FLANNERY

Victoria Police Force

Stationed:  Flinders St, Melbourne

Sergeant

Suicide – hanging

Died  Tuesday 12 October 1897

A POLICE SERGEANT’S SUICIDE.

Sergeant Flannery, who for many years has been in charge of the Flinders street, Melbourne, police station hanged himself on Tuesday morning in the office which he occupied at the station. The office is a very small building, six feet by six, and with a roof which is only about eight feet high. Deceased was found hanging by a window-blind cord, which had been tied to the roof, and then passed in a slip-knot around his neck. The determination of the deceased was evidenced by the fact that, not having sufficient length in which to accomplish his object, he had drawn his legs up by bending the knees, and even then his feet were barely off the ground. Had he relaxed in this effort, his feet must have   reached the ground and taken the weight off the cord. A loose end of the latter he had twisted around his right thumb, and the hand was across his breast in a line with the shoulder, over which the cord hung. The body was fully dressed, with the exception of the jumper. No letter or documents of any kind were upon the body. During the past week it had been observed that deceased was very despondent and gloomy.

Bairnsdale Advertisder & Tambo & Omeo Chronicle ( Vic. )

Thursday  14 October 1897  page 3 of 4

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/86327365?searchTerm=police%20suicide&searchLimits=l-australian=y

Flinders Street Police Station, Melbourne

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Claude William Alexander BOVARD

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ?

Rank:  Constable 1st Class

Stations:  Mudgee, Gilgandra, Dubbo, Wellington, Grenfell, Bathurst x 2, Forbes ( for 7 – 8 months )

Service:  From ? ? 1897? to 29 September 1915 = 18 years Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  ?

Died on:  Friday  1 October 1915

Cause:  Suicide by firearm

Inquest held:  Saturday  2 October 1915

Age:  42

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  ? in Sydney alongside of his 3 brothers & mother

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Forbes Court House location

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Leader ( Orange, NSW )    Monday  4 October 1915    page 1 of 6

POLICE CONSTABLE’S SUICIDE.

First class Constable Claude William Bovard, who was convicted at Forbes and fined last week for robbing a prisoner of £1, ended his life on the steps of the Forbes court house on Friday last by putting a bullet from a revolver through his brain.

Bovard was stationed at Grenfell prior to going to Forbes, and came of one of the most respectable families on the Richmond River. His death will be a great shock to his mother, brothers and sisters, who reside at Lismore. His first station after leaving the depot in Sydney was Mudgee; from there he was drafted to Gilgandra, thense to Dubbo, Wellington, Grenfell and Forbes. He was  comparatively a young man, and, being of a sensitive nature, no doubt the degradation to which he had fallen was too much for him to face, and he sought relief by committing felo de se.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/117841536?searchTerm=police%20suicide&searchLimits=l-australian=y

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The Sydney Morning Herald     Tuesday  5 October 1915    page 6 of 14

The Braidwood Review & District Advocate

Tuesday  3 January 1928    page 4 of 8

STRANGE COINCIDENCE

When Constable Ford murdered Mrs. Laws and then shot himself at Leichhardt recently, he completed a tragic triangle of death.   He was the third constable who has served at Grenfell to die by violence.

Constables Claude Bovard and George J. Duncan were the other two.  Over ten years ago Ford and Bovard served together at Grenfell, and Duncan was stationed there soon after they left.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/119404489

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Northern Star ( Lismore )   Thursday  26 January 1928   page 12 of 12

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/93659129

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His working life as a policeman:

Wellington Times ( NSW )     Thursday  14 January 1904   page 3 of 8

Peter HYNES

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

Regd. # ?

Stationed:  Darlinghurst District ( No. 3 Division )

Suicide – firearm

Died:  24 December 1906

27 old

Funeral:  ?

Buried: ?

POLICE CONSTABLE’S SUICIDE.

Peter Hynes, a young constable attached to the Darlinghurst district, has committed suicide. He said goodby to his landlady, and added ” You are the best friend I ever had. ” She asked him where he was going. Hynes replied, ” To eternity, ” and walked off. In a few minutes those in the house were startled by revolver shots, and Hynes was found in the yard with a bullet wound in his head. He died in a few hours.

The Register ( Adelaide )  Tuesday  25 December 1906  page 7 of 12

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/56695741?searchTerm=police%20suicide&searchLimits=l-australian=y

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

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The Sydney Morning Herald                             Monday  24 December 1906                          page 6 of 10

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Edmund Forrest MULCAHY

Victoria Police Force

Officer In Charge, Geelong Police Stn

Sergeant

Suicide – firearm

Died  7 October 1912

DURHAM

Queensland Police Force

Sub-Inspector

Died  26 November 1906

Suicide – Firearm

Death of a Police Inspector.        

SUPPOSED SUICIDE.

BRISBANE, Monday. — Police-inspector Durham was shot dead at Hughenden on Sunday.   It is stated to be a case of suicide, but the whole affair is shrouded in mystery, and the officials here are very reticent. Some months ago Inspector Durham and other officers at Cairns were the subjects of an inquiry concerning the confession by a blackfellow of a   murder, and alleged extortion by ill-treatment. The outcome of the Inquiry was that Durham was reduced from inspector to sub-inspector, and transferred from Cairns to Hughenden. Durham, who was regarded as a smart officer, came of good family in England, and entered the police service as a cadet officer.

Evening News ( Sydney )  Monday  26 November 1906  page 5 of 8

 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/115673815?searchTerm=sub%20inspector%27s%20suicide&searchLimits=l-australian=y#pstart12200824

 FORD

New South Wales Police Force

Sub-Inspector

Attempt Suicide – firearm

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

Sudden Death of a Sub-Inspector’s Wife.

Attempted Suicide of the Husband.

Sydney, Monday.

Barrier Miner ( Broken Hill )  Monday  20 July 1896  page 2 of 4

A telegram from Orange reports that at the police barracks there Mrs. Ford, wife of Sub-Inspector Ford, who was suffering from an affection of the heart, was suddenly seized with a fit. Doctor Crase was called in and found that the patient had become nearly exhausted by violent spasms. He went for some chloroform to be administered to her, but on his return, after only a few seconds absence, he found that Mrs. Ford had died from syncope in the interim. Inspector Ford had been sent for and arrived a few minutes before his wife’s death.   He was distracted with grief and fired three shots from his revolver in an attempt to take his own life. One shot struck him in the jaw but inflicted no serious injury ; the others missed. The inspector, however, lies seriously ill from grief and shock.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/44135896?searchTerm=sub%20inspector%27s%20suicide&searchLimits=l-australian=y

John McDONALD

New South Wales Police Force

Sub-Inspector

Freeman’s Journal ( Sydney )  Saturday  14 October 1899  page 12 of 28

RECOGNITION OF DUTY WELL DISCHARGED.

SUB-INSPECTOR McDONALD PUBLICLY TESTIMONIALIZED.

No. 4 Division as it is officially phrased, but more popularly known as St. Patrick’s Parish, is in imminent danger of losing that fame so obligingly but unmeritably thrust upon it by a section of the press as the abode of ” the Rocks Push. ” Leaving out Parliamentary and Municipal elections, the chief public gatherings of the past two years have been those in which the people have spontaneously risen to give voice to generous recognition of deserving police officers leaving them either through retirement or well-merited promotion. This big hearted recognition of duty well done by members of a Force which watches over them night and day has been characteristic of this end of the city from the time when Inspector Anderson was promoted out of their midst to the present ; and that it is creditable to the citizenship of a law-abiding, peace-loving people, who will deny?

Recently, after a service of 26 years in the district, Senior-Sergeant John McDonald was promoted to a Sub-Inspectorship and the charge of Paddington district, and that a long service marked by a faithful performance of his duty was not lost upon the residents of No. 4 Division was proved by the fact that Mr. P. Nolan (who usually acts as secretary of such movements) was immediately requisitioned to receive the nucleus of a fund to fittingly entertain Inspector McDonald on his departure. The outcome was a valedictory presentation on Thursday last in the Federation Hall, Church Hill, in which upwards of 120 residents, ladies and gentlemen, took part. Refreshments were laid in true banqueting style, and it was during a lull in these proceedings that the presentation was made.

Alderman R. G. Watkins presided, and there were present amongst others : Mr. W. J. Spruson, M.P., Aldermen P. F. Hart and G. Smail, W. O. Healy, J. P., Very Rev. P. LeRennetel, E. O’Farrell, P. Nolan, J. Kilbeg. C. J. Morrissey, J. Keane, T. J. Purcell, J. Lynch, A. Ryan, G. Humphries, T. J. McMahon, T. O’Neill, W. Gunther, P. McManus.

The chairman called upon Mr. W. J. Spruson, M.P., to make the presentation on behalf of the residents.

Mr. Spruson said it afforded him the keenest pleasure to be associated with a movement such as that to honour a deserving public servant. An occasion like the present served not only to credit the district and to honour the man, but to show the authorities that in promoting men like Inspector McDonald they had the full approval of the people amongst whom their duty was cast. He then read the following address:-

” To Sub-Inspector John McDonald. Dear Sir, — Your promotion, to the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police and your transfer to the district of Paddington provide a fitting opportunity for an expression of the high regard in which you are held by those who have known you during your 26 years’ service in No. 4 Division of Sydney. An unstained record of 30 years’ service — a commendable, deliberate, and cautious method in the rigorous yet dutiful discharge of duty — and the frankness and fearlessness of character’ displayed alike in your official capacity and personal relations, which have earned for you a substantial recognition at the hands of your superiors, merit the warmest acknowledgment from your fellow-citizens. We trust that a capable discharge of the duties of your new position, and a continued display of those estimable qualities which have characterized your career in the past, will pave the way for further advancement, and retain for you that official and popular approbation which is the best reward of faithful service. (Signed— W. J. Spruson, P. F. Hart, R. G. Watkins, Virgoe, Son, and Chapman, Thomas Playfair, Patrick Keane, W. Owen Healy, T. J. McMahon, W. W. Aitkin, J. M. Stevens, B. Byrnes, J. A. O’Shea, M. Finnan, A. B. Holmes, James Inglis and Co., P. Le Rennetel, Geo. E. Smail, P. Nolan, John Keane, R. J. Lukie, Robt. Miller, John Bridge and Co., Ltd., James Dugan, John Smith, E. Resch, Rodolph Tudor, J. Lynch and Co., C. F. Cullen, D. A. Kenna and Co., D. A. Renard and Co., Ryall and Son.) ”

Mr. Spruson then presented the address, accompanied by a valuable gold watch (suitably inscribed), albert, and locket.

The address is a beautiful specimen of illumination in morocco portfolio form, beautified by touches of scenery about that portion of Port Jackson which has been the neighbourhood of his duty. The cover bears an elaborate monogram.

Sub-Inspector McDonald (who rose amidst enthusiastic applause) said he could not affect to feel anything but moved by the demonstration of esteem which marked his departure from the district in which he had served so long. Such a recognition of duty could not but prove an incentive to further devotion to the service with which he was indentified. His only regret was that his promotion entailed his severance from a district where he had so long served, and where had his wishes been consulted he would have served to the end. One thing he could assure them — that he would endeavour to prove that the confidence of the people of No. 4 Division was not misplaced ; and the handsome present they had just given him, as well as the warm feelings they expressed, would be regarded by him as long as he lived, and after him by his children, as something to be proud of. (Loud applause )

The toast of Sub-Inspector McDonald’s health   and future success was proposed by Aldermen Watkins, Hart, and Smail, Father Le Rennetel, Mr. W. O. Healy, and Mr. E. O’Farrell.

In honour of the presence of a number of ladies their health was briefly but warmly moved by Mr. T. O’Neill, and enthusiastically received. Mr. J. J. Keenan suitably responded. Mrs. McDonald was presented with several rich and costly gifts.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/111077771?searchTerm=sub%20inspector%20james%20smith&searchLimits=l-australian=y

John COADY

New South Wales Police Force

Sub-Inspector

Stationed at:  Wingham – 2 years, Taree – 9 years,

Kempsey – 6 years, Scone until 1906 – Retired

late of Woollahra

Joined NSW Police Force – Mounted Police

83 old

Died  1920

Laid to Rest in the Vault, with his wife, at Waverley Cemetery.

OBITUARY.

Sub-Inspector John Coady.

On the 12th ult., at his residence, 26 Edgecliffe-road, Woollahra, John Coady, late Sub-inspector of Police, Scone, passed to his reward, at the age of 83. He was only six days ill before his death.

The late sub-inspector was a native of Freshford, County Kilkenny, Ireland, and came to New South Wales in 1860, allured thither by the gold fever 0f those days.

He spent several years on the Gulf diggings at Moruya, and afterwards joined the mounted police. From the Sydney depot he was sent to Wingham, Manning River, as senior-constable in-charge. After, two years he was transferred to the charge of Taree. There he remained nine years, and was promoted to Kempsey; and, after six years in Kempsey, was transferred to Scone, where he remained until 1906, when he retired from active service, and lived ever since at Woollahra.

He had an honourable and striking record of service well rendered, and of duty well fulfilled. He had many thrilling stories to tell of encounters with bush rangers and notorious criminals — notably, the famous Fred Ward, the bushranger ( known us Thunderbolt ), the Dora Dora blacks, the Breelong blacks, and others. As a bushman, the late sub-inspector was famous, and it was largely due to his close pursuit that Thunderbolt had to quit the coast districts of the Manning and Hastings rivers, and confine his operations to the tablelands, where he was finally captured, at Guyra. On one occasion, the ex-sub-inspector tracked Thunderbolt to Tomalla Tops, the plateau whence the Hunter, the Manning, the Barrington, and other rivers take their rise. On that occasion he captured the camp of the bushranger, but Thunderbolt made good his escape. The ex-sub-inspector was often heard to tell how he’d have caught the bushranger, too, but his mount was too slow on the mountain side. Thunderbolt was remarkable for the splendid horses he always rode. On that occasion 13 horses were taken at the bushranger’s camp and brought to Taree, where they were sold by public auction.

The deceased was the father of a large family. His wife predeceased him by two years. His son, James, died some years before, as also did his daughter, Sister Mary Ignatius, who died at Moree three years ago. He leaves three sons and four daughters to mourn their loss. They are Rev. Father J. J. Coady, P.P., Taree. Rev. Mother Francis, Brigidine Convent, Cooma; Sister Mary Francis, superior of the Convent of Mercy, Narrabri ; and Sister Mary Raymund, Dominican Convent, Strathfield ; Mary and Vincent, Woollahra ; and William, Queensland.

During the last 13 years he was a familiar figure at the Holy Cross Church, Bondi Junction. He was always at morning Mass, and was a daily communicant.   His death was as holy as his life. The Rev. Father Smith administered the last Sacraments several hours before he died, and he was conscious right to the end. His remains were laid to rest in the vault at the Waverley Cemetery, where rests the remains of his late beloved and faithful wife.— R.I.P.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/105968754?searchTerm=sub%20inspector%20james%20smith&searchLimits=l-australian=y

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DAVIS

New South Wales Police Force

Sub-Inspector

Died  ?

Funeral  20 July 1914

LATE SUB-INSPECTOR DAVIS.

The Sydney Morning Herald  Tuesday  21 July 1914  page 10 of 16

The funeral of the late Sub-Inspector Davis, of the Redfern division of the police, took place yesterday at Waverley Cemetery. There was a large attendance of members of the police force, among others being Superintendent Mitchell (representing the Inspector-General) and Superintendent Goulder, Inspectors McLean, Brooke, Spence, Childs, Kendall, Kelly, and Brack ;

Sub-Inspectors McCrimmon, Jones, Bannon, Stephens, Spence, Branston, Gumley, Fullerton, and Baxter; Senior-Sergeants O’Dea, Mankey, Sherwood, Evans, Doig, Allen, King, and Smith;

Sergeants Harrison, Hamilton, Sexton, Walker, and Bennett;

Senior-Constables Ross, Roche, Scott, Curtis, Morrow, Paine, Hickey, Leonard, and Archinall;

Constables Philpott, Anderson, Comans, James, Collins, Gillard, Davy,   Jackson, Gilbert, Cummings, Laycock, Hargrave, Healey. McCormick, Shanahan, Keogh, Moylan, Bowman, King, Walker, Williams, Spencer, Asquith, Jackson, Hollis, Wood,

Detective Moore, Ex-Superintendent Sherwood, ex-Sergeant Meehan, ex-S.C. Trinder, ex S.C. Burke.

Among the civilians present were Messrs. T. P. D. Holden, M.L.C., M. McCabe, A. E. Powell.

At the cemetery gates about 100 members of the police force assembled, and followed the hearse to the grave. After the usual burial service a Masonic service was conducted by Bro. Rees, W.M., of the Lodge Zetland Australia.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15524163?searchTerm=sub%20inspector%20james%20smith&searchLimits=l-australian=y#pstart1278549

James SMITH

New South Wales Police Force

Sub Inspector

Joined the NSW Police Force in 15 January 1868 – Mounted Police

Previously stationed at:  Maitland ( 2 years ), Singleton,

Wollombi as Senior Constable,

Muswellbrook as Sergeant

April 1883 – promoted to Senior-Sergeant

1891 – promoted to Sub-Inspector

27 years Service

Illness – Suicide – Firearm

Born  1846 ??

Died  Thursday  31 December 1896 around 8am

50 old

Funeral  2 January 1897

leaves behind a wife & 7 children

Narrabri Cemetery
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James Smith was a brother of Mr. G. Smith of Oak Farm, Rosemonte, near Goulburn, NSW, and his father, who died a few years ago, was a well-known gardener of that place.

Father’s name:  George

Mother’s name:  Isabella

The Sydney Morning Herald ( NSW )  Friday  1 January 1897  page 5 of 8

SUICIDE BY A SUB-INSPECTOR OF POLICE.

NARRABRI, Thursday.

This morning Sub-inspector James Smith, the officer in charge of the Narrabri police district, was found dead. A report of a shot was heard and deceased’s son, who rushed into the room, found his father lying on the bed with a revolver on his breast. From appearances that weapon had exploded in the   mouth and the bullet had passed into the brain. During the past fortnight Mr. Smith had been indisposed, and it is stated that when unwell he always became very despondent and developed symptoms of melancholia. Only one chamber of the revolver was discharged, and death was apparently instantaneous. Deceased was 50 years of age. He joined the police force 27 years ago, and, beginning as a constable, worked his way up to his present rank. During the past six years he has had charge of the Narrabri police district. Deceased leaves a widow and seven children. An inquest was opened at the courthouse this morning and adjourned till Monday.

Later particulars of the death of Sub-inspector Smith show that the deceased left three letters, one addressed to his wife, the second to Mr Kenyon, P. M., ( Police Magistrate ) and the third to Mr A. R. Stafford, of Barry and Stafford. In one letter he stated that he felt his mind was becoming unhinged and preferred death to living the remainder of his life in an asylum. The deceased had arranged all his affairs, leaving everything provided for. The Masons will accord the deceased a Masonic funeral, which takes place tomorrow morning. The family are left provided for.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/14082580#pstart1362053

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Singleton Argus ( NSW )  Saturday  2 January 1897  page 2 of 6

The Late Sub-Inspector Smith.

Many old residents of Singleton will regret to hear of the death of Police Sub-Inspector James Smith at Narrabri, an account of whose tragic end is published in another column. Sub-Inspector Smith joined the police force about 1868, and after doing duty at Maitland for about two years he was transferred to Singleton, where he remained for some time under Inspector Thorpe, and afterwards he was stationed at Wollombi with the rank of senior-constable.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/83250054?searchTerm=sub%20inspector%20james%20smith&searchLimits=l-australian=y#pstart8378896

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Singleton Argus ( NSW )  Saturday  2 January 1897  page 6 of 6

SUICIDE OF A SUB-INSPECTOR.

Sub-Inspector James Smith who has had charge of the division at Narrabri aged 50 years, committed suicide on Thursday. He got up as usual, and went round the barracks, and at 8 o’clock went back to his bedroom. A few minutes later Senior-Sergeant Thomas Clarke, hearing a report of firearms rushed into the bedroom, and found the sub-inspector stretched on his bed with a bullet wound in his head. Death was instantaneous. The revolver was quite hot when the sergeant took it from the dead man’s hand. The only cause that ran be assigned for the terrible deed is that the sub-inspector had been ailing for the last three weeks, and his wife has also been ill for some time, and is at the present moment in a very bad condition.

Great surprise was expressed locally at the news, and also regret. Sub-Inspector Smith was well liked both in his official and private capacity. He was a member of the Masonic order, and also the M.U. ( Manchester Unity ) Order of Oddfellows. The deceased inspector joined the mounted police on January 15, 1868. On leaving the depot in Sydney he was sent to the north-western district, being first stationed at Maitland. From that place he was transferred to Muswellbrook as sergeant, and was promoted to senior-sergeant in April, 1883. In 1891 Mr Smith attained the rank he held at the time of his death, and was appointed to the Narrabri sub-district.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/83250061?searchTerm=sub%20inspector%20james%20smith&searchLimits=l-australian=y#pstart8378900

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The Maitland Weekly Mercury ( NSW )  Saturday  2 January 1897  page 3 of 16

Suicide of Sub-Inspector Smith at Narrabri.

Narrabri, Thursday

Great excitement prevailed in town this morning when a report became current that police Sub-Inspector James Smith had committed suicide at his residence between 8 and 9 o’clock by shooting himself through the head with a revolver, death being instantaneous. The report was immediately confirmed, and the particulars furnished go to show that the Sub-Inspector had been suffering from some slight illness for the past week, and had been subject to fits of melancholia for some time previous, but the commission of such a rash act was never dreamed of by his friends. The greatest sympathy is felt for his wife and family. An inquiry will be held during the day. Alater telegram states that Mr. Smith got up as usual, and went round the barracks. At 8 0’clock he went back to his bedroom, and a few minutes later Senior-Sergeant Clarke, hearing the report of firearms, rushed into the bedroom and found the Sub-Inspector stretched on his bed with a bullet wound in the head. Death had been instantaneous, and tbe revolver was quite hot when the Sergeant took it from the dead man’s hand. The only cause assigned for the terrible deed is that the Sub- Inspector has been ailing for the last three weeks, and his wife had also been ill for some, and at the present moment is in a very bad condition. Great surprise is expressed in town at the news, also   regret. Mr. Smith was well-liked both in his official and private capacity. He was a member of the Masonic Order, and also of the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows. The late Mr. James Smith, or ” Long Smith ” as he was generally called by other members of the force to distinguish him from another officer of the same name, was well-known in the Maitland district, where the news of his death will create some excitement. Mr. Smith joined the police force about the year 1868, so that he had served 28 years and would in the natural course of events have retired in a couple of years’ time. In the 70’s he was stationed at Singleton under Inspector Thorpe, who has since retired, and later with the rank of senior-constable he was in charge at Wollombi. He was also stationed at several other places, and for a number of years prior to 1896 be was a senior-sergeant at Muswellbrook, in which year he was superseded by Senior-sergeant Cowan, now of East Maitland. Mr. Smith then went to Narrabri, with the rank of sub-inspector in charge of the sub-district of Narrabri, which is a most important one, including as it does Moree. During the miners’ strike at Greta, Mr. Smith was one of the officers engaged there. He was 50 years of age, and, as stated in our telegram, leaves a wife and family. Mr. Smith was a fine soldierly man in appearance, and was a noted strict disciplinarian.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/126319284?searchTerm=sub%20inspector%20james%20smith&searchLimits=l-australian=y#pstart13710107

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