Stations: ?, Mounted Trooper ( most of his Service was in the country area ), O.I.C. Waverly Police Station
Service: From ? to ? = 39+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: ?
Cause: ?
Age: ?
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
[alert_yellow]ROBERT is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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Great Grandfather of Roy BEVERSTOCK, Inspector, Waverley Police Station.
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Roy Douglas BEVERSTOCK
| 03/08/2015
Roy Douglas BEVERSTOCK
late of Caringbah, NSW
May be related to A. R. BEVERSTOCK, NSWPF # 10689
New South Wales Police Force
Redfern Academy Class # 046 – 061?
Regd. # 8137
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 3 March 1952
Cadet # 986
Rank: Commenced at Redfern Police Training Centre on Monday 3 March 1952 as a Cadet – aged 15 years, 7 months, 6 days
Probationary Constable – appointed Tuesday 26 July 1955 ( aged 19 years )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed 26 July 1966
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 2 October 1971
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 1 December 1978
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 1 February 1982
Inspector – appointed 17 December 1986
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Superintendent – appointed 8 February 1989
Final Rank: Superintendent, Staff Officer – Retired
Stations: Darlinghurst, ?, Central Police Station ( Rosters – 1971 ), Redfern Police Academy ( late 70’s – early 82+ ), Maroubra ( early 1980’s ), Waverley ( 10 Division )( 1987 )( Inspector – Assistant Officer ), North West Region – Staff Officer – Operations ( Supt. )( 1989 )
Tasks: General Duties, Traffic control, Highway Patrol, plain clothes, Senior Law Instructor at Academy ( 1980’s ), O.I.C., Breath Analysis Section
Service: From 3 March 1952to? Nov / Dec 2000 = 45+ years Service
Attested as Probationary Constable in 1954
Awards: National Medal – granted 28 May 1990 ( Supt. )
Born: Sunday 26 July 1936
Died on: Tuesday 22 May 2001 ( 6 months after Retirement )
Age: 64 years, 9 months, 26 days
Cause: Leukaemia – contracted
Age at Retirement: 64 years, ? months, ? days
Time in Retirement: 6? months, ? days
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: Woronora Cemetery & Crematorium
Buried at: Cremated – Ashes collected on 11 July 2001
Tony Stevens # 11315 – Brian Johnson # 12683 or # 9221 – Bill Smith # 5689 or # 7728 or # 7844 or # 7949 – Roy Beverstock # 8137 – Bob Hurst # 8309 – Jack Pearce # 7005 – Russ Swinbourne # 8063 – Gary Ticehurst ( Special Constable ) the first PolAir Pilot.
ROY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Mitch ClarkeI always think of Mick, as we often go through Adelong
August 1, 2014 at 10:50am · Like · 1
Joy BrownLovely man remembered with fondness. RIP Mick
August 1, 2014 at 11:07am · Like
Jeffrey Littlehard exterior – soft underbelly
August 1, 2014 at 11:56am · Like · 4
Linda PillLove that rascal!
August 1, 2014 at 12:07pm · Like · 1
Stephen BaumannGave a great clip across the ears to I know. Rip.
August 1, 2014 at 12:07pm · Like · 1
Andrew Royds RoyanYes indeed. And a quality kick up the arse for good measure! Sadly missed. Thanks for posting cal
August 1, 2014 at 12:17pm · Unlike · 5
Lee WigginsRIP Mick.
August 1, 2014 at 1:11pm · Like · 1
Chris HinesWas a great bloke and great Sgt, firm but fair, can remember vividly him picking up a charge book and slapping probationary constables with it who had inadvertently written with the wrong coloured ink. RIP
August 1, 2014 at 1:51pm · Like · 3
Gary ThompsonI remember our Wollongong cricket trips to Belconnen, Canberra with fond memories. RIP Curly and Frank.
August 1, 2014 at 2:10pm · Like · 3
Steve HodderTwo tough characters there, highly respected. RIP Curly and Frank.
August 1, 2014 at 3:01pm · Like · 5
Nigel StrettonDitto Jeff Little and Shags
August 1, 2014 at 5:39pm · Edited · Like · 2
Mick-Chelle PearceLike Nigel ( Junior) stated, good men RIP Curly and Frank ……
Steven DaviesCal I remember Sgt Royan (couldn’t bring myself to call him Curly) tearing me a new one about an exhibit and saying he was going to “spiflicate” me. Had to look it up and never heard it used by anybody else. Where on earth did he find those words ….RIP.
August 2, 2014 at 12:19pm · Unlike · 4
Andrew Royds RoyanHaving been on the end of many a “spifflication” I can tell you it’s not pretty!
August 2, 2014 at 12:44pm · Like · 3
Lance MiltonTwo great men in this photo Mick and Frank may they both RIP.
August 3, 2014 at 3:45pm · Like
Tony ChaplinWorked the Berkeley weekend car many times with Curly- John Dryburgh and Bob Payton ( R I P ) early 80′ s. Curly got PCA one night, charged him, Curl said he was Inpixicated with Toss Curls version of intoxicated w piss ???
August 3, 2014 at 6:13pm · Like · 3
Greg CallanderRemembered for yesterday, back in 2007.
Retired Senior Sergeant Mick ‘Curly’ Royan who served at Pt Kembla and Warilla, who died in Wollongong Hospital of Cancer, aged 65. Curly joined the NSW Police on 26 January 1962 and Retired on 5 January 1997.
May you forever be Resting In Peace mate.
Frank WeirRIP Curly…Great old school Sgt.
23 hrs · Like · 1
Mark MurphyRIP.
23 hrs · Like · 1
Paul GlockRIP.
22 hrs · Like · 1
Peter GouldRIP
22 hrs · Like · 1
Dave CarrollRIP Mick Champion of a man..
22 hrs · Like · 1
Mark KitchenerRIP
22 hrs · Like · 1
Ian BorlandMike was lock up keeper at Adelong and Noel Coggan was the Sergeant when I was at Talbingo from 1976 to 1979. He was a great bloke and a very funny man. RIP Brother.
21 hrs · Like · 2
Kris DundeeRIP friend.
21 hrs · Like · 1
Bunny WarrenRIP.
19 hrs · Like
John CrowleyOnly man who, whilst playing his beloved squeeze box and singing, could get off a bus, unzip his fly, do his business, do up and return to bus without missing a note. Say hello to your good mate from Adelong and my mate from Cyprus and Moruya, Noel Cogan. Crowls
16 hrs · Like · 3
David KingTop bloke Mick. Sat in as me during a record of interview while Noel Coggan and I attended to other matters at Adelong. Low and behold many years later we end up at Warilla together. Still don’t know how we didn’t cross paths Ian Ian Borland when you were at Talbingo. RIP dear friend.
10 hrs · Like · 1
David KingEven bloody old Crowls, John Crowley is on fb. G’day you old bugger.
10 hrs · Like
Linda PillI have some very fond memories of that old scallywag, Mick Royan! RIP Sarge
8 hrs · Like
Gregory George BROWN
| 03/08/2015
Gregory George BROWN
( late of Newport Island Road, Port Macquarie )
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 4106
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 9 April 1934
Cadet # 51
Rank: Chief Superintendent 2nd Class – retired
Stations: ?, Wollongong
Service: From 9 April 1934 to 29 June 1975 = 41+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: Friday 31 July 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 98
Funeral date: Tuesday 4 August 2015 @ 2pm
Funeral location: St Agnes Catholic Church, 47 Hay Street, Port Macquarie
Buried at: cremated
the Thin Blue Line Rose
[alert_blue]GREGORY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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With sincere regret I advise the death of Gregory George BROWN, 98 old, former Regd. No. 4106, a Veteran Member and the former Chairman of the Mid North Coast Branch of the RPA.
Greg passed away today, 31/07/2015, and his funeral is to be held at 2pm on Tuesday 4th August next at St Agnes Catholic Church, 47 Hay Street, PORT MACQUARIE.
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BROWN, Gregory George (Greg)
Passed away peacefully on July 31st, 2015, late of Newport Island Road, Port Macquarie.
Dearly beloved husband of Grace (dec) and Marie (dec). A loving father and father-in-law of Marilyn and Shelton, Michael and Silva, Greg and Gail, Dianne and Bill, Christine and Peter and Anthony (dec). Loved stepfather of Marla. A loving and adored grandfather and great grandfather to their families.
Aged 98 years
A Rite of Christian Burial for GREG’S Life will be celebrated in St Agnes Catholic Church, Hay Street, Port Macquarie on Tuesday, August 4th, 2015 commencing at 2:00pm.
At conclusion of service a private cremation will follow.
The N.S.W. Police Golf Club is the oldest sporting body within the N.S.W. Police Force, having been formed in 1932 by the then Commissioner Mr. Walter Henry Childs. It is also the oldest Social Golf Club in Australia.
Mr. Childs, a keen golfer, had applied for and been refused membership of the exclusive Royal Sydney Golf Club, due to his background, having risen through the ranks. Somewhat miffed by this refusal, Mr. Childs set about forming the N.S.W. Police Social Golf Club. He sought permission to play on various Sydney courses and the club was formed.
A constitution was drawn up and the first committee elected. Competition fees were small and the trophies in those days were generally a few golf balls.
The first club championships were held that year, consisting of 36 holes qualifying with 16 qualifiers playing off under match play conditions. Mr. Childs donated a cup known as the W.H. Childs Cup for the leading qualifier and a gold medal for the eventual champion. This first championship was won by Constable Cecil Coupland. The same conditions for the club championship still apply, except that B and C grade championships have been added, and the medal has been replaced by club blazers.
The first years of the clubs history were depression years and its development was slow and almost ceased to exist during the war years. After the war, activity within the club resumed, golfing equipment was readily available again and competitions were held at St. Michaels, Moore Park and other public clubs. Sponsorship was introduced and proved a great success as it also provided the opportunity for these sponsors to join the Police in competing on the finest courses available in Sydney. The Club attracted to its ranks some notable and exceptional Police golfers, perhaps the most outstanding being Vic Bulgin, who represented Australia in the Eisenhower Cup.
Many other fine golfers including Fred Miller, Reg Dunn, Harvey Wilson, Jack Newton snr. and Mark Wilson – all champions of their own various clubs – were all regular members of the Police Golf Club. More recently Peter Read, Mike Edgtton and Stuart McDiamid have also been members. Harvey Wilson and Peter Read have both won the world left-handers championship.
In 1956 the Olympics were held in Melbourne and a member of the N.S.W. Police Consorting Squad was required to perform duty there. He was Steve Duff, a keen golfer, who returned with a glowing account of the Victorian golf courses and information concerning the newly formed Victorian Police Golf Club.
The Captain of the N.S.W. Police Golf Club Ray Blissett approached the Commissioner Mr. Colin Delaney, also a keen golfer and foundation member of the N.S.W. Police Golf Club with the idea of a competition between the two states. Suitable arrangements were made and in March 1957Ray Blissett took a field of 24 golfers and a few supporters to Melbourne. In 2009 we managed to locate another member who was also a foundation member, retired Chief Superintendent, Gregory George BROWN, now 92yrs of age and residing at Port Macquarie.
So was born the Australian Police Golf Championships which have expanded to include all states and territories of Australia. These championships are held annually, generally in March over a week and are hosted on a rotational basis by the individual states and territories.
In 2010 Coffs Harbour will be the host venue. Such is the popularity of these events that in excess of 250 golfers compete each year and restrictions have to be placed on entries. The original concept of formulating friendships and camaraderie between the Police Forces has been maintained and is actively supported by the various Commissioners and state government Ministers, with these persons regularly being present at opening and closing ceremonies. Such is the prestige of this event that major corporations provide sponsorship to assist in the conduct of the event which involves great organization and expenditure.
In 1982 the N.S.W. Police Golf Club celebrated its golden anniversary with a week of golf, organized along similar lines to the Australian Police Golf Championships.
Since those early days the Police Golf Club has grown and despite ever increasing costs of participating on the best courses, maintains its attraction by providing the opportunity for Police officers and their guests to play some of the finest and most exclusive courses in Sydney, such as The Lakes, Monash, Killara, Pymble, New South Wales. Bonnie Doon, Long Reef and many more. A generous bequest by the late Inspector Steve Engel, added to by his widow, provides trophies for a perpetual Steve Engel Trophy over three days during the year and attracts large fields.
The club participates once each fortnight, on either a Tuesday or a Thursday, with new members always welcome. The average field is about 45 and average cost of green and competition fees is $55. Any serving or retired member of the N.S.W. Police Force may join and visitors are also welcome and compete in the competitions.
We currently have over 600 register players consisting of current serving members, retired members, and NSW Ambulance and Corrective Services and civilians.
The Hon. JENNIFER GARDINER: I direct my question to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Will the Minister inform the House about the NSW Police Force 150th anniversary celebrations on the mid North Coast?
The Hon. MICHAEL GALLACHER: Every region and every area of the NSW Police Force has a history that deserves to be told. In May 2012 the mid North Coast and Manning-Great Lakes local area commands joined forces to celebrate the role that they have played over the past 150 years of policing in New South Wales. The member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams—what an outstanding local member—spoke during the ceremony and thanked the men and women of the NSW Police Force for their enduring dedication to upholding the law and keep the people of this State safe. I think we all agree about that. The ceremony was also attended by the Commander of Northern Region, Assistant Commissioner Carlene York; Commander of Manning-Great Lakes Local Area Command, Superintendent Paul Fehon; Commander of Mid North Coast Local Area Command, Commander Superintendent Peter Thurtell; and Port Macquarie Hastings Administrator, Neil Porter. They all expressed how privileged they felt to be a part of policing history and how impressed they were with the community response. Current and retired police officers marched on 17 May and represented the contributions of police officers both past and present over the past 150 years of policing with a “Sea of Blue March” along Horton Street to Port Macquarie Town Green. The marching contingent included 70 officers, 30 members of the police band and 30 retired officers from the area led by the very proud 96-year-old retired Chief Superintendent Greg Brown. In the parade, the Banner Party and the Marching and Capability Contingents represented the various police groups that were brought together as one police force under the proclamation of 1862. We had police representatives from the highway patrol, operational foot police and the Marine Area Command Water Police, who demonstrated their skills in an operational display later in the day at Lady Nelson Wharf. Also later in the day there was a fly-over by the PolAir 4 helicopter and participants were joined by Police Launch Fearless. Each of these pieces of equipment demonstrates the modern resources in the hands of the NSW Police Force. A display by the EyeWatch project team also showed how the NSW Police Force is using social networking to assist communities in new and exciting ways. The celebrations at the Port Macquarie Town Green were an acknowledgement by the Mid North Coast and Manning/Great Lakes local area commands and the State Government of the service provided and sacrifices made by the northern region and its members to the people and institutions of New South Wales. It is important to note that police officers wear their uniforms with pride and it is not often that members of the public get to experience the pride that police feel. This was an event not only for police, both retired and active, to show off their uniforms and skills but also for the public to convey their thanks for a job well done. This event was a terrific way to showcase this community feeling and I look forward to the continuing celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the NSW Police Force. I have some more good news for the House. I know members are interested in her progress so I am proud to announce that yet another officer graduated into the ranks of the NSW Police Force. Police dog Angel has completed her eight-week training course and is now a fully qualified drug detector. The Hon. Duncan Gay: Did they have a lockup in The Greens’ office while she was in training?
The Hon. MICHAEL GALLACHER: They have a sit-in on the days she is out and about. I understand that her initial training was difficult because, like her namesake, she had problems going to the left. Very much like her namesake, she also bit all the other members in her training group. Of course, if the trainers held anything green in front of her there was trouble. It is amazing how human personalities are often played out in these— [Time expired.]
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 1 October 1952
Cadet # 1032
Rank: Sergeant 2nd Class
Stations: ?, STP North Sydney – ( early 1970’s ), 21 Division – 1974 / 78 ( Special Squad ), Manly
Service: From 1 October 1952 to 21 February 1986 = 33+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: Tuesday 28 July 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 79
Funeral date: Friday 31 July 2015 @ 10am
Funeral location: St Michael’s Catholic Church, 12 Sproule Street, NELSON BAY
Buried at: ?
Police Cadet Ronald Douglas DOBSON – 1952
Senior Constable Ron Dobson, third from the left. Taken at Bathurst in the early sixties.
[alert_yellow]RONALD is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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Ronald Douglas DOBSON, 79 old, former Regd. No. 8051, an Unattached Member of the RPA of Nelson Bay.
Ron passed away on 28/07/2015 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 10am on Friday 31st Instant at St Michael’s Catholic Church, 12 Sproule Street, NELSON BAY.
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William James HARRIS
| 03/08/2015
William James HARRIS
Queensland Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Constable
Stations: ?
Service: From ? to ?
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: 24 August 1915
Cause: Injuries received riding a Police horse
Age: 28
Funeral date: Friday 27 August 1915
Funeral location: Rockhampton Cemetery, Qld
Buried at: Rockhampton Cemetery, Qld
RC Section 15X Burial # 4002d
[alert_green]WILLIAM IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green ]
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The Capricornian ( Rockhampton, Qld ) Saturday 28 August 1915 page 31 of 52
The funeral of Constable James William Harris, who met his death as the result of an accident on the Scrubby Creek Bridge, took place yesterday afternoon. A large body of officers and men of the Rockhampton police force, as well as others from outside stations, assembled at the police barracks, and, in charge of Senior sergeant M J. Carmody, marched in royal blue uniforms and white helmets to the late residence of the deceased in Arnold street and afterwards followed his remains to the Rockhampton cemetery, three marching on either ride of the hearse and the others immediately in the rear. Among those present at the funeral were the Police Magistrate, Mr. H. L Archdall, and the Clerk of Petty Sessions, Mr. W. G. Moran. The Rev. Father T. Grogan officiated at the graveside.
Morning Bulletin ( Rockhampton, Qld ) Friday 3 September 1915 page 10 of 12
MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY.
A magisterial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Constable William James Harris, at the Rockhampton General Hospital on the night of the 24th of August last, as the result of an accident on the Scrubby Creek Bridge the same night, was held before the Police Magistrate, Mr. H. L. Archdall, yesterday.
Senior-sergeant M. J. Carmody, conducted the examination of witnesses.
Senior-sergeant Carmody deposed that he instructed the deceased on the morning of the 24th of August last to go to Kabra to make some official inquiries and expected his return that night unless something occurred to delay him. About eight o’clock, that night he was advised by telephone from Gracemere that the deceased had met with an accident on the Scrubby Creek Bridge and that the ambulance was taking him to the Hospital.
After stating his course of action immediately before the deceased’s death and subsequently, witness added that the horse ridden by the deceased was quiet. The deceased was twenty-eight years of age and had a wife and a child fifteen months old. He was an excellent horseman and a most reliable and trustworthy constable.
Robert McKim, labourer, living at Gracemere, deposed that when on horseback within 100 yards of Scrubby Creek Bridge, about seven o’clock on the night of the 24th of August last he saw a horseman on the bridge. The horse shied and bounded about 4 ft. into the air. Both horse and rider fell on the off side ( right side ). Witness hurried to the scene as quickly as possible, and as be got on to the bridge the horse came towards him. Having tied up both horses, witness went towards the man, and recognised him as a constable, as he was in police uniform. He could get no reply from the constable as to whether he was hurt. Through the slabs he could see a fire underneath the bridge at a man’s camp, though he did not see a man there until shortly afterwards. The horse was just about over the spot where the fire was when it bounded. Rain had fallen in the afternoon, and, in consequence, the bridge was slippery. If a horse with shoes on slipped on a board, it would fall very heavily. The reflection from the light, he thought, caused the horse to shy and bound. He was satisfied that the horse was only walking on to the bridge when the accident occurred. If the horse had been cantering witness would have heard it. Witness telephoned to the Ambulance Office from the Gracemere railway station, a mile from the bridge.
In reply to the Police Magistrate, witness said that he could not say whether the horse fell on the deceased or whether the deceased struck the slabs independently of the horse.
W. G. Daniel, Superintendentof the Ambulance Brigade, gave evidence to the effect that, when summoned, he went in the ambulance motor car to the Scrubby Creek Bridge, five miles distant from Rockhampton, and on the bridge saw Constable Harris, who was quite unconscious. There was a contused wound, with effusion of blood, on the forehead over the right eye. The deceased, who was in a serious condition, was conveyed in the car to the Hospital.
Alexander MacDonald, butcher, Gracemere, testified that he had known Constable Harris as a steady and reliable and a good horseman, and adding that, after inspecting the bridge with Constable Cullen on the following morning, he had formed the opinion that the horse bounded just after it got on to the bridge, jumped to get over the reflection of the fire, and then fell owing to the bridge being slippery from the rain. The horse was marked on the off shoulder.
The inquiry was then adjourned to a date to be fixed.
Morning Bulletin ( Rockhampton, Qld ) Thursday 9 September 1915 page 6 of 12
THE DEATH OF CONSTABLE HARRIS.
The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Constable James William Harris, as the result of an accident on the Scrubby Creek Bridge, was continued before the Police Magistrate, Mr. H. L. Archdall, yesterday.
Senior sergeant M. J. Carmody conducted the examination of the witness, Constable Robert Lindsay Cullen, who, in the course of his evidence, stated that his examination showed that the deceased’s horse was going at a walking pace to the bridge and afterwards slipped about 9 ft. on the bridge when attempting to bound, and then skidded about 15 ft. before it started to scramble to get on its feet.
It appeared to him that the horse bounded over the reflection of the fire underneath the bridge.
Judging by marks, the horse fell on the off side ( right ).
The deceased was a good horseman and a very careful man with horses, while he was most sober and reliable.
The bridge was very slippery on the night of the accident, and it was a dangerous bridge at any time. The inquiry was further adjourned.
Father and Father-in-law of Bill and Lynne, Leonard, Melissa and Peter (dec). Grandfather of Jillian and Billy, Grandpa Jack of Grace, James, Benjamin and Hunter.
Aged 99 Years
A happy and long life
Relatives and friends of JACK are kindly invited to attend his Funeral Service, to be held within the West Chapel of the Woronora Crematorium, Linden Street Sutherland Friday 31/7/2015 commencing at 10:30am.
Please meet at the chapel.
Southern Cross Funeral Directors
ALL SUBURBS
PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN
9529 6644 9521 4422
.
Thursday, 30 July 2015
Deepest condolences to Bills family . Bill was adored by all our staff and will be sadly missed by all at City Tatts . A beautiful man who lived such a full life and now rests in peace x
~
Krissy Jones,
Sydney, New South Wales
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Our deepest sympathy to all who were family and those touched by Jack’s presence. He was a legend within the Policeandthe Entertainment industry. God Bless.
~
Barry Gobbe,
Sydney, New South Wales
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on July 29, 2015
The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 5 February 1954 page 17 of 34
Dope Case Hearing Near End
Preliminary hearing of doping conspiracy charges against four men will conclude before Mr. T. Doolan, S.M., in Central Court of Petty Sessions to-day.
The men are Reginald Aubrey Doyle, 42, who is serving a 10-year gaol sentence for forgery, fraud and theft; Jack Sharpe, plumber and former stablehand, of Park Avenue, Ashfield; Ronald Edward Irwin, 42, stud groom, of Scone; and Gordon Ray, 37, horse trainer, of Croydon Avenue, Croydon Park.
They are charged with conspiring between January 1 and April 6, 1952, to defraud bookmakers and members of the Wyong District Agricultural Association Turf Club by administering a drug to the horse Buccaneer to improve its performance.
Mr. Doolan heard the last of evidence yesterday. To-day he will hear addresses by counsel for Ray, Sharpe and Irwin, and by Doyle.
Detective William Arthur Harris, of the C.I.B., Sydney, said that information which had led to police interviewing Ronald Irwin at Scone last year had come from Harold O’Dwyer.
[ Earlier evidence was given that O’Dwyer was a racehorse trainer with stables in Avoca Street, Randwick. ]
INTERVIEW
Detective Harris said that he had been present when Detective-sergeant Frank Lynch had interviewed Irwin at Scone.
To Mr. J. Lee, for Irwin, he said that he went to see Irwin over disclosures about the racehorse Tarien. He said he had not interviewed Doyle before this time.
Nor had he read statements in newspapers to the effect that Buccaneer had been doped.
He had suspicions at the time that Doyle was implicated in the doping of race-horses, but they had not led him and other police to Irwin.
Mr. Lee: Are you willing to tell the Court why you interviewed Irwin before you interviewed other defendants in the case?
Mr. J. O’Brien, for the Crown: I object to that question. I know the source of that information, but it is not wished that it be disclosed.
Mr. Doolan: He may answer the question.
Harris said he was not willing to disclose the identity of the man who had given the information unless directed to do so.
Pressed by Mr. Lee, he said it was a man interested in the racing game.
Mr. Lee: Has that man given evidence here at the inquiry?
Harris: Yes.
S.M.’s VIEW
Mr. Lee then asked the name of the witness. Mr. Doolan said: “He has given evidence here. I can’t see why the name shouldn’t be disclosed.”
Mr. O’Brien said: “It’s the usual procedure that the name of a man who has given information confidentially is never disclosed. It may have been mere hearsay.”
Mr. Doolan ruled against him, and Mr. Lee asked: “Will you tell the name of the witness?”
Patty MaceyThe Daily Telegraph did a feature piece on Bill in the past few days! As well as being a very fine detective he was also a very well known and accomplished acrobat! Not to mention a capped Rugby player! RIP good man, your time has come to join your brothers and sisters in arms!
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The Daily Telegraph
Bill Harris, former detective, acrobat and rugby representative, shares stories of his luminary past
Dave Meddows
The Daily Telegraph
May 22, 201512:00AM
BILL Harris is just months away from his 100th birthday but the retired detective’s memory is sharper than that of men half his age — and it holds amazing tales you’d be forgiven for thinking were closer to fiction than fact.
Skills as acrobat led to recognition on television and with colleagues
Entertained senior police with spontaneous demonstration on table
Led taskforce that investigated gruesome murders of ‘The Mutilator’
Still gets birthday calls from NSW’s most senior policeman
BILL Harris is just months away from his 100th birthday but the retired detective’s memory is sharper than that of men half his age — and it holds amazing tales you’d be forgiven for thinking were closer to fiction than fact.
The 99-year-old was one of the state’s first drug squad detectives and the man entrusted with tracking down The Mutilator, one of Australia’s first known serial killers.
But when he wasn’t fighting crime on the streets of Sydney, Harris was moonlighting as an internationally renowned acrobat and was a first grade rugby union player who was selected to play for Australia.
Bill Harris was an investigator on the case of serial killer William MacDonald, who died this month. Picture: Richard Dobson
Bill Harris, 99, at his Allawah home with his photos of his acrobat days. Picture: Mark Evans
The young cop would head to Bondi Beach to practise hand balancing, something that was apparently a “thing” at the famous beach in the 1940s.
It was there that his talents were recognised by a professional acrobat who suggested he team up with Thelma Harris.
The pair would go on to tour the country with their death-defying acrobatics and even appeared on an early edition of The Graham Kennedy Show.
But his talents almost got him booted from the police force. Ironically it was those same skills that saved him.
[blockquote]With a footballer’s build and the strength of a top athlete, Harris was sometimes called on for some tough tasks.[/blockquote]
After taking a number of weeks off to tour with the Tivoli Circuit, a hugely popular group of roving entertainers, Harris was hauled in front of the Commissioner of Police.
“I’m standing in front of the Commissioner and he’s tearing strips off me,” Harris said. “He said: ‘You young fellas, there’s a book of rules and you just ignore them’.”
His boss who was also in the room urged the Commissioner to take a look at the young constable’s talents and he reluctantly agreed.
“So up I go and jump on his table and do a handstand on his table,” he said.
As Harris continued to perform, the stunned Commissioner picked up the phone.
Harris’ prowess helped him as a policeman.
Bill Harris as an acrobat (in the middle).
He appeared on television as an acrobat
Harris holds his son on Bondi beach.
“He got all the superintendents and all the bosses and they came in (to watch),” Harris recalled with a laugh.
After more than a decade in the drug squad, the then-detective was one day transferred out of the unit and across town to Redfern.
“All of a sudden I was transferred and nobody could tell me why. The superintendent said, ‘You are transferred as of now’ and I said ‘Can I ask why?’ and he said ‘No, you can’t’.”
It was more than 10 years later when Harris got a call from the boss of the unit he had been kicked out of.
That man, who Harris didn’t want to name, came clean with the real motive behind the transfer.
“He said: ‘I was jealous of you and your success and I told the superintendent you were on the take’.”
Harris was stunned.
“It was wrong. I was as clean as a whistle,” he said. “I was found guilty without a chance to talk.”
But he refused to take the man to task and moved on with his career.
“The next thing I had anything to do with him was at his funeral,” Harris said.
However, the move to Redfern led him to head up investigations into one of the most gruesome mysteries of that era — the Mutilator case, which he remembers well.
Harris investigated crimes committed by murderer William McDonald, known as The Mutilator, who died at 90 this month.
William McDonald murdered his first victim, Amos Hurst, in Brisbane in 1961 before he terrorised the streets of Sydney, killing four more men he had plied with alcohol before butchering them and cutting off their genitals.
“Not many people know this but that first penis — the only one we recovered — had a tattoo on it,” he said. “It read: All for a night of love.”
Harris led the task force that investigated the murders but was on leave when McDonald was finally caught in Melbourne in 1963.
“My face hit the dashboard and I had hundreds of pieces of glass over my face and one in the pupil of my left eye.”
While Harris is often referred to as one of the country’s first serial killers, Harris said they just didn’t think like that back then.
“No, we never thought about a serial killer then,” he said. “It was just one of those things that happened.”
Harris didn’t have the chance to speak with McDonald in the years after his imprisonment and had been organising to finally interview him at Long Bay jail this year when he heard the news The Mutilator had died.
With a footballer’s build and the strength of a top athlete, Harris was sometimes called on for some tough tasks.
In 1944, Roy Kable, a 32-year-old married father, killed his wife, Irene, with an axe in front of their children and neighbours in Newtown.
This accident forced Bill Harris out of the police, leaving him needing facial surgery.
When the time came for Kable’s trial, prosecutors believed the killer would lose it when the bloodied axe was presented as evidence.
Harris was called in and told he would be handcuffed to the accused in the dock during the trial.
When the time came for the axe to be shown to the court, Harris — standing alongside Kable with their hands joined in cuffs — prepared for the worst.
But what actually happened left him gobsmacked.
“He turned around to me and said: ‘She was a bloody nagger, what else could I do?’ and that was it!” Harris recounts.
“I couldn’t say anything. I was staggered.”
After a distinguished career, Harrisretired from the police force after an accident in a police car left him seriously injured.
“I’ve had two facial reconstructions because when I was in the car, we hit a fence and a pole came through and hit my ear,” he said.
“My face hit the dashboard and I had hundreds of pieces of glass over my face and one in the pupil of my left eye.”
It was the end of one amazing chapter of his life but Harris has remained a big part of NSW Police since and meets regularly with detectives past and present.
He is particularly fond of current Commissioner Andrew Scipione, who calls him on each of his birthdays and visited him at home after a recent accident.
Harris will be honoured by fellow detectives in October when they come together and celebrate his 100th birthday just a few months early.
“It’s what I’m really looking forward to.” ( Sadly, those celebrations did not happen )
Harris stands next to a marijuana plant grown by the drug squad in an effort to better prosecute against its use.
Bill Harris looks back on memories at his Allawah home.
Spritely Old Bill Harris, NSW oldest detective, never misses a beat
Mark Morri Crime Editor
The Daily Telegraph
June 27, 201112:00AM
Sydney’s oldest retired detective 95 year old Bill Harris. Pic. Nic Gibson – 2011
AMONG the azaleas and roses at the Botanic Gardens grew one of the finest marijuana crops Sydney had ever seen – nurtured by the NSW drug squad with seeds supplied by the FBI.
It is just one of the amazing stories NSW’s oldest living detective – who joined the force in 1938 – has to share.
It was the 1940s and NSW police were incredibly naive about narcotics and drug use.
“We lost our first prosecution for possession of cannabis on a technicality,” retired detective Bill Harris, now 95, said. “The scientists said they needed to grow and test live samples so we wrote to the FBI. A couple of weeks later a package arrived with enough seeds to grow a large crop – which we planted in the Botanic Gardens. They grew pretty well too.”
Despite his age and being retired 40 years, he still inspires and mentors police.
An international acrobat and the oldest surviving NRL first-grade and second-oldest Waratahs rugby player, Bill’s first passion was the police.
He still attends functions as NSW drug squad patron.
“The force is probably as good as it has ever been since I can remember,” he said.
Every day at 8.30am, Bill can be found at City Tattersalls Club – where he has been a member for 50 years – recounting his time catching crooks, playing football or performing with wife Thel as acrobatic duo The Marvettes.
When he was appointed to the drug squad it brought the number in the squad to two.
“Drugs were not a big deal back then. They put me in the drug squad because I had worked in a chemist when I was 14,” he said, smiling.
“Me and Eric Baker. That was the entire drug squad.”
He also recounts how in the ’40s he spotted a car tearing up Pitt St: “We took off after him and finally caught him up around Central.
“He started going off at us, saying, ‘Don’t you know who I am!’. I didn’t and I dragged him down to Central booking and charged him with drive in a manner dangerous.
“That was the first charge ever laid against Lennie McPherson,” Bill adds with a touch of pride. At the time McPherson, unbeknownst to Bill, was the No.1 suspect in the robbery of a payroll at Cockatoo Island the day before. As with most of Bill’s stories there is a sequel.
One night performing his acrobatic show on stage at the Paris Theatre in George St, he peeked out to see the crowd.
“The entire front row was taken up with the commissioner, deputy and other senior police. In the back row was Lennie McPherson and all the crooks in town.” Bill will feature in a book being written by Patrick Lindsay for the NSW Police Force commemorating 150 years of the force. Police have asked anyone with photos or stories to contact www.flickr.com/photos/60610599@N04/
Stations: No. 4 Division ( Phillip Street – Water Police Court )
Service: From ? about 1893 to 13 November 1899 = about 6 years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1873
Died on: Monday 13 November 1899
Cause: Influenza
Age: about 27
Funeral date: Wednesday 15 November 1899
Funeral location: Waverley Cemetery
Buried at: ?
[alert_yellow]THOMAS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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Funeral location: ?
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Windsor and Richmond Gazette ( NSW ) Saturday 18 November 1899 page 11 of 14
Death of Constable Chaseling.
REGRET was felt in this district when it became known on Monday evening that Constable Thomas W Chaseling, of No 4 Police Station( Phillip Street – Water Police Court ) had succumbed that day at his residence, Bent-street Paddington, from the effects of an attack of influenza, which incapacitated him from duty some ten days ago. Constable Chaseling, who was about 27 years of age, leaves a widow and a young child. He had been a member of the force for about six years, during which time be bad achieved a reputation for fearlessness, promptness, and efficiency in the performance of his duty, which caused him to be looked upon as one of the most promising of the young men in the service.
During the whole period of his service in the police he was attached to No. 4 Division.
He distinguished himself on several occasions, the last being that upon which he captured a burglar named George Harris, after a desperate chase of about a mile and a half, and shooting the man in the leg. Harris is now serving a long term of imprisonment, and has since been identified as a dangerous Melbourne criminal named Brown, at one time a confederate of Montgomery and Williams, who were hanged in Sydney some years ago.
Speaking of Chaselings death, a sergeant under whom he had served said that the loss which it would mean would be a serious one to the division and one difficult to overcome. Inspector-General Fosbery also spoke highly of the young officer.
The funeral took place at Waverley Cemetery on Wednesday, when the Police Band and a large number of his brother constables were in attendance, as well as many other friends and relatives.
Constable Chaseling was the son of Mr Matthew Chaseling, who lives on the Hawkesbury River.
