FOUGH:
WA POLICE UNION
Members are invited to attend the Funeral Service for our Retired Member Paul Gregory Fough 4220 at Bethany Chapel, Albany on MONDAY (23.05.2016) at 1.30pm
Funeral location: Hiram Philip Funerals Chapel, 52 Herries Street, EAST TOOWOOMBA
Buried at: Committal service will be held at Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance, 1001 Ruthven Street, Kearneys Spring, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia on Friday, 20th May 2016 at 2:30am.
Memorial at: ?
[alert_yellow]JOHN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location:
[divider_dotted]
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Dearly beloved Husband of Wendy. Loved Father and Father-In-Law of Belinda and Max, and Tim. Much loved Pop to Ben, Kyly, Alyce, Emily, Jade and Annelisese and Popa to Jayden, Max, Frankie-Belle, Harper, Louis and Charlotte.
Family and Friends are warmly invited to attend John’s Funeral Service to be held in the Hiram Philp Funeral Home Chapel, 52 Herries Street Toowoomba TOMMORROW, Friday 20th May 2016 commencing at 1:00pm. Private Cremation
For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
WILLIAM is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal
About 9am on 16 May, 1917 the sergeant was speaking with two men in the street in Gulgong when he suddenly became ill and had to be assisted to his home. He sadly passed away later that afternoon. He had apparently been ill with neuritis for about two years prior to his death.
The Mudgee Guardian and North-West Representative of 17 May, 1917 reported on the sergeant’s sudden death.
POLICE SERGEANT BLEECHMORE – SUDDEN DEATH AT GULGONG.
A painful sensation was caused at Gulgong on Wednesday afternoon, when it became known that Sergeant Bleechmore, officer in charge of the local police, had died suddenly. About nine o’clock on Wednesday morning the sergeant, as he was standing in Mayne-street opposite the Centennial Hotel, talking to Mr. W. G. Ashford MLA, Minister for Lands, and a representative of the Sun, who were both on their way to Coonabarabran to attend the Show there, was taken suddenly and seriously ill. He was taken to his home, where he lingered until two o’clock in the afternoon, about which time he breathed his last. Sergeant Bleechmore had been in ill health for some time, suffering from neuritis, but none of his friends (nor, it may be believed, he himself) anticipated that matters were so serious with him as it has transpired they were.
The sergeant was held in high esteem in Gulgong and the news of his tragically sudden death gave the townspeople a painful shock.
Sergeant Bleechmore was 49 years of age, and had been 27 years in the police force, and six years in charge the police at Gulgong. He leaves a wife and five children — four sons and one daughter.
The eldest son, who is 20 years of age, is employed at the Railway Station at Dunedoo. A second son is a school teacher, whilst the daughter is the youngest of the family. The three younger children – (as was also Mrs. Bleechmore) with their father when, he died.
The Leader of 25 May, 1917 provided a few more details of the incident and death of the sergeant.”Referring to the death of Sergeant Bleechmore, at Gulgong, the town’s “Advertiser” says: About two years ago deceased developed an attack of neuritis, and had sometimes suffered very much from the complaint. He lately had a recurrence of the attacks, but not to that extent to provoke uneasiness amongst his family and friends. He finished his work at the stable, and then went and had breakfast. At this time he appeared to be in the best of health and spirits.
The Hon. W. G. Ashford was passing through Gulgong on Wednesday morning, and he sent a message to Sergeant Bleechmore that he would be pleased to see him. Shortly after 9 o’clock Sergeant Bleechmore went out and met the Minister, who had with him a representative of the “Sun” newspaper. The trio were talking near the Centennial Hotel, when Sergeant Bleechmore remarked that he had suddenly become unwell, and said to the Minister, “May I put my hand on your shoulder?” Almost immediately he collapsed, and would have fallen only for Mr. Ashford’s promptitude in catching him. It was seen that Sergeant Bleechmore’s condition necessitated his removal to his home, where he was taken by Messrs. A. E. Souter and B. J. Naughton. Dr. Lees was immediately summoned.
“The sergeant was born in 1868 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 14 April, 1890. He was the officer-in-charge of police at Gulgong and was survived by his wife Maria and five children.
Sergeant Watts succeeded him at Gulgong Police Station in July, 1917. He is not listed in the official New South Wales Police.
The interment of the late Sergeant W. A. Bleechmore, who died from a paralytic stroke on Wednesday, took place in the C.E. portion of the Gulgong cemetery on Friday. Members of the police force were the pall-bearers, and brethren of the Mundooran, Mudgee and Gulgong Masonic Lodges preceded the hearse in the funeral procession, while deceased’s horse was led in the rear of the corpse.
The mortal remains were first taken to the Church of England before being consigned with Masonic honors to their last resting place.
William Albert BLEECHMORE, husband of Maria May Bleechmore ( nee Robinson ) – married 9 April 1895 in Dubbo, NSW.
Government Gazette of NSW
Tuesday 15 March 1892 p2106
THE Bench of Magistrates at Byerock have this day appointed Constable William Albert Bleechmore to be Small Debts Bailiff for the said Court, vice Hogan, resigned.Police Court, Byerock,3rd March, 1892.C. McA, KING, P.M. F. H. PERRY, J.P.
THE Bench of Magistrates in Petty Sessions assembled have this day appointed First Class Constable William Albert Bleechmore to the position of Bailiff of the Small Debts Court at Burraga,—from this dateT. ARKELL SMITH, P.M.THOS. P. HACKNEY, J.P.ATHERDEN BOOTH, J.P.Dated at Burraga, this 1st day of September, 1902. [2332]
FROM THE ” GAZETTE.”The undermentioned police officers have been appointed inspectors to carry out the provisions of the Shearers’ Accommodation Act in the specified districts: — Sen. Const. William Albert Bleechmore, Carcoar; First class Constable John Edwin Williams, Burraga; Constable J. Valins, Trunkey.
THE Police Magistrate and Justices of the Peace in Petty Sessions assembled at the Court-house, Carcoar, have this 21st day of February, 1911, appointed Arthur Henry Higgs to be Bailiff of the Small Debts Court at Carcoar, vice Senior-Constable William Albert Bleechmore, transferred.
NOTICE is hereby given that Senior-constable William Albert Bleechmore has been duly appointed as Inspector of Slaughter-houses, and of cattle intended for slaughter, under the ” Cattle-slaughtering and Diseased Animals and Meat Act, 1902,” for the Municipality of Gulgong.W. G. GIBBS,Town Hall, Gulgong, Town Clerk.24th March, 1911.
In the list of recent police promotions appears the name of William Albert Bleechmore, formerly of Hartley Vale, but now of Gulgong, who has been made a second-class sergeant.
Mudgee Guardian & North West Representative ( NSW )
Thursday 19 March 1914 p7
Leo Smith’s Death.Coronial Inquiry.An inquest touching the death of Leo Alexander Smith, who was recently found dead at Cumbandry, was held at the Court House, Gulgong, before the District Coroner, Mr. W. Arnott, P.M. on the 9th instant.
William Albert Bleechmore deposed that at about 7 p.m. on Friday night he was coming from Home Rule, and met a lady and two children in a sulky half-way down Caffrey’s Hill, which is 1 mile from the Post Office. About 160 yards behind the sulky he met deceased, who was riding horseback. Spoke to him and passed on. About 9 p.m. on the same night saw Mrs. Smith drive to Judge’s shop. Went down and saw the dead body of deceased whom he had spoken to on the hill, and which he identified as Leo Smith, son of Michael Smith, of Cumbandry. Carefully examined the body. Found a large abrasion on the right knee and a small scratch on the top of the right ear. There were no other external marks of violence. At 6 o’clock this ( Saturday ) morning went to a place on the Home Rule road just across where the railway line crosses the road, saw tracks where a horse had suddenly turned off the road and a great number of horse tracks where it had evidently been bucking. There was a mark where something had lain on the ground, and a small damp patch about the size of the palm of his hand. Two yards further on from the mark found the hat ( produced ), which is similar to that worn by deceased. Went to Smith’s residence at Cumbandry, and examined the pony that deceased was riding. It did not show any marks of having fallen, but on the saddle the right knee pad and right flap had marks of where it had grazed the ground. Was of opinion that the horse had bucked on to its side without falling and had thrown deceased who was an exceptionaly good rider for a boy.
William Richard Wall deposed that he was a Butcher, residing at Gulgong. He identified the boy as Leo Alexander Smith, who was his nephew, and was 13 years and 10 months old. He was born near Mudgee and was a schoolboy. Saw him about quarter past 6 yesterday ( Friday ), in Gulgong. He was just going to get his horse to start home. At about 8 p.m. his sister, Mrs. Smith, came to his place and saw that Leo had not come home, and she had found his pony, near Avery’s gate. Went with her in the sulky and found deceased lying not far from the road. Picked him up and handed him into the sulky to his mother. He was then quite warm. Brought him to Mr Judge’s and sent for a doctor.
Henry Joseph Harris, a duly qualified medical officer, residing at Gulgong. deposed that at about 9 a.m. last night ( Saturday ) he was summoned to the house of Mr. J. Judge. On arrival he saw the body of Leo Alexander Smith. He was fully clothed, with the exception of his boots and stockings. The only mark visible was an abrasion on the right knee. Was of opinion his neck was broken. He appeared to have been dead at least one hour.His Worship found that the deceased died from the effects of injuries accidentally received by falling from his horse.
Mudgee Guardian & North West Representative ( NSW )
Monday 22 February 1915 p1
“I AM GOING TO DIE, TED.”EVIDENCE AT INQUEST.A coronal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Gray was held by Mr. Arnott, P.M., at the Gulgong Police Court on Thursday morning last.
William Albert Bleechmore, Sergeant of Police, deposed ” About 12 o’clock midnight on the 17th instant Mr. Gray, husband of deceased, came to the police station and informed me that his wife was dead. I immediately went round for Dr. Harris, the Government Medical Officer, and in his company went to Gray’s residence at Lagoon Paddock, about two miles from Gulgong. I saw the deceased lying on the bed. In company with Dr. Harris I took the body inside the house and the doctor carefully examined the body.
Edmund Gray, manager for Geo. Rouse‘s farm and residing at Lagoon Paddock, Gulgong, deposed: Only my late wife and myself were living at the house. My family were away in Sydney and Portland. We retired to bed about 10 p.m. We were sleeping on the front verandah. Deceased was in her usual state of health just before she went to bed. She did not complain. During the last few days, which were very hot, she complained of a smothering feeling about her chest. During the last two years she complained about shortness of breath if she had much exercise. As far as I know she was never treated for heart trouble, but, about two years ago, she underwent an operation for the removal of veins from one of the legs. About a quarter to eleven on Wednesday got her a drink. She started coughing. I was half asleep and was slow in getting up. The deceased got up and went to the water near by. I overtook her and gave her a drink from the water bag. She then came back to the verandah and sat on a sofa. She started spitting up phlegm and said, “I’m going to die, Ted.” I made no reply as I did not take her seriously. She asked me to strike a light and see what she was spitting up. I struck a match and she again said “I am going to die, Ted.” She jumped up off the couch and went to the bed and lay down. She was still coughing. I lifted her upon one knee as she seemed to be smothering. She then gave one long breath and died.The deceased was 51 years old, and was born at Gulgong. He and his wife attended a funeral the day before, and at the graveside his wife was overcome by the heat and fell on to her knees.
Dr. H. Harris, residing at Gulgong, deposed: About 12 midnight, accompanied by Sergeant Bleechmore, I visited the house of Mr. Gray, about two miles from Gulgong, and there saw deceased lying on a bed in her night dress. I could see no marks of violence on the body. About two years ago I gave deceased a course of treatment, and found that she had a somewhat enlarged fatty heart. I should say from indications, after listening to Mr. Gray’s evidence, and from my own knowledge, that deceased died from a disease of the muscle of the heart.The P.M. found that death was due to natural causes.
Mudgee Guardian & North West Representative ( NSW )
Thursday 3 June 1915 p8
Horse Trainer Killed Death of John Hartley.
Members of the racing fraternity were greatly shocked when they learned that John Hartley had been killed as the result of an accident on the Tallewang road on May 25th. He was about 50 years of age and was well known as a horse trainer. He had been for some time residing at Mundooran. He was well known in Mudgee and Gulgong.
A magisterial inquiry was opened at the Gulgong Police Court on Thursday morning last by Mr. George Rouse, deputy coroner.William Albert Bleechmore, Sergeant of Police, stationed at Gulgong deposed: At 12 midnight on the 25th May, I received a telephone message from the Rev. H. Woodger, at Tallewang, to the effect that he had found a man lying on the road near the Tallewang school, with his face covered with blood. I immediately proceeded to the place, accompanied by Dr. Payne. I there saw a man lying on the left-hand side of the traffic part of the road. I turned the body over and saw that it was that of a man about 50 years of age. I knew the man by sight, but did not know his name. The body was fully clothed, including an overcoat ( produced ). About six yards from where the body was lying I was shown this piece of an overcoat ( produced ) which corresponds to the portion of an overcoat missing from that found on deceased. The body was lying with the face downwards, and the left arm straight out from the body. There was a mark five yards back along the road, as if the body had been dragged. There was a number of abrasions on the face, particularly a large one over the right eye, and on the right side of the nose. The left ear was black or bruised, and had blood about it, and the bottom lip of the mouth had teeth marks buried in it. Both knees had a little skin off, and on the left shin there was an abrasion about three inches long. I saw no other marks of violence on the body. I found the sum of £1/3/ on deceased, also a metal watch and chain. About 100 yards further along the road from which the body was found, I found a bottle full of spirits, which I believed to be rum, and for over two miles further along the road at intervals I found a rug, a blanket, and an enamel plate. Late in the morning I went along the road in the direction of Stringy Bark, and six miles from where the body was found. I came across deceased’s horse and sulky. The sulky contained blankets, tent, and general cooking utensils, and rabbit traps. It looked as if deceased had been shifting his camp. I had the body brought to Gulgong. I know nothing of deceased’s antecedents. The soles of deceased’s boots were torn off from the front part. In my opinion deceased fell out of the sulky, and was dragged for five yards along the road, and probably by his over coat catching in some part of the vehicle. The lost piece of the coat, including the pocket, was caused to be torn from the overcoat.
Harold Woodger, Rector of Gulgong deposed On the 25th instant I was at Tallewang, and left the public school at 11.30 p.m. About 100 yards from the house I noticed the body of a man. Standing over the body was a yellow dog. I was accompanied by Clarence Bleechmore, and I sent him back to the public school to ask Mr. Kinder, the teacher, to come, and he came and looked at the body, and said the man was apparently dead. I drove to Tallewang Hotel and rang up the Sergeant of Police in Gulgong, informing him that there was a dead man on the road near Tallewang School. I then returned to the scene of the accident, and awaited the arrival of the Sergeant and doctor.
Kenneth Campbell, hotelkeeper, residing at Tallewang Hotel, deposed that he saw the body and knew the deceased. He was at my place on the 25th instant, arriving about 12 o’clock. He left about 2 o’clock, and returned about 6 p.m. Whilst at my place he had drinks during the day. He left my place about a quarter or half-past ten at night. He was travelling alone in a sulky. When he left he was a little under the influence of liquor. He took a bottle of rum with him. He said he was going to Stringy Bark. Another old man named Kelly was going to the same place, but I am not sure whether he was riding or driving. They had been drinking together that day. I believe deceased was going to Kelly’s camp to stay. Kelly had a bottle and a flask of whisky. I considered deceased was capable of managing his horse when he left my place.
Percy Herbert Payne deposed: I am a legally qualified medical practitioner, residing at Gulgong. On the morning of the 26th May about 12.30 a.m. I was awakened by Sergeant Bleechmore, who informed me that he had received word from Tallewang that a man had been injured, and asked me if I would accompany him. Sergeant Bleechmore and I set off and after proceeding about 17 miles along the road to Tallewang we were stopped by a party who informed us where the body of the man was lying. I examined the body and found the man was dead. There was a contused wound over the right eyebrow, and blood over the side of the face, and clotted blood was issuing from both nostrils and mouth. There was also an abrasion on the left knee cap, and one about four inches long on the shin-bone of the left leg. Death, in my opinion, was instantaneous, and due to a fractured skull. This could have been caused by deceased falling from his sulky directly on to his head.
John Andrew Lynch, hotelkeeper, residing at Gulgong, deposed to having identified the body as that of John Hartley, who by occupation was a horse-trainer; and a native of Grenfell (N.S.W.). Witness thought he was about 52 years of age. Deceased generally lived at Stringy Bark with James Kelly.The Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death.
THE FUNERAL The remains were interred in the Gulgong general cemetery on Thursday day afternoon last, the Rev. Mr. H. Woodger officiating. The mortuary arrangements were carried out by Mr. S. J. L. Turner.
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES – Probate Jurisdiction. -In the Estate of WILLIAM ALBERT BLEECHMORE, late of Gulgong, In the State of New South Wales, Sergeant of Police, deceased, intestate. – Application will be made after fourteen days from the publication hereof that Administration of the Estate of the abovenamed deceased may be granted to MARIA MAY BLEECHMORE, the Wife of the said deceased And all creditors in the said Estate are requested to send in particulars of their claim to the undersigned, upon whom all notices may be served.
NOTICE is hereby given that Police Sergeant Charles James Watts has been appointed as Inspector under the Cattle Slaughtering and Diseased Animals and Meat Act for the abovenamed Municipality in place of Sergeant William Albert Bleechmore, deceased.W. G. GIBBS,Town Hall, Gulgong, Town Clerk.16th July, 1917.
William Albert Bleechmore not a miner but a Police Officer
Di Nash of Canberra is a descendant of Samuel Nash and Harriet née Coombe (Chapter 12 in The Complete History). She has emailed us with information about William Albert Bleechmore who was born in Auburn in 1867, son of Caroline Bleechmore née Coombe, Harriet’s younger sister. Caroline was widowed in 1869. William spent his adult life in mining areas of New South Wales but was not, as we surmised, a miner. He was a police officer. Di informed us that he was appointed a probationary constable on April 14 1891. He worked in various places west of Sydney and was the sergeant in charge at Gulgong when he died quite suddenly in May 1917. He had been chatting to the Minister for Lands and a Sydney reporter in Mayne Street Gulgong when he collapsed and was taken to his home, where he died several hours later. [1] Wendy Walker, who is a great-great granddaughter of William and Jane Jacka through their eldest daughter Mary Lilla Jane, is a long time researcher of Jacka and Coombe family history. She recently sent us related information about William Albert Bleechmore’s career in the New South Wales Police Force including references to the New South Wales Police Gazette for 1902 and 1911.
Di has suggested that perhaps Caroline and William went to New South Wales after the death of Benjamin Bleechmore, Caroline’s husband and William Albert’s father. Unfortunately the fate of Caroline is still a mystery. Di told us that William Albert’s death certificate listed his deceased father but had no information under the heading ‘mother’. This suggests William lost touch with his mother, perhaps because she was long dead by 1917 or perhaps because they had a falling out.
School Lecturing Section, Central Police Station Traffic Office ( 1960’s ) – No. 1 Division ( rode a police bike with side-car ), Grosvenor St Annexe – Cnr Gloucester & Grosvenor St, Sydney ( 1974 – 1978 ), Inspector at Fairfield ( 34 Division ) Police Station 1978 – 1980,
Service: From 6 October 1947to? ? 1982 = 35+ years Service
Diane Reid, Inspectors Clerk, with Jim at Fairfield Police Station in 1980. Diane also worked at Merrylands Police Stn.
DESPITE THE OFFICIAL NSW 1979 ‘STUD BOOK‘ HAVING JAMES BIRTHDAY AS 23 MAY 1925, THE FAMILY ASSURE ME THAT HE WAS ACTUALLY BORN ON 23 MAY 1923 AND DIED IN APRIL 2013 JUST SHORT OF HIS 90th BIRTHDAY.
“Our deepest Sympathies To Leslie & Annette and Families at…”
– William & Bernadette Royan
ROYAN, James Clement.
(Jim).
April 4, 2013
Late of Canterbury.
Loving husband of Neita (deceased). Loving father and father-in-law of Leslie and Michele, Annette and Haig, loving grandfather of Scott, Lisa, Sharon, Brett, Paul (deceased) and Mark. Loving great-grandfather of Cooper, Max, Jackson, Sienna, Cate, David, James, Arisa, Will and Emma.
Loved by all his family, relatives and friends.
Aged 89 years
In Gods loving care.
A Requiem Mass for the Eternal Repose of JIM will be Celebrated within the Mary Mother of Mercy Chapel, at the Rookwood Catholic Crematorium, Lidcombe on Wednesday (April 10, 2013)
commencing at 10.30am.
Southern Cross Funerals
ALL SUBURBS
PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN
9529 6644 9521 4422
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Apr. 6, 2013
From 1906 the Police Traffic Branch operated from Police Headquarters, but in 1917, owing to wide expansion of affairs, the branch moved to offices at the Water Police Court. In 1924 the branch moved to the old model Lodge House at 211 Kent Street, and in 1930 to Phillip House in Phillip Street. A further move was made to Clarence Street Police Station in 1931, and in 1938 the branch returned to Phillip House. In 1948 the branch finally moved to the Police Training Centre at Redfern where it remained until the 1960’s.
Source: Kevin BANISTER, NSWPF # 16382
Updated: 12 January 2024 with Promotion History, Transfer History & Awards.
WYLIE. A Funeral Service celebrating the life of Detective Senior Sergeant (Ret. ) Mark Wylie will be held in the Chapel of the Victoria Police Academy, View Mount Rd, Glen Waverley on TUESDAY (July 22, 2014) commencing at 2 p. m. Mark’s Burial will be held in the Macedon Cemetery, Bent St, Macedon on WEDNESDAY (July 23) at 10.30 a. m. POLICE HONOURS In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to beyondblue in memory of Mark. Envelopes at the Service.
This is how his daughter Fiona would like everyone to remember him.
Broken pieces.
The warrior still fights on.
Travelling into the cosmos at lightning speed.
The universe will cuddle you.
Deep. Transcendental.
Unrelenting in the pursuit to eradicate the pain.
Your heart is glowing.
Surrounded by radiant beacons to heal the open wounds that still remain.
Singing along with Barry White.
The eclectic superstar dancing into the light.
Transformative. Pure essence. You are unfolding at a rapid pace.
I pray to God that you find a majestic and beautiful place.
[divider_dotted]
Russell Street Bombing claims last victim
Date
John Silvester
It is surprisingly easy to break into a hospital, even one filled with cops.
Detective Sergeant Mark Wylie was recovering after he was badly wounded in a gun battle with a suspect in the 1985 Russell Street bombing that killed policewoman Angela Taylor and wounded another 21 people.
Shot through the chest, Wylie nearly died at the scene and again on the operating table, but his elite fitness and stubbornness helped him defy the odds.
Detective Sergeant Mark Wylie (inset) was shot in 1986 during a police operation targeting a man suspected of being involved in the Russell Street bombing. Photo: Ian Riley
He was sent to the old St Kilda Road Police Hospital to recuperate and his visitors were suppose to be vetted. So the thought of a couple of stray reporters wandering in was out of the question.
So we took the back door. There were allegations that we ( police reporter Jim Tennison and myself ) wore doctors’ coats and borrowed stethoscopes to gain access, but that would be unethical, outrageous and possibly true.
I had a standing joke with the good-looking and perpetually tanned Wylie, suggesting he had a ray lamp in his office, a sunroof in his police car and spent his leave playing French cricket on a Bahamas beach.
With Wylie out for therapy we ”decorated” his room with tropical fruits and summer props so it looked like a set out of Gilligan’s Island. Wylie returned and immediately got the joke. In between profanities he laughed so much he claimed his stitches were about to burst.
We weren’t the only illegal visitors. One evening Melbourne identity Mick Gatto, whose two-up school had been raided by Wylie, turned up to pay his respects.
The patient thanked him before suggesting he should probably leave. As he turned, Gatto asked what food he missed and the policeman mentioned an occasional craving for a Chinese feed.
( Wylie always enjoyed ethnic food. In recovery his surgeon asked him what he had for dinner the night before the dawn raid. When told it was a Sri Lankan curry, the doctor said, ”That explains it”, before revealing they had removed a seemingly endless number of sesame seeds with tweezers from the patient’s perforated bowel. )
The night after the Gatto visit a taxi turned up with enough food from the Flower Drum to feed the entire ward plus some strays from Prince Henry’s Hospital next door.
It was Anzac Day 1986 when Wylie, who was to lead the raid to arrest bomb suspect Peter Reed in his Kallista home, woke with a sense of dread. The raiding party had not worked together and it was way too late for rehearsals. They had three ballistic vests between 10 and while Wylie was trained to use a shotgun, he had not fired the type assigned for this job.
He familiarised himself by pumping it three times in the Nunawading police station car park at 3am as the team met inside.
As Wylie was to be one of the last through the door he didn’t wear a vest, but as the team fanned through the house, he was the first to see Reed, crouching in a bedroom. ”He’s on his haunches … and he’s pointing a .45 revolver straight at me.”
Reed fired two shots and Wylie returned fire with two rounds until his shotgun jammed.
”He fired off his third and fourth, and basically I walked into the fourth and it went straight through me … It was bang bang, it was like cracker night, it was just on for young and old. There was lead flying everywhere,” Wylie told ABC documentary Trigger Point, which aired earlier this year.
”I knew that I’d been shot. You know, unless you’ve been shot, it’s hard to describe. It’s just a weird, weird feeling.”
Reed, who was also shot and survived, was later acquitted of the Russell Street bombing but convicted of the attempted murder of a policeman.
As the wounded Wylie lay down he started to lose consciousness. ”What I sense is that death, even in violent circumstances, is an extremely peaceful event. A couple of times I was pegging down; I was getting almost peaceful, surreal, elevated. You just drift, you drift peacefully, even in violent circumstances as a result of a gunshot wound; you drift into the big sleep.”
As he drifted he felt another policeman removing his wallet from his back pocket. ”I asked him what he was doing and he said, ‘If you die we will have to put some money on the bar, so it may as well be yours’.” It was that dose of police black humour that brought him back to reality and made him fight to stay awake.
It took months for Wylie to recover physically, but there were deeper scars time couldn’t heal. Sometimes after a few drinks with him you could feel its presence – an invisible cloud that would descend without warning.
While on sick leave he started tertiary studies and when he returned to the armed robbery squad he found there was something missing.
Wylie was always a 100 per cent character: intense, intelligent, meticulous and self-aware. He knew the shooting had changed him and after another armed raid decided he had to leave the squad.
”The psychological stuff just hangs all over you; it’s like an ivy; just crawls all over your body. You just cannot beat it sometimes; it just knocks the daylights out of you. It’s awful.”
He was presented with the prestigious Valour Award and promoted, but he had lost his passion for policing and quit.
For a while he withdrew from old copper mates, perhaps seeing them as a reminder of the morning he nearly died. ”I basically wanted to be on my own so I could nut through the challenge that I had before me.”
He found many of the skills he had developed in the police force were in short supply in private enterprise and became a risk management expert, working in Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe.
We kept in touch and he would ring from time to time from Dubai or Hong Kong for a gossip and a laugh. When I was asked to assist in the Trigger Point documentary on police shootings, I wanted Wylie to tell his story. He instantly agreed.
As we sat in a small Carlton motel room ready to film, the soundman wanted the air-conditioner turned off to avoid the distracting hum. Wylie baulked, saying he would sweat buckets if the room was not cold. I thought the stress would be too much, but once the camera rolled Wylie told his story from beginning to end without a break.
Even though it had been nearly 30 years he remembered every detail as if it was yesterday. Which was hardly surprising, as virtually every day he would think about how he ran into that darkened house without a ballistic vest, carrying a shotgun he wasn’t trained to use, and how the bullet ripped through him before ending trapped in his parka lining.
We spoke to many police involved in shootings and Wylie was perhaps the keenest to have his story told.
Sometimes people say things publicly they can’t bear to say in private. He watched the episode with one of his sons, who held his hand as the story was told. It was a simple act of love which seemed to say, ”Now I understand”.
When he went to bed his son put on his father’s favourite music and just lay with him in silence. As Wylie told me that story his voice cracked with a father’s sense of pride.
Old mates contacted him after the show. Bridges that hadn’t been burnt but had fallen into disrepair were rebuilt.
In the aftermath he decided to use his terrible experience to help another generation of police and wanted to work as a mentor at the Police Academy and with the Police Association.
The last time we spoke he said, ”You don’t know what this means to me. I love you. You’ve saved my life.” And he wanted a long lunch with the police who told their stories on Trigger Point.
At the end of last week he had a chat with an old armed robbery squad mate. ”He seemed in a good place.”
Mark Wylie, 61, took his own life last weekend, leaving a wife, three sons, a daughter from a previous marriage and a thousand questions.
”He never recovered from the shooting. He is another victim of the Russell Street bombing as far as I’m concerned,” a former colleague said.
Chief Commissioner Ken Lay knew Wylie struggled with his demons. ”He was a good man and a much loved police officer.”
There are many critics of the old-style crime squad mentality, but no one can doubt that ingrained sense of loyalty. They backed each other up in armed raids and now back each other up in retirement. They were there for him, but for Wylie it wasn’t enough. On Tuesday they will be there for his funeral.
The Moonee Valley Cricket Club joins with the Moonee Valley Football Club in passing on our condolences to the Wylie family on the passing of Mark.
Mark and Louise’s three sons, Daniel, Nick and Sam played a combined 60 games of junior cricket at Moonee Valley.
Mark was a regular at the junior cricket games, particularly the Friday night home matches when there was an opportunity to relax at the end of the week with other parents.
Our Club is saddened by his passing.
Below is a tribute written for the Football Club by our MVCC Fourths captain Brett Curran – a close friend of Mark.
*************************************************
Moonee Valley Football Club is sad to announce the passing of Mark Wylie who died on Monday 14 July 2014.
Mark had a long association with the Football Club.
Over the last decade Mark was fixture at junior matches watching his sons Sam, Nick and Daniel play for our juniors.
His wife Louise and he have been stalwarts of the junior club with Louise pioneering a professional approach to our junior training volunteers.
Mark was renowned for his sharp mind, good humour and company. Mark held a number of senior executive positions in various organisations and was an expert in security systems.
Earlier Mark had an extensive and successful career with Victoria Police and was the recipient of the Valour Award, the highest award for bravery.
We pass on our deepest sympathies to Louise, Sam, Nick and Daniel.
Author: JOHN SILVESTER
Date: 19/03/2011
Words: 1353
Source: AGE
Publication: The Age
Section: News
Page: 28
SOMETIMES life and death can be decided by something as simple as the toss of a coin.Twenty-five years ago, a young policewoman named Angela Taylor was working in the watchhouse at Russell Street when she lost the toss over who would do the staff lunch run.
It was March 27, the Thursday before Easter, and the last day before she would go on leave.
Just on 1pm she was crossing the road as she headed down Russell Street to the northern door of the police canteen.
She was only a metre away when a car bomb, containing around 60 sticks of gelignite, exploded at 47 seconds past 1pm. She was caught in the fireball, suffered horrendous injuries and died 24 days later.
While Melbourne was shocked, those who made the bomb were disappointed with the level of devastation. While they killed one and left another 21 injured, they expected a much greater death toll.
That is why they set the bomb inside the stolen Commodore to explode just after 1pm, reasoning the street would be crowded with police from Russell Street and court staff spilling from the Melbourne Magistrates Court opposite as it broke for lunch.
But it was unusually quiet as the courts were winding down for Easter. On an average weekday a school bus would have been parked in front of the bomb car as up to 40 children visited D24 on excursion. “Luckily the bombers picked the wrong day,” taskforce investigator Gary Ayres reflected this week.
The bomb detonated in one huge blast simultaneously scarring Russell Street and community confidence. The explosion hurled debris hundreds of metres: some landing on the Queen Victoria Hospital roof three blocks away.
Before the smoke cleared there was one giant suspect. His name was Phillip Grant Wilson, a 200-centimetre tall businessman and neo-Nazi. (Although he didn’t have the last bit on his business card.)
He was an explosives expert who had vowed to kill police after his mate, Tom Messenger, died during a raid in Wantirna in January, 1985. Messenger fired shots at police, hitting one in the bullet-proof vest. This was a serious tactical blunder as he was being raided by the Special Operations Group who immediately returned fire, shooting him dead.
Wilson was in court the day of the bombing on firearms charges and his case was adjourned at 11.30 because a shorthand writer was sick. If it had proceeded to lunch, the police witnesses against him would have been crossing the road when the bomb discharged.
Fearing he would go the way of Messenger, he contacted your correspondent to publicly declare his innocence. “I am not a terrorist. I’ll take a lie detector test or truth serum to prove I am not involved.”
This time he was right. It wasn’t him.
Not that it did him much good. He was shot dead outside a South Yarra chiropractic clinic 17 months later.
Another red-hot suspect was armed robber and police hater Claudio Crupi.
Consider the circumstantial case.
Taskforce Russell learned Crupi had built a bomb on his kitchen table the day before the explosion intending to attack a police station. Tick.
As if this wasn’t good enough, he was known to have shot at police. Tick.
Two of the taskforce’s best investigators, Ayres and Gordon Davie, interviewed him. Crupi admitted he built a bomb but claimed it was a fake to frighten Flemington police. Answering the second last question on the formal record of interview, he admitted to hating police. He was asked where those police worked. He replied: “Russell Street.” Double tick.
Both investigators believed they had their man, but were concerned they couldn’t link him to the bomb car. Senior police, keen on a quick result, glossed over the details and told them to charge Crupi.
They refused as they both had nagging doubts.
Just as well, as Crupi didn’t do it, although Ayres maintains he probably would have been convicted if the case had gone to a jury. Again it was a toss of the coin. He could have been charged and convicted and no one would have ever listened to his claims of innocence.
Meanwhile, experts carefully reconstructed the stolen Commodore wreck, and it would be the eye of a veteran that would provide the breakthrough.
Stolen car squad Sergeant Arthur Adams noticed the bomb car and a second one used later that day in a Donvale bank raid had the chassis numbers drilled off the same way. To Adams, it was as good as a fingerprint and he nominated car thief Peter Reed as the offender.
The theory was Reed was recruited to steal the bomb car for Crupi. In reality, he was one of the key planners. A brooding, vicious gunman, he blamed police for his mother’s mental illness and wanted to kill as many as possible.
The raid on Reed‘s Kallista house was carried out on Anzac Day, 1986, by a team recruited from the armed robbery and stolen car squads.
It wasn’t his investigation, but Detective Sergeant Mark Wylie was selected as one of the 10-man raiding party. The trouble was there were only three ballistic vests and, as he was to be the second last through the door, it was decided he didn’t need one. Wylie was given a shotgun. The trouble was he was not trained to use one.
In the pitch black they filed in through the back door. Wylie found himself opposite the suspect. Reed immediately opened fire, hitting Wylie in the body before the gunman was shot by another policeman. For Wylie the distance between life and death could be measured in centimetres. He survived and is now a successful consultant in private industry.
Police quickly linked Reed to the bombing and to another young crook Craig Minogue then considered to be just another fat thug.
The taskforce found the puppet-master was Stan Taylor, a full-time criminal and part-time actor, who turned his young followers from a gang of car thieves to a professional armed robbery unit.
Taylor recruited brothers Craig and Rod Minogue and Peter Reed. As soon as he was arrested Taylor dobbed in his followers, but he was too late to cut a deal. Another member of the gang, Paul Hetzel, had already signed up and became the prosecution’s star witness.
Taylor got life with no minimum, Reed beat the bombing charge but was convicted of a series of offences, including the attempted murder of Mark Wylie. He was released in 1994 only to return to prison.
Minogue, an angry, obese, illiterate, was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years. Exactly two weeks after his July 12, 1988, conviction, he killed multiple murderer Alex Tsakmakis inside Pentridge Prison by hitting him with a pillowcase filled with gym weights (perhaps illustrating the dangers of vigorous exercise for those with homicidal inclinations).
Then something strange happened: he has since become a model prisoner, losing weight and gaining knowledge. Through hard work he completed a series of academic qualifications and is now studying for his PhD in applied ethics at La Trobe University.
His earliest release date is 2016 and he will provide members of the Parole Board with many sleepless nights before then. He committed a murderous terrorist act and many of us would like him to rot in jail. And yet he has done all we could ask in the past 20 years and could be the pin-up boy for rehabilitation.
Angela Taylor didn’t get a second chance. At 21, she was already seen as a rising star who had duxed her academy class. If she stayed in the job you wonder what she would have achieved. Would she now be an officer marked for higher posts or would she be an experienced street copper mentoring juniors and doing her best to deal with conflict and crisis?
They stole from all of us the day the bomb went off. Police became a little more cautious, a little less open and more inclined to unholster their guns. Their training changed and they became more inclined to see the person in the shadows as a threat to be confronted rather than a victim to be helped.
Adrians’ father, Enrico, migrated from Italy in 1927 followed 10 years later by his mother, Vittoria, and Adrian. Unable to speak English but determined to learn. At age 22 Adrian joined NSW Police, later appointed Officer in Charge Rockdale and Ashfield Police. Retired Chief Inspector. Married to Fay. Have 4 children. Our first house when we arrived was a tin shed with bag walls. Home – and we loved it! (Also see Registration No 827.)
The family originated from Rivignano, Undine, Italy and they family ( Adrian & his mother ) arrived by sea and landed in Sydney, NSW. The family first settled in Dimbulah, Qld, where Adrian was a tobacco farmer before joining NSW Police Force.
Barrier Miner ( Broken Hill, NSW ) Friday 28 January 1949 p2
Gaoled For Vagrancy
Patrick Francis Ryan (37) , a recent arrival from Sydney who gave his occupation as a journalist and claimed that he was a beneficiary under an estate of £6031 left by his father, was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment with hard labor for vagrancy by Mr. F. L. McNamara, S.M. in the Police Court today.
The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was before the court yesterday afternoon.
Detective-Constable C. Brayshaw in evidence yesterday said that he had seen defendant at the Central Police Station on January 20. Defendant was told that there had been complaints about his conduct at the Willyama Hotel, where he stayed on arrival here. Defendant said he would not deny having abused the wife of the proprietor of the hotel.
Asked why he came here, defendant said that he intended to get a job. He told witness that he worked for three hours as a yardman at a hotel here, but left. He wanted a job as barman. He said he had no money, but got along all right. Defendant took notes of witness’ evidence on a cigarette packet.
When he questioned defendant in Chloride Street on Wednesday morning, defendant said he had tried to get work and was going to a job in Mildura. He admitted that he did not intend to go for month.
Defendant said he had been offered a job in Sydney and had been given a ticket to Sydney. He admitted that he had got a cash refund on the ticket. Defendant had told witness that he had some drink on Wednesday night and had slept with two aborigines under a pepper tree at Crystal Street Station that night. Several hotels in Argent Street had prevented him from entering their bars.
DEPENDANT’S STORY
Ryan, who gave his occupation as a journalist, said he lived at 3 Oatley Road, Paddington. He said that as a journalist he last worked on the “Labor Daily” in 1928 and had done, free-lance journalism since. His last position had been aboard a ship. He finished there five weeks ago.
The Town Clerk had made every effort to help him in Broken Hill he said. He stayed in a hotel for the first two days and nights, in a caravan the next two nights, and the railway station the next three as he could not get accommodation. He had been lent 30/ by a constable in Broken Hill yesterday and had bought a ticket to Menindee.
Continuing, defendant said he had seen Mr. C. Crowley ( Town Clerk ), who got in touch with the contractor for the bus service to Mildura, and it was arranged for him to go to Mildura on Sunday. Previously he had been offered a job by a local business man.
Defendant said that his father’s estate amounted to roughly £6031.
Asked by Sergt. Dennett where he got the 12/ 5 he had when arrested, Ryan said he got it from Constable Cosatto. He admitted that after buying a ticket to Menindee he had had the money refunded and had returned the ticket.
He denied that he had spent the balance of the money on intoxicating liquor or that he had been given money by the Co-operative Society for a ticket to Sydney.
He admitted that he had had a job at the Victoria Hotel, but had been dismissed after three hours.
The hearing was adjourned until today.
Constable Adrian Cosatto was called as a witness by Ryan to give evidence today and said he had boarded at the same boarding house as Ryan at Paddington between last February and October.
He said he did not know anything against Ryan’s character.
In answer to a question by Ryan whether he had invited him ( Ryan ) to Broken Hill, witness replied that he had asked him how he would like to come to Broken Hill.
Cross-examined by Sgt. Dennett, witness said that he knew defendant had not worked except for three hours during the 11 days he had been here, and had been drinking heavily. He had given defendant 30/ to buy a ticket to Menindee to get a job. He knew defendant had later handed in the ticket to get the money back. The money had been spent on food and liquor.
Witness told Sgt. Dennett that when he knew defendant in Sydney he was not addicted to liquor to such an extent as he was now. He knew defendant had been offered a job in the Public Works, but did not take it.
TOWN CLERK CALLED
Defendant then asked for the Town Clerk ( Mr. Crowley ) to be called as a witness, and the court was adjourned for 10 minutes.
Cornelius Crowley, in evidence, said that defendant had called to see him on Monday and that he had done all he could to get him a job. He had sent defendant to see Mr. J. C. Harrison ( Employment Officer ). Defendant came back at lunch time with a letter signed by Mr. Dennis, of Co-operative Stores. The letter was addressed to Mr. Dennis‘ son in Sydney telling him to employ defendant.
On Tuesday Ryan saw witness in the Town Hall, saying that the secretary of the Legion of Ex Servicemen, who, he alleged, had offered to pay his fare, had not turned up. He suggested to Ryan that he keep an appointment with Mr. Harrison. Later, Ryan came back with the name of a man in Wolfram Street on a piece of paper, who, he said, was going to take him to Mildura. Ryan complained to him that his feet were bad and witness arranged transport for him to the address.
Witness Crowley, questioned by Sgt. Dennett, said that he did not know that defendant had refused a position on the Water Board, and defendant did not tell him that he was dismissed from the Willyama Hotel. Defendant had been under the influence of liquor on two occasions when he saw him. He agreed that, in the condition that defendant was in it would have been difficult to get a job. He had seen defendant about six times altogether.
Sgt. Dennett said Ryan had admitted he had been charged with stealing in Sydney and travelling on a train without paying a fare.
The magistrate said he felt sorry for defendant, who had not been looking after himself, and sentenced him to 14 days with hard labor.
Barrier Daily Truth ( Broken Hill ) Wednesday 20 December 1950 p4
Miss Fay Stone was presented with a water set when she resigned from her position at the Zinc Cafeteria recently, to prepare for her marriage to Constable Adrian Cosatto, which took place on Saturday at the Cathedral.
It is with heavy heart that I announce that just a few hours ago we lost Arthur Ernest JONES – one of our endeared Foundation Members at the age of 83 years.
Rest in Peace Arthur, you suffered great pain and much discomfort but, through it all, you bravely maintained your wonderful sense of humour – you will be sadly missed by so many – God Bless my friend.
Col Young’s wife has asked this message to be past on….
In lieu of flowers leading up to Col’s funeral on Friday, the family have asked that donations be sent to Police Legacy in Colin’s name as they are providing support to Colin’s young daughters who are now left fatherless. Thanks.
[divider_dotted]
Colin YOUNG
Aged 47 years, of Merimbula,
passed away at Greigs Flat on 12 May 2016,
Beloved husband of Kellie, dearly loved father of Reese, Evelyn, and Skyla.
Cherished son of Alan and Marlene, loving brother of Andrew.
Caring uncle, nephew, cousin, son-in-law, brother-in-law, friend to many and loud singer during happy birthday and hymns.
A professional leaf vacuum driver, carpenter, police office, tactical operator, special forces reservist, cycling shop manager, real estate agent, hardware store expert, lawn mower, handyman, aircraft baggage handler, bartender, landscape gardener, security guard, cleaner, teachers aide, aged care worker and gold fossicker.
May he rest in peace.
Left before his shout again.
* * * * * *
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Colin’s Funeral Service, which will be held on Friday 27 May 2016, commencing at 11.00AM, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Merimbula.
This will be followed by a Private Cremation.
In lieu of Flowers, please consider a donation to the NSW Police Legacy
Details will be available at the service.
There might be some confusion about his AGE. The Dept has stated 38 at the time of death. He has been out of ‘the job’ for 5 years – makes him 33 when he left. He apparently did 15 years in ‘the job’. That would have made him 18 when he join ‘the job’. Somehow I don’t think his age is correct OR his years of service are wrong, unless he joined on his 19th birthday or very close to it. Age has been confirmed, by friends, as 47.
[divider_dotted]
Stephen Budgen: FB 13 May 2016
CJ Young was a friend whom I admire for so many reasons. I joined the NSW Police with Col in 1992 and later worked alongside Col in the Tactical operations Unit. Col was someone with incredible patience and compassion, the guy that was always there to lend a hand, the guy who was unflappable under pressure, The guy you were relieved to see covering your 6 on the big jobs, he was the guy with exceptional ability but with greatest humility. He was of course more to so many more….he was a son, a brother, a father, a husband.
A kind, gentle compassionate person but equally one of the toughest men you will come across -taken too soon.
Rest in Peace Mate.
[divider_dotted]
From NSW Fallen Police FB page: 16 May 2016
Ian Mather:Col Young or Youngy. Condolences to his partner and their children. The extremely sad loss of a father, son, partner and mate. An exceptionally gifted Tactical Team Instructor and TOU Operative. A great mentor, leader and teacher of men. The Operatives of the Hunter Region SPSU and Negotiators mourn his loss. Youngy was wonderful to be around. Always smiling and willing you to be the best at what you can be. Sadly missed by all. Your friend Beaver.
Redfern Police Training Centre – Class # 058 or 059
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 8931
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Academy on Monday ? ? ?
Probationary Constable – appointed 3 March 1958
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed 16 March 1964
Senior Constable – appointed 1 July 1968
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 26 March 1974
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 1 December 1983
Inspector – appointed 17 December 1986
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Retirement
Stations: ?, Burwood Detectives, ?, North West Region – retirement
Service: From? ? pre March 1958 to 30 September 1993 = 35 years Service
Years in Retirement: 22 years, 7 months, 9 days
Age at Retirement: 56 years, 8 months, 5 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 22 August 1980 ( Det Sgt 3/c )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 3 September 1985 ( Det Sgt 3/c )
2nd Clasp to National Medal – granted 7 May 1994 ( Det Sgt 3/c )
Star of Courage ( SC ) – granted 27 October 1992 – NSW POLICE SERVICE. SC/FOR ACTS OF CONSPICUOUS COURAGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF GREAT PERIL. (MAR 93) ( Det Supt )
Born: Monday 25 January 1937
Died on: Monday 9 May 2016
Cause: ?
Age: 79 years, 3 months, 14 days
Funeral date: Monday 16 May 2016 @ 110am
Funeral location: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Main Street, ALSTONVILLE, NSW
Grave Location: Lawn A, Plot 168
Buried at: followed by a Committal service at 11.15am at the Alstonville Cemetery, Bruxner Highway.
Memorial at: ?
In Memory of John Thomas TURNER SC VA 25 January 1937 – 9 May 2016 Loved husband of Pat, Father of Wayne & Megan Grandfather of Luke, Michael, Amy Always Remembered. ‘Rest In Peace’
JOHN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Funeral location:
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
