This is story of George Weston, a Police Officer with the Toronto Police Force.
George was one of four brothers and three sisters born to Edward Weston and Sarah (nee) Jones. He was born in Ford Heath, Yockleton, Westbury, Shropshire (Salop).
At the age of just 16 his mother Sarah died and from how the family was scattered it would appear that his father Edward could not cope. By the 1881 census George aged 21 was listed as a Police Constable living in lodgings In Kelmarsh, Shropshire (near to Bridgenorth). His two younger brothers, Thomas and John aged 16 years and 12years were listed as living, and working as farm servants on a farm, in Westbury Shropshire.
George emigrated to Canada 1883 and it looks as though his brother Thomas aged 18 died that same year. It is unknown if it was before George went or not, but would have still been tragic with his mum passing away only seven years earlier. George’s dad did remarry in 1877 but his new wife who was seven years older, never took any of her husbands children in. By the 1901 census George’s dad’s new wife was dead and his dad was living on his own.
George prior to emigrating to Canada was a Police Constable in the Shropshire (U.K) area. After he arrived in Canada, he married Margaret Smith. George’s brother John also emigrated to Canada in 1885. He married Margaret Belmore again sadly their oldest son Edward died when he fell from a dray under the hooves of the horses.
George had faithfully served as a Constable in the Toronto Police Force for nineteen years. In 1902, he went to the basement of the Cowan Avenue in Parkdale, and took his own life. He was just forty one years of age.
bravenet.com