David SUTHERLAND

New South Wales Police Force

Cousin to Senior Constable William SUTHERLAND, NSWPF ‘Q‘ “Possibly” 4257 ( born 1854 in Scotland & joined NSWPF on 26 Sept. 1882 ) OR  6417 ( BORN 1869 in Scotland & joined NSWPF on 27 May 1892 )

Uniform # A 356

Regd. # ‘Q‘ 5460

For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Darlinghurst ( No. 3 Division ) – Death

Service:  From  11 October 1887  to 3 June 1889 = 1+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1863 @ Canterbury, New Zealand

Died on:  Monday  3 June 1889

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Event location:  MaCleay St, Potts Point, NSW

Age:  25 – unmarried

Inquest date:  Thursday  6 June 1889

Funeral date:  Wednesday  5 June 1889

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Waverley Cemetery, cnr St Thomas St & Trafalgar St, NSW

Grave Location:  C of E, Sec 9, Grave 941

 Memorial at:  ?

DAVID IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

 Funeral location:  ?

FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

About 3am on 3 June, 1889 the constable was patrolling MaCleay Street, Potts Point when he saw a man enter a yard and walk to the rear of a dwelling. He detained the man a short time later as he left the premises and spoke to him regarding his actions. When the man attempted to leave, the constable took hold of him and again asked what he was doing. The offender told the constable to let him go or he would shoot him. A struggle ensued and when both men lost their balance, the offender shot the constable in the abdomen.

While they were on the ground the offender again fired at the constable who drew his baton and struck his attacker. Constable Sutherland was then able to take the revolver from the offender, but as he was quickly losing his strength due to his wounds, the offender quickly retrieved the weapon and escaped. He was very soon arrested by Senior Sergeant Robertson and Sergeant Hogan.

Constable Sutherland died later that day, however not before providing his colleagues with a dying deposition and a positive identification of his attacker, John Morrison.

This death was a major factor which led to the general arming of Sydney Police in 1894. Previously, country and mounted police had always been armed, but the Sydney foot police for some reason had not.

The constable was born in 1863 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 October, 1887.

At the time of his death he was stationed at Darlinghurst.

David SUTHERLAND was identified by his Cousin, Constable William SUTHERLAND after the murder.

William SUTHERLAND was later to be murdered in 1901 by a ‘kosh’ on the head.

Evening News ( Sydney )     Monday  3 June 1889   p5 of 8

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/108894588

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 – 1954),

Wednesday 5 June 1889, page 3

05 Jun 1889 – The Murdered Constable. – Trove

Goulburn Herald ( NSW )   Thursday  6 June 1889  p2 of 4

THE MURDER OF CONSTABLE SUTHERLAND.

We subjoin further particulars of the tragedy in Macleay-street, Potts Point, reported by telegraph in our last issue: It appears that at about 3 a.m. on Monday, as Senior-sergeant Robertson and Sergeant Hogan were standing at the corner of William and Victoria streets, they saw a man walking towards them. He was proceeding at a very quick pace, and noticing that he was very much excited and out of breath, they stopped him. His trousers, coat, and vest were all smeared with blood, and there was a severe wound over his left eye. While they were questioning him Mr. McElhone junior came up, and said that there was at constable lying on the footpath in Macleay street. The senior-sergeant and Mr. McElbone at once took a cab and went to where the constable was reported to be lying, and in the meanwhile the blood-smeared man was conveyed to the Darlinghurst lookup.

Sutherland ( the constable ) was found lying, as indicated by Mr. McElbone, dangerously wounded,  but conscious . He was taken to the hospital, where he was found to be wounded in the abdomen, no hope of his recovery being entertained. Sutherland unhesitatingly identified the man who had been arrested, and who gave the name of John Morrison, as the man who had shot him, and Morrison, who had been brought to the hospital for the purpose of identification, responded, ” Well, it’s wrong of you to say that. I did not shoot you.”

Subsequently the deposition of the wounded man was taken, and he succumbed to his injuries shortly before seven o’clock on Monday morning.

The substance of Sutherland’s deposition was as follows: – At half-past 2 a.m., while the constable was standing near the residence of Mr. C. J. Roberts, Chatsworth, he saw a man enter the gates in front of the adjacent house and pass towards the rear of the premises. After the man had been inside the gates for a minute or two some dogs which were there began to bark, and they continued doing so until the man left and walked into the middle of the road. The constable and the man exchanged a “ good-night ” greeting, and the constable observed, ” you’re out early. ” The man then attempted to make off. The officer, however, caught hold of him, and asked what he was doing. The man replied, “ let me go. If you don’t I’ll shoot you, ” and he immediately thrust his right hand into his trousers pocket. A struggle ensued, and just as they were about to fall the man fired his revolver. Whilst on the ground he again fired. The constable, however, could not say whether the latter shot took effect. Before either of them regained his feet the constable drew his baton and gave the man a severe   blow on the head. Owing, however, to his weak state the blow was not as severe as he hoped it would be. The constable, though wounded, wrested the revolver from the man, but as he was very weak the other soon got the better of him, and raising himself, snatched back the revolver, and made off. Whilst the injured constable’s depositions were being taken, the prisoner, who had been brought to the bedside of the wounded man, inquired whether the revolver did not go off accidentally. Replying to this the dying man said, ” no, you pointed it direct at me. ”

The next piece of evidence as to the fatal affray is furnished by Mr. Benjamin Backhouse, a gentleman living close to the scene. He was awakened by a pistol-shot, which was followed shortly after by a second report. He then saw a man running at full speed along Rockwell-street, and at the same time heard loud cries for help. He got out of the house in time to see the man who ran down the street scale the fence at the end of the street, and he became lost to view. He then found the wounded constable and afforded him what assistance he could until the arrival of the police and others.

When the scene of the affray was examined later on, a large morticing chisel was found, and this instrument corresponds with a number of marks on premises in the locality. A six-chambered nickel plated revolver was found concealed in the grass in Mr. McElhone’s paddock, close to where Mr. Backhouse saw the man scale the fence. Four of the chambers were loaded, and the remaining two had been discharged. A third article was also discovered, namely, a cloth tweed hat of large size, which gives colour to the report of the captured man having had an associate.

Constable Sutherland was a young and energetic officer, only twenty-five years of age, and unmarried. He had been about twenty months in the force, and was highly spoken of by his superior officers and comrades. Morrison is also a young man of about twenty-five, stiflly built, and described as a cabinet maker by trade. He is said to be a native of England, and was previously unknown to the police.   He has a wound over the left eye, such as would be caused by a constable’s baton. When brought before the police court this morning he made no reply to the charge of murder, and has so far maintained silence as to the part he is supposed to have played.   He was remanded to the coroner’s court.

The coroner commenced an inquest on Tuesday, when William Sutherland, a police constable stationed at the Glebe, identified the body of the deceased as that of his cousin David Sutherland, who was twenty-five years of age, and a native of Canterbury, New Zealand. He was a single man. He had left £32 in the Savings’ Bank, Oxford-street, Sydney, and a life policy for £250. Deceased had left a mother and a number of brothers and sisters in New Zealand. Evidence was given in substantiation of the facts above detailed, and the inquiry was adjourned to Thursday.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/100114828

South Australian Weekly Chronicle ( Adelaide, S.A. )   Saturday  8 June 1889  p21 of 24

THE MURDER OF CONSTABLE SUTHERLAND.

( By Telegraph )

Sydney, June 6.

The coroner’s Inquest relative to the death of Constable David Sutherland, who was shot whilst arresting a burglar at Pott’s Point on Monday morning, was concluded to-day, a verdict of wilful murder being returned against James Morrison, the man who fired the shot.

Morrison will come up for trial at the Quarter Sessions, commencing July 15. Whilst Sergeant Hogan, one of the two officers who arrested Morrison, was giving evidence to-day the prisoner told him that he had better tell the truth. When asked if he had any questions to put to Hogan, Morrison said — ‘ No, your honor. He would only tell lies If I was to. ‘

The coroner, in summing up, said there was a great deal of circumstantial evidence to bear out the statement  made by the deceased constable that the fatal shot was wilfully fired. To their verdict the jury added a rider recommending that in future no constables should be allowed to go on night duty in the suburbs or on lonely beats singly, but in pairs, so that in case of emergency they might be in a better position to act. The foreman added that this course would entail an extra expense, but the money would be well spent in the protection thus afforded to life and property.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/95148258

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser ( NSW )

Sat. 8 June 1889

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/18972138

The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser

Sat. 15 June 1889 

The Late Constable Sutherland.

The inquest relative to the death of Police-constable David Sutherland was concluded on June 6th.   The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against the prisoner, James Morrison, who was accordingly committed for trial at the next sittings of the Central Criminal Court.

A rider recommending that in the suburbs and on lonely beats, two constables should patrol together was added. The prisoner appeared to feel his position keenly, and towards the conclusion of the inquiry his agitation became apparent. He never asked a question and only spoke twice, on each occasion denying the veracity of a witness.

Sir Henry Parkes has sent the following letter to the Inspector-General of Police with reference to the late Constable David Sutherland: — ” Sir, — You will be good enough to convey to the members of the police force the expression of my deep regret for the loss which the Government has sustained by the murder of Constable David Sutherland. The highest conduct of man in any station of life consists of the fulfilment of trust and the performance of duty. David Sutherland did his duty to the very death. His steady sense of obligation, and his heroic effort to perform his part when his life-blood was ebbing away, furnish an example which could hardly be excelled in front of the enemy on the battle field. His conduct in life and death reflects highest credit upon the force of which he was a member, and will make his memory respected by all good men. ”

In accordance with the request of the Premier the letter has, under the direction of the Inspector General of Police, been recorded in the Orders, and read on parade at the various stations to all of the metropolitan police force, and was published yesterday in the Police Gazette for the Information of the police generally.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/161928600

THE ARMING OF POLICE.

The South Australian Register of

6 February, 1894 printed the following.

OBJECTION TO ARMING THE POLICE.  Sydney, February 5.

The Inspector-General of Police [Fosberry] says that one objection to arming the police with revolvers is that the use of firearms may become too common, and if the public get familiar with the snap of the revolver a similar state of things to that prevailing in the United States may be brought into existence. Concerning the two men injured the constables are improving in health.

The same newspaper on 27 February, 1894:

REVOLVERS USED BY THE POLICE. Sydney, February 26.

Two police had an exciting contest last night at Redfern, when they were arresting four men on a charge of thieving. Directly the constables sought to detain them a rough-and-tumble fight occurred, a number of roughs seeking to enable the suspects to escape. Eventually two of the four men broke away, and the others were on the point of being rescued when the police drew their revolvers and threatened to fire on the larrikins. The presentation of firearms completely cowed them, and the constables succeeded in conveying two of the men arrested to the station. This is the first occasion on which the police have found it necessary to use revolvers since their issue, and had they not been available the constables would have been severely maltreated.

John MITCHELL

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  Q 3302 

( For the purposes of this website ‘Q’ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )

Rank: Constable – appointed 27 September 1878

Constable 1st Class- appointed February 1884

Stations:  Bathurst, Coonamble – Death

Service:  From  27 September 1878  to  13 March 1885 = 6.5 years

Awards:  ?

Born:  18 August 1856 in Uig, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland

Event date:  Thursday  12 March 1885

Event location:  Gaol, Aberford St, Coonamble ( erected 1877 )

Died on:  Friday  13 March 1885

Cause:  Shot – Murdered at Coonamble, NSW

Age:  29

Funeral Date:  Sunday  15 March 1885

Funeral location: 

Buried at:  *Old Coonamble Cemetery, Auburn St, opposite Warrena St, Coonamble, NSW

( This cemetery no longer exists and was turned into a Park around 1970 and the headstones removed.  See *below )

JOHN IS Mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

Early in the morning of 12 March, 1885 two prisoners in the lockup at Coonamble overpowered a warder by the name of  Michael Langley who had gone into their cell to place leg irons on a third prisoner by the name of Courtney.

He was knocked to the floor and his revolver taken from him.

Hearing the scuffle, Constable Mitchell, acting Gaoler at the time,  arose from his bed and ran to the cells to assist.

One of the prisoners, a man named Angel, warned the constable not to come into the cell however Mitchell ignored this and lunged at the prisoner. As he did so he was shot in the chest. He died about 7am the following day.

In a dying deposition given to the Coonamble Police Magistrate on 12 March, Constable Mitchell said, ‘I am acting Gaoler at Coonamble gaol; at about a quarter past six this morning the 12th March inst., I opened the door of the guard room Coonamble Gaol; the Warder just then came into the cell where the convicted prisoners Angel, Thurston, and Courtney were confined; I heard a noise in the cell as if a man was being strangled; I came in and the warder was lying down on the cell floor; Angel was strangling him and Thurston was taking the revolver from him; I made a rush and Courtney knocked me over; Angel then got the revolver and both he and Thurston rushed at the cell door; Angel said “Keep back or I’ll shoot you”; I made a rush to try and get the revolver from Angel when he shot me; they then shut the warder and myself together with Courtney, who did not get away owing to Warder Langley’s threatening to kill him if he moved in the cell and rushed away. “

Both Angel and Thurston managed to escape, however both were later shot to death by police.

James Alfred Courtney, the third prisoner, was later found not guilty of involvement in the murder as he had been found by other police after the murder and escape, still in the cell attempting to assist Constable Mitchell by bathing his wound with cold tea (there was no water in the cell). A recommendation was then made to have his previous sentence reduced.

The constable was born in 1855 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 27 September, 1878. At the time of his death he was stationed at Coonamble, and had previously been stationed at Bathurst.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/514697128544865/?multi_permalinks=4440570939290778&notif_id=1615702894714807&notif_t=group_activity&ref=notif

*Old Coonamble General Cemetery

The original general cemetery in Coonamble was in operation from 1869 to 1912 when it was deemed to be full and closed to further burials. Many years later (probably around 1970), Council removed the headstones and converted the area into a park.

In the preface to her book, “Coonamble Memorial Wall Pioneer Profiles”, local historian Joan McKenzie explains: “When the old cemetery at the end of Warrena Street was cleared about thirty years ago, a number of headstones were retained and embedded on and around a large mound of earth. In 1993, a Federal Government grant enabled the Shire Council to move those headstones to the cemetery in West Coonamble, which had been established circa 1902. ”

Appropriately, the site chosen by Council to devote to the display of those old stones adjoined the historically significant Sexton’s Hut, erected in 1912. The display was organised into three sections: a covered double-sided memorial wall, a group of sandstone monuments and a group of marble monuments. The work was completed to a high standard and dedicated on 12 September 1993. A list of 611 names of persons whose deaths were registered at Coonamble during the period that the old cemetery was in operation, and known or presumed to have been buried at the old site, was inscribed and mounted on the side of the Sexton’s Hut.

For more information on the Old Coonamble General Cemetery (including listings) click here

Cemetery Information

Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal ( NSW )     Friday  13 March 1885     page 2 of 4

FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY AT COONAMBLE.

– * –

A CONSTABLE SHOT.

ESCAPE OF PRISONERS.

( BY TELEGRAPH )

[ FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ]

Coonamble, Friday.

A shocking tragedy occurred at Coonamble gaol yesterday morning, in a cell where a prisoner named Angel, who had been sentenced to four years for cattle stealing, another prisoner named Courtney, and a prisoner named Thurstone, who had served a sentence at Berrima gaol, were confined.

When the turnkey ( Warder Langley ) entered to leg iron Courtney and Angel, one of the prisoners pounced upon him, and knocked him down and         took his revolver. The turnkey called aloud, when Mitchell, a constable, and formerly of Bathurst, hearing the scuffle, rushed out of bed. The prisoner Angel, who had the revolver, told Mitchell not to dare to come in, Mitchell, however, advanced, and Angel fired. The bullet entered Mitchell’s breast just below the heart, and went right through his body and out at the back. Mitchell at once fell, and the three prisoners made their escape with the revolver.

Five miles from town they pulled a boy off his horse, and the escapees got on to the horse, and galloped into the bush. They have been tracked, and hopes are entertained that they will be soon captured. They are armed with revolvers taken from the gaolers.

The tragic affair has cast quite a gloom over the town.

The warder, Mitchell, is still lingering, but no hopes are held out of his recover.

Later.

On the prisoners getting to the gaol yard, they cut Thurstone‘s irons, leaving the sockets on the legs, and crossed the river at the upper end of the scrub, near the old engine, McMahon’s station. The Police Magistrate and trackers on on their tracks.

Constable Mitchell died at 7 am. to-day. Warder Langley is much prostrated, and quite ill from the effects of the encounter, and will not be able to resume his duties for a time.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/62013902?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#reloadOnBack

The South Australian Advertiser                Monday  16 March 1885                      page 5 of 8

A good deal of excitement prevails at Coonamble consequent upon the death of Mitchell, the gaolor (sic) of the local prison, from the effects of a wound caused by his being shot at by a prisoner named Angel, who recently escaped from gaol with another prisoner named Thurston.

The men Angel and Thurston, who escaped into the bush, have not yet been tracked, although search parties are in pursuit.

The Government has offered £200 reward for their capture.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/35978352?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#pstart2698000

The Brisbane Courier                                     Tuesday  17 March 1885                      page 6 of 8

The troopers sent out in search of the escaped prisoners Angel and Thurstone, who are charged with the murder of gaoler Mitchell at Coonamble, returned last night without finding any trace of the criminals.

Mitchell was buried on Sunday.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3440123?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#reloadOnBack

Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal            Tuesday  17 March 1885                   page 3 of 4

THE TRAGEDY IN COONAMBLE GAOL.

The following, which is a more detailed account of the shooting of the gaoler, Constable Mitchell, and the escape of two prisoners from the Coonamble gaol, is abridged from the Coonamble Independent : —

After the trial of the prisoner Thomas Angel, at the Quarter Sessions, he, together with two other convicted men, Thurston and Courtney, was locked up for the night in a cell in the gaol.

Thurston had riveted irons on, whilst Angel, who it was surmised was shamming illness, and Courtney, were unfettered.

On the following morning, Mitchell gave orders to the warder to leg-iron Courtney, who was told off to act as cook. The warder was in the act of stooping down to leg-iron Courtney when the three prisoners set upon him, got him down, and endeavoured to strangle him. They seized his revolver in the struggle, leaving him powerless and half stunned. Mitchell jumped into the cell to assist the warder, and it is surmised, was tripped up by Courtney. Mitchell regained his feet and Angel was standing at the cell door with the revolver in his hand, Thurston having gone outside, and Courtney being on the inside.

Angel told the warder that if he (the latter) attempted to stir he would blow his brains out. At this juncture Mitchell jumped from Courtney towards Angel, when the latter deliberately shot at Mitchell. The gaoler fell from the effects of the shot, leaving the warder disabled, and Courtney in the cell. The door of the cell was thereupon bolted by either Angel or Thurston on the outside.

Thurston rushed down the passage with a tomahawk in his hand, and Angel went into the guard room. Angel ran quickly to a Mrs. Canham who was present, caught hold of her by the hand, and wanted to lock her up in a cell. She refused to go, when Angel held the revolver to her forehead. After some parleying, Angel let Mrs. Canham’s hand go, and the two men went through the front door.

Drs. Cortis and Tressider, were quickly in attendance, and upon examination it was found that poor Mitchell was shot in the right breast, the bullet having passed clean through his body, coming out at the lower portion of his back.

From the first the case was pronounced hopeless and the deepest sympathy was evinced for the unfortunate gaoler, his wife, and family.

Poor Mitchell, after lingering until Friday morning, succumbed to the effects of the bullet wound, and his untimely end is universally and deeply regretted. He was a thoroughly efficient officer, esteemed at headquarters, and deservedly respected in Coonamble.

He leaves a wife and children totally unprovided for.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/62015438?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#pstart6174339

Launceston Examiner ( Tasmania )                        Tuesday  24 March 1885                 page 2 of 4

A verdict of wilful murder has been returned against the escaped prisoner Angel and his companion Thurston, also against another prisoner who was in the cell at Coonamble Gaol when Warder Mitchell was shot.

The two men have not as yet been re-captured, and the Government have offered £200 reward.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/38297541?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#pstart2934593

Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal ( NSW )                   Wednesday  25 March 1885                  page 2 of 8

MURDER OF ACTING-GAOLER MITCHELL —

The following notice appears in Friday’s Gazette:-

Whereas on the morning of the 12th instant, two prisoners, named William White, alias Thurston and Thomas Angel Hobson, escaped from the Coonamble Gaol ; and whereas one of the said offenders, previous to escape, fired at and mortally wounded Constable John Mitchell, the Acting-Gaoler, who has since died; and whereas at a Coroner’s inquest held upon the body of the said John Mitchell, a verdict of wilful murder was returned against the said offenders, William White, alias Thurston and Thomas Angel alias Hobson, and James Alfred Courteney, who was confined in the same cell with the two prisoners who escaped.

Notice is hereby given that a reward of £200 will be paid by Government for such information as shall lead to the apprehension of each of the said offenders, William White alias Thurston and Thomas Angel alias Hobson.

Description of Offenders. —

White alias Thurston, is 29 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, medium build, brown hair and eyes ; a native of New South Wales ; a drover.

Angel alias Hobson, is 27 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, dark, beard and whiskers, good looking.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/62015748?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#pstart6174276

The Goulburn Evening Penny Post                Thursday  26 March 1885                     page 2 of 6

Evening News ( Sydney )                                          Friday  27 March 1885                      page 3 of 8

COWRA.                  March 25.

The Victim of a Ruffian.—   The deepest regret and sympathy were evinced here when it became known that Constable Mitchell, formerly lock-up keeper of this town, had been shot dead by one of the prisoners in the gaol at Coonamble, where he was acting gaoler at the time of his melancholy death.

The deceased leaves a wife — very ill at the time of the occurrence — and two little children.

All the particulars of the case are by this time very well known to our readers, so that we will not state them here.

After the perpetration of the cowardly deed, the murderer and one of his accomplices escaped from the gaol, and have since eluded all attempts at capture. A large reward has been offered for their capture.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/111180347?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#pstart11784420

Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal                              Saturday  28 March 1885                  page 2 of 12

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/62017047?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#reloadOnBack

The Sydney Morning Herald                 Tuesday  31 March 1885                         page 7 of 12

A man was arrested at Granville last evening by Constables Harrison and Wilson on suspicion of being Angel, the Coonamble gaol escapee, who shot Warder Mitchell on the 12th instant. The man corresponds in almost every particular with the description given of Angel. He is very reticent, however, and, in reply to the questions of the police, he merely slated that he was a shearer. He will be brought up before the local Bench to-morrow.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13581284?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#reloadOnBack

The South Australian Advertiser dated 13 April, 1885 described the shooting and capture of the murderers.

CAPTURE AND DEATH OF THE COONAMBLE MURDERERS.   Sydney, April 13.

The Coonamble murderers were captured on Friday night by Sergeant Burns and Constable McKinley at Mr. Stewart’s store, Green’s Swamp. On the arrival of the police at the door of the store Thurston immediately shot Stewart dead. Constable McKinley and Sergeant Burns then fired simultaneously, and killed Thurston and severely wounded Angel, who has since been removed to the Gulgong lockup. Medical assistance was immediately obtained. Inquests will be held to-morrow. Later intelligence has just been received stating that the prisoner Angel died on Sunday morning in gaol. Both prisoners were fully identified. The tragedy caused great excitement.

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Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 – 1954), Wednesday 9 April 1919, page 3

Our Sydney correspondent telegraphed last night : –Mrs. Georgina Mitchell, matron of the Central Police Station, Sydney, died suddenly on Monday night. She was a recognised fingerprint authority, and had a remarkable memory for prints. Her husband, Constable John Mitchell, was shot dead by two prisoners, Angel and White, when they were escaping from “Coonamble Gaol in 1885.”

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66483099

Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1886 – 1942),

Friday 11 April 1919, page 4

First Family Member Details

Family Stories

Life in Australia:

After migrating to Australia some time before about 1876, John Mitchell spent the first few months in Queensland before moving to New South Wales where he spent the remaining years of his life.

He worked as a coachman before joining the Foot Police on 27 September 1878. When 25 years old he married Georgina Diehm (24) at Lidsdale, Wallerawang. John Mitchell was promoted to Constable First Class on February 1884. He was transferred to Coonamble to replace the lockup keeper who had died from heatstroke on 7 January. On 12 March 1885 he was shot when trying to prevent the escape from gaol of bushrangers Angel and Thurston. He died the next day. With his wife and two children – three year old John George Alexander and six month old William James McRae – John Mitchell had been living in the residential portion of the building which had been erected in Aberford Street in 1877 as the Court House/Watch House. At that time and until 1886, it served as the Police Station as well as lockup keeper’s residence attached to the gaol.

A statue of John Mitchell, standing on a pedestal in front of the Police Station in Aberford Street, Coonamble, was unveiled by his great grandson on 12 March 1996. Police and civic dignitaries, Coonamble citizens and Mitchell family descendants were present at the ceremony. John Mitchell was shot in the building which stood on the site in 1885. The plaque reads:

Dedicated to the memory of Constable First Class John Mitchell, Born Scotland 1856

NSW Police Service 27.9.1878 to 13.3.1885

Shot whilst on duty near this site on 12.3.1885 during the escape from Coonamble lock-up by prisoners

Thomas Angel (alias Hobson) and William White (alias Thurston).

Constable Mitchell died from his wounds 13.3.1885 and was laid to rest in the old Coonamble Cemetery

Erected in his honour by the police and citizens of Coonamble and District 12.3.1996.

Georgina Diehm was born 16 February 1860 at Swyers Swamp, NSW, daughter of Johann Georg Michael Diehm and Maria Eva Flegler (see separate file in First Families 2001).

Georgina married her husband John Mitchell at Lidsdale in 1880. After only five years of marriage, she was widowed. She raised her two sons alone and most of spent the remaining years of her life in Sydney.

You and Your Family:

I am Kathy Pearson, nee Dwyer, wife of Bruce Pearson who is the great grandson of John and Georgina. We have three adult children and three grandchildren. My email address is kathypea@yahoo.com.au and we live in Cundletown, NSW. Apart from the first generation of children of each couple, I have entered only my, or Bruce’s, direct line of descent, for the purpose of protecting the privacy of those relatives who may not wish to have their details included. However, if any other descendants of these couples wish to have their families included, please contact me.

See also Margaret Bohan; Annie Clement; William Clement; Melina Clothier; Sarah Coleman; James Colley; Johann Georg Michael Diehm; Oliver Dwyer; Eleanor Ewing; John Farley; Maria Farley; Maria Eva Flegler; Lucy Hetherington; Jemima Hughes; George Hutchinson; Margaret MacFarlane; Donald McDermid; Duncan McDermid; Sarah McDermid; Christopher McRae; Jonathan Pearson; Anne Taylor Pretty; Mary Stewart; Peter Thomas; James Pater Field Walker; Josiah Wesley Walker.

Life Before Australia:

John Mitchell was born in Glasgow in 1856, the son of John Mitchell and Ellen McRae.

Descendants

NB: Superscript behind each descendant name represents the lineage number of that descendant.
This family information was last updated by KATHY PEARSON on the 11 February, 2001.

http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/10421/20041220-0000/www.firstfamilies2001.net.au/firstfamilyf370-2.html

Edward Mostyn WEBB-BOWEN

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ?

Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  ?, Gundagai

Service:  From 11 March 1875 to 23 November 1879 = 4+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born: ? ? 1851

Died on:  Sunday 23 November, 1879

Cause:  Murdered – Shot

Event location:  McGlede’s farm, Wantabadgery

Age:  27 – 28

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Gundagai Cemetery

In November, 1879 a gang of young bushrangers led by Andrew Scott (Captain Moonlite) attacked MacDonald’s farm at Wantabadgery Station, holding the occupants captive for two days and nights. After eating and drinking, the gang moved to a nearby pub, The Australian Arms Hotel, and more hostages were taken.  Eventually one of the captives, Alexander MacDonald, escaped, rode to Wagga Wagga and alerted the police. A party of mounted police were quickly dispatched to the area & arrived at 4am and a gun battle ensued. During a lull in the shooting, while the police retired to await reinforcements, the gang managed to escape.

They then rode to nearby McGlede’s Farm where they again took siege in the farmhouse from the increasing numbers of police who attended from as far away as Gundagai and Adelong. Again a shootout ensued between the two sides. At one stage, one young offender, Gus Wernicke, moved into the yard in an attempt to shoot the police horses and was quickly shot to death. In a further exchange of fire another bushranger, James Nesbitt, was also shot and killed by Senior Constable Webb-Bowen. During this last exchange, Webb-Bowen was also shot in the throat. This wound also proved to be fatal.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 4 December, 1879 reported that “The funeral of Constable Bowen was very largely attended, and partook of a military character. His widow, with her only child, will, we believe, leave for Pembrokeshire, England, where her late husband’s relatives reside. A subscription has been started to present the constables with a substantial reward of their bravery, and of the great service they have done to society.”

At the trial of Scott and his gang for the murder of Constable Webb-Bowen, Mr. Justice Windeyer concluded sentencing by informing him that “Fortunately, your career of crime was promptly cut short by the courage, the vigilance, and the energy of our police, who are entitled to all praise from every man in the community for the prompt manner in which they arrested and brought you to justice. You young men have had an appeal made on your behalf. But I cannot forget that most of the cruel as well as some of the most bloodthirsty crimes which have been committed by the bushranging class in this country have been committed by young men like yourselves, and the question in your case is — what is mercy? Not only to you, but to the youth that are growing up amongst us; and I have been pained to find, through a long experience in our criminal courts that crime amongst our young men is becoming far more frequent than it was. The recommendation in your favour, of course, I will convey to the Executive, but I would remind you that the shadow of death is upon you. Whether it will pass away is not for me to say. The victim of your murder, shot down by you, when in the execution of his duty, will live in the memory of all who admire devotion to the cause of duty and manliness, whilst your fate will only give an additional warning to the reckless criminal that the way of transgressors is hard, and that a felon’s death and an ignominious grave await those who commence a career of crime. It is useless to moralise further on your case.

The senior constable was born in 1851 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 March, 1875. At the time of his death he was stationed at Gundagai.

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/2025629/hero-of-wantabadgery-should-be-remembered/?cs=148

Thursday, 16 January 2014:

TWO Riverina police commands will honour the “Hero of Wantabadgery” – one of their own killed in the exchange of gun fire more than a century ago.

Senior Constable Edward Mostyn Webb-Bowen, known as Edward Bowen, was shot in the neck and died on November 23, 1879 as a result of the wound he sustained.

Now, the Wagga and Cootamundra local area commands (LAC) are working together to restore his grave at Gundagai cemetery.

Staff from the Wagga LAC will meet with Wantabadgery residents on February 1 to discuss ideas regarding a plaque, headstone or statue to honour Sen Con Webb-Bowen.

Wagga police duty officer, Inspector Stephen Radford, labelled the police-led community project – headed by Constable Max Burmeister, who resides in Wantabadgery – as exciting.

“We hope to raise awareness about those who were defending our community and values at a time when bushrangers were a real threat,” Inspector Radford said.

“Unfortunately history has tended to forget the true heroes of this era and instead the names of outlaws such as Captain Moonlight and the Ben Hall Gang, (which are) responsible for the deaths of police officers, hold more recognition than those that did the right thing.

Inspector Radford said the project aimed to help change the imbalance.

Senior Constable Webb-Bowen’s death came after Captain Moonlight and his gang held up Wantabadgery Station one evening in mid-November.

A number of people were taken hostage, and that number increased when the gang moved to the nearby Australian Arms Hotel.

Officers from Wagga police arrived in the early hours of the morning and gunfire was exchanged.

They retreated, waiting for reinforcements from Gundagai, and later visited a farm nearby where they found Captain Moonlight and his gang.

For further information about the project, email waggabowen@police.nsw.gov.au or call Wagga police on 6922 2599.

OFFICIAL OPENING – UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL – SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2015

Hero of Wantabadgery – Senior Constable Edward Webb-Bowen honoured.

Wagga Wagga LAC – NSW Police Force, is honouring the ‘Hero of Wantabadgery’ Senior Constable Edward Mostyn Webb-Bowen who died in an exchange of gun fire in November 1879.

During an evening in mid November 1879, ‘Captain Moonlite’ and his gang held up Wantabadgery Station and took a number of hostages. After eating and drinking, the gang moved to a nearby pub, The Australian Arms Hotel, and more hostages were taken.

At 4am, officers from Wagga Police arrived and gunfire was exchanged with the gang. Officers retreated and waited for reinforcements from Gundagai. On arrival of Gundagai Police, the officers attended nearby McGlede’s farm and found ‘Captain Moonlite’ and his gang.

Shots were exchanged and Senior Constable Webb-Bowen was shot in the neck. On Sunday 23rd November 1879, Senior Constable Webb-Bowen, known as Edward Bowen, died as a result of the gunshot wound.

Project Bowen, was established in 2012 by the Wagga Wagga Police and Wantabadgery community to raise awareness and funds to build a monument to remember Bowen.

Following an, archaeological survey, art exhibition, art auction, generous donations from individuals and local businesses the monument was completed His grave in Gundagai was also restored.

The monument now proudly stands adjacent to the Wantabadgey MacDonald Memorial Hall in Jewnee Street, Wantabadgery.

The memorial will be officially opened at 11:00am on Sunday 13th September 2015 by the Wagga Wagga Local Area Commander Bob Noble.

The opening will include; a display of modern and historic police vehicles, police command bus, police helicopter, horses and re-enactors. People are encouraged to attend in period 1870’- 80’s attire.

Opportunities will be provided to speak to police including the; PolAir – NSW Police Force Airwing, Police Dog Unit – NSW Police Force, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command – NSW Police Force, Women In Policing and Detectives. Interested members of the public are invited to attend and share in this special occasion.

For further information or if you have any enquiries please contact: Detective Inspector Stephen Radford 02 69222599.

Thomas Edward WALLINGS

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ‘ P ‘ 716 

( ‘P’ = Pre 1862 when NSWPF “Officially” commenced )

Rank: Mounted Constable – 15 July 1855

Senior Constable – appointed 1 March 1862

Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 1 June 1868

Senior Sergeant – appointed 1 November 1877

Stations:  , Molong ( January 1865 ), Mudgee ( September 1869.  Sgt In Charge of Mudgee to Bathurst Gold Escort ), Dubbo – death

Service:  From  15 July 1855  to  20 September 1878 = 23+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born: ? ? 1838 in Dubbo ( although other records state a native of England )

Died on:  Friday 20 September 1878

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Event location:  Marthaguy Creek, ( near Warren ), NSW

Age: 40

Funeral date:

Funeral location:

Buried at:  Old Dubbo Cemetery, Myall St, Manera Hts, Dubbo, Church of England Portion, Section R2

Memorial location:

Thomas IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On the night of Thursday 19 September, 1878 Sergeant Wallings, Senior Constable William Souter and Constable John Walsh were searching for a gang of bushrangers ( Captain Midnight & his gang ) when they set up a bush camp near the Wonbobbie Inn, Marthaguy Creek (near Warren).

The following day ( Friday 20 September ) at 6am the three police rode to the inn where they suspected they might find the bushrangers. Constables Souter and Walsh remained on guard outside while Sergeant Wallings approached the inn. Meanwhile, Constable Souter saw a man about 50 metres away carrying a rifle. He rode over to him and was told he would be shot if he came any closer. Souter called to the other police who rode down to him.

Sergeant Wallings then fired a warning shot and told the man to surrender, however the man replied that he himself would fire if the police came any closer. Sergeant Wallings then advanced on the man and pointed his revolver at him. The man then turned suddenly and dropped to one knee. As he did so, he fired at the sergeant, hitting him in the chest. In the confusion the offender ran a short distance away and took cover from the police. A short gun battle took place, however, the offender, being far better armed with a rifle, compared to the police revolvers, managed to escape. The two constables then directed their attention to assisting the wounded sergeant. The wound suffered by Sergeant Wallings ( shot through the heart and lung ) proved to be severe, and he unfortunately passed away almost immediately.

A few weeks later, the Sydney Morning Herald dated 10 October, 1878 reported the death of the murderer, informing its readers that “News has just reached the metropolis that the man who shot Senior Sergeant Wallings at Dubbo has been killed by the police, shortly after he committed the murder. The cold-blooded villain shot Wallings in the execution of his duty. He was pursued by Sub-Inspector Duffy and Constables Latton and Gray of Bourke, in the most unrelenting manner, and traced to the borders of Queensland, where he made a desperate resistance. The police shot at the horse he was riding and fatally wounded the murderer, whose name is said to be George Gibson. This man’s death is one which has not in any way been regretted by the general community. It was such a death as luckily there is not much necessity for now-a-days. The police deserve the congratulations of the public here for their bravery in this instance, which however, is only of a piece with much the New South Wales police have accomplished in the suppression of crimes of this nature. A movement has been initiated for relieving the widow and eight children of Wallings.

The sergeant was born in 1838 and joined the police force on 15 July, 1855. In 1862 he became a member of the newly-formed New South Wales Police Force. At the time of his death he was stationed at Dubbo. The offender was the bushranger “Midnight“.

George Robert ARMYTAGE

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

&

Michael COSTIGAN

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

Shot – Murdered

Bourke

11 September, 1877

Double Police Murder

On Tuesday 11 September, 1877 Samuel Getting, a barman at the Royal Hotel in Bourke, was speaking with Constable Michael Costigan in the bar of the hotel. The constable had just paid Getting for his room and board, and after having a drink and chatting with the barman for a short time, he left the bar.

Getting, for some unknown reason, also left the bar about that time and went to his room in the hotel, where he took possession of his rifle. He then left his room and walked to the front of the hotel, where he saw Constable Costigan and Constable George Armytage standing on the verandah, having a conversation. He immediately shot both constables from behind before running into the street and attempting to reload his rifle.

Sub Inspector James Keegan, who was nearby, noticed people running toward the river, and when he asked what was happening he was told that Sam, the barman, had shot two of the police and was running away with a loaded gun in his possession.

He then saw Getting running along the bank of the river with a gun in his hand, being chased by several people. The inspector then went towards these people and told them to move away from Getting so he could speak with him. He then followed Getting for a short distance along the river until he stopped and waited for the inspector to approach. The inspector then spent some time talking with the offender and trying to get him to surrender, all the while edging closer as he spoke.

At a later inquest, the inspector described what happened next.

 “I rushed at him, being at this time between 10 and 15 paces from him. The ground was very muddy, and there was a gully between us. I got my hands upon him being beneath the gun, and we both stumbled and nearly fell. He again got a few paces from me, turned round, took deliberate aim, and shot at me. He called to me to keep back. I knew I was shot, but it did not weaken me, and I still went forward.

He then raised the gun, holding it by the barrel, and struck me on the head. I put up my arm to ward off the blow, and it bruised my arm very much and cut my head. He struck me several times, and I at length secured the gun. He then ran parallel with the river for a few yards, and as I followed him he suddenly plunged into the river, and kept his head beneath the water until he was drowned. He went but a short distance into the river.

That is his body I have recently seen lying in an outhouse. He had plenty of opportunity of shooting me at first had he so desired, but he did not attempt to do so until I sought to arrest him. When he shot at me, one shot struck me near the eye, two shots went into my coat, two entered my chest, and two others grazed it. 

The Deceased…was a man of very good character and very good behaviour, and I can ascribe no motive for his acts. He said he had no intention of doing what he did, and that he had loaded the gun to go out for some duck shooting.”

Constable Costigan was born in 1853 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 September, 1873. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bourke.

Constable Armytage was born in 1855 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 4 May, 1877. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bourke.

Grave Location/s:

ARMITAGE: 30 06′ 03S / 145 56′ 12E
Old C of E, Bourke

COSTIGAN: 30 06′ 05S / 145 56′ 14E
Old Catholic, Bourke

John Vance BLAIN

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  2481

Rank:  1st Class Constable ( Foot Policeman – not mounted )

Description: 5′ 11.5″ tall, blue eyes, fair hair, fair complexion.  Single.  Previously a farmer.  He was Protestant.

Stations:  Darlinghurst

Service:  From  26 December 1874  to  20 June 1877 = 2+ years Service

Awards:  a valuable gold watch and chain for the gallant capture of a convicted burglar, named Wright

Born:  ? ? 1850 in Ireland

Event date:  Thursday  22 March 1877

Died on:  Monday  11 June 1877 @ Wooloomooloo

Cause:  Assault with a Police Baton & other assaults

Age:  26

Funeral date:  Tuesday  12 June 1877 @ 2.15pm

Funeral location:  Graveside

Buried at:  Rookwood Cemetery

Memorial location:

[alert_red]JOHN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_red]    * BUT SHOULD BE

Just after 4pm on Thursday 22 March, 1877 Constable Blain was on duty in Bourke Street, Wooloomooloo when he saw two men carrying a “bundle” in Forbes Street. He called on them to stop, however they ignored him and ran off, quickly pursued by the constable. One of the men then stopped and threw himself at Constable Blain, whose baton unfortunately had dropped to the ground during the chase. As he grappled with one offender, another took up the dropped baton and struck the constable several severe blows to the head, inflicting terrible wounds. Blain bravely held his ground however, and succeeded in handcuffing one of his assailants before staggering a short distance to the home of Dr Pattison. The doctor assisted the stricken Blain and also quickly sent a message to the police for assistance.

Constable Williamson (  possibly Williams )  soon attended and spoke to Constable Blain, who told him that he had arrested and handcuffed one of his attackers before walking to the doctor’s home. Williamson then attended the site of the incident where he indeed found one of the offenders (John Wright) lying handcuffed and bleeding in the street. The courageous Blain had in fact arrested one of his own murderers (a rare accomplishment), as his injuries were to prove fatal.

Prior to his death the Mercury newspaper of Friday 23 March, 1877 reported the story of Constable Blain’s encounter with the offender John Wright and his unknown accomplice.

The article indicated that “The constable who was so barbarously assailed is suffering greatly from the wounds he received. His extraordinary courage and resolution in securing the man in the manner he did is worthy of lasting record.” And thus it is.

His headstone at Sydney’s Rookwood Cemetery reads: “A record of his brave conduct for arresting and bringing to justice a notorious burglar at whose hands he received such savage injuries as to ultimately cause his death”.

The constable was born in 1850, and at the time of his death he was stationed at Darlinghurst.

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The Sydney Morning Herald        Friday 16 March 1877

“SERIOUS ENCOUNTER WITH A BURGLAR.
Some time on Thursday night the premises of Mr J C W Hinsch of 160 Pitt Street, were broken into, and a number of Crimean shirts and other goods valued at about £20, were stolen. Shortly after 4 o’clock yesterday morning, Constable Blain who was on duty in Bourke Street, Woolloomooloo, saw two men carrying a bundle in Forbes Street. He called upon them to stop but as they took no notice he gave chase, and gained upon them. One of the men threw himself down in front of the constable who fell upon him. In running after the men the constable’s truncheon dropped out of his pocket, and the second man took it up and struck the constable several heavy blows inflicting very severe wounds on the back of the head. The constable, though stunned by the blow, bravely grappled with the man, and after a most desperate struggle succeeded in over-powering and handcuffing his assailant. Becoming weak from loss of blood he had just sufficient strength to reach the residence of Dr. Pattison, when he fainted from exhaustion. Dr Pattison sent information to the police that a constable was at his house who had been nearly murdered in the street. Constable Williams, who soon arrived in obedience to the summons, found Blain lying on a sofa bleeding from wounds on his head, and scarcely able to speak. Eventually he learned from him that a man whom he had captured was handcuffed in the street, and on proceeding to the spot indicated, he found the man lying and bleeding from the head. He was conveyed first to the Infirmary, and afterwards to the Darlinghurst Police Station.

Later in the day Detectives Wilmott and Camphin found one blanket and 31 Crimean shirts in a sack on a piece of waste ground near Judge Street, Woolloomooloo… The constable who was so barbarously assailed is suffering greatly from the wounds he received. His extraordinary courage and resolution in securing the man in the manner he did is worthy of lasting record.”

Then on Saturday 16 June, 1877 the Australian Town and Country Journal reported the death of Constable Blain, including the following information.

“It will be remembered that, a short time ago, the Inspector-General of Police, on behalf of various citizens, presented constable Blain with a valuable gold watch and chain for the gallant capture of a convicted burglar, named Wright, who brutally assaulted that officer when being arrested for the burglary at the premises of Mr. J. O. W. Hinsch, in March last. Wright was sentenced to six years hard labour.

Blain, who was assaulted on the head with a policeman’s baton, recovered somewhat from the effects of the affray; but three weeks ago was again brutally assaulted by some roughs in Oxford-street.

About a fortnight ago he went into the Infirmary for medical treatment, and typhus fever setting in, he expired early on Monday morning. It is alleged that his death was caused by the effects of the beatings he received. It is said that a foul drain under the bedroom which Blain had occupied, in Stanley-street, was the cause of his taking ill. Blain had been about three years in the Force. He was unmarried. His grade was first class constable; and he was a young man of superior intelligence and some promise, and a most efficient officer.”

The constable was born in 1850, and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 26 December, 1874. At the time of his death he was stationed at Darlinghurst. His headstone at Sydney’s Rookwood Cemetery reads: “A record of his brave conduct for arresting and bringing to justice a notorious burglar at whose hands he received such savage injuries as to ultimately cause his death”. He is not listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll.

[divider_dotted]

The Sydney Morning Herald         Tuesday   12 June 1877   page 1 of 10

DEATHS:

BLAIN. — June 10, at the Sydney Infirmary, John Vance Blain, aged 26.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13387308#pstart1437955

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The Sydney Morning Herald         Tuesday   12 June 1877   page 10 of 10

THE FRIENDS of the deceased Mr. JOHN VANCE BLAIN, late of the Sydney Police, are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral ; to move from the Infirmary THIS DAY, Tuesday, at a quarter-past 2 o’clock, to the Necropolis.

JAMES CURTIS.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13387287

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The Sydney Morning Herald         Wednesday  13 June 1877      page 8 of 12

MONUMENT over the Remains of the late Constable JOHN VANCE BLAIN – SUBSCRIPTIONS received in aid of the above at the Central Police Station.

J. WALTER SMART.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13390255

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The Evening News ( Sydney )     Wednesday  13 June 1877   p 2

Constable Blain’s Funeral,

Yesterday afternoon, the remains of that efficient and lamented young police officer, constable Blain, were interred at Haslem Creek Cemetery. The funeral was attended by the Inspector General of Police ( Mr. Fosberry ), Inspector Read, Sub-Inspectors Waters, Anderson, and Johnson, and a large number of his fellow officers. The procession, as it moved through the city, attracted general attention, and considerable regret was expressed at the untimely end of a promising a young officer. The members of the force, as may be seen from an advertisement, intend erecting a monument over his grave.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108196448

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The Evening News ( Sydney )     Saturday  4 August 1877     p 4

Monument to Constable Blain.

It is satisfactory to learn that there has been a prompt and generous response to the proposal for a monument over the remains of that distinguished but unfortunate police officer, Constable Blain. It will be remembered that Blain had a desperate encounter with a burglar who had broken into Mr. Hinch’s establishment in Pitt-street, and that he received such severe injuries as accelerated, if they were not mainly

the cause of his death shortly afterwards in the Infirmary. The Inspector-General and his officers and the whole force accorded his remains every honor by following them to the grave ; but they thought something more ought to be done, A suitable monument over the grave was proposed, and the matter having been taken in hand by Mr. Smart, J.P., the necessary funds were subscribed in the course of a few days. We have been shown the design of the monument together with the inscriptions, and it deserves to be said that the selection has been dictated by good taste and judgment.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108200225

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Andrew SUTHERLAND

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. # ‘Q‘ 1099

For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )

Rank:  Constable – appointed 7 January 1863

Senior Sergeant – appointed ? ? ?

Final Rank:  Senior Sergeant

Stations:  ?, Cowra – Death ?

Service:  From 7 January 1863 to  1 May 1872 = 9+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born: ? ? 1840, Wick, Scotland

Died on:  1 May 1872

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Event location:  Binni Creek, Cowra, NSW

Age: 31

Funeral date:

Funeral location:

Buried at:  Anglican section of the Young General cemetery

Memorial at:  Cowra Police Station, 88 Brisbane St, Cowra, NSW

ANDREW IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On 1 May, 1872 the sergeant was returning to Cowra from Bathurst Court.

During his journey he was told that two men who were wanted for robbery, George Gray and William Bristow, were at Daniel Horan‘s hut at Binnie Creek, twelve miles from Cowra.

The sergeant rode over to investigate and as he neared the door of the dwelling the offenders suddenly emerged and shot him to death.

The Clarence and Richmond Examiner dated 7 May, 1872 provided a brief account of the tragedy, which tends to suggest that the offenders were known to the sergeant.

SERGEANT SUTHERLAND SHOT DEAD BY BUSHRANGERS –

CARCOAR ” Thursday – I regret to have to announce that Sergeant Sutherland, of the Cowra police force, was shot dead last evening, by bushrangers, at a place about five miles from Cowra.

It appears that two armed men called on a settler named Daniel Oram, whose house is distant about two miles from Cowra and demanded food, which he placed on the table for them.

Sergeant Sutherland, who was going home from the Bathurst Assizes, rode up to the door during the meal, and was dismounting, when one of the men stopped to the door, gun in hand, and said, “I have been looking for you, you wretch,” and then shot him through the heart, causing instant death.

The men then went off and Oram started to Cowra, and upon arriving there, informed the police, who are now in pursuit of the murderers.

The fate of the unfortunate but brave officer is universally regretted. He leaves a wife, and had only been married a few months.

The sergeant was born in 1839 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 January, 1863.

At the time of his death he was stationed at Cowra.

The Queenslander

Sat.  9 Aug 1873  p 10

ST. GEORGE.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 31.

We have also to record the arrest of a man named Frank Riley alias George Gray by Sergeant Cranney, on the charge of murdering Senior-sergeant Andrew Sutherland, of the New South Wales force, at Hordern’s hut, Beni Creek, on the 1st of May, 1872.

The prisoner had been staying in town for some few weeks, and left accompanied by another man with the avowed intention of going to the Surat races, but parted with his comrade about three miles from Weribone, his comrade going on into Surat, while he went out into the bush to camp.

Sergeant Cranney, in the meantime, appearing to have some clue to his identity, followed the pair, and finding that only one had reached Surat, returned on his tracks, and camped in the bush for two nights endeavouring to ascertain the whereabouts of the prisoner.

Becoming faint from fasting, he went to Weribone Station for food, and just dropped on to the man he was looking for, and who had also been there on the same errand. The officer arrested him at once, and prisoner was taken to Surat and remanded to Roma, and we believe by this time is on his way to Brisbane.

This is the second arrest of New South Wales offenders made by Sergeant Cranney during the past few months, the other being that of James Madgwick, whose capture and exploits were narrated in your columns a short time since. Sergeant Cranney was also the officer who arrested the notorious Patrick Collins.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27277108

Address: 88 Brisbane Street, Cowra Police Station, Cowra, 2794
State: NSW
Area: AUS

Please Note: GPS Co-ordinates are approximate.

View Google Map

Monument Type: Garden

Theme: People

Sub-Theme: Crime

Description:

A plaque commemorates Sergeant Andrew Sutherland who was fatally shot in the line of duty as a New South Wales Police officer.

Sergeant Second Class Andrew Sutherland was shot whilst on duty at Binni Creek near Cowra on May 1, 1872. On May 1, 1872 he was returning to Cowra from Bathurst Court. En route he was told two offenders wanted for robbery, George Gray and William Bristow, were at Daniel Horan’s hut at Binni Creek, 12 miles from Cowra.

The Sergeant rode over to investigate and as he approached the door of the dwelling, two offenders emerged and shot and killed him. Gray and Bristow were subsequently arrested but both were later released without charge. No-one was ever convicted of the crime.

Actual Event Start Date: 01-May-1872

Actual Event End Date: 01-May-1872

Actual Monument Dedication Date: 01-March-2012

Front Inscription:

In memory of
Senior Sergeant Andrew SUTHERLAND

who was fatally shot whilst on police duty
at Binni Creek near Cowra
on the 1st May 1872.

http://monumentaustralia.org.au/australian_monument/display/97891?image=1

John McCABE

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  Q 1181

For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )

Rank:  Constable – appointed Monday  23 February 1863

Senior Constable

Stations:  Biree  ( see description below )

Service:  From 23 February 1863 to  1 November 1868 = 5+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1828, Ireland

Event date:  Tuesday  6 October 1868

Died on:  Sunday  1 November 1868

Place of Event:  Enngonia, NSW

Place of death:  ?

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Age:  39 – 40

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Bourke Old C of E Cemetery, Gorrell Ave & Kidman Way, Bourke, NSW

GPS – 30 06′ 05S / 145 56′ 14E

Memorial at:  ?

JOHN IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On 6 October, 1868 Constable McCabe was searching an area near the Queensland border for bushrangers Frank Pearson (Captain Starlight) and Charles Rutherford. He was accompanied by Constable Hugh McManus of the Queensland Police Force. During their patrol the police stopped for supplies at Shearer’s Inn, Enngonia (about 100 kilometres from Bourke). While they were so engaged, two riders appeared and entered the inn. Almost immediately, Pearson yelled “Bail up!” with the obvious intention of robbing those present. The two police, who had taken their weapons into the inn, turned and fired at the two offenders. Constable McCabe, who had dropped to one knee and fired, was shot in the chest, however he managed to fire several times, hitting Pearson in the wrist and right arm. The two bushrangers then ran from the inn and escaped. After rallying for almost a month, Constable McCabe died as a result of both his wound and the resultant infection. ( This murder is sometimes incorrectly attributed to small-time New England thug and armed robber Fred “Thunderbolt” Ward ).

The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser of 27 October, 1868 featured a lengthy article, informing its readers that “Immediately upon the termination of the encounter a special messenger was dispatched from Shearer’s to Bourke, a distance of seventy five miles, for medical assistance. Dr. Roberts, in company with Sergeant Cleary, were promptly upon the spot and the ball has been extracted from McCabe. Its course was through the left breast, passing through a part of the lungs, and finally lodging under the shoulder-blade. Although in a critical state from such a dangerous wound, Dr. Roberts anticipates a favourable result.”

Despite the doctor’s confident prognosis, however, Senior Constable McCabe passed away a few weeks later.

The senior constable was born in 1828 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 23 February, 1863. At the time of his death he was stationed at Biree (Brewarrina).  Biree (a small outpost Station believed to exist only from 1865 to 1869 in the river country between Brewarrina and Enngonia).

Newcastle Chronicle (NSW : 1866 – 1876),

Thursday 19 November 1868, page 3

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article111330794.txt

Location: 30 06′ 05S / 145 56′ 14E
Old C of E, Bourke.
Same GPS as ARMYTAGE as they are adjacent as can be seen in the long shot of the grave.

John CARROLL

Patrick KENNAGH

Eneas McDONNELL

John PHEGAN

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ????

Rank:  ALL were Special Constables

Stations:  ?

Service:  From  ? ? ?  to  9 January 1867

Awards:  ?

Born:  see below

Died on:  Wednesday  9 January 1867

Event location:  Braidwood

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Age:  see below

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Braidwood Cemetery

[alert_green] John CARROLL,  Patrick KENNAGH,  Eneas McDONNELL & John PHEGAN are mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]  *NEED MORE INFO

John Carroll (a senior warder at the Darlinghurst Gaol) was the leader of a group of four men sworn in as special constables to search for and capture the Clarke Gang of bushrangers. The patrol consisted of Carroll, Patrick Kennagh, Eneas McDonnell and John Phegan. They were well-armed and in January, 1867 had for some time been posing as surveyors in the Braidwood area in an attempt to discover the whereabouts of the bushrangers. On the afternoon of 9 January the four men were walking through an area of very dense bush on Jinden Station, having left their horses behind on that day for some reason, when they were ambushed.

Witnesses apparently twice heard shooting in the area at that time but did not investigate until the following day. In a clearing in the bush McDonnell and Phegan were found, shot to death, and about 800 metres away Carroll and Kennagh were found, also shot to death. Carroll was found lying on his back with a neatly folded handkerchief on his chest with a one-pound note pinned to it. A large sum of money he was carrying in his pocket had not been touched. The wounds suffered by Carroll and Kennagh suggest that not only were they murdered, but that they were actually “executed”. It is generally thought (and also often disputed) that their attackers were members of the Clarke Gang, however this has never been proved.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 12 January, 1867 informed its readers of the following.

BRAIDWOOD – MURDER OF THE SPECIAL CONSTABLES.

Friday: The four special constables – Carroll, MacDonald, Fagan, and Kennagh – sent here to capture Clarke’s gang, were on a visit to a station at Jinden, when they heard that Clarke would be at a place two miles distant from there, the constables went on foot with the intention of endeavouring to capture him, and, it is presumed, were met by a lawless mob and shot dead. It is said that Carroll’s legs had been broken, and his feet turned to his head. The mournful news reached Braidwood last night, and caused universal indignation, and cast a gloom over the entire population. Mr. Griffin and Superintendent Orridge are now holding an inquiry.

Like Carroll, Kennagh and McDonnell were prison warders (McDonnell was also an ex-policeman), while Phegan had been chosen for the search because, as a former associate of the Clarkes, he knew the Braidwood area well. They had been authorised by Colonial Secretary Henry Parkes to undertake a “secret expedition for the capture of the bushranger Thomas Clarke and his associates.” They had been promised wages, reward money (if successful) and significant positions in the Public Service for their endeavours. This situation, of course, was not popular at the time with substantive New South Wales police officers. A monument was later erected in the memory of these men at the Braidwood Cemetery (and inexplicably, McDonnell is referred to as Eneas ‘McDonald’).

These murders represent the highest number of police ever killed in a single incident of this type in Australian history. It is only surpassed by the spearing of patrols of Native Mounted Police in Queensland in the 1860’s. (Ned Kelly killed three Victorian police officers in a single incident at Stringybark Creek in 1878).

Special Constable McDonnell was born in 1817,

Special Constable Carroll in 1829,

Special Constable Phegan in 1837, and

Special Constable Kennagh in 1841.

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Clarence and Richmond Examiner & New England Advertiser ( NSW )    Tuesday  12 February 1867    page 3 of 8

Meetings of sympathy with the families of the special constables recently murdered continue to be held, and much indignation is expressed at the rottenness and inefficiency of our expensive military police force. A commission, with a great preponderance of officialism in it, has been appointed, to inquire into the circumstances of the late murders of the special constables, and the state of the Braidwood district. The public have little confidence in the fitness of the commissioners.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/63665154

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http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/112710985

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Police and Bushranger descendants tour bushranger sites in district

https://www.braidwoodtimes.com.au/story/3391817/police-and-bushranger-descendants-tour-bushranger-sites-in-district/

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A bloody ambush.  Clarkes to be retried.  pdf

http://www.bwdmag.com.au/BWD_11/%20BWD11_2223.pdf

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Miles O’GRADY

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ?

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Nerrigundah

Service:  From  15 June 1863  to  9 April 1866 = 2+ years Service

Awards:   ?

Born:  ? ? 1841

Died on: 9 April 1866

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Event location:  Nerrigundah

Age:  25

Funeral date:   ?

Funeral location:   ?

Buried at:   ?

[alert_green]MILES IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]

On the morning of 9 April, 1866 Thomas Clarke and his gang of bushrangers appeared at Deep Creek near the Gulph Goldfields and spent the day robbing passing travellers. At nearby Nerrigundah, 19 km west of Bodalla, Constable Patrick Smythe was performing his duties alone. Sergeant Nelson Hitch was absent at Braidwood Court and Constable O’Grady was in bed seriously ill with ‘colonial fever‘ (probably cholera). When Clarke learned of the police situation at Nerrigundah he led his gang into the township. Upon their arrival they held up Wallis’ Hotel and Pollock’s Store. Mrs Pollock (wife of the local gold buyer), however, threw the keys to the safe into the street and the gang spent considerable time searching for them in the darkness.

News of the events reached Constables Smythe and O’Grady at the police barracks and, against the wishes of his colleague, Miles O’Grady arose from his sick bed and dressed in his uniform. The two constables then set out to engage the bushrangers although O’Grady was very ill, and was having difficulty walking. As they approached Wallis’ Hotel, the police spotted the bushrangers and O’Grady fired, killing bushranger William Fletcher. In the ensuing gun battle O’Grady was shot in the side and as both police fell back, the gang ran to their horses and escaped. O’Grady was carried to the police barracks where he died a few hours later in great pain.

The Mercury newspaper dated 16 April, 1866 announced the constable’s unfortunate death from the wounds received, informing its readers that “Additional news respecting Clarke’s gang states that they burned down a settler’s homestead near Moruya and robbed Pollock’s station [store?]of £800, and several others of smaller amounts! Constable O’Grady has died of the wounds he received. The ringleader has been identified as Tommy Clarke. The Government is now taking steps to outlaw all connected.”

The constable was born in 1841 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 June, 1863. At the time of his death he was stationed at Nerrigundah.

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The Kiama Independent & Shoalhaven Advertiser ( NSW )    Thursday  29 November 1866  p 3 of 4

The Bushranger Thomas CONNELL. – This prisoner, who was arrested by sergeant Byrne on Wednesday last, was charged at the Braidwood police court on Monday with the murder of constable O’Grady, at Nerrigundah, on the 9th of April last, and remanded to Moruya, there to be dealt with. Yesterday morning he was forwarded under escort of the police to Nelligen, en route to Moruya. – Braidwood Dispatch.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/106006894

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At 1pm on 9 April,2016, a commemorative service and presentation will be held at the re furbished monument at Nerrigundah to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the murder of our brother, Miles O’GRADY, by members of the Clarke gang bushrangers. There will also be a presentation by the Moruya and districts historical society at 2pm. There will be a detachment from the mounted police as well as a flag party.

If interested the contact for this is A/Supt Greg Flood at Far South Coast LAC on 02 44789910.

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Bushranger shootout in Nerrigundah commemorated with NSW Police flag ceremony

Posted Tuesday  3 May 2016 at 5:49pm

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/video/201605/Nerrigundah%20shootout%20mid.mp4

Well before anyone had heard of Ned Kelly, a gang of bushrangers robbed and murdered across an area from present day Canberra to the south-east coast of NSW.

The Clarke Gang have been dubbed “the bloodiest bushrangers”. They shot and wounded some of their victims, and killed others, and they’re suspected of killing all four of a police special squad sent from Sydney to track them down.

On April 9 1866 they killed Constable Miles O’Grady in a shootout in the then thriving mining town of Nerrigundah, which is now a quiet, isolated settlement of about 30 people, connected to the world by a public telephone.

Very little is left now of the many hotels, shops, houses and shacks that supported thousands of miners who came to the town during its 1860s gold rush, but a stone memorial to the murdered policeman stands proud.

The community and around 200 visitors gathered at that memorial on the 150th anniversary of the shootout to attend a NSW Police flag ceremony to honour Constable O’Grady.

The author of a book about the gang, Peter Smith, said that if bushrangers were measured by how violent they were, and how many people they murdered, then the Clarke Gang were at the top of the scale.

“They were a lawless lot that started off taking horses out of paddocks and returning the horses and claiming the rewards,” said Mr Smith.

“They drifted further into crime, then highway robbery, then full-scale bushranging.”

By the time they rode into Nerrigundah in April 1866 they had a fearsome reputation.

“They were an amalgamation of families that started in the area south of Braidwood,” Mr Smith said.

“The whole area south of Braidwood had a reputation for many years as a lawless area.”

The core of the gang comprised their leader Thomas Clarke and his brother John, together with their uncles, Pat and Tom Connell.

By 1865 Thomas Clarke had warrants issued for his arrest — for crimes that he denied.

He calculated that the police case was weak and he would avoid a conviction and so he surrendered at Braidwood. But the police by now regarded him as a notorious bushranger and were preparing cases that would see him imprisoned for a very long time.

Then when Clarke heard that he would be transferred to Goulburn Gaol and his trial heard there, he escaped from Braidwood Gaol.

“There was no return after that. He had to become a full-time bushranger,” Mr Smith said.

The gang came to Nerrigundah after travelling well south to the Bega races. Horse races were always an opportunity to steal another racehorse or perhaps someone’s winnings.

On their return north they held up the road leading into Nerrigundah, about five kilometres from town, robbing travellers as they came by. They shot and wounded one and beat up another.

Meanwhile, Constable O’Grady was severely ill in bed with what was then called colonial fever, his sergeant was away in Moruya, and the one remaining policeman was a newly arrived recruit, Constable Patrick Smythe.

“It’s difficult to know that they really intended to come into Nerrigundah in the first place,” Mr Smith said.

“When they found out that the place was basically unprotected, it’s probably when they thought they’d come into town.”

Leaving two of the gang to guard their captives, the gang rode into town. With them was a new member of the gang, William Fletcher. It was to be his only day as a bushranger.

They rode to one of the hotels and began taking captives and robbing them.

Mr Smith said the hotel was across the road from Pollocks Store where there was “probably 200 or 300 ounces of gold, which in present days would be worth a million dollars or more”.

Word got to O’Grady on his sick bed a little further down the road, and with Constable Smythe they made their way up the road to confront the bushrangers.

The publican of one of the other nearby hotels, Mrs Jones, tried to stop O’Grady as he was so ill he was staggering.

His response was, “I will do my duty.”

The two Constables confronted the gang outside the hotel. The bushranger William Fletcher was the first to be shot, and then Constable O’Grady was shot, and the gang fled the town.

“Once they’d murdered a police constable they were outlawed,” Mr Smith said.

“Once they were outlawed it meant that they had no rights. They could be shot by anybody. Basically they were already condemned to death. There was no reason to surrender. They were committed.”

The Clarke Gang would eventually be tracked down but not until after more robberies and more killings. Tommy Clarke and his brother John would get a one-day trial and then were hanged.

Ever since that day in Nerrigundah, Constable Miles O’Grady has been a police hero.

Speaking after the NSW Police flag ceremony, Detective Superintendent Kevin McNeil said, “The poignant moment in his death is when O’Grady is staggering and Mrs Jones says ‘Don’t go’ and he says ‘I will do my duty’. And from that point on he’s doing his duty for the people of New South Wales”.

“He knew what he was confronting. This Clarke Gang was very famous. He knew all about the Clarke Gang. Later on they killed four police at Jinden Station near Braidwood. That’s how violent they were.

“That was the moment, yet he still went out there because other people were at risk, to protect their life and property.”

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-03/nerrigundah-clarke-gang-ogrady-bushranger-shootout/7379516

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