David Edward COLLYER-BACON

21/10/2024

It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the sudden death on Friday 18th October 2024 of ex Sgt 511 David Edward COLLYER-BACON, 78 years, at Wetherby Services whilst travelling home from holiday.

David’s next of kin is his wife, Shirley Collyer-Bacon.

David joined Derbyshire in 1965 and served at Ilkeston, Willington, Alfreton and Belper and also Road Traffic. He was an instructor in Cadet and Regular Officer Training at Headquarters where he was promoted Sergeant. He retired in 1995 and for the next ten years he was employed as a consultant Trainer for 3 or 4 courses a year.

David suffered with Pulmonary Fibrosis but it never stopped him living his life, enjoying holidays, NARPO trips and meals.

David was a well loved and respected Officer who will be missed.

David's funeral has been arranged for 1.00pm on Tuesday 3rd December 2024 at St. Andrew’s Church, The Green, Swanwick DE55 1BL followed by cremation at 2.00pm (approx.) at Amber Valley Memorial Park and Crematorium, Derby Road, Swanwick DE55 1BH. Afterwards at the Dog at Pentrich, Ripley DE5 3RE.

Mrs Shirley Collyer-Bacon wishes to express her heartfelt gratitude to all those who attended David’s funeral, which brought great comfort to her and her family. Shirley apologises that she was unable to speak personally to all that attended but truly appreciated everyone’s support, kind words and shared memories.
Sean Murphy (Secretary)

13 Comments

MR MALCOLM CHURCH

21/10/2024 16:38:53

Words cannot express how saddened l was to learn of the death of Dave, a former colleague and a very dear friend of mine. A very likeable man, a good educator, with an easy and approachable manner. l will always recall the good times we shared. Love to Shirley and family. Goodbye old buddy. Rest in Peace. Respect.

Russell Bacon

31/10/2024 21:07:42

Malc. My Dad often told me an episode involving yourself and head torches when returning from a job at Newhaven. 😊

Brian Butler

21/10/2024 17:38:30

I recall great times working with Dave in Training school when amongst his many talents he was our resident drill-pig. Suffice to say we were upbraided by the Chief Superintendent for there being "too much hilarity in this office". Professional and a true gentleman. Deepest sympathy.

Ray Elliott

21/10/2024 18:51:13

So sad to hear of the passing of Sgt. Dave Bacon.
He was my very first sergeant/instructor when my intake started the job on 21st May 1979. His patience and tolerance whilst trying to imbue some policing knowledge into us was wonderful.
A thoroughly kind and decent man who will be much missed. R.I.P. Sarge.
Ray Elliott.

tony sumner

22/10/2024 11:00:10

sorry to hear of your passing enjoyed our time on traffic r.i.p. david

Chris HYATT

23/10/2024 14:27:03

David - so sad to hear of your passing my friend - when I first started at the then Derby West in September of 71 you John Dickinson and Cliff Barker set about turning me into a bobby - I like to think you succeeded - you taught me honesty integrity and pride in the job -:thanks mate - R I P

Dave Constantine

23/10/2024 18:06:28

I am very sad to hear of Dave's passing. I worked with him in training and later when on traffic I was on a traffic patrol course that he was the instructor on . Later on I did inputs on the traffic patrol courses he ran after retiring. A lovely lovely man we had some great times and many laughs . Deepest sympathy to his family.

Kevin Hartley

23/10/2024 19:43:48

David stood in front of a room of recruits on their first day of service on Monday12th November 1979. A eclectic bunch, they numbered many gnarled ‘seen it all’ ex military and a few young, green & spotty Herbert’s like myself. He instinctively set the tone just right. In hindsight, not an easy task, but one Dave did with aplomb - setting us on our way.
Brilliant communicator and a thoroughly decent bloke.
Condolences to all family and friends.
Safe journey Sarge.
Kev 1448

Geoff Binns

25/10/2024 17:00:48

It was always a pleasure to attend one of Dave’s Traffic Courses. A nicer person you couldn’t wish to be meet. With deepest sympathy. RIP Dave.

Stuart Elliott

27/10/2024 06:10:11

So sad to hear of Daves Passing. He was truly a fantastic Man. Stuart Elliott. Ex 838 Road Traffic. Condolences to his family. RIP Dave.

Tony caulton

27/10/2024 16:50:26

I was saddened to hear the news of daves passing.
A formative character during my service.
In early years I think of bulled boots,pressed trousers,slashed peak and pace stick on the small drill square at butterley.
Slightly later he could explain with ease the law in relation to drivers hours,tacho,s and foreign goods vehicles to such an extent that it actually stuck in my mind when out on the highways of the county.
Lastly,his double act with either kev brown or malc Church could never be emulated in this modern world.
A great person I am glad to have known
Stand at ease smokey ,stand easy
Tony caulton retired pc63

Alan Rowley

1/11/2024 18:33:58

Dave was my instructor on many traffic courses, and the mundane intensity of a Tacho course was often interspersed between Dave and Malc Church bursting into spontaneous hilarity, which always lightened the mood and made the course more bearable. Another salt of the earth, never to be repeated, genuinely kind and good natured guy, taken too soon. Respect Sarge.

Philip Carnall

27/11/2024 17:46:53

It was always such a great pleasure to be around Dave. Ebullient, kind, professional and sincere. As a Grenadier I respected his excellence in drill, as a colleague at training school I valued his rip roaring teaching and as a police officer and man I thought he was an exemplar to all. Like many others, when I think of Dave I also think of Malc Church, a Ducky lad like me. Let Dave rest in peace after a life we'll lived.

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NARPO - Derbyshire Branch