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The ghost of PC Tom Lamb has haunted the bridge between Huntingdon and Godmanchester in Cambridgeshire since his mysterious death in 1841, writes MARK EGERTON
The old county of Huntingdonshire no longer exists. In 1974 it was incorporated into neighboring Cambridgeshire and subsequently became a district. However, for historical reasons it still retains its original name Huntingdonshire. This was essentially due to Huntingdonshire’s rich historical past. Oliver Cromwell was born in Huntingdon; Katherine of Aragon died in Huntingdonshire and the famous diarist Samuel Pepys also lived, educated and worked here in Huntingdonshire.
Right next to the county town of Huntingdon is the first century Roman town of Godmanchester. These two towns are linked by an old medieval bridge dating from around 1332. This old Grade II listed bridge spans the River Great Ouse between the two towns and is said to be haunted.
The death of PC Tom Lamb
On December 23rd 1841, PC Thomas Saunders Lamb, aged 28, reported missing while patrolling his beat.
Further investigation reveals that he was last seen by a member of the public at around 1am that morning. It was reported that he stood in the middle of the old bridge and stared at the water below.
His ‘Top Hat’ (pictured) was later found floating on the river near nearby Hartford. Therefore, the river was thoroughly trawled, but nothing was found.
About two months later, PC Lamb’s body was discovered floating in the water, under the bridge.
It is thought that his heavy overcoat had become saturated and dragged him to the riverbed. His police batons were still in the hip pocket of his overcoat.
In February 1842 an inquest was held to determine whether PC Lamb had been murdered or whether this had been a suicide.
It was widely believed that Tom had been attacked by several men, who then threw him into the river below. However, there was no real evidence to support this theory.
Tom was supposed to testify the week after his disappearance in an assault case involving a man named Edmund Shippey, but the case was thought to be far too trivial to warrant any murder.
The details surrounding the death of PC Thomas Lamb still remain a complete mystery.
His police batons are on display at the nearby Norris Museum in St Ives, a tragic reminder of a police incident that will never be solved!
Within months of PC Lamb’s death, regular sightings of his ghost were reported on the old bridge. It is thought that his mind could not be put to rest as his killer or killers were never convicted.
Sightings of PC Tom Lamb’s Ghost
Sightings consistently reported a man wearing a police uniform standing on the bridge looking at the river.
Perhaps the most famous sighting of all was that of a Godmanchester woman in the 1950s. She crossed the bridge around 4am on her way to work at a local bakery in Huntingdon. Fearing that she was late for work, she approached a police officer standing on the bridge and asked him what time it was. The police officer did not respond and, assuming he had not heard her, she approached him and asked for the time again. She said the ghost then melted away before her eyes and she fled in sheer fear.
Observations of PC Lamb appear to have faded in the late 1920se century, but this could possibly be explained because the bridge was turned into a non-pedestrian area.
A modern footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists now runs along the old bridge.
Occasionally, motorists have reported seeing a male figure standing on the bridge. Fearing a suicide attempt, local police have often investigated, but invariably no one is ever found.
Cambridgeshire Police has a roll of honor for all its police officers who have died in the line of duty. The very first name on this list is PC Thomas Saunders Lamb.
So if you’re crossing the bridge or footbridge late at night, keep a close eye out for Tom Lamb on his ghostly patrol.
Have you seen the ghost of PC Tom Lamb? Tell us in the comments below!
MARK EGERTON’S book, The Haunted History of Huntingdonshire is available from Amazon.
