Arthur John VIZZARD

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #   Q 6588  

( Q  = NSWPF – those who worked between 1862 – 23 Feb 1915 )

Great Great Grandfather to Andrew NEW, NSWPF # 22417, Anthony NEW and one other Serving NSWPF members.

Rank: Constable – appointed 12 July 1893 ( aged 22 )

Senior Constable – appointed 1 June 1910

Senior Constable – Death

Stations: Sydney, Richmond River, thence to Armidale, Tenterfield ( Cst 1/c ), Inverell, and on the 26th November, 1909, he was again transferred to Armidale ( Cst 1/c – SenCon ) as lookup-keeper & police prosecutor

Service:  From 12 July 1893  to 7 November 1911 = 18+ years Service

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  Monday  9 October 1871 in Corowa, NSW

Died on:  Tuesday  7 November 1911

Cause:  Illness – Suicide – service firearm

Event location:  Armidale Police Station, Cell yard

Age:  40

Funeral date:  Wednesday  8 November, 1911

Funeral location:  Roman Catholic Cemetery, Armidale

Buried at:  Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lynches Rd, Soudon Hts, Armidale, NSW

GPS:  -30.5286111  /  151.65972222222223

 ARTHUR is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance  * BUT SHOULD BE

As of November 2020 – VIZZARD is still NOT recognised as having died as a result of Work Related Injuries.

GRAVE LOCATION: 

Shortly after 10.30am on 7 November, 1911 the constable was at the Armidale Police Station, where he was the Lockup Keeper.

He walked into the yard of the station where it appears he inflicted a fatal wound to his head with his service revolver.

He died three hours later.

He had been on sick report for about two months, suffering from rheumatism, insomnia and depression.

The Clarence and Richmond Examiner of 14 November, 1911 reported that:

” A mild sensation was caused in Armidale when it was known that Senior Constable Vizzard, who was in charge of the lockup, had been found in the lockup yard with a bullet wound in the head.

The unfortunate officer had been suffering greatly lately from muscular rheumatism and insomnia and had been on sick leave for the past few weeks.

During the last few days he appeared very despondent, but nobody suspected he would commit such a rash act.

He was removed into the house in a dying condition.

Senior Constable Vizzard, who came to Armidale from Inverell, was only recently promoted.

He has a wife and three young children. “

The senior constable was born at Corowa in 1871 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 July, 1893. At the time of his death he was stationed at Armidale.

The issue regarding ill health for Senior Constable Arthur Vizzard dates back from approximately 5 years earlier as a result from contracting Dengue Fever when he was required to travel to Queensland and back to execute an interstate warrant and convey back a prisoner. Both he and the prisoner contracted Dengue.

He had ongoing health issues in the following years because of it and as we all know from the inquest findings he finally took his life whilst on “sick leave‘.

I have been aware of full story for about 18 years now. There are three descendants currently working in the NSW Police Force and there was an article in the Police Weekly about the family last decade.

I appreciate what you have said regarding eligibility for inclusion, which I was made aware of prior to the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the National Police Memorial being opened.

This year will be 2 years since I got the e-mail. Still nothing progressed. Tell me this? Why was I personally notified almost 18 months ago that the inclusion was going to happen, then everything goes silent? It is disappointing to say the least.

I know the effect it had on my Grandmother the stigma growing up, her Mother never coped afterwards and the family ended up having to be split up. It is what it is. 106yrs latter the status quo remains. All we can do is wait and watch this space.

Darling Downs Gazette (Qld. : 1881 – 1922),

Friday 5 May 1905, page 3

05 May 1905 – DENGUE FEVER AT INVERELL – Trove

NSW State Records

Service # 6588   Reel 3043  Item 8/3253

http://srwww.records.nsw.gov.au/indexes/searchhits.aspx?table=Registers%20of%20Police&id=31&frm=1&query=Surname:vizzard;Firstname:arthur

The Armidale Chronicle ( NSW )

Wednesday  8 November 1911   page 4 of 8

Death of Sen-Constable Vizzard.

TRAGIC ENDING.

A mild sensation was caused in Armidale yesterday morning, when the shocking intelligence was made known that Senior-Constable Vizzard had been found in the yard of the lockup in a serious condition.

As was well known, Constable Vizzard had been in indifferent health for the past couple of months. He was a sufferer from muscular rheumatism, which brought on that dreaded complaint insomnia, but not even his nearest relatives anticipated that his career would be terminated in such a tragic manner.

At about 10.30 yesterday morning he appeared to be much the same, and walked through the kitchen of his residence, where his wife and nurse were, out into the lockup yard. The women were shortly afterwards startled by hearing the sounds of a revolver shot, and, proceeding to the spot from whence the sound came, the nurse was horrified to see her charge lying on the ground with a gaping wound in the temple, and a revolver lying close beside the body.

Assistance was promptly summoned, and Dr. Mummery was also quickly on hand, when the unfortunate constable was conveyed into the house.

From the outset, the doctor held out no hope of recovery, his prediction proving all too true, as the end came a few minutes after two o’clock.

The late Constable Vizzard was a zealous, capable, and conscientious officer, in fact, as Senior-Sergeant Hogan remarked to the writer when speaking of his late lieutenant, he was over conscientious.

The deceased was born, at Corowa in October, 1871, and was thus 40 years of age at the time of his sudden death.

As a young man of 22 he joined the New South Wales Police Force, and after going through his term of probation at the barracks, was sent to do duty on the Richmond River, thence to Armidale, Tenterfield, Inverell, and finally on the 26th November, 1909, he was again transferred to Armidale as lookup-keeper.

He was ever active and energetic, and his zeal was not long in being rewarded, for he rose from a constable to a first-class constable, and then to senior-constable.

Although he always did his duty – and a policeman’s work is ofttimes unpleasant – he ” tempered justice with mercy,” thereby gaining for himself universal respect and admiration from all sections of the community.

As prosecutor in the police court, the late officer displayed undoubted ability and knowledge of the law, and was worthy of any attorney’s ” steel. ” Here, again, could be seen his generous disposition for he was always strictly fair and honourable in any cases he was in charge of.

He is survived by a sorrowing wife and three young children, to whom much sympathy has been extended in their hour of affliction.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/188117660

The North Western Advocate & the Emu Bay Times ( Tas. )   Wed.  8 Nov. 1911   page 3 of 4

Daily Telegraph ( Launceston, Tas. )

Wed.  8 Nov. 1911     page 4 of 8

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/152347646

The Armidale Chronicle ( NSW )

Saturday  11 November 1911   page 2 of 10

Death of Sen.-Constable Vizzard.

The Inquest.

An inquest concerning the death of Senior-Constable Vizzard, which occurred under tragic circumstances in the yard of the Armidale lockup on Tuesday morning last, was held by the Deputy-Coroner ( Mr. C. A. Jackes ) in the Courthouse on Wednesday. The following evidence was elicited:

Frederick Wm. Vizzard, brother of the deceased, said the deceased was born on 9th October, 1871, at Corowa. He was a married man, with three children. Witness had not seen his brother, previous to that day, for nine months.

Senior-Sergeant Hogan deposed to knowing the deceased for the past eight or nine years. At about 11 o’clock on Tuesday morning he received a call to go to the lockup, which place deceased was the keeper of. With Constable Eagleton, witness went to the charge-room, and there saw deceased lying on a stretcher.  The mark of a bullet wound was noticeable on his left temple, and blood was oozing from the place. He was unconscious, but breathing strongly.

Witness next went to the cell yard-room, and there saw a large quantity of blood on the floor. The deceased’s hat was lying near the door, with his pipe. Close by   was a police revolver, containing four loaded cartridges and one recently exploded shell. Witness afterwards went to a drawer in the charge room, which was always kept locked. The lock of the drawer had been forced open, evidently by a tomahawk as such implement was lying in the drawer in the place where deceased’s revolver had been put when not in use. Deceased had been off duty for two months, through illness. He complained of muscular rheumatism and attacks of insomnia. When first going on sick leave, he went to Dr. Nash’s private hospital, but returned, and for the remainder of the time was with his wife and family in their own home. Deceased gave no reason for the police to anticipate that he would take his own life. In conversation with witness on Sunday morning, deceased said, ” I would give everything I possess to be able to resume duty on Monday. ”

Witness told him not to resume until the doctor had given permission to do so. Deceased was an efficient officer, trustworthy, and very painstaking.

To the Superintendent : During his nine months in Armidale, witness was practically all the time in deceased’s confidence. Deceased had never at any time expressed dissatisfaction with his position or work in the police force.

Dr. N. Howard Mummery said that shortly after 11 o’clock on the fatal morning he, in answer to a summons, proceeded to the lockup. He found the deceased lying on a stretcher, and being attended to by a nurse. He appeared unconscious. There was a wound on the right temple, the skin around which was stained   with gun-powder. There was another and larger wound on the left temple. It was obvious he could not live long. The wound in the head had been caused by a bullet, which had passed through deceased’s head, struck the brick wall of the yard, and rebounded into the middle of the yard, where witness picked it up.

Dr. J. A. J. Murray stated that on his arrival at the scene of the tragedy, deceased was being cared for by Dr. Mummery. Deceased had been ailing since last August. While still on duty, he complained of insomnia, indigestion, and occasional fits of depression. In September he also had an attack of asthma, which was followed by influenza, the after effects of which he never appeared to shake off. He seemed to be in an anxious and dispirited condition.   Witness urged him to get a holiday immediately, because no treatment seemed to do him much good. Deceased took the holiday in Sydney, and, on his return, about three weeks ago, witness was again called in. Deceased was then in a worse condition than when he went away. Witness visited him at intervals up to Monday. Deceased had such a serious nervous breakdown that it was necessary for him to undergo a complete rest cure, and witness had made arrangements for him to enter a suitable hospital for the purpose. Deceased had told witness that some times he felt as if he didn’t care to live, but, from the way he said it, witness did not think he contemplated taking his own life – it was said more to express to witness how really depressed he was. The idea of taking his life would come on him suddenly, owing to the condition he was in.

Nurse Ethel Sheerman, residing in Victoria-street, Sydney, said she came to nurse the deceased, and arrived on Monday. She had been sent by Dr. Nash. At about 10.30 on the morning in question, deceased said he was going down the yard to cut some kindling wood. He then seemed in a normal condition. About five minutes afterwards, witness, who was in the kitchen with deceased’s wife, beard the report of a firearm. Witness and Mrs. Vizzard immediately rushed to the spot. Deceased was reclining on the spot. Deceased was reclining on his left side. There was a great quantity of blood flowing from the wound in the head. She picked a revolver up, which was lying near the body, and threw it on the step. Deceased never regained consciousness, and died about two o’clock. Witness had not the faintest suspicion that deceased contemplated such a rash act.

John Purkiss said that between 10.30 and 11 a.m. on Tuesday morning he heard a woman scream, and immediately ran across. He met Mrs. Vizzard, who said, ” My husband has shot himself in the charge-room. ” and then fainted. Telling another woman to attend to Mrs. Vizzard, witness went into the charge-room and then followed the nurse into the cell-yard, where deceased was lying. With the assistance of the nurse, witness carried the deceased into the charge-room.

The Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased, Arthur John Vizzard, met his death from a bullet wound self-inflicted, whilst- temporarily insane.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/188117719

The Armidale Chronicle ( NSW )

Wednesday  8 November 1911   page 4 of 8

The remains of the late Senior Constable Vizzard,. whose tragic death was reported in our last issue, were interred in the Roman Catholic Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. The funeral was largely attended by members of the M.U.I.O.F. and local police force marching in the cortege. The Rev. Dean Tobin officiated at the graveside, M. Hirschberg having charge of the arrangements.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/188117733

The Armidale Chronicle ( NSW )

Saturday  18 November 1911   page 7 of 10

In the Supreme Court of

New South Wales.

PROBATE JURISDICTION.

In the Estate of ARTHUR JOHN VIZZARD, late of Armidale, in the State of New South Wales, Senior Constable of Police, deceased in testate, –

APPLICATION will be made after Fourteen Days from the publication hereof, that Administration of the Estate of the abovenamed deceased may be granted to MARY VIZZARD, the Widow of the said deceased. Creditors are requested to send their Accounts to, and all Notices may be served at, the Office of the undersigned.

H. WEAVES,

Proctor,

Faulkner street, Armidale.

By his Agents MESSRS. Weaver & Allworth,

Australasia Chambers, Martin   Place, Sydney… . . i87

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/188117888

Thomas SMITH

Senior Constable

Horse Accident

Euston

19 April, 1910

On the 18 April, 1910 the mounted constable made a patrol to the police paddock, and while he was returning his troop horse began to buck. The horse then bolted and Senior Constable Smith was thrown violently against a tree, sustaining severe internal injuries. Knowing he would not be found before it became dark, he began to walk towards town. When he had travelled a short distance he was found by some men who helped him into Euston in a barrow. A doctor arrived from Balranald that night and after examining the injured man made arrangements to have him taken to hospital. Unfortunately the vehicle conveying the injured constable to hospital broke down and he passed away.

The Register newspaper of 25 April, 1910 reported that ” Regret is expressed at Wentworth ” at the sudden death of Senior Constable Smith, officer in charge of the police at Euston, 80 miles from Wentworth. The constable, it appears was thrown from his horse, which had stumbled and rolled on his chest. At first his symptoms were not considered serious but as the day advanced and while the constable was being driven to Balranald for medical treatment, he expired. He has left a widow and six children. The late constable was highly esteemed in the district, and was a general favourite.

The senior constable was born in 1871 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 February, 1897. At the time of his death he was stationed at Euston.

Thomas O’CONNOR

New South Wales Police Force

Senior Constable

Regd. # ?

Stations: MacLean, Broadwater, Lismore & Casino

Illness – suicide

42 years

Casino

Died: 2 November, 1908

Funeral:  ?

The Sydney Morning Herald dated 3 November, 1908 contained the following brief story of the death of the constable. He had been treated for depression shortly prior to his death.

SENIOR CONSTABLE’S SUICIDE – SHOOTS HIMSELF IN BATHROOM.

Casino, Monday.

Senior Constable O’Connor shot himself this morning in his bathroom at 8 o’clock. He fired three times, the last shot tearing the side of his face and head away. Lately O’Connor seemed quieter than usual, but there was nothing to suggest that he contemplated taking his own life. He leaves a wife and six children.

At the time of his death by suicide, the constable was aged 42 years and was stationed at Casino. He had previously served at Maclean, Broadwater and Lismore.

 William Cochrane ADIE

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. # ?

Rank:  Probationary Constable – Mounted Constable

Stations:  ?, Stuart Town

Service:  From  17 December, 1907  to  11 October 1908 = 9+ months Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1883

Event date:  Saturday  10 October 1908

Died on:  Sunday  11 October 1908

Cause:  Horse accident

Event location:  Stuart Town, NSW

Age:  25

Funeral date:  Monday afternoon  12 October 1908

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Stuart Town Cemetery, Wallaroi Rd,

Protestant section ‘ A ‘

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

[divider_dotted]

On Saturday 10 October, 1908 Mounted Constable Adie set out on a patrol of the town and surrounds. By the following day he had not returned as expected and Senior Constable McConville set out to find him. After being informed that an unattended troop horse had been seen in the bush Senior Constable McConville investigated and found the unfortunate Constable Adie seriously injured. It appeared that the young constable had been thrown from his horse the previous day and had lain seriously injured throughout the night. He died while being taken back to Stuart Town for medical attention. The constable’s horse was described in the Melbourne Argus of 14 October, 1908 as being “a particularly savage animal”.

In addition to this, the Sydney Morning Herald of 26 October, 1908 reported the following.

DANGEROUS POLICE HORSES – A SERIOUS ALLEGATION.

WELLINGTON, Saturday – The recent death of Constable Adie, of Stuart Town, who was killed by being thrown from his horse, is causing considerable discussion in the district in regard to the dangerous character of some of the horses supplied to police officers. The animal which killed Constable Adie is well known for its vicious propensities. It nearly killed Constable Cameron when he was at Stuart Town, and last Christmas it threw Senior Constable McConville’s brother, and nearly killed him. There are several other police horses in the district which the constables only ride at the risk of their lives, and every time they go out into lonely bush tracks they are exposed to the terrible fate of the late Constable Adie, who was not found until the day after he had been thrown and seriously injured.

The constable was born in 1883 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 17 December, 1907. At the time of his death he was stationed at Stuart Town.

[divider_dotted]

[divider_dotted]

Wagga Wagga Express     Thu.  15 Oct. 1908   p4 of 4

Constable Adie, of Stuart Town, was thrown from his horse on Saturday last, and died on Sunday afternoon. He went out on Saturday morning and did not return.  Two men saw his horse saddled and bridled on Saturday morning grazing in the bush, but no notice was taken of the matter.

On Sunday morning Constable McConville found Adie lying in a creek unconscious. He died 20 minutes later, without medical aid.

Deceased was 27 years of age, unmarried, and had been for 12 months in the force.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/145407114

[divider_dotted]

Wellington Times ( NSW )   Thu. 15 Oct. 1908  p4 of 8

Wellington Times ( NSW )   Thu. 15 Oct. 1908  p4 of 8

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/141594487

[divider_dotted]

Wellington Times ( NSW )   Thu. 15 Oct. 1908  p5 of 8

( From a Correspondent. )

The funeral of the late Constable Adie, whose death was reported last issue, took place on Monday afternoon. A great number of people from both town and district attended the funeral, which was a long one considering that Mr. Adie has only been in our midst for a short time. It is believed that   he had not a relative in the State.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/141594488

Wellington Times ( NSW )   Thu. 15 Oct. 1908  p5 of 8

Wellington Times ( NSW )   Mon.  19 Oct. 1908  p3 of 4

I will make reference to the horse that was the cause of Constable Adie’s death, in Thursday’s issue of the Times.

A special memorial is to be preached to-night (Sunday) in the Church of England by Mr. Champion in memory of Constable Adie, who was killed last week, by being thrown from his horse.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/141600341

[divider_dotted]

Wellington Times ( NSW )   Thu.  22 Oct. 1908  p3 of 8

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/141603267

[divider_dotted]

Wellington Times ( NSW )   Thu.  22 Oct. 1908  p5 of 8

As I said, I will refer to the horse that killed Constable Adie in this issue of the Times. I have known the horse, also Constable McConville’s, which were purchased for police mounts at the same time from Katella. Both were colts at the time, and very wild and vicious at that.

They had to be taken to Orange or Wellington to be shod, the local shoeing smiths could not manage them until they were shod several times. When the police had occasion to use them after a few days spell, they could be seen racing them around the paddock for some time with saddles and bridles on, but whether it was to put life into them or take it out of them, I am not sure ; but I think it was the latter.

Constable McConville is a very good horseman, otherwise perhaps he would have met with an accident ere this.

During Constable Cameron’s sojourn here he got a spill from the horse which accounted for Constable Adie’s death, and which very nearly sent him to glory.

Then, during last Christmas holidays Constable McConville’s brother, who was   on a visit, got a spill from the same horse, which also could have had a fatal ending, as he was rendered unconscious for some time.

So you can see that he can buck when he likes, and it is only a first class rider that should have the handling of such a brute. It is not the class of horse fit for a new-chum trooper — such as was poor Adie — to ride. It is only a pastime for this horse to buck, and seems an easy matter for it to get rid of its burden at will.

It is hoped that the next man sent to fill the gap made by such a brute is able to take out of this horse what the other troopers could not.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/141603256

[divider_dotted]

Mudgee Guardian & North-Western Representative ( NSW )   Thu.  29 Oct. 1908  p 26 of 28

A special memorial service was preached in the Stuart Town Church of England, in memory of Constable Adie, who was killed by being thrown from a horse.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/157670013

[divider_dotted]

Wellington Times ( NSW )   Thu.  3 Dec. 1908   p5 of 8

WILLIAM COCHRANE ADIE, late of Stuart Town, Constable of Police, deceased.

All persons having claims against the above estate are requested to forward the same, verified by affidavit, to the undersigned, on or before the thirty-first day of December,   1908.

T. W. GARRETT,

Curator of the above estate.

Chancery Square, Sydney, 1st Dec., 1908. 

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/141511275

[divider_dotted]

[divider_dotted]

John James WALLACE

New South Wales Police Force

Metropolitan Police Force ( NSW )

Regd. #  ?

Uniform #  64?

Rank:  Constable 1st Class

Stations:  ?, Newtown Police Station

Service:  From  12 July 1894  to 11 February 1806 = 11+ years

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1860

Died on:  Sunday  11 February 1906

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Event location:  King St, Newtown

Age:   41

Funeral date:  Sunday  18 February 1906

Funeral location:  St Enoch’s Presbyterian Church, Newtown

Buried at:   Rookwood Cemetery

GPS of Grave:

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

The constable was shot at a dwelling in King Street, Newtown by the offender Tanna, who had been involved in a domestic dispute. Constable Wallace and Senior Constable Maunsell had attended the dispute and had climbed into the home through a window. Constable Wallace attempted to talk to the offender, who was armed with a rifle and a revolver, in the hallway. The offender suddenly raised the rifle and shot Constable Wallace twice. Tanna was later wounded by police, and committed suicide in the siege that followed.

The Australian Town and Country Journal of 21 February, 1906 carried details of the inquest into the constable’s murder, and the performance of the police involved.

THE NEWTOWN MURDER.

The inquest on the bodies of Constable John Wallace and Willie Yass, or Tanna, the victims of Sunday morning’s double tragedy at Newtown, was concluded at the Coroner’s Court, Sydney, on Wednesday. The Coroner said that from the evidence it seemed that the deceased Tanna was fired at by the police some ten, perhaps twelve, times in the course of the affray, but that he was only hit twice by the police, and that both wounds were superficial. The evidence also disclosed the fact that the cartridges were defective. Inspection had shown that. The Coroner said he mentioned that so that the authorities might, if they thought necessary, take action. He found that Constable John Wallace was wilfully murdered by Tanna, and that Tanna had committed suicide. “I think I may be permitted to add”, said the Coroner, “that the deceased, John Wallace, was a brave man and that he died while and because he was doing his duty. As to his comrades, without making any invidious distinction, I think I may also say that those of them who tried to rescue him, and to dislodge the man who murdered him, earned what most men prize very highly, and that is a reputation for physical bravery.”

The constable was born in 1860 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 12 July, 1894. At the time of his death he was stationed at Newtown.

[divider_dotted]

NEWTOWN LOCAL AREA COMMAND POLICE COMMEMORATION SERVICE

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20130508056

Ms CARMEL TEBBUTT (Marrickville) [7.07 p.m.  8 May 2013]:

Recently at Rookwood Cemetery I attended a memorial service to commemorate police officers from the Newtown local area command killed in the line of duty. The moving service was attended by Deputy Police Commissioner Nick Kaldis, Superintendent Simon Hardman, the commander of the Newtown Area Local Command, many other police representatives, and relatives and descendants of the police officers. Those attendees included Ms Avona Wallace, Mr and Mrs Norman Stephenson, Mrs Lynette Everton and Ms Edna Stevenson. Representatives from the emergency services and community members were also in attendance. The member for Campbelltown, Bryan Doyle, attended representing the Premier.

The five officers being remembered at the ceremony gave their lives to protect the community. They were Constable First Class John Wallace, Constable First Class Ruston Stephenson, Constable Lionel Guise, Detective Inspector Reginald Stevenson and Constable Pashalis Katsivelas. The ceremony to mark the sacrifice of these officers reflected on the enormity of their contribution to the community, as well as the impact of their death on their families. It is often said, and it is true, that police officers leave their homes for each shift uncertain of what any day may bring and whether they will return at the end of the day. We owe these men and women our deepest gratitude for the risks they face and take every day in their job. At Rookwood Cemetery we visited each of the graves of those officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and behind each individual was an illuminating life story.

We began at the grave of Constable First Class Ruston Stephenson, who died 80 years almost to the day of the commemoration. Constable Stephenson joined the Police Force in 1912, and four years later enlisted in the army, later joining the fight in France during the First World War. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry in rescuing injured soldiers while under fire. Remarkably, when he returned he rejoined the Police Force and continued to serve until his death on 9 April 1933 after a tragic accident involving a motorcycle at the then Newtown Stadium while performing general duties policing.

We were also told the story of Detective Inspector Reginald Hugh Stevenson — I was honoured on the day to meet his widow, Ms Edna Stevenson, who still had strong memories of the incident that led to Inspector Stevenson’s death. Detective Inspector Stevenson joined the NSW Police Force as a cadet in 1943 at the age of 17. In an act of extraordinary selflessness, Detective Inspector Stevenson was on annual leave on 9 December 1974 when he decided to go to work to assist in the planned arrest of a dangerous offender in Newtown, at the time telling his wife, “I don’t want my boys doing this on their own.” During the operation he was shot in the chest after leading his team in pursuit of the offender.

Detective Inspector Stevenson partially recovered and was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct and the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. However, he died in 1980 of a heart attack, deemed to be the result of the injuries he sustained on duty in 1974. These officers are just a few of many across New South Wales whose lives have been cut short as they have gone about performing their duty. I pay tribute to them all. They will not be forgotten and local events such as this are a powerful reminder of their sacrifice.

I also take this opportunity to acknowledge two Marrickville police officers, Sergeant Stewart and Constable Steele, who on Monday of this week rescued an intellectually disabled person from a house fire in Marrickville. Thankfully, those two officers who took huge risks survived and are quite rightly being hailed as heroes by their colleagues and the community. It is yet another example of the risk our police men and women take every day in order to keep the community safe. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to them.

[divider]

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14751036

[divider_dotted]

Constable 1st Class William JUSTIN

New South Wales Police Force

Horse Accident

Thuddungra

8 March, 1905

On the day of his death Constable Justin was patrolling about ten miles from Thuddungra (Young district) when his horse became skittish and began to buck. The constable was driven into a wire fence by the animal, where he sustained severe injuries to his face and hands. He was found some three hours after the incident by some girls going home from school, and was quickly taken to the home of a Mr Webb. He was taken to Young Hospital the next day however he unfortunately passed away.

The constable was born in 1859 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 19 November, 1881. At the time of his death he was stationed at Young.

Samuel William LONG

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. # ?

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  ?, Auburn

Service:  From  6 July 1894  to  19 January 1903 = 7+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1865

Died on:  19 January 1903

Cause:  Murdered – shot

Age:  ?

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Rookwood Cemetery, NSW

Memorial at:  ?

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

The constable was born in 1865 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 6 July, 1894. At the time of his death he was stationed at Auburn.

[divider_dotted]

The Auburn Murder Trial.

The Sydney Mail   11 February 1903   p 8

At the Central Police Court on Monday, before Mr. E. H. Wilshire, S.M., the hearing of the case in which Digby Grand, 32, alias Newbold, alias Stephens, alias Ward, bootmaker, a native of Victoria ; John Thomas Woolford, 27 butcher ; and Albert Yeomans, 24, horse trainer, were charged with having, in company, feloniously and maliciously murdered Constable Samuel William Long, at Auburn, on January 19 last year, was resumed.

Mr. Cargill, of the Crown Law Office, appeared to prosecute ; Mr. E. R. Abigail appeared for the accused Grand, and Mr. W. Niland for the accused Yeomans.

Mr. Cargill said that there was no further evidence to call against Woolford, and he was discharged.

Joseph Daniel Gallagher and William Gallagher were cross examined by Mr. Abigail and Mr. Niland as their personal habits and connection with the police.

Francis Henry Furnval, qualified medical practitioner, residing at Auburn gave evidence as to having examined the dead body of Constable Long about 2.30 on the morning of the murder.

JONES ARRESTED.

Henry Jones, for whom the Government offered 200 pound reward, was arrested in a terrace house at Ada street, Ultimo, on Tuesday afternoon.

Sergeant Carson and Constable MacKay, plain clothes officers at No. 4 station located the suspect.  Sergeant Carson and Constable Clarke went to the front of the house about 2.30pm and Detectives Jones, MacKay, and Lenehan to the rear.

They entered simultaneously, revolvers drawn, and found the man they wanted seated playing cards with other men and women.  He differed from the photo we published last week in that he had grown a pointed reddish beard, and with the protection of this disguise was in the habit of going out by night.  He admitted his identity on the police entering, revolvers drawn, and attempted no resistance.  The inmates of the house said he had been only living with them a week.

He was taken to the Central Police Court and placed in the dock with Grand and Yeomans at 3.30pm.  Their trial had been proceeding for an hour before Mr. Wilshire, and Woolford was in the witness box giving evidence, which followed the lines of his confession given by us last week, and which was to the effect that he saw Grand and Jones enter the hotel bar after vainly endeavouring to get him to actively participate, saw Constable Long come along and go through the open door to investigate, heard a shot, and saw Grand and Jones rush out and run away.  Jones, described as alias John Maguire, alias Baker, 36, clerk, was charged and remanded for eight days.  Grand and he exchanging a few quiet words as he left the dock, and the hearing of the evidence was then resumed.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1302&dat=19030211&id=SUFVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F5UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3442,1796057&hl=en

[divider_dotted]

Denis GUILFOYLE

New South Wales Police Force

Constable 1st Class

Shot – Murdered

Redfern

19 July, 1902

The constable was shot by an offender named Shaw at Redfern whilst attempting to arrest him and another man for passing counterfeit coins. Following an incident involving a storekeeper, Constable Guilfoyle had sought the assistance of an off-duty member, Constable Michael Maher, and after checking several shops the offenders had been in they located them in Shepherd Street. As the two constables approached the offenders, one produced a revolver and shot Constable Maher three times. Shaw then also produced a pistol and shot Constable Guilfoyle twice. Constable Maher later recovered, however Constable Guilfoyle’s wounds proved to be fatal. Shaw then made good his escape, making his way to Victoria.

Constable Guilfoyle was a native of Ireland, having been born at Scariff in County Clare. He arrived in Sydney in 1885 and joined the New South Wales Police Force in November of that year. He did his initial training at the old Belmore Barracks and was first sent to Bathurst, where he remained for about two years. He was then transferred to Redfern in 1887, and was destined to remain attached to that station until his death. He was described as a very powerful, muscular man of nearly 17 stone. Prior to his death the constable had recently been severely injured in an accident and after a spell in hospital had been incapacitated for five or six weeks. He also had the misfortune to recently lose three of his children, one of them being a girl 12 years old. Although he could have retired from the police force on half pay, he apparently preferred to continue to work, and had continued working ‘street duty’ at Redfern and Darlington.

(About 11am on 12 October, 1902 Constable Richard Johnston was off duty at his home at Elwood (Victoria) when a neighbour informed him that a man had attempted to abduct her eight year-old daughter. The constable quickly set off on his bicycle after the suspect and located him a short distance away. When he saw the approaching policeman the offender drew a revolver and shot Constable Johnston, inflicting fatal wounds. The offender then left the scene, only to commit suicide a short time later when confronted by other police. It was later found that the man who had murdered Constable Johnson was the same offender (Shaw) who had murdered Constable Guilfoyle at Redfern (NSW) three months earlier.)

Constable Guilfoyle was born in 1859 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 7 November, 1885. At the time of his death he was stationed at Redfern.

 James BREMNER

( late of 264 Bourke Street )

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. # ?

Rank:  Inspector

Stations:  ?, No. 3 Division Darlinghurst ( O.I.C. for 17 years )

Service:  From  ? ? about 1864  to  2 January 1901 =

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1841

Died on:  Wednesday  2 January 1901

Cause:  Horse accident – pedestrian

Event date:  Tuesday  1 January 1901

Event location:  Centennial Park

Age:  ?

Funeral date:  Thursday  4 January 1901

Funeral location:  Presbyterian portion of Waverley Cemetery

Buried at: Presbyterian portion of Waverley CemeterY

General Vault, Section 16

 Memorial at:  ?

JAMES IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

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

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

The inspector was knocked down and killed by a military horse during Commonwealth of Australia celebrations at Centennial Park, Sydney ( 1 January 1901 ). At the time he was supervising 200 police who were maintaining order amongst a large crowd awaiting the Commonwealth Day Procession. As the procession began, a trooper’s horse took fright and bolted into the crowd. Inspector Bremner was knocked down, sustaining severe spinal injuries. He was conveyed to St Vincent’s Hospital where he died at 2.15am the following morning. He had been due to retire a few weeks earlier but stayed on to assist with the Commonwealth of Australia celebrations.

The inspector was a well-known policeman in Sydney. He had arrived in Sydney from the north of Scotland some 37 years earlier and had almost immediately joined the police (about 1864). He had been the officer-in-charge of No. 3 Division for seventeen years, supervising the police stations at Randwick, Waverley, Botany and Woollahra. He was apparently a huge man of about twenty stone in weight. He left behind a widow but no children.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 4 January, 1901 reported on the very impressive funeral which was afforded the inspector.

FUNERAL OF THE LATE INSPECTOR BREMNER.

The funeral of the late Inspector James Bremner, who died at St Vincent’s Hospital on Wednesday from injuries received in the discharge of his duties during the swearing in ceremony of the Governor General at the Centennial Park on the previous day, took place yesterday afternoon. The interment was made in the Presbyterian portion of Waverley Cemetery. The cortege left the late residence of the deceased, 264 Bourke Street, at 3pm. The popularity and respect in which the deceased officer was held were marked by the large presence of all classes of the community, who assembled at the place of departure and along the whole line of route. Moreover, numerous evidences of mourning were displayed throughout Oxford Street. At Darlinghurst Law Courts voluntary guards of honour were formed by the bandsmen of the Irish Rifles and St George s Regiment, who were playing in the neighbourhood. Opposite Marshall’s Brewery a number of blue-jackets who were returning from the review lined up and saluted the coffin as it passed. Passing Centennial Park the same tribute of respect was paid by the troops encamped there…

The inspector was born in 1841 and joined the New South Wales Police Force about 1864. At the time of his death he was the Officer-in-Charge of No.3 Division (Darlinghurst).

William Francis GRUNDY

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

35 old

Horse Accident

Holbrook

20 March, 1898

Inscription reads:

[blockquote]

[/blockquote]

The constable was critically injured when he fell from his horse about 18 miles from Holbrook on the 15 March, 1898. He was later found by the Tarcutta mailman and taken to Holbrook in an unconscious condition, where he passed away on the 20 March 1898.   The Argus newspaper of 1 April, 1898 carried the following brief story. ALBURY, Thursday. An inquest was held yesterday at Germanton into the circumstances attending the death of Constable Grundy, who succumbed to injuries received by a fall from his horse. Allegations were made that the Deceased was compelled to ride a horse which had fallen with him on other occasions. The evidence of the officer in charge of the Germanton Station to a great extent bore out the allegations. He stated that the horse was notoriously unsafe, and that Grundy had complained that it would break his neck some day. When advised to report the animal he said that it was no use doing so as he would only get another just as bad. Deceased was thrown off the horse while proceeding at night along a road beyond Germanton, he then being in search of sheep stealers. The superintendent of police gave evidence denying that the horse was unsafe. He admitted that the horse was timid and required careful handling. A verdict was recorded that Deceased met his death by injuries received by being thrown from his horse.   At the time of his death the constable was stationed at Germanton (now Holbrook).