In his book “The Newbury Borough Police 1836 - 1875”  the late author, Richard Godfrey, tells us:-

1.           Report of the Watch Sub-Committee of 16th February, 1836:-

Your committee would therefore recommend that a Chief Constable be appointed ….

To fill such a situation as this,  because of his qualifications for the duties he will have to fulfil your committee would recommend Alfred MILSOME, and by way of pay your committee would further recommend that 15/- a week and a plain blue coat, waistcoat and hat yearly to be provided by the council, should be allowed him.

Page 106

2.           The Chief Constable, Alfred Milsom, passed away on 22nd of May 1852, and his death appears to have been very sudden and unexpected.

Page 35

Saturday 29 May 1852  Berkshire Chronicle

Police,—The death of Mr. Alfred Milsome, the late superintendent of police for the borough of Newbury, has created a vacancy which has already brought forward several candidates to fill the office. It is not our present purpose to notice or particularise the claims or qualifications of the different candidates, but we feel it a duty we owe the deceased, who filled the office from the time of the passing of the Improvement Act in 1825, to the time of his decease on the 22nd inst., to observe that he was a man eminently qualified for his office, and that he discharged the duties thereof in a manner to give universal satisfaction ; —zealous without being officious— firm without unnecessary severity; he was feared by evil-doers, and universally respected by his fellow-townsmen, who always felt that matters, however delicate or important, might be safely entrusted to his care.