About 3.50pm on 21 October, 1960 Constable Hardacre was riding a police motor cycle along the Princes Highway just south of Kiama. While negotiating a bend the cycle drifted onto the incorrect side of the roadway and collided head-on with another vehicle. The constable was killed instantly.
The constable was born in 1936 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 2 March, 1959. At the time of his death he was stationed at Kiama.
Photo: Beyond Courage
Police Cyclist Killed In Road Crash
SYDNEY, Sunday.— A young police motor-cyclist was killed to-day when he was involved in a head-on collision with a car near Kiama.
His death took the N.S.W. road toll for this year to 705.
He was one of the eight people who died on State roads at the week-end — three of them in country areas.
The policeman, Constable Peter Hardacre, 24, of Kiama police, was killed when his cycle and a car collided on the Princes Highway, five miles south of Kiama.
Constable Hardacre, who was single, had been stationed at Kiama for 18 months.
The Canberra Times Monday 22 October 1962 Page 5 of 20
No other information has been gleaned about this man via the internet – May 2014
Report of the Police Department for 1962 p 28
Constable Peter Hardacre. About 3.50 p.m. on the 21st October, 1962, Constable Hardacre was riding a Departmental solo motor cycle in a southerly direction on Princes Highway and when rounding a bend in the roadway about 4 miles south of Kiama the motor cycle ran on the incorrect side of the road and collided head on with a motor car. The Constable was thrown over the car to the roadway. He was conveyed to Kiama District Hospital where life was pronounced extinct.
On 23 June, 1956 the sergeant was involved in the violent arrest of an offender at the Commercial Hotel, Junee. During the incident the sergeant suffered injuries to his kidneys which subsequently led to a number of operations and ongoing medical treatment for many years afterward.
On the morning of 14 April, 1962 Sergeant Cavanagh, then the officer in charge of the Morisset Police Station, collapsed on duty and was conveyed to the Newcastle Hospital. He remained in a semi-coma until he sadly passed away a week later. The cause of death was kidney failure caused by his injuries in 1956.
R. E. Cavanagh of Junee was promoted from Constable 1st Class to Senior Constable around 24 December 1954 as advertised in The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 24 December 1954 on page 3 of 12.
The sergeant was born on 15 March 1915 and joined the New South Wales police Force on 25 August, 1939. At the time of his death he was stationed at Morisset.
On 20 January, 1961 Constable Burke was holidaying on the South Coast with his family. In the afternoon of that day the family were at Kiama Beach when the constable was informed by his son that two boys were in difficulties in an undertow.
Constable Burke entered the water and swam out through the heavy surf to assist. Unfortunately he collapsed during his efforts and after being seen floating face downwards in the water, was carried onto the beach. He failed to respond to resuscitation and was conveyed to the Kiama District Hospital where life was pronounced extinct.
The constable was born in Condobolin in 1927 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 June, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Redfern. He is listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll.
There is a Francis L BURKE buried at Rookwood ( as detailed above ) but no other verifying details via internet search.
There is also a Francis Neil BURKE mentioned in the Kiama Independent on 25 January 1961 having died at Kiama, late of Sydney.
Nothing found on Trove.
Acts of Bravery by Police
The late Constable F. L. Burke was posthumously awarded the Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit of the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society for gallantry in attempting to save the lives of two boys in the surf at Kiama on the 20th January, 1961. The Constable lost his own life on this occasion although the boys were saved.
Police Killed in the Execution of Their Duty
Constable Francis Laurel Burke.
Drowned at Kiama on the 20th January, 1961, whilst assisting two boys who were in difficulties in the water. The Constable was On annual leave at the time and holidaying with his family at Kiama.
Mentioned twice, on page 29 of 1962 Parliament of NSW – Report of the Police Department for 1961
A family member of Constable Francis Laurel Burke, who died in 1961, laid a wreath at the Police Remembrance Day commemorations on Monday. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI
Almost 60 years on, Kenneth Nash still misses his uncle Allen.
Sergeant Allen William Nash, aged 40, was killed in the line of duty by a gun-wielding offender at Primbee in 1956.
Sgt Nash was one of eight officers stationed in the Lake Illawarra local area command who were recognised with memorial plaques on a wall of honour outside Lake Illawarra police station on Monday, as part of Police Remembrance Day commemorations.
Dozens of current and retired officers, families, friends, politicians, councillors and members of the public gathered at Oak Flats for a ceremony to unveil the memorial wall, and honour past and present officers.
THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2014
Since 1862, more than 250 NSW Police officers have died in the line of duty.
Memorial located at: 1/ Glen Davis Rd, Capertee – the Clarence Pirie Memorial Park
Lat: -33.143736 Long: 149.983791
2/ a Wall Plaque at Chifley L.A.C.
SenCon Clarrie Pirie ( 1960 )
Clarence Roy PIRIE – Touch Plate at the National Wall of Police Remembrance, Canberra
CLARENCEIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Grave location: Rookwood Cemetery, NSW
Zone E, Section 19, Grave 3661
INSCRIPTION: In Loving Memory of my dear husband and our dear father Clarence Roy PIRIE died 13th October 1960 aged 40 years. Erected by the New South Wales Government in Memory of Senior Constable Clarence Roy PIRIE who was shot & killed in the Execution of his Duty at Jew’s Creek on the 13th October 1960. Police Crest.
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Senior Constable Clarrie Pirie was the Officer-in-Charge of the Capertee Police Station from 1958 until his death on 13 October, 1960. On that day he was informed by Lithgow Police that two male offenders had abandoned a stolen car at Cudgigong, north of Capertee.
While patrolling the area Senior Constable Pirie found two fourteen year-olds with a vehicle at a roadside camping area at Jews Creek, ten miles south of Capertee. These however were not the two offenders the police were searching for and as such Constable Pirie did not know that on the previous day the pair had escaped from the Yasmar children’s detention centre ( Lidcombe ) and had broken into a dwelling where they stole several items of property and the vehicle before driving to the Jews Creek area.
As the constable was talking to the young offenders one of them suddenly produced a .22 rifle and shot Constable Pirie. He died a short time later. Both youths were captured the following day.
The senior constable was born in 1920 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 September, 1947.
At the time of his death he was stationed at Capertee.
Knew Clarie well when I was at Cowra and Clarie was LUK at Young, I was transferred on the PSB at Lithgow and Clarie was transferred to Capertee so I used to see a lot him as the Highway Patrol done daily runs to Capertee.
I took the phone call at Lithgow from a chap from Cullen Bullen to say Clarie had been shot, then drove Insp. Eli Hanson and Det S/Cst Jimmy Foster to the Scene at Jew’s Creek.
Never will forget that day.
His Youngest son John was a Police Support Officer and KAC Manager at Orange.
( Eli HANSON, NSWPF # 2207, Retired in 1962 and died in January 1973 ( aged 71 years, 0 months, 2 days ) )
Police Remembrance Day – 29 September 2022
A message received from one of the daughters of Roy & Frances PIRIE on 21 September 2022:
Dear Greg, Not sure if you are the right person to find out some info on Police Memorial Day Services in the Young area.
I live near Young & would really like to be able to pay my respect to my Dad who was killed on duty in 1960. It’s my only way to keep my memory going & now my Mum has passed, I’m feeling the sadness even more.
My Dad was Constable Clarence Roy Pirie who was shot & killed at Capertee.
I usually find out after the event that there had been a service around Young so what I’m hoping is that someone could let me know beforehand so I could attend.
Sorry to trouble you but just reaching out.
Yours respectfully,
Francine Pirie.
/////////////////////
Hello Francine.
Good choice picking me. lol.
I have tried to phone Young ( without success ) but I have just spoken with the District Commander, Supt. Paul Condon, and he confirms that there WILL be a Service in Young.
He is now on the phone to obtain the ‘where and when’ for us.
/////////////////////
omg, bless you & thank you x
I am on NSW Fallen Police ( FB Group ) so that’s how I got you so; thanks again.
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There is a Service at Young Police Station ( only a small Service though ) at 11am on Thursday 29 September. The troops there will be expecting you.
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Greg thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’ll be there
x
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You are very welcome Francine.
xoxox
Cal
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Dear Greg,
Thank you so much for organising my attendance yesterday.
The staff at Young Police Station were amazing. The young Police Officers were so interested in my family’s story.
Thank you for the link as I read through the article I read things I didn’t know about. Many tears have been cried but I still believe it’s been a healing time for me even though it’s been 62 years.
Sometimes you need a reason & yesterday was a good reason to grieve, not only for my Dad but for all the other families who have lost their loved one.
Again Greg, thank you from my heart as this would not have happened if you hadn’t gone to the trouble to organise this for me.
God bless you
Francine Pirie
xx
The Result
Young Police – Remembrance Day – 2022 – Francine Pirie – Holding picture – Daughter of Clarence Pirie – killed 13 Oct 1960
Great effort from Young Police and Supt. Paul Condon, Goulburn
Mrs Frances Josephine PIRIE sadly passed away last night ( Friday 12 October 2019 ) aged 94 years – 5 days shy of her 95th birthday.
Wife of Senior Constable Clarence Roy PIRIE of the Capertee Police.
Almost 59 years to the day, Frances and Clarey are together again.
Knew Clarie well when I was at Cowra and Clarie was LUK at Young, I was transferred on the PSB at Lithgow and Clarie was transferred to Capertee so I used to see a lot him as the Highway Patrol done daily runs to Capertee.
I took the phone call at Lithgow from a chap from Cullen Bullen to say Clarie had been shot, then drove Insp. Eli Hanson and Det S/Cst Jimmy Foster to the Scene at Jew’s Creek.
Never will forget that day.
His Youngest son John was a Police Support Officer and KAC Manager at Orange.
Almost all visitors to Capertee will notice the large memorial park in the middle of the village close to the Glen Davies turnoff. This recreational area, which includes a car park, childrens’ playground and toilets, is officially named after Clarence Pirie a notable policeman who was stationed in the community during the late 1950s and early 60s. While many police have served the Capertee district well over the years Pirie deserves lasting recognition as he gave his life to protecting the community.
Senior Constable Clarence (Clarie) Roy Pirie was born in Paddington, Sydney, in 1920. During World War 2 he joined the army and served in New Guinea. After the war, in 1947, he joined the New South Wales Police Force, and from 1959 to 1960 he was the Officer-in-Charge at Capertee Police Station.
On the 13th October 1960 he was asked to look out for two male offenders who had abandoned a stolen car north of Capertee.While patrolling the area the following day, Pirie found two 14 year-olds with a vehicle at a roadside camping site at Jews Creeks south of Capertee. According to police records, these were not the suspects who had abandoned the vehicle the previous day but two escapees from the Yasmar juvenile detention centre in Haberfield, Sydney. While interviewing the youths one of them suddenly produced a stolen .22 rifle and shot the officer twice. The Senior Constable died of his wounds at the scene a short time after. The two youths were arrested the following day and were later imprisoned. Pirie was survived by his wife Frances and four young children.
The memory of Clarie Pirie as well as the many other police who have been killed in the line of duty is commemorated each year on Police Memorial Day which is held near the end of September.
INSCRIPTION: This plaque has been erected to perpetuate the memory of Senior Constable Clarence Roy PIRIE in recognition of his ultimate sacrifice when he died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained when arresting two juvenile car thieves at Jews Creek on the 13th October 1960. “to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heaven”
SYDNEY, Thursday: – Police were to-night conducting one of the largest manhunts ever in the Central Western district for two youths who are alleged to have shot dead Senior Constable Clarence Roy Pirie, 40, of Cullen Bullen.
The constable was chasing two youths on the Capertee Cullen Bullen Road early to- night.
Pirie, a father of four, was believed to have been killed with a .22 rifle.
Police from Lithgow, Bathurst, Mount Victoria, Kandos, Rylstone, Katoomba, Oberon, Orange and other centres are searching dense bush near Jews Creek.
Police from other Central Western stations and from Sydney will join the searchers to-morrow.
The searchers are heavily armed with rifles and riot guns.
Other specialised weapons will arrive from Sydney to-morrow.
At 9 a.m. to-day a stolen car was found abandoned at Cudgegong.
Two youths were seen to leave the car and police in the area were alerted.
Constable Pirie sighted two youths in a second stolen car on the Lithgow-Mudgee Road near Jew’s Creek.
Overturned
The stolen car overturned at high speed about a half mile farther on.
Two youths scrambled from the wreck and fled into the bush.
Constable Pirie followed them.
Police believe that the elder youth, realising that Pirie was following them, turned and fired the shot which fatally wounded the policeman.
LITHGOW, Tuesday:- A 14-year-old Sydney boy was remanded in Lithgow Children’s Court to-day on a charge of murdering a policeman.
He was remanded till November 1 without bail and will be detained in custody until that date.
The boy was charged with having murdered Constable Clarence Roy Pirie at Jews Creek camping reserve on October 13.
Police prosecutor Sergeant J. S. Smith said the youth charged with murder had escaped from a Sydney boys’ home on October 12 and together with another boy had stolen a car.
The car was allegedly parked at Jews Creek’ Camping reserve the next day.
When Const. Pirie approached the vehicle he was allegedly shot dead.
The Canberra Times Tuesday 7 March 1961 page 3 of 20
SYDNEY, Monday: — Christopher Lindsay, 15, went to gaol to-day for 15 years for killing a policeman last year.
Mr. Justice Else Mitchell described the fair-haired, well-dressed boy as a “young gangster.”
Lindsay, of Alice Street, Newtown, did not appear to be emotionally upset at the sentence.
He turned to court officials who led him from the dock to the cells below.
The sight of the boy being led away brought an outburst of sobbing from the public gallery.
Lindsay last week had pleaded not guilty to having murdered Constable Clarence Roy Pirie, 39, at Jews Creek Camping Reserve off the Mudgee Road near Cullen Bullen on October 13 last.
The Crown accepted Lindsay’s plea of guilty of man slaughter.
Lindsay – standing in the dock of Central Criminal Court with hands clasped in front of him – heard Mr. Justice Else Mitchell say that the deposition and Lindsay’s own signed statement left slender ground for the lesser offence.
“Before committing this crime, you had shown a refusal both in England and in this country to conform with the laws which are made for the good of society.
“From the record, it is clear that the processes of the habitation and reform which are provided by the country here have made no impact on your attitude or conduct.
“In pursuit of this anti-social conduct you twice escaped from Yasma shelter, where you were being detained awaiting trial for various charges, and on the second occasion in company with a confederate, younger than yourself, stole a rifle, food, other goods and then a motor car in which you travelled to the scene of the crime.
“When you were in fear of apprehension by a constable of the police for the theft of the car you did not hesitate to shoot him because as you said ‘You did not want him to catch you with the car.’
“Your subsequent conduct and your attempt to evade capture though perhaps natural do not appear to have been accompanied by any manifestation of c0ntrition or remorse, a fact which seems to me all the more serious in view of Dr. McGeorge’s conclusion that you are not suffering from any mental or psychiatric disorders.
“A substantial sentence appears to be necessary not only for the reasons I mentioned but as the only possible way in which you may begin to understand your obligations to society.”
SYDNEY, Friday:— The Full Supreme Court to-day dismissed a school boy’s appeal against a 15-year sentence for the manslaughter of a policeman.
The boy, Christopher Lindsay, 15, appealed against the severity of the sentence.
Mr. Justice Else-Mitchell, in Central Criminal Court, had sentenced Lindsay to 15 years gaol for the manslaughter of Constable
Clarence Roy Pirie, at Jew’s Creek, last October.
Pirie was questioning Lindsay on a car theft at the time.
Lindsay to-day conducted his own case before the Full Bench — comprising the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Evatt, Mr. justice Herron and Mr. Justice Hardie.
He handed the bench a written statement, headed —’ “No Discourtesy.”
The statement read: “I respectfully submit that His Honour, at the time of imposing the severe sentence for manslaughter, regarded the offence as tantamount to murder.
“I further most respectfully submit the crime was not premeditated.
“The whole tragedy took place in a matter of seconds.
“At no time did I intend this man’s death.
“I respectfully submit that a 14-year-old youth to be sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for a crime he did not intend, is too severe.”
Mr. Justice Else-Mitchell, reported to the Full Court, that Lindsay’s offence was hardly distinguishable from murder.
However, he had felt that he was bound by the Crown’s acceptance of the manslaughter plea.
Lindsay originally had been charged with murder.
Mr. Justice Else-Mitchell said it had been submitted he should not impose a crushing sentence.
He also was mindful of the danger with a youthful offender — that the imposition of a heavy gaol sentence often could produce more harm than good.
The Full Court ruled unanimously against Lindsay’s appeal.
It added that Lindsay’s crime called for the greatest condemnation.
PERSONAL LOSS: Inspector Greg Pringle and police administration manager John Pirie have personal experience of the loss of someone close on Police Remembrance Day. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0926police2
REPRESENTATIVES from Orange Police Station will today attend a national memorial in Canberra for Police Remembrance Day.
For Inspector Greg Pringle and Canobolas Local Area administration manager John Pirie, the day bears a special significance.
John Pirie was just coming up to his fifth birthday when his 40-year-old father Senior Constable Clarence Roy Pirie was shot at point-blank range and killed near Capertee.
It was on October 13, 1960, that Mr Pirie’s father was patrolling when he came across a stolen vehicle. He stopped the vehicle and spoke to two youths inside, but one of them pulled a gun on Snr Const Pirie and shot him.
Inspector Pringle’s experience is in contrast, but he agrees the grief that comes with losing a colleague on the job remains for many years.
“I was with highway patrol working out of Cootamundra in 1988. I had a cup of tea with a fellow officer Constable Kurt Schetor before we headed off to patrol in separate directions,” Insp Pringle said.
Ten minutes later the then Constable Pringle received a call to respond to a crash and he arrived to find his friend and colleague was in involved in a head-on crash with a truck.
“I did my best but I couldn’t revive him,” he said.
Insp Pringle said many police officers carried a burden of grief with them for colleagues who died on the job.
“In many ways it is harder to deal with your own grief,” he said.
“When you are a police officer your ‘tank’ is full of other people’s grief because that’s part of the job. But it doesn’t leave much left.”
Officers from Canobolas Local Area Command will not be marking Police Remembrance Day in Orange this year.
Instead, this year’s service will be held at Cowra which is part of the Canobolas Local Area Command.
A brother and sister came to yesterday’s National Police Remembrance Day ceremony to remember their dad who was killed in the line of duty 50 years ago.
REMEMBER THEM: Police, emergency services personnel and community members gathered in All Saints’ Cathedral yesterday to mark National Police Remembrance Day. Photo: PHILL MURRAY 092901prem
Three generations of Clarence Roy Pirie’s family came together in All Saints’ Cathedral to honour the police officer who was shot and killed by two escapees at Capertee on October 13, 1960.
At the time her father was killed MaryAnne Ford was just three years old – her brother Ron Pirie was seven. There were two more siblings Francine who was not yet two and John who was five. After the police officer’s death, their mum was left to raise the young family alone. Although MaryAnne remembers little of her dad she still treasures the plastic ‘policeman plod’ doll that he gave her before he died. It is something concrete to remember him by.
“The day I got married I left my bouquet on his grave,” she said.
Ron said although he has blocked out a lot of his memories of that sad time there are things that he does remember – like being put in the wooden slab lock up when he was naughty.
Although yesterday’s national remembrance day was to remember all police who lost their lives, for Clarence Pirie’s family it was very personal.
Apart from MaryAnne and Ron, Clarence’s granddaughters Ruth Ford and Kellyanne Howarth were at the special ceremony along with his three-month-old great grandson Jaydon.
They said the ceremony was both moving and beautiful.
“It was hard, but it was good,” Ron said with tears in his eyes.
He paused then and shook his head. “You know it never goes away.”
Slain policeman remembered
DON MAHONEY
15 Oct, 2010 08:40 AM
When Senior Constable Clarence (‘Clarrie’) Roy Pirie went to work on the morning of the October 13, 1960, he fully expected to go home to his wife Frances and their four young children at the end of the day.Sadly, 40-year-old Senior Constable Pirie lost his life that day at Jews Creek, when he was shot by one of two escapees from a juvenile detention centre.
Senior Constable Pirie’s family returned to Capertee this week to remember the events that turned their lives upside down for all time.
On Thursday morning Senior Constable Pirie’s wife Frances, with her children, grandchildren and some great-grandchildren, joined senior police including Deputy Commissioner Dave Owen, Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, Chifley Area Command Superintendent Michael Robertson, Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin, and many members of the police force at Clarrie Pirie Memorial Park in Capertee to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.
A service was conducted by Police Chaplin Mark Jenkins from the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst and was addressed by the Superintendent Robertson, Mr Martin and Detective Superintendent Jim Foster who investigated Senior Constable Pirie’s death.
“Senior Constable Pirie paid the ultimate sacrifice and was the sixth of eight police officers [in the Chifley command] to lose their life upholding the law,” Superintendent Robertson said.
“Those who follow [in the police force] serve to do his memory proud and he lives on through this park, which was named in his honour.
“The debt owed by society to Senior Constable Pirie cannot be measured and we will always ensure that he is remembered.”
Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin related how Clarrie Pirie served with the Australian Armed Forces in New Guinea during World War II and how he met his wife in military service.
“He undertook a very challenging front line career, which can be extremely dangerous,” Mr Martin said, speaking on behalf of Police Minister Michael Daley.
“His loss will always be a tragedy and compares to the recent death of trainee detective William Crews, the former Glen Innes who lost his life in the line of duty last month.”
Detective Superintendent Jim Foster told how Senior Constable Pirie had joined the police force in 1947 and served at Parramatta and Young before being transferred to Capertee in 1958.
“Those were difficult times with no two-way radios or mobile phones, but the community spirit was evident as we investigated the case,” Detective Foster said.
“The Postmaster at Cullen Bullen kept the phone lines open after the 6pm regular closing time so that we had communications.
“The only police photographer was hours away and a local chemist took the photos we needed to record evidence.
The offenders were arrested at 3am on October 14 as they were attempting to board the Mudgee Mail train at Capertee.”
Detective Superintendent Foster said Senior Constable Pirie was faithful to his duty as a police officer and earned the respect of the Capertee community and the police in the then Lithgow sub-district.
Mrs Pirie said her husband’s attention to detail in his work as a police officer was incredible.
“He knew just about every car that passed through town,” she said.
“Strange cars always attracted his attention.”
Perhaps that attention to duty led him to investigate the stolen vehicle driven by the two escapees, that he saw at Jews Creek that day 50 years ago.
Mrs Pirie, now in her 80s, said her husband’s death changed her life forever as she struggled to raise four children.
“At the time of Clarrie’s death Ron was 8, John 5, Mary Anne 3 and Francene 2,” she said.
“I received a small police pension but had to go out and work to be able to raise and educate them.
“I had to remove our personal effects from the police house at Capertee soon after Clarrie’s death and we moved to Young.”
The ceremony concluded with wreaths being laid by Mrs Pirie and family, Assistant Commissioner David Owen, Superintendent Michael Robertson and the students from Capertee Public School.
John Pirie Wall to Wall – Ride for Remembrance – 2014 I was immensely proud, felt hugely honoured and felt very humbled that the Wall to Wall riders from the Western Region led by Geoff McKecknie stopped at Capertee today. I would also like to express my gratitude to Paul Bousfield and the Capertee Community, especially the school children and those that help with providing lunch for the riders.
by Det. Supt. ( Retired ) Jim FOSTER ( R.I.P. 9 July 2019 )
( 2014 ) The offender, Christopher Lindsay ( assuming he served the full 15 years, would have been 30 years of age when released from gaol in 1975. Assuming he is still alive today, he would now be around 69 years old.
I did a cursory search for him, via Google, but it is a common name and pursued it no further.
Cal
Clarence Roy PIRIE’s Daughter, Maryanne – July 2014 in the park dedicated to her father killed 54 years earlier.
[blockquote]Stopped at my Dad’s park and had a cuppa a few days ago, often wonder how different our lives would have been if he hadn’t been killed. I will, in my elderly mother’s honor, ride the Wall to Wall ( of Remembrance ) this September.[/blockquote]
Clarence Roy PIRIE 13.10.1960 Wall Plaque, Chifley L.A.C.
William Thomas GREEN
| 26/10/2012
William Thomas GREEN
AKA TRIGGER ( Gosford )
Late of ?
NSW Redfern / Penrith Police Academy Class # ? ? ?
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ???? ( 790* – 797* )
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Constable
Stations: ?, Gosford – Death
Service: From 1 February 1955 to2 October 1960 = 5+ years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ?1931
Died on: Sunday 2 October 1960 during the morning
Age: 29
Cause: MVA – Rider – Urgent Duty –
Event location: Victoria St & Adelaide St, Gosford
Event date: Saturday 1 October 1960 about 6pm – Gosford Hospital
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Point Clare General Cemetery, Coolam Ave, Pt Clare
Anglican 9, Row 20, Plot 18
Lat -33.433889
Long 151.311667
Memorial located at: ?
Inscription In Loving Memory of WILLIAM THOMAS GREEN DIED 2nd OCT 1960 AGED 29 YEARS
[alert_green] WILLIAMIS mentionedon the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
[divider_dotted]
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
About 6pm on 1 October, 1960 Constable Green left the Gosford Police Station to assist at the scene of a serious motor vehicle accident at Terrigal. At the time he was riding a Special Traffic Patrol motor cycle. As he was travelling along Victoria Street a panel van travelling in the opposite direction began to turn into Adelaide Street in front of the police cycle. The cycle collided with the front of the panel van, throwing the constable to the roadway. He was conveyed to the Gosford District Hospital where he died the following morning.
The constable was born in 1931 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 1 February, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Gosford.
Raymond William McLEAN
| 26/10/2012
Raymond William McLEAN
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Sergeant 2nd Class
Stations: ?
Service: From? to 11 September 1959
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1904
Died on: 11 September 1959
Cause: Heart attack
Event location: Manly Police Station
Age: ?
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial at: ?
[alert_green]RAYMOND IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location: ?
[divider_dotted]
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
About 7.15pm on 11 September, 1959 Sergeant McLean met the Northern Wireless Car in the yard of the Manly Police Station to assist the car crew with a prisoner. The prisoner struggled violently while he was being taken into the station and continued to do so in the dock. Sergeant McLean assisted to secure the prisoner throughout his struggles. A short time later as the sergeant was walking across the station yard, he collapsed. He was taken by ambulance to the Manly District Hospital, however was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death was found to have been coronary artery disease which resulted in a heart attack caused by his exertions with the prisoner earlier that night.
The sergeant was born in 1904 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 27 March, 1929. At the time of his death he was stationed at Manly.
[divider_dotted]
James Thomas CLIFTON
| 26/10/2012
James Thomas CLIFTON
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Constable
Stations: ?, Balmain – death
Service 1: From 5 June 1950 to August 1954 = 4+ years Service
Service 2: From 26 August 1957 to 31 July 1959 = 1+ years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1928
Died on: 31 July 1959
Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – Police cycle – Rider
Event location: Victoria Rd near Gagin St, Parramatta
Age: 30
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial location: ?
JAMES IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
On 31 July, 1959 Constable Clifton rode his police motor cycle outfit from his home to the Parramatta Police Station where he had a meeting with local detectives. Following the meeting he set out to ride to the Balmain Police Station to commence his rostered shift at 7pm. As he was travelling along Victoria Road, Parramatta a pedestrian ran out onto the roadway near the intersection of Gagin Street. Although he took evasive action and braked the sidecar on Constable Clifton’s cycle hit the pedestrian. The cycle then veered across the road, throwing the constable head first beneath a car travelling toward him. He was killed instantly.
The constable was born in 1928 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 June, 1950. He resigned in August, 1954 and rejoined on 26 August, 1957. At the time of his death he was stationed at Balmain.
William LORD – Touch Plate at National Police Wall of Remembrance
About 5pm on 23 December, 1958 Constable Lord was riding a Police Public Safety Bureau motor cycle in Alison Road, Randwick, when he became involved in the pursuit of a speeding motor cycle. At the intersection of Wansey Road another vehicle began to turn in front of the oncoming police cycle. Seeing the police cycle approaching the driver of the vehicle took evasive action, however a collision occurred and Constable Lord was thrown from his cycle and onto another car. Although admitted to St Vincent’s Hospital he died a short time later.
The constable was born in 1934 and joined the New South Wales Police Force as a cadet on 2 June, 1952. He was sworn in on 5 December, 1953. At the time of his death he was attached to the Traffic Branch, Sydney.
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NSW BDM
Death: 589/2959 Father: Keith Silvester Mother: Dorothy May
Alone in his patrol car, Chris Thornton had the police siren flashing as he chased a white sedan through Woy Woy.
Thornton, 35, a highway patrolman, had been in the force for 15 years. He was, his mother says, “the best driver I have ever seen”.
The reason for the chase that night in April 2002 is unknown. Both cars were seen travelling at high speed. Thornton was about 50 metres behind.
Meanwhile, Leonard Rowley, 56, an unlicensed driver, was driving to his local KFC to pick up dinner. He saw the first car flash past and judged – wrongly – that he had time to turn out in front of the patrol car. Thornton tried to avoid Rowley’s car but clipped the back, veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a power pole.
Thornton died on the spot, which is marked by a permanent stainless-steel cross. Rowley later received a suspended two-year sentence.
“His life from the age of 12 was about helping people,” says Thornton’s mother, Freada Thornton. “He was in the surf club and he was there to rescue people and then he went into the force and he was doing the same thing.” His father, Barry Thornton, says: “He loved life. He had been in Gosford for 15 years and was so popular with the community there.”
Police pursuits are, says Barry, a necessary evil: “If they don’t catch the criminals there will be more deaths on the roads. The ones that they’re in pursuit of are the idiots that have done the wrong thing to start with.”
But pursuits have come at a cost to the NSW Police Department. Fifteen officers have died as a result of high-speed chases, beginning with the death of Constable George Boore in 1937.
Details provided by the NSW Police Association show a steady stream of fatalities involving cars and motorcycles. The full list of casualties is as follows:
About 3pm on 14 November, 1958 Constable Boaden was riding a police solo motor cycle along the Princes Highway at Ulladulla. While he was pursuing a speeding vehicle, another car commenced to turn into the driveway of a dwelling. The constable increased his speed in an attempt to pass in front of the turning vehicle, however the cycle struck the front of the vehicle. Constable Boaden was thrown over the vehicle, his helmet came off and he landed head-first on the roadway. Although he was conveyed to the Milton District Hospital, he died about three hours later.
The constable was born in 1936 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 1 April, 1957. At the time of his death he was stationed at Moruya.
Brian is buried in the Orange Cemetery, Lone Pine Ave, Orange, NSW.
Grave location: Old Section, Grave 68.
” In Loving Memory of our dear son and brother Constable Brian James BOADEN, died 14 Nov 1958 aged 22 years, Who died doing his duty sometime we will understand. ”
Deadly toll
By Jonathan Pearlman November 6, 2004
Alone in his patrol car, Chris Thornton had the police siren flashing as he chased a white sedan through Woy Woy.
Thornton, 35, a highway patrolman, had been in the force for 15 years. He was, his mother says, “the best driver I have ever seen”.
The reason for the chase that night in April 2002 is unknown. Both cars were seen travelling at high speed. Thornton was about 50 metres behind.
Meanwhile, Leonard Rowley, 56, an unlicensed driver, was driving to his local KFC to pick up dinner. He saw the first car flash past and judged – wrongly – that he had time to turn out in front of the patrol car. Thornton tried to avoid Rowley’s car but clipped the back, veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a power pole.
Thornton died on the spot, which is marked by a permanent stainless-steel cross. Rowley later received a suspended two-year sentence.
“His life from the age of 12 was about helping people,” says Thornton’s mother, Freada Thornton. “He was in the surf club and he was there to rescue people and then he went into the force and he was doing the same thing.” His father, Barry Thornton, says: “He loved life. He had been in Gosford for 15 years and was so popular with the community there.”
Police pursuits are, says Barry, a necessary evil: “If they don’t catch the criminals there will be more deaths on the roads. The ones that they’re in pursuit of are the idiots that have done the wrong thing to start with.”
But pursuits have come at a cost to the NSW Police Department. Fifteen officers have died as a result of high-speed chases, beginning with the death of Constable George Boore in 1937.
Details provided by the NSW Police Association show a steady stream of fatalities involving cars and motorcycles. The full list of casualties is as follows:
About 10pm on 24 May, 1958 Constable McInerney, the lockup-keeper at Bombala, was asleep at his residence. He was awakened by the telephone and when he arose to answer the call he heard a noise coming from the street. Looking out his bedroom window he saw Constable Southam and a member of the public struggling with an offender who, he later learned, had been arrested for offensive behaviour. Constable McInerney quickly dressed and went to assist. When the offender was subdued he was taken into the police station to be charged. When he had settled down his handcuffs were removed, however he then attacked Constable McInerney, punching him in the solar plexus. Later that night the constable began to experience difficulty breathing and a doctor was called. Unfortunately he died before receiving medical attention. The cause of death was found to have been acute heart failure caused by an effect on his nervous system from the punch delivered by the offender.
The constable was born in 1922 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 18 October, 1948. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bombala.
The Constable also Served in the Australian Army. Service number NX160638 (N218191). Born 8 May 1922 at Bronte, NSW. He enlisted ( enlist meaning the place he nominated as residing at the time of enlistment ) on the 21 January 1943 at Bondi, NSW and the ‘place’ he Enlisted ( where he signed up with the Army ), was Katherine, N.T.
He nominated Simon McInerney as his next of kin. Stanley was discharged from the Army on 30 May 1946 as a Corporal and was Posted at 55 Dental Unit at the time of his Discharge. He was NOT a Prisoner of War nor did he receive any Honours.
