Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1930 & 39

Superintendent John Smith (1883 - 1932)

John Smith served with Salford Police Force for 27 years before retiring early due to ill health at the rank of Superintendent.

John Smith was born in Salford in 1883. His father had also been a police officer, retiring in 1907 after 29 years service. John joined the Force in 1904 as a uniformed Constable. He became a plain clothes officer in 1907 and then transferred to the Licensing Office in 1910. Three months later he became a Detective Officer for 3 years and then an Inquiry Officer for another 3 years. He was promoted to detective Sergeant in 1916, a position he held for 6 years. Then a further promotion to Detective Inspector occurred in 1924, where he represented the Chief Constable in the Stipendiary Court, taking charge of all prosecutions. Finally, John was promoted to Superintendent of the Pendleton Division in 1930. During his career, he was commended and awarded on several occasions by the Watch Committee.

Superintendent Smith was hon. Secretary of Salford Police Athletic Society from 1922 to 1928; served on the Committees of Northern Counties Amateur Swimming Association; the Lancashire Swimming Association; the Northern Counties Athletic Association; and the Police Mutual Assurance Society. He was also hon. Financial Secretary of the Police Treat to Crippled Children.

John retired due to ill health in September 1931. He was ill for some considerable time and underwent an operation shortly before he died on Wednesday 2nd November 1932. The Funeral cortege left his home on Moor Lane, Kersal on Monday 7th November for a service at Albert Hall, conducted by the Reverend Alan Roughley. Mr Hall read the Masonic Service. Police Chief Superintendent F. Hodgson represented the Chief Constable and conducted the guard of honour at Weaste Cemetery. Amongst the mourners were John's wife Mary, his mother, six brothers, three sisters and their families.