Oldest Retired Police Officer Dies At 102
Bermuda’s oldest retired police officer, former Detective Inspector Milton Murray Marsh, died on earlier this week at age 102.
Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva said, “On behalf of the officers and staff of The Bermuda Police Service I extend sincere condolences to the family of former Detective Inspector Milton Marsh.
“I had the pleasure to meet Inspector Marsh on his 102nd birthday in February this year as well as some members of his family. I noted how sharp his memory was of his policing career and it was interesting to hear him relate his experiences.
“He commented that police officers today have it tougher than he did. But when he told me he used to carry prisoners to the police station slung over his shoulder, I remarked how grateful I was that times had changed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Inspector Marsh’s family at this sad time. We hope that they are comforted by our gratitude for the significant contribution to Bermuda’s safety made by Inspector Marsh during his watch.”
During his 102nd birthday earlier this year, he was visited by Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva, Deputy Commissioner Michael Jackman, Governor Sir Richard Gozney, retired Commissioner Fred “Penny” Bean, and members of the Bermuda Ex-Police Officer’s Association. He is pictured below with the Governor:
Milton Murray Marsh was born in Charlestown, Nevis, in the British West Indies on 17th February 1909, and later moved to Bermuda.
Soon after moving to the island, he got a job working at the Cooperative Society store on Boaz Island in Somerset, where he met his Bermudian wife Gwendolyn, who married on April 20, 1944.
Mr Marsh joined the Bermuda Police Force on the 30th June 1941. During his service as a Detective, he received a total of seven Commissioner’s Commendations for good work during investigations.
In 1959 he received another Commendation from Commissioner Henderson, and was also awarded the sum of five pounds for his skill and tenacity in the investigation of a murder. In 1961 Mr Marsh received two more Commendations from the new Commissioner George H. Robins.
His last two Commendations, also from Commissioner Robins, were awarded after his promotion to Detective Inspector. In 1963, Mr Marsh was awarded the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service by Her Majesty the Queen.
He retired from the Force on 17th February 1964, at which time Commissioner George Robins noted that his conduct throughout his period of Service had been “Exemplary.”
Following his retirement from the Police Force, Mr Marsh worked for many years as both a bailiff for the Courts, and also as head of Hotel Security at the Castle Harbour Hotel.
His wife, Gwendolyn, passed away in 1989 after a very long illness. They had been happily married for 45 years, and had two children, Milton Marsh Junior and Blanche Elizabeth Atkinson. Milton has 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
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