Whitehall 1212 - The Case of William George Greenley

The Chief Constable of Essex telephoned the Criminal Investigation Division from Romford at 9:05 on the morning of Tuesday, September the 27th, asking that officers be sent to Stapleford Abbotts, a village halfway between Romford and Ongar on the London Chelmsford Road. Chief Inspector Quinton Tabset of Scotland Yard, accompanied by Detective Sergeant Philip Wise, was assigned to the case. Tabset and Wise went at once to Stapleford Abbotts. They were shown the body of Police Constable William George Greenley, who had been stationed there. He had been found alongside the road a few miles from the village. At 6:30 that morning, the 27th, the constable explained to Wise and Tabset what had happened. He says "We know it happened sometime after 1:30 AM, Chief Inspector, because I met him at a conference point at that time near Grove House on the road to Ongar, about 600 yards from where the body was found, sir". Tabset says "Go on". Constable says "He had been shot four times, sir. Twice through the head and these other two. They shot the poor chap in each eye". Tabset says "Horrible". Constable says "I hope they drown in their own blood, sir". Tabset says "At least, they'll hang". The Constable says "Bill Greenley and I were kids together, sir". Tabset says "They'll hang". Constable says "He had his pencil in his hand, sir. His notebook was lying on the road near him. He evidently stopped a car and was talking to them". Tabset asks "Are there marks are on the road?" Constable says "I'll show you where, sir. It isn't far. I'd rather like to get out of here". Tabset and Wise followed the Constable along the road to a spot where it had been cut through to a small hill. The banks on either side at the edge of the road shoulders were about 6 feet high. Constable says "That's the place, sir. Here's where they found him, sir. Where the grass is pressed down". Tabset says "There is little blood here". Constable says "Not as much as one would expect, sir. Over there, on the other side. You see there's quite a blood stain on the grass".