EDITORS NOTE - The following article about one of our former colleagues in the Bermuda Police, the Late Sergeant, Walter “Walt” Sneddon, has been written by Mr. George Barnsley, Chair of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society.
As a retired Superintendent in the Strathclyde Police in Scotland, George has a keen interest in Police History, particularly with regard to former members of the Lanarkshire Police. He first made contact with me in March 2025 explaining that he had discovered information on our ExPo website about Inspector Isabella “Isobel” Lee who made history here in Bermuda when she became the first women police officer to join the Bermuda Police in March 1961.
This was of particular interest because he was researching the history of Ms. Lee who, prior to her arrival in Bermuda, had also made history as the first female police officer of the Hamilton Burgh Police in Lanarkshire. I was able to provide George with additional information about Ms. Lee, along with photos, and the result was that he has written an excellent article about the life of Inspector Lee which we have incorporated into an article in our ExPo website “Hall of Fame”. CLICK HERE to view the article.
During our correspondence, George indicated that he was also researching another former Bermuda Police Officer, Walter “Walt” Sneddon, who had served in the Aidrie Burgh Police in Lanarkshire prior to coming to Bermuda. I was able to provide him with information and photos of Walt who served here for 12 years, from August 1953 until November 1965. Walt had been promoted to Sergeant in 1960. He and his wife Dorothy had two children both born here in Bermuda. Walt and Dorothy decided to emigrate to the U.S. in 1965 and they settled in Arizona.
Here is George’s article about the life of Walter “Walt” Sneddon.
On the 19th June 1953, and 5 months later on the 24th of November 1953, Constable Walter Sneddon had the unique experience of being on duty when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited his place of work! The unusual part was that his places of work were almost 4,000 miles apart!
Walter was born on the 21st of October 1930 in Harthill. He grew up in the area living at 22 Dunn Terrace. On leaving school became an office clerk.
In January 1949 Walter was called up for National Service and between February 1949 and July 1950 he served with the Royal Military Police attaining the rank of Lance Corporal.
On leaving service he returned to Harthill and joined Airdrie Burgh Police. He gained his St. Andrews Ambulance Certificate and three lifesaving qualifications whilst working with the force.
On Monday the 19th of June 1953 H.M. Queen Elizabeth II visited Airdrie as part of her Coronation tour. Constable Walter Sneddon was on duty in a very busy Town Centre, assisting with crowd control.
Two weeks later Walter resigned from Airdrie Burgh Police having secured a job as a Police Constable in Bermuda. He sailed from Liverpool and arrived in Hamilton, Bermuda at the end of July 1953.
He joined the Bermuda Police on the 10th of August 1953 and was posted to Hamilton. He only served a 6 months’ probation due to his previous police experience.
Young Bermuda Police OfficersKneeling - Robert “Bob” O’Shea, Brian Flook, “Marcus”, Jeff Sanders, and Bill “Spider” McKenzie.
On the 24th of November 1953 he was on duty in Hamilton, on crowd control, when the Queen and Prince Philip visited the territory as part of their Commonwealth Coronation Tour. He was not the only former Airdrie Burgh officer on duty. Inspector John Brown, who joined the Burgh force in 1924 was also on duty in Hamilton. He joined the Bermuda police in 1928.
In July 1954 Walter was transferred to the Traffic Department. His duties covered the whole of the Island. He was a Traffic officer for 6 years.
On the 12th of January 1960 he passed his Sergeants promotion examination. He did not have to wait long as he was promoted to uniform Sergeant on the 1st of August 1960 remaining in Hamilton.
Shortly after promotion, in October 1960, Walter was transferred to St. Georges. It was here that Walter met his future wife, Dorothy and they married on the 21st of January 1961. They lived at the Sandhurst Apartments, St. George's.
They had two children, Scot who was born in 1961 and Lorna born in 1963.
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Walter resigned from the Bermuda Police on the 1st of November 1965 with 12 years and 28 days service.
He and his family travelled to the United States. Eventually settling in Maricopa County, Arizona. Walter became an American Citizen on the 9th of July 1965.
He became an active member of the Scottish Society of Arizona (Later named the Caledonian Society of Arizona).
Walter was a keen ‘Burns’ enthusiast and organized and participated in many Burns Suppers for the Society
Walter established a highly successful Travel business operating from Phoenix. He specialized in European package holidays and tours, especially golfing trips to Scotland. His company won many awards and was eventually bought by a multinational corporation.
Walter never forgot his Scottish roots and returned regularly to visit family and friends.
Walter died in 1992 at the age of 62.
Published - July 2025
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