WILLIAM A WILKINSON

William Adiel Wilkinson was a village policeman, shot and killed whilst on duty by two drunken Sileby men; Thomas Porter and Thomas Preston. Wilkinson was 32 years old, married for only 5 years and had a young daughter.

On the night of the 25th May 1903, about 10.50pm PC Wilkinson was talking to a local butcher at Sileby's parish church gates when he heard a noise in the churchyard and shouted who was there. At that point Wilkinson was fatally shot in the abdomen, at a range of about 5 to 6 metres with a shotgun. He staggered down High Street and finally died outside of the Plough Inn. The two men ran off but were found at Porter's house in Swan Street, where they threatened to shoot anyone who came close. A siege started and was only lifted the following morning when police stormed the house after the men's gun failed.

The incident purported to be a case of mistaken identity but court evidence intimated that Porter and Preston had an ongoing feud with Wilkinson and another local PC over their poaching activities. Therefore, it was adjudged to be premeditated murder.

Wilkinson's death shocked the country, and the trial of the two accused men was reported widely in the press. Neither man admitted who fired the fatal shot, a fact they took with them to the grave after they were found guilty and later hanged at Leicester Prison on the morning of Tuesday 21st July 1903.

Wilkinson was buried at Earl Shilton, his home parish, on the 29th May 1903. The funeral cortege left Sileby and travelled to Earl Shilton were they were met by a large crowd. Over 100 members of the county constabulary including the Chief and deputy Chief constable were also present. He was laid to rest at Earl Shilton Parish Church where his memorial can still be seen today.

Further information:
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