Former Sheringham town clerk and police chief mourned

Former Sheringham town clerk and local police chief inspector Wilfrid Aherne has died aged 86.

Mr Aherne was posted to the town in 1971 and retired in 1983 after 43 years police service ranging from Walsall to North Walsham.

He joined the police in 1948 ad moved to Yarmouth in 1965 as an inspector, then was in charge of administration at North Walsham as chief inspector before his move to Sheringham.

A month after retiring from the force he became clerk to Sheringham Town Council, succeeding Edmund Newstead, before retiring again in 1996.

During his time with the council the town twinned with Germany, built a new sports pavilion and embarked on a lifeboat museum project.

Yorkshireman Mr Aherne, who served as a Fleeet Air Arm mechanic from 1942-46, was keen member of Sheringham Golf Club and the town's Morley club during his retirement and also did a lot of travelling.

He died suddenly at his home off Holway Road on May 29. A funeral was held at Earlham in Norwich on June 10 attended by family, friends and representatives from the council and police. A minute's silence in his memory was observed at the last town council meeting.

Councillor and long-standing friend Mac McGinn described Mr Aherne as 'an officer and gentlemen who always dressed smartly.'