Tributes to Bury St Edmunds Special Constable Andrew Veal

Many remember him as a softly spoken, gentle man, who could always find the time to listen and help. 

“My dad was one of those people who supported an awful lot of people in his own, quiet way,” said Andrew’s son, Benjamin.

“He showed his love through doing things for others, both his family and the community; an unsung hero in the local area.” 

Andrew Veal as a child. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Many will remember Andrew for his kind, gentle nature. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew Veal was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, on May 29, 1951, the only child of parents Kitty and Ray. 

The family lived in Lincolnshire until Andrew was 11, when they moved to Bury St Edmunds. It was here that Andrew would live for the rest of his life. 

Andrew flourished at the King Edward Grammar School, and even considered applying to Cambridge University.

However, he decided instead to seek employment, and found his first job at Parkyns Estate Agents - where he would meet his future wife Suzanne - training as a Chartered Surveyor, before moving on to Lacy Scott and Knight Estate Agents, where he worked for several years. 

In 1975, Andrew started work at National Westminster Bank, where he would eventually become an assistant manager, working across both Bury St. Edmunds branches as well as in Haverhill.

However, there was a second career running parallel to Andrew’s time in the financial sector, which Ben said was the true source of his father’s passion. 

Andrew working at NatWest bank in the 1990s. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew Veal gave 26 years of dedicated service to Suffolk Constabulary. Pictured with his wife, Suzanne. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew and Suzanne Veal on their wedding day, June 19, 1976. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew and Suzanne Veal on their wedding day, June 19, 1976. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew became a Special Constable for Suffolk Constabulary in 1978.

The Specials are the voluntary arm of the police service, dedicated men and women who give up their free time to serve the local community.  

“For at least two or three nights a week plus many weekends, Dad would be out on the beat with the Bury police,” said Ben.

Andrew did all this on top of his day job, finally retiring in 2003, after 26 years of distinguished service. 

“He was so proud to be a Special, and driven by a desire to see the Specials be seen with the same respect as the regular police force, organising training days, liaising with local media, and assisting with recruitment and retention. I think the police was his true vocation in life.” 

By the time he entered the Specials, Andrew had been married for two years to the love of his life, Suzanne. The couple tied the knot on June 19, 1976 in Horringer, and then settled in Bury St. Edmunds to raise their family. 

Nicola arrived first, in 1978, with Benjamin completing the family of four in 1984.

Andrew Veal and his son, Ben, in the 1990s. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew Veal with his daughter, Nicola. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew Veal and his son, Ben, at Christmas last year. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew Veal with his daughter, Nicola. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

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Growing up, Ben said that Andrew was a very thoughtful and caring father. 

“He always wanted to do things for his family,” he remembered. “Dad taught me what it is to look out for other people, and instilled really good values in both of his children, which we are now passing on as parents ourselves.” 

Both Andrew’s children followed him into careers helping others, with Nicola becoming a social worker in Norfolk, and Ben running a communications consultancy business in Wiltshire which specialises in supporting charities and not-for-profits. 

Ben also reflects back on holidays spent with his father: “My Dad absolutely loved the coast, especially Cornwall and Devon. We have the best memories of our family holidays together; he would always get up early for walks and enjoy the sound of the waves.  

“My Dad was very knowledgeable about a range of subjects and always supported my sister and I with our education and our school projects. He was fascinated by military history, and wanted to share this with us. It seemed like we spent every weekend visiting an English Heritage castle or a museum!” 

Andrew and Suzanne enjoying retirement together. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew and Suzanne Veal at their son's wedding reception in 2008. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew and Suzanne Veal celebrating their wedding anniversary. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

Andrew and Suzanne Veal with their children, Ben and Nicola. taken in the early 2000s. Image: Family of Andrew Veal (Image: Family of Andrew Veal)

In 2000, Andrew embarked on a new chapter in his career, and became a Disability Employment and Prisons Adviser for Department for Work & Pensions.

He would guide the inmates through the process of rehabilitation, and help them find employment after they had served their prison sentences.  

He was also passionate about blood donation, and gave 75 pints of blood in total, before his health meant that he had to stop donating.

When he finally retired, Andrew loved spending time with his grandchildren, and was deeply proud of each of them.

With Suzanne, he moved to the village of Stanningfield in 2016 and became a keen gardener, photographer and reader. He also enjoyed crafting replica models of boats and creating intricate dioramas. 

Andrew Veal died on Sunday, June 4, aged 72, with his family by his side.

He is survived by Suzanne, his wife of almost 47 years, his two children, Nicola and Benjamin, and his four grandchildren, Zen, Elle, Sam and Jonah. He will be deeply missed. 

To read more tributes to those in Suffolk who we have loved and lost, click here