotion, he was given an easier workload and another pay increase.
Though he never officially became Superintendent, his dedication didn’t go unnoticed.
A Hero’s Farewell
By June 1881, at nearly 65 years old, Sergeant Shelvey was finally granted retirement after 36 years of service. His send-off was nothing short of spectacular.
The members of the Margate Borough Police presented him with a framed photograph of themselves—a memento of the force he had helped shape. Then, in a grand gesture, the Mayor presented him with a purse containing 60 sovereigns and a silver lever watch, engraved with the words:
“Presented to Daniel Shelvey, Sergeant of Police, with a purse of £60 by a few friends and burgesses of the Borough of Margate in recognition of his faithful long servitude of 35 years. 1881.”
Humbled by the tribute, Shelvey thanked those gathered, admitting he was no great speaker but assuring them that he had always strived to serve with “kindness, firmness, and civility.”
Even in retirement, Shelvey remained a fixture in Margate. He worked as a Fort Green Constable during the summer months, becoming a familiar and well-liked figure among visitors and locals alike. On Sundays, he could be found teaching at the Emmanuel Church Sunday School.
But time eventually caught up with him.
On May 24, 1891, after a brief illness, Daniel Shelvey passed away at the age of 75. His funeral on June 2 was a testament to the respect he had earned. Members of the Margate Borough Police, retired colleagues, and even the children from Emmanuel Church Sunday School followed his coffin to St. John’s Cemetery, where he was laid to rest.
A Piece of Margate’s Past
Daniel Shelvey’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and quiet heroism. Though he never officially led the force, his influence was undeniable, and his legacy endures in the history of Margate’s law enforcement.
And who knows? Maybe out there, hidden in an attic or an old family album, are more forgotten photographs waiting to add new chapters to his story.
If anyone has pre-1943 photos of the Margate Borough Police, I’d love to see them. After all, history is never truly finished—it’s always waiting to be rediscovered.
Feel free to contact me at [email protected]
