WEST Mercia Constabulary's first Chief Constable, Sir John Willison, died at his Lulsley home last Sunday.

Affectionately known as Sandy, Sir John was born in 1914 and began his career with the City of London Police in 1933 before serving on cruisers and minesweepers with the Royal Navy from 1943-45.

He joined Worcestershire Constabulary as Chief Constable in 1958 after serving in the same post for six years at the former Scottish police force of Berwick, Roxburgh and Selkirk.

In 1964 he was awarded an OBE and in 1967 remained in the top post when Worcestershire police joined forces with Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worc-ester City to become West Mercia Constabulary.

In 1968 he was granted the Queen's Police Medal, in 1970 was knighted and in 1969/70 held the position of president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

After retiring in 1974, Sir John remained an active member of several organisations including Outward Bound and the Three Counties Agricultural Society.

Sir Geoffrey Dear, former chief constable of the West Midlands and Inspector of Constabulary, said of him: "In a uniformed and disciplined organisation it is very rare to have someone leading it who was loved, admired and respected. Sir John was one such person.

"He knew the christian name of every officer and would often drop into a beat officers' station when he knew there was a problem and sort it out."

Sir John's wife, Jess, had predeceased him. A private family service is to be held followed by cremation.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.