John Joseph McTernan

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John Joseph McTernan was born in 1834 in Dublin but moved to London in his early teens.
There he entered the police force at 14 years of age and through "wise intelligence and integrity", raised himself to the position of superintendent through the several grades of the force.

1861 Census: Resides at the Police Lodging House, 64 Swinton Street, Marylebone, in the Parish of St. Pancras.  Police Constable.

1871 Census: Resides at 35 Corn Market, Derby with his wife Eliza.  Police Constable.

1881 Census: Resides at 103 Gerard Street, Derby with Eliza and 3 children.  Now Superintendent of Derby Police.

There are many newspaper articles that mention Superintendent McTernan where he gives evidence in numerous criminal cases.

John McTernan was Superintendent in 1879, when PC Joseph Moss was shot and killed whilst on duty in Derby. We have covered this incident before as PC Moss is buried in Nottingham Road cemetery. What we did not know at the time was that Superintendent McTernan, who was present when PC Moss gave his dying testimony and at the inquest and funeral, is also buried in Nottingham Road Cemetery. He is mentioned in most of the articles concerning the PC Moss case.

Superintendent McTernan was also mentioned in an 1883 article concerning a fire at the premises of Mr W. W. Winter, photographic artist, Midland Road Derby. When the alarm was called, McTernan went to the premises immediately and assisted in the operations.

John McTernan died, aged 50, at 10 o'clock on the morning of Saturday 8th November 1884 at his residence in Gerard Street. He had been in indifferent health for some time, both his heart and lungs being affected, and the advent of the November weather was a severe trial for him.
He was remembered as “a man of transparent sincerity, of great geniality and kindness of heart and of uncommon sagacity”.

Johns son moved to London and his descendants brought the story of John to our attention when they recently visited.