Keith Milner
First policeman on the scene of the Great Train Robbery, who collected evidence for the trial
KEITH MILNER, who has died aged 83, was the duty detective on call at Aylesbury on the night of August 8 1963, when a gang masterminded by Bruce Reynolds stopped the Glasgow-euston overnight mail train as it passed through the Buckinghamshire countryside; he then became the first to reach the scene of what became known as the Great Train Robbery.
Milner recalled that he had been woken up at around 5am by Bucks Police HQ with the news that there had been a burglary at Cheddington Railway Station: “‘What’s gone?’ I said. ‘A train,’ was the reply.”
“I quickly washed, shaved and dressed in a suit, collar and tie … After collecting my fingerprint searcher’s kit and a bundle of statement forms I drove to the station, where a scene of confusion was evident.”
After doing some fingerprint work at a ganger’s hut that had been broken into, Milner began taking statements, but was interrupted by DS Fewtrell, head of Bucks CID, who told him to “go up the track and collect, identify, label and record any material evidence connected to the robbery.”
Milner’s photograph appeared on the front page of the London Evening
News that evening and Fewtrell’s order committed him to the inquiry as “exhibits officer” for the next nine months, during which he worked closely with Scotland Yard detectives including Leonard “Nipper” Read, later celebrated for bringing down the Kray twins’ East End crime empire.
Eventually Milner assembled some 2,000 exhibits, including items found at Leatherslade Farm, where the robbers had hidden after committing the crime, notably a Monopoly set which they had played with real £5 notes taken from their loot.
Milner was present in court for the whole of the trial of the 22 defendants, during which he produced more than 600 items and gave evidence under cross-examination for the best part of a day. There were, he recalled, moments of comedy – such as when a local who lived close to Leatherslade Farm was asked whether he “ascended a gradient” when he visited the farm. “No,” came the reply, “I always go up the ’ill.”
Twelve of the robbers were jailed for a total of more than 300 years, though more than one broke out of prison, most famously Ronnie Biggs. But Milner preferred to remember the “total commitment” of those involved in the investigation.
In 1986 he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for “distinguished valiant service” and in 2013 was one of 18 retired investigators and backroom staff commended for their part in solving the “crime of the century” 50 years earlier. He also took part in television documentaries broadcast to mark the 50th anniversary of the robbery.
Keith Milner was born on July 27 1935 at Richmond, Yorkshire, and educated at Guisborough grammar school. He followed his father into the police and later joined Buckinghamshire Constabulary which, under the Police Act 1964, was one of five forces amalgamated in 1968 to form Thames Valley Constabulary.
During his service with the Thames Valley force Milner was involved in the protection of the Queen and the Royal Family at Royal Ascot and during state visits to Windsor Castle. He also had a spell as acting Assistant Chief Constable of the force, though he always claimed that he had loved being a detective most of all.
After retiring in 1987, Milner worked as a crisis management consultant for companies such as Walkers Crisps and Jacob’s Biscuits.
Milner was a keen golfer and cricketer who opened the batting for the Thames Valley Police side for many years.
His wife, Joy, predeceased him in 2017 and he is survived by two daughters and a son.
Keith Milner, born July 27 1935, died March 2 2019