Tribute paid to former Bury St Edmunds police superintendent John Gateshill who has died aged 86

A former West Suffolk police superintendent who held Bury St Edmunds close to his heart has died at the age of 86.

John Gateshill, who died on April 12, was originally from the North East but became a well-known face in the town after moving to the area in 1975.

Events such as town Royal visits, the town’s sports centre fire of 1980 and an armed 24-hour response at the home of an influential High Court judge were just a few of the things that fell under his watch during his career.

John’s son, Michael, said: “He would often take a Sunday drive to an event to say hello to officers and special constables on duty there.

“If his team Newcastle United were playing at Ipswich you would find him in the away end cheering on the Black and Whites, but also catching up with anyone on overtime drafted across from Bury to police the match.”

After a stint at Suffolk Police headquarters, in Martlesham, John returned to the town’s Raingate Street police station, promoted from chief inspector to superintendent, continuing in that position until he retired in 1985, following 30 years of service.

Michael recalled: “Through his work he built a huge network of people who knew him, meaning a trip into town in later years would always warrant a chat with ‘someone I used to work with’.”

After retiring, he was recruited by St Edmundsbury Borough Council to help formulate and oversee plans and responses to major disasters or emergencies, including floods, train crashes, homelessness due to fire and even if there was a nuclear blast.

Michael said: “He was very proud of the work he did and the plans he left for others to follow, and recently spoke of a hope that they were still relevant and in use.

“He also got a great buzz from working with RAF Mildenhall personnel on the plans for the base’s air fetes, which were Europe’s largest air displays in the 80’s and 90’s, and still kept in touch with people from the United States with whom he worked.”

As well as helping with these, John was a leading voice in bringing the Milk Race cycle event to Bury, was the chair of governors at County Upper School in the 90s and was part of 1st Bury Scouts’ father and son camps on Hardwick Heath.

In his spare time he was a keen walker and photographer, spending many years as a club member with the Bury photographic society, entering competitions and arranging guest speakers and events.

Outside of his work, John was married to his wife, Judy, living together in Flemyng Road for more than 40 years, having initially been living in police houses in Ridley Road and Bennett Avenue on the Westley Estate.

As well as his wife, John leaves behind his daughter Linda, sons David and Michael, grandchildren Paul, Sam, Emily, Edwin, Eve, Harriet and Pippa and great grandson, Finn.