DOUG ROBERTSON AT BADGEE PARK CARAVAN PARK, SUSSEX INLET where he and the family used to holiday – 1980.
Michael McGannJeez the good are going aren’t they. Doug was a Sergeant at River wood Call Box under Bill Lavette when I was transferred there in early 1976 from Hurstville. Tough, full of common sense, approachable, full of respect for the man. Nothing was too much trouble for Doug. The last time I saw him was when I was in the Bathurst bike riots of 1983. He was one of the bosses of the TRG and I was in the compound when it started to hit the fan. When they cut the power I went up to Doug to ask him how I could help and he said grab a floodlight and do your best. Later he signed my HOD forms when I got injured.
Good bloke Doug. Very sad to see him go the way all good people go. We could use more blokes like Doug.
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Doug died 9 weeks after the death of his wife.
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White Lady Funerals
Sutherland
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Ian Sydney BECKETT
| 23/08/2017
Ian Sydney BECKETT
Late of Castle Hill
NSW Police Cadet # 1256
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 9126
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – commenced 16 December 1955
Detective –
Stations: ?, Fraud Squad,
Service: From 16 December 1955to? ? ? ( Resigned ) = ? years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: 7 November 1939
Died on: Tuesday 15 August 2017
Age: 77
Cause: Heart failure following a stroke 12 days earlier
Event location: ?
Event date:
Funeral date: Thursday 24 August 2017 2 11am
Funeral location: Magnolia room, Macquarie Park Crematorium, Cnr. Delhi and Plassey Roads, NORTH RYDE
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial located at: ?
[alert_yellow]IAN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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Funeral location:
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
I’m wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of getting one of these police caps. In 1989 I was approached by Ian Beckett in this photo below, who had become a fraud squad detective, resigned and was then the National Investigations Manager at NZI Insurance. Ian has been a friend and mentored me in civil and insurance law areas until his retirement. Ian passed away yesterday following a stroke about 12 days ago. His family would like to borrow one of these caps to place on his coffin for the funeral service next week. I S Beckett, RIP mate, always respected and respectful of Police and Fire Brigade officers, thanks for the many smiles, laughs and much guidance to this bloke over the last 28 years????you will be missed especially by your wife Barb, kids Craig and Michelle, their families and your great grand kids.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 9 May 1986 (No.78), page 2001
NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE FORCE
Commissioned Officer Appointments
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the undermentioned Commissioned Officer appointments, effective from the dates indicated:
Appointment to Chief Inspector in Charge, Bourke Division Inspector Bruce Thomas Lockton, date of entry on duty.
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Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 16 March 1984 (No.42), page 1541
NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE FORCE
Commissioned Officer Promotions and Appointments
HIS Excellency, the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the undermentioned Commissioned Officer promotions and appointments, effective from the dates indicated:
Appointment to Inspector
Sergeant 1st Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, 31st December, 1983.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 20 June 1980 (No.86), page 3096
APPOINTMENTS
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the following appointments:
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, the Licensing District preceding their names, for the dates specified, viz.:
Narrandera.—Sergeant 1st Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, stationed at Narrandera during the absence on leave of Inspector J. Grebert, from 17th February, 1980, to 1st March 1980.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Thursday 12 April 1979 (No.52), page 1759
APPOINTMENTS
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the following appointments:
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, the Licensing District preceding their names, for the dates specified, viz.:
Condobolin.—Sergeant 2nd Class Gordon Laman Weaver, stationed at Condobolin vice Sergeant 1st Class Bruce Thomas Lockton from 2nd February, 1979.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 30 June 1978 (No.76), page 2465
APPOINTMENTS
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, the Licensing District preceding their names, for the dates specified, viz.:
Forbes.—Sergeant 3rd Class William Robert Hansen, stationed at Condobolin, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 2nd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 21st May, 1978, to 3rd June, 1978.
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, for the dates specified viz:
Government Gazette of NSW Friday 16 September 1977 Issue # 104
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Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 1 April 1977 (No.32), page 1261
Department of the Attorney-General and of Justice
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the following appointments:
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, for the Licensing District preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Condobolin.—Sergeant 3rd Class William Robert Hansen, stationed at Condobolin, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 2nd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 16th January, 1977.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 27 September 1974 (No.119), page 3742
APPOINTMENTS
Department of the Attorney-General and of Justice
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to approve of the following appointments:
The undermentioned Members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing District preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Warialda.—Sergeant 3rd Class Walter Charles Groch, stationed at Warialda, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 4th August, 1974.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 22 December 1972 (No.138), page 5259
APPOINTMENTS
The undermentioned Members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing District preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Warialda.—Senior Constable Walter Charles Groch, stationed at Warialda, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 5th November, 1972.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 27 October 1972 (No.112), page 4241
APPOINTMENTS
Department of the Attorney-General and of Justice
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the following appointments:
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing District preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Warialda.—Senior Constable Walter Charles Groch, stationed at Warialda, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 27th August, 1972.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 10 March 1972 (No.27), page 846
APPOINTMENTS
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Warialda.—Senior Constable Walter Charles Groch, stationed at Warialda, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 23rd January, 1972.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 3 September 1971 (No.97), page 3449
Department of the Attorney-General and of Justice
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the following appointments:
The undermentioned Members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz:
Inverell.—Senior Constable Walter Charles Groch, stationed at Warialda, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 29th August, 1971.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 5 February 1971 (No.11), page 315
APPOINTMENTS
Department of the Attorney-Genera! and of Justice
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the following appointments:
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Warialda.—Senior Constable Walter Charles Groch, stationed at Warialda, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 22nd November, 1970.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 17 April 1970 (No.53), page 1350
APPOINTMENTS
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the following appointments:
Department of the Attorney-General and of Justice
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Warialda.—Senior Constable Walter Charles Groch, stationed at Warialda, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 15th March, 1970.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 6 March 1970 (No.34), page 766
APPOINTMENTS
The undermentioned Members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Warialda.—Senior Constable Walter Charles Groch, stationed at Warialda, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 19th January, 1970.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 9 January 1970 (No.3), page 67
APPOINTMENTS
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the following appointments:
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Warialda.—Senior Constable Walter Charles Groch, stationed at Warialda, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 23rd November, 1969.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 16 May 1969 (No.58), page 1755
APPOINTMENTS
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Warialda—Constable 1st Class Walter Charles Groch, stationed at Warialda, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, from 23rd March, 1969.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 13 September 1968 (No.110), page 3652
APPOINTMENTS
The undermentioned Members of the Police Force to be Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Warialda.—Sergeant 3rd Class Bruce Thomas Lockton, stationed at Warialda, vice Sergeant 2nd Class Roy Adam Frederick Cunningham, transferred, from 26th June, 1968.
Retired police officer of 41 years Noel Sparks and his wife stumbled across the dilapidated grave of Senior Constable Henry James Fetherston when visiting the Maryborough Cemetery after the 2012 floods to check on Denise’s great-grandmother’s grave.
WHEN Noel Sparks stumbled across the dilapidated grave of a young policeman who died in 1885, he did not know he was starting a journey that would result in the official recognition of the officer’s sacrifice.
Mr Sparks, himself a retired police officer, and his wife Denise visited Maryborough Cemetery in 2012 to check on Denise’s great-grandmother’s grave after the floods.
With a reading from Psalms and verses by Shakespeare on the side of the monument, Mr Sparks knew immediately that Senior Constable Henry James Fetheston ( misspelt – should be Fetherston ), who was just 26 when he died, had been a well-respected member of the community.
He would spend the next five years working towards honouring Snr Const Fetheston‘s sacrifice and helping to ensure the monument marking the young man’s grave would be completely restored to its former glory.
Yesterday ( 11 August 2017 ) a crowd of about 50 police officers, the restoration team, dignitaries and the public gathered to unveil the monument.
Snr Const Fetheston was born in Ireland and was sworn into the the Queensland Police Force in 1878 after migrating to Australia.
In 1879 he was posted to Maryborough.
Snr Const Fetheston was riding through the Police Paddocks in Tinana on February 23, 1885 when his horse bolted.
As he tried to calm him, he was thrown off, landing on a log before being crushed by the falling horse.
He was found at 5am and died at 7am the next day from internal injuries. ( this sentence is poorly worded. He died on 23rd, so either this sentence is wrong or the accident happened at 5am on the 22nd February and died at 7am the next day = 23rd )
Just prior to Police Remembrance Day last year ( 2016 ), his name was added to the Queensland Police Honour Roll and the national police Memorial in Canberra, acknowledging the officer had died while on duty.
After his death the community funded the monument that stands over his grave.
It was estimated that the monument would cost at least $70,000 to build if it was made today.
The well respected young man attended Maryborough’s Anglican church regularly and was a member of the rowing club and a local cricket club.
They sought the help of Warren Harland of Wide Bay Memorials.
“We worked under his direction and Warren was responsible for the restoration of the stone works including the marble and sandstone on the monument,” Noel said.
Senior Constable Henry James Fetherston died from injuries sustained from a horse-riding incident in Maryborough in 22 February 1885. He was 26 years of age and was subsequently buried in the Maryborough Cemetery.
A substantial monument commemorates his death and appears to be in a reasonable state of repair.
The FQPM propose to examine the monument in detail with a view to arranging the cleaning and restoration of the headstone and surrounds.
The President and Secretary were fortunate to meet with retired QPS representatives who have an interest in the restoration of police graves, in particular in the Maryborough area. We spoke with retired QPS member Noel Sparks and his wife, who were keen to coordinate the necessary work on the Fetherston’ grave.
Noel has made a preliminary assessment of the work required and is of the view that the monument has been slightly undermined and requires additional support. The remaining work would include cleaning the monument, painting the iron fence and cleaning the grave surface and perhaps covering with weed mat and decorative stones.
It is believed that much of the restoration can be achieved with volunteer labour and any other work necessary quotes obtained. FQPM would consider any submissions for financial support.
VALE
AFP 13127 Snr Protective Svc Officer Peter GRKINIC (Retired)
04 October 1957 – 26 January 2017
Mr Grkinic passed away on 26 January 2017 at the age of 59.
Peter served with the Australian Army from 1982 to 1990 with his career including RAE, Fire Service and RACMP, (Ex) 21 MP Pl, 2 MP Coy. He joined the Australian Protective Service (APS) on 29 November 1990 and then transitioned to the AFP in 2002. He served at various Sydney locations and deployed to RAMSI on two occasions. He retired from the AFP on 21 March 2014.
For his service Mr Grkinic was awarded the Police Overseas Service Medal (RAMSI) , National Medal and AFP Service Medal.
Funeral Service Details – Ingleburn
Date: Friday, 3 February 2017
Location: Ingleburn Bowling Club
8 Memorial Ave, Ingleburn, NSW
This will be followed by a service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Camden Valley Way, Leppington, NSW.
Time: 1.00pm
Dress: Uniform members – Summer Ceremonial uniform with medals (please see National Guideline on Uniform and Standards of Dress)
Plain clothes members – Lounge suit or equivalent with medals.
Geoffrey Raymond Eastman
4th October 1960 – 22 January 2017
Geoff joined the Australian Army 1980, where is served with RAAC and RACMP over a six year period. He then served for 30 years with the Victorian Police Force.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Service to Celebrate the Life of Mr Geoffrey Raymond Eastman to be held at Tuckers Chapel, Barrabool Hills Centre, 4-32 Province Blvd, Highton (Geelong) on FRIDAY (Feb. 3, 2017) at 1.00 p. m. prior to a private cremation.
I can’t find John in the 1979 or 1989 issues of the Police Stud Books but the registered numbers fall within the dates – as above.
From Peter Gould:
John was former Liverpool (22 Division). In 1973 John was riding home from work on his motorbike when he was involved in a car accident.
John suffered severe head injuries and I vividly recall us driving his wife to visit him at Lidcombe when he was in re-hab. John never recovered from his brain injury.
I also remember John visiting us at the SWOS office.
Prior to the accident John was an extremely fit fella and from memory was previously an Army P.T.I.
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From Steve Reeves:His photo in his Boxing gear was displayed in the foyer of the South Sydney Police Boys Club. He is a Vietnam Veteran. A distinguished gentleman who was always immaculately dressed. John was on his way home from work along Elizabeth Drive and when at the intersection of Flowerdale Road a car turned right in front of him. Tragedy. He used to train his children on the grass athletic track alongside Cabramatta Sports Ground. We worked together in the Court Cells at Liverpool. RIP mate.
August 11 at 6:07pm
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John was, apparently, a regular visitor to the Redfern Police Academy and Mounted Unit.
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VALE
219046 CPL John Henry HEAD
31 March 1942 – 10 August 2017
Aged 75 Years
Sadly, John HEAD passed away after a long illness caused by a motorcycle
accident many years ago. John was a NSW Policeman who joined the Army
because he was to old for National Service and wanted to serve his country
in Vietnam. Because of his police background, John was a direct enlistment
into RACMP and served in Vietnam from May 1970 till May 1971. On
completion of his six year engagement, John took his discharge and returned
to the NSW Police Force. During his Police service, John was involved in an
horrific motor cycle accident which resulted in him having to retire from all
forms of employment.
John was a well respected and well liked member of RACMP and of the
NSW Police Force. He was and will always be remembered as a top bloke.
LEST WE FORGET
Funeral Details. 1100 hrs, Friday 18 August 2017
North Chapel
Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens
Camden Valley Way
Leppington NSW
Condolences to : Jackie Doulis (Daughter)
739 Duncans Creek Road
Duncans Creek NSW 2340
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When joining NSW Police Force in 1961, John was described as being 5′ 10″ tall, 11 stone 6 lb with blue eyes, brown hair and medium complexion.
When he joined he was single but married on 24 August 1962.
Prior to joining “the job” he was a labourer for 2 years 2 months, a Garage attendant for 3 months and shop assistant for 9 months.
On the 17 August 1962 he passed his typing test with 20 w.p.m.
He Passed his Constable 1st Class exam on 22 September 1964.
He was Roman Catholic.
The following note was recorded on his Service Register:
Commended for his good Policemanship whist off duty on 1st February 1962, when on entering a Milk Bar in Crown Street, Surry Hills, he overheard a man named Paul Wishart inform tow youths he had bought a wireless set cheap from an unknown person and he believed it was stolen. The Probationary Constable then questioned Wishart who subsequently accompanied the Probationary Constable to No. 21 Division Headquarters. Wishart was later charged with having a transistor wireless set in his possession reasonably suspected of being stolen or unlawfully obtained, and convicted.
N.T.W. Allan, Commissioner of Police
20 March 1962
.
Awarded the ” Peter Mitchell Trophy ” for 1966 for the ” Most Outstanding Sportsman of the Year ”
N.T.W. Allan, Commissioner of Police
17 March 1967
After being absent from the NSW Police Force for 2 years & 9 months – whilst serving with the Royal Australian Army Provost Corps during the Vietnam War – John rejoined the NSW Police Force pre February 1972.
He returned just under 1 stone heavier, at 12 stone 5 lb and was still married.
On the 15 September 1972 he passed his General Duty Cars & Utilities / Light Trucks course at the Drive Training Centre.
There is ‘no find’ with a search via Trove – so, at this time, little is known about Scott, his life or career.
Please check back for funeral details which will be included over the next few days when details are known.
We send our deepest sympathy to Olwyn Pratt Edmonds on the loss of her husband of 51 years ( married 10 September 1966 ) after a long battle with Parkinsons disease.
Olwyn is also the daughter of deceased member, Edwin Oliver PRATT, who died on 19 November 1948.
Cal
10 August 2017
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Bert Watson CARTWRIGHT
| 23/08/2017
Bert Watson CARTWRIGHT
aka Ben
Late of Lightning Ridge
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ????
Rank: Constable
Stations: ?, Lightning ( Hill ) Ridge – Death
Service: From? ? 1916 to 3 December 1919= 3years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1892?
Died on: Wednesday 3 December 1919 @ 11pm
Age: 27
Cause: Suicide – Firearm – Committed
Coroner Findings: Suicide while temporarily insane
Event location: near Wombat Rd, 13 miles from Young, NSW
Event date: Wednesday 3 December 1919 @ 11pm
Funeral date: Friday 5 December 1919
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Church of England, Young
Memorial located at: ?
[alert_yellow]BERT is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
When several men in an hotel ( the Rose & Crown ) at Young were drinking the health of Constable Cartwright, he replied, ” I will bet you £5 I will be dead before any of you. If this gun cartridge will not finish me this revolver will. I invite you all to my funeral.” Later in the night the body of Cartwright was found on the Wombat-road with his brains blown out.
Young Witness (NSW : 1915 – 1923), Tuesday 9 December 1919, page 2
Bert Cartwright’s Death
CORONIAL INQUEST.
The Coroner, Mr. G. S. Whiteman conducted an inquest this morning concerning the death of Bert Watson Cartwright, constable of police, who was found on the Wombat road on the night of December 3rd with his brains blown out, and a double barrelled gun beside him.
Formal evidence of the finding of the body was given by Constable Auld.
George Eastley, a gardener, residing at Spring Creek, said that he had known Bert Cartwright since childhood, and had always been on friendly terms with him. At a few minutes past seven on the evening of December 3rd, deceased had come to his home. He behaved in a peculiar manner, was staring about, and kept looking at his watch. At times he talked quite sensibly. After having a cup of tea he asked for his gun at 7.30 p.m. and announced his intention of going to town alone, but witness insisted on going part of the way with him. Deceased had been shooting rabbits in the locality, and had left the gun in witness’ keeping about three weeks before. Deceased shook hands with Mr. Punt, Mrs. Eastley and Miss Eastley, and as he reached the door said
“THIS IS THE LAST GOODBYE”
As he and witness walked along the road together, deceased said ” I’m going to shoot myself tonight.” Witness replied. ” Don’t talk so foolishly,” but he insisted, ” It must be done tonight.” Both sat down and for an hour witness tried to reason with him, but he repeated, ” It must be done tonight.” When he made an effort to get the gun as they moved off, deceased said, ” You can’t get the gun, and if you did I’ve got a loaded revolver.” After a hundred yards he became excited and looked fierce. He took the gun out and ran into the scrub. Witness could not catch him, so returned home,and went a quarter of a mile for the assistance of his son. Both went to Mr. Bailey’s, and word came through by Mr. W. Eastley that Cartwright had returned to witness’ residence. Witness hurried back and found Bert Cartwright with the loaded gun in his hands and eventually persuaded him to come in and have a cup of coffee and some cake. Again he became restless, would stare, and kept pulling out his watch. At ten thirty witness asked him to stay the night, but he persisted in going. Witness asked him to come tomorrow, but he would not promise. Neither would he promise to go to the pictures next night. Both men walked a few hundred yards along the road when deceased ordered witness to go back. Witness appealed to him to think of his sister and brothers and not to take his life. As they continued, witness asked him for a loan of the gun, but he refused. Then he rushed ahead, put the gun cleaner and the case on a post, stared at witness for a full minute, made a cigarette and lit it. Then he rushed up to witness, and staring at him, said, ” You know nothing. ” He took up the cleaner and case again, shook witness’ right hand, said
” GOOD BYE, OLD FELLOW, GOOD LUCK. “
and rushing away, called out, ” It will all be over before you get home ” Witness could not catch him and walked homewards. Having gone 100 yards, witness heard the report of a gun, and hastening home, got Mr. Punt to accompany him to the place whence the gunshot came.
They found Bert Cartwright dead on the side of the main road, in the shade of a bush. The gun was beside him. Mr. Punt waited while witness went to telephone to the police, who arrived about an hour later, and removed the body. Witness had asked deceased several times to explain his trouble, but the invariable reply would be. ” It is too late. ” Having known deceased all his life, witness believed him to be a temperate, steady young man. Generally speaking, deceased’s actions at ordinary times showed that he was not quite right in his mind. Witness believed that his troubles were imaginary.
Richard Punt, laborer, of Spring Creek, gave evidence of deceased having had one drink on the date of the fatality. He corroborated the evidence of the previous witness.
Mrs. Castledine, proprietress of the Rose and Crown Hotel, said that deceased was having a few drinks at the hotel on the afternoon of December 3rd, and when the other men wished him good luck, he said, ” I’ll bet you £5 I’m dead before any of you. If I don’t do it with this (a cartridge), I’ll do it with this (a revolver). Will you all come to the funeral?” Deceased stayed at the hotel for tea. He said that he was in trouble, but would not explain what the trouble was.
Mr. O. W. Cartwright, father of the deceased, deposed that his son was 27 years of age, and had been a member of the police force for three years. He was a single man stationed at Lightning Ridge, and did not wish to go back. His mother’s death, which took place two and a half years ago, had played on his mind.
Sergeant Wood deposed that he had received communication from the Police Department that the deceased was sober and trustworthy.
A verdict of suicide while temporarily insane wast recorded.
Young Witness (NSW : 1915 – 1923), Friday 5 December 1919, page 2
Shooting Fatality.
CONSTABLE CARTWRIGHT FOUND DEAD.
The report of a gun was heard near the Wombat road, about 13 miles from Young at about 11 o’clock on Wednesday night. Hurrying to the spot, Messrs Geo. Eastley and Potts found the dead body of Bert Watson Cartwright. A sporting gun ( double barrelled ) was near the body. The deceased man’s head was badly mutilated, obviously by a shot from the gun which, on examination, was seen to have just been discharged. Death must have been instantaneous.
Personal troubles had been known to have been a source of much worry to the deceased, who was a constable of police stationed at Lightning Hill, but at the time was visiting his relatives at Young on a holiday.
He had called for the gun, which had been left at Mr. G. Eastley‘s house, and had said that it was his intention to end it all. Mr. Eastley‘s attempts to dissuade him were of no avail.
The profoundest sympathy of many residents who have known Ben Cartwright from boyhood, are expressed for his bereaved relatives.
An inquest into the cause of the death will be held on Tuesday.
The interment was made in the Church of England cemetery to-day,
Young Witness (NSW : 1915 – 1923), Tuesday 20 June 1916, page 2
POLICE EXAM.
Mr. Bert Cartwright, son of Mr. O W. Cartwright, J.P., has been successful in passing an examination for entry into the mounted police force. Mr Cartwright was successfully coached by Mr. D. Perks at his evening school. We congratulate both teacher and pupil.
Mr. Bert. Cartwright, son of Mr. O. W Cartwright, met with an accident at his home on Sunday which might easily have been attended with more serious consequences. He.appears to have been extracting some bullets from a revolver, when he got his finger on the trigger and the weapon went off. Portion of his left hand was over the muzzle and the bullet went right through it. The fleshy part of the palm was punctured, just outside the bone connecting the little finger, but fortunately the bone was missed and the flesh only was wounded.
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