William Vanston

Constable Vanston, who had a little over two weeks service with the RIC, was shot dead early in the morning as he left his home in Dublin Road, Maryborough, Queen’s County, when a man on a bicycle rode up, dismounted and fired two shots at the officer.

The bullets penetrated William’s lungs, killing him almost immediately.

Constable Vanston’s family had a long history of serving with the Constabulary. His late father had achieved the rank of Head Constable, his uncle was a District Inspector serving in Dublin while his cousin served at Brown Square Barracks in Belfast.

William left a wife and two young children.