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
Ronald Douglas DOBSON
| 02/08/2015
Ronald Douglas DOBSON
( late of Nelson Bay )
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 8051
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
| 02/08/2015
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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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.
Stations: ?, South Region Command, Lake Illawarra,
Service: From ? to 30 July 2015
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: Thursday 30 July 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 61
Funeral date: Friday 7 August 2015 @ noon
Funeral location: South Chapel, Woronora Crematorium, Linden Street, Sutherland
Buried at: Cremated
Mary & Gary Hodsdon – 2003
Mary HODSDON – 2013
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Deepest condolences to Gary, Jason & Michael.
May Mary forever Rest In Peace
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HODSDON, Mary (nee Fraser)
July 30, 2015 Aged 61 years
Much loved wife of Gary, daughter of Jim and Ann (both deceased), Mum of Jason and Michael, and mother-in-law of Kellie.
Beloved sister of Thomas and Pam.
Devoted Nanna of Natalie, Cameron and Benjamin.
Sadly missed by her extended families.
We have so many happy memories
Family and friends of MARY are warmly invited to attend her funeral service to be held at the South Chapel, Woronora Crematorium, Linden Street, Sutherland on Friday August 7, 2015 at 12pm.
In lieu of flowers donations to Australian Cancer Research Foundation would be appreciated.
Had two sons: Peter Robert PHELPS – NSW Liberal ( MLC )
Andrew Dorin PHELPS – Former member of NSWPF, Regd # 27139 ( Started 29 Oct. 1989 )( Class 243 )( Pennant Hills HWP )
“Possibly” related to District Constable Richard PHELPS ( 2nd District )( 1811 )
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 2 March 1959
Cadet # 1492
“possibly” started with Class # 077 and finished with Class # 093 ( who were Sworn In on Monday 29 October 1962 )
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 2 March 1959 ( aged 15 years, 3 months, 11 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Monday 19 November 1962 ( aged 19 years, 0 months, 0 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Constable 1st Class – appointed 19 November 1967
Senior Constable – appointed 19 November 1971
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 23 May 1985
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 6 March 1987
Inspector – appointed 31 August 1988
Final Rank: ?
Stations: ?
Service: From 2 March 1959 to ? ? ? = ? Years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 20 January 1981 ( Det Sgt )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 8 June 1988 ( SenSgt )
2nd Clasp to National Medal – granted 7 March 1995 ( Sgt 3/c ? )
Born: Friday 19 November 1943
Died on: 27 October 2005
Cause: ?
Age: 61 years, 11 months, 8 days
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
ROBERT is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Funeral location: ?
NOTHING FURTHER IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS MAN. FURTHER INFORMATION & PHOTOS ARE REQUIRED.
Updated 26 June 2022
Richard Charles WHITTAKER
| 02/08/2015
Richard Charles WHITTAKER
aka Dick
NSW Redfern Police Academy # 162
“possible” relation in “the job”: A.R. WHITTAKER, NSWPF # 8649
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 18588
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 1 February 1977
Cadet # 3334
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – commenced 1 February 1977 ( aged 16 years, 9 months, 16 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 17 April 1979 ( 19 years, 0 months, 1 day )
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st class – appointed 16 April 1984
Senior Constable – appointed 16 April 1988
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 27 September 1991
Final Rank: Detective Sergeant – Death
Stations: ?, Gosford Drug Unit ( Brisbane Waters LAC ) – Death
Service: From 1 February 1977 to 28 September 1991 = 14 years, 7 months, 27 Service
Time in Retirement: 0
Age at Retirement: n/a
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: Saturday 16 April 1960
Died on: Saturday 28 September 1991 @ Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW
Cause: Cerebral Haemorrhage
Age: 31 years, 5 months, 12 days
Funeral date: ? October 1991
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: CREMATED:
Ashes Interred in the Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park, Palmdale Rd, Palmdale, NSW
Rose Garden, 26A, Site 58
Memorial Plaque: Point Frederick Pioneer Park, 1 Albany St, Pt Frederick, NSW
-33.449594151.341945
Memorial Plaque location:
RICHARD WHITTAKER
Touch plate for Richard Charles WHITTAKER at the National Police Wall of Remembrance
DICKIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Memorial plaque: This plaque was laid in memory of RICHARD CHARLES WHITTAKER, a Detective Sgt of Police attached to the Gosford Drug Unit, who died of a work related illness on the 28th of September, 1991, whilst in the service of the people of New South Wales & the Central Coast area. Richard was born in the Point Frederick area and spent many of his childhood days in this park. Dedicated by his family & many friends on the 16. 4. 1992.
Richard Charles WHITTAKER – Memorial Plaque – Pt Frederick, ( Central Coast ), NSW, as of April 2022. Credit: Kevin Banister.
Memorial Plaque – Pt Frederick, ( Central Coast ), NSW, as of April 2022. Credit: Kevin Banister.
Richard Charles WHITTAKER – Grave location. Palmdale Cemetery, Palmdale, NSW
Richard Charles WHITTAKER – Grave location. Palmdale Cemetery, Palmdale, NSW
Before his death Detective Sergeant Whittaker and other Police had been involved in a major drug investigation which had resulted in the arrest of eighteen offenders. Corruption allegations were made by a number of the offenders resulting in a Police Internal Security Unit investigation.
During the protracted internal investigation the Sergeant was under enormous pressure and as a result suffered a cerebral haemorrhage.
He passed away at the Royal North Shore Hospital on 28 September 1991.
He was posthumously cleared of all allegations by Judge Allen at the Sydney District Court on 30 September 1991.
The Sergeant was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Service, via the NSW Police Cadet system on 1 February 1977 and was Attested, as a Probationary Constable on 17 April 1979.
At the time of his death he was attached to the Gosford Drug Unit.
‘Our boys haven’t been forgotten’: Policemen honoured in Brisbane Water row
September 15, 2015 3:16pm
Geraldine Cardozo Central Coast Gosford Express Advocate
(L-R) Sarah Matthews, Kylie Kerr and Tracey Holt remember their police officer partners at Gosford waterfront. Brisbane Water LAC officers will be taking to the water in honour of the policemen.
When Sarah Matthews returned home after her shift at Gosford Hospital on the evening of April 13, 2002 and spotted a row of waiting police cars she thought the neighbours were having a noisy party.
“It never struck me what was coming next,” remembers the emergency nurse who was told the worst — her fiancée Senior-Constable Chris Thornton had been killed on duty hours earlier.
“It didn’t hit me. Even when I was told. I don’t think that’s something that ever leaves you.”
This week Miss Matthews, Kylie Kerr and Tracey Holt will get together to remember their partners, Sen-Constable Thornton, Sen-Constable Peter Gordon Wilson and Sergeant Richard Whittaker, who all died on duty while with the Brisbane Water Local Area Command.
(L-R) Brisbane Water Inspector Paul Nicholls, Tracey Holt, Brisbane Water Commander Daniel Sullivan, Sarah Matthews and Kylie Kerr at Gosford Waterfront ahead of the NSW Police Legacy row. Picture: Mark Scott
On Thursday officers from Brisbane Water LAC will take part in a paddle to raise money for NSW Police Legacy to support the families of fallen officers.
“You never want to be a part of Legacy but now we are part of this unique group and without Legacy we wouldn’t have each other,” Miss Matthews said.
But for two of the women, the close bond was forged by their shared loss and haunting similarities in how their partners lost their lives.
Sen-Constable Thornton, 35, died in a motor vehicle accident while on patrol in Woy Woy in 2002, while Mrs Kerr’s long-term partner Sen-Constable Wilson, 41, was killed when he was hit by a car while carrying out speed checks on the M1 at Somersby in 2006.
Both men were based at Brisbane Water LAC, both died in car accidents on a Saturday night, and both had the same patrol car number — 202.
Senior Constable Peter Gordon Wilson with fiancée Kylie Kerr.
“This special event means our boys haven’t been forgotten,” Miss Matthews said, adding that the support of Legacy has enabled her to move on. “You have to take that step forward. You can’t be angry, because that just eats away at you.”
Senior Constable Chris Thornton was killed on duty during a high-speed pursuit at Woy Woy in 2002.
“This special event means our boys haven’t been forgotten,” Miss Matthews said, adding that the support of Legacy has enabled her to move on. “You have to take that step forward. You can’t be angry, because that just eats away at you.”
“This special event means our boys haven’t been forgotten,” Miss Matthews said, adding that the support of Legacy has enabled her to move on. “You have to take that step forward. You can’t be angry, because that just eats away at you.”
Mrs Holt, whose husband Sgt Whittaker was stationed at the Gosford drug unit and was involved in drug investigations at the time of his death when he died from a brain haemorrhage in 1991, said the annual paddle is a “beautiful day”. “It is amazing the effort Daniel Sullivan and the team put in to keep the memory going of old work mates and have a good time doing it,” she said.
Sergeant Richard Whittaker who died on duty with Brisbane Water Local Area Command in 1991. Picture: Supplied
SYDNEY: The stress of unfounded corruption allegations killed a policeman who suffered a stroke at the weekend, according to the Police Association.
The association’s president, Tony Day, said yesterday that Gosford-based Detective Senior Constable Richard Whittaker, who was promoted to detective sergeant last Friday, had been implicated in a bribery conspiracy by a drug dealer.
Yesterday, the dealer, an industrial chemist, was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years jail after pleading guilty to manufacturing and supplying amphetamines with a street value of more than $4 million.
Handing down the sentence in Darlinghurst Supreme Court, Justice Allen said John Oldfield, 52, of Winston Hills in Sydney’s west, had stated he had tried to bribe a police officer through a contact known as “M” in November, 1990.
After the alleged bribe attempt had failed, Oldfield had gone to the Police Internal Security division and made a detailed statement, implicating the officer. The judge said he was satisfied the detective knew nothing about the alleged bribe.
Mr. Day said the Police Internal Security division investigation into Oldfield’s allegations had been “dubious”.
“Every crim in NSW knows that if they want their case adjourned they just have to implicate the police, and there will have to be an investigation,” he said.
“Eighty per cent of corruption and bribery charges are disproved.”
Detective Whittaker, 31, was married with two-year-old twin daughters.
Mr Day said the Oldfield affair had played a major role in causing Detective Whittaker stress, resulting in his death.
The Brisbane Water LAC has tragically lost three staff members in the execution of their duty: Sergeant Dick Whittaker and Senior Constables Gordy Wilson and Chris Thornton. The 12 September is the annual sports charity day to remember these officers.
Paddling from Ocean Beach Surf Club to Bluetongue Stadium along the Brisbane Water on the NSW Central Coast (approximately 15km).
SYDNEY: The stress of unfounded corruption allegations killed a policeman who suffered a stroke at the weekend, according to the Police Association.
The association’s president, Tony Day, said yesterday that Gosford-based Detective Senior Constable Richard Whittaker, who was promoted to detective sergeant last Friday, had been implicated in a bribery conspiracy by a drug dealer.
Yesterday, the dealer, an industrial chemist, was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years jail after pleading guilty to manufacturing and supplying amphetamines with a street value of more than $4 million.
Handing down the sentence in Darlinghurst Supreme Court, Justice Allen said John Oldfield, 52, of Winston Hills in Sydney’s west, had stated he had tried to bribe a police officer through a contact known as “M” in November, 1990.
After the alleged bribe attempt had failed, Oldfield had gone to the Police Internal Security division and made a detailed statement, implicating the officer. The judge said he was satisfied the detective knew nothing about the alleged bribe.
Mr. Day said the Police Internal Security division investigation into Oldfield’s allegations had been “dubious”.
“Every crim in NSW knows that if they want their case adjourned they just have to implicate the police, and there will have to be an investigation,” he said.
“Eighty per cent of corruption and bribery charges are disproved.”
Detective Whittaker, 31, was married with two-year-old twin daughters.
Mr Day said the Oldfield affair had played a major role in causing Detective Whittaker stress, resulting in his death.
THE NSW Central Coast was a disaster area yesterday as fires raged out of control, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
Fires across a 40km front were fanned by north-easterly winds, forcing thousands of people to flee to the beach or sleep on the football field outside the Central Coast Leagues Club at Gosford.
Bus loads of residents and holiday-makers ordered to evacuate Kariong, Woy Woy, Umina, Ettalong and Brisbane Waters, poured into the makeshift evacuation centre at Gosford.
Last night, the 360patient Gosford Hospital, threatened by a huge blaze at West Gosford, was put on stand-by evacuation status. Fifty nurses and 20 medical interns were evacuated from the nearby nurses’ quarters as a precaution.
Second-year nurse, Jo Weeks, said all trainee medical staff were evacuated to the Gosford RSL Club.
“It’s scary and unsettling, especially since most of us don’t have family on the Central Coast to turn to. Nurse Kitty Hardman said the hospital had taken elderly and retired people from evacuated nursing homes and retirement villages at Wyoming and Point Clare.
The families slept in tents, deck chairs and cars, unaware that the raging fires had destroyed their homes. “The playing field is a mass of airbeds, deck chairs, blankets and Esky’s,” Gosford constable, Lachlan Gunn, said.
Families with small children and elderly people slept on gym mats in the auditorium of the Leagues Club to escape the heat and smoke.
Fleeing families were initially evacuated to Mt Penang, near Kariong, but were transferred to Gosford when the fires struck at nearby Somersby.
Kariong evacuee Debbie Land arrived home from a Queensland holiday less than 24 hours before she was evacuated with her husband and six children, including one-year-old triplets, Andrew, Steven and Jason.
“All we managed to pack were photograph albums and videos of our wedding,”she said.
St John’s Ambulance officer, Kevin White, said the situation at Gosford was”chaotic”.
“We are continually treating people for smoke inhalation, exhaustion and stress,” Mr White said. “We’re patrolling the parks offering people assistance as they arrive throughout the day and night.”
Sydney-Newcastle trains were prevented from running after the fire jumped the Mooney-Mooney Bridge at Hawkesbury and destroyed wooden rail sleepers, power lines and buckled the track.
The rail link is not expected to be re-opened for another 48 hours.
Yesterday, hundreds of motorists were stranded on the F3 freeway at Hawkesbury and Freemans Water Hole, near Toronto. Emergency food and water supplies were rushed to the motorists who were suffering from severe dehydration.
The anxious vigil of Central Coast residents who had not received word to evacuate their homes was intensified when an electricity failure meant they were unable to monitor the progress of the fire on their radios or television sets.
Wyong police officer, Sgt Tony Tubolec, who was evacuating residents from the Central Mangrove region, east of Wyong, said most people agreed to leave their properties but “others refused to leave” because they were reluctant to abandon their home.
“But a lot of people don’t want to leave because they want to protect their homes, and others think evacuation is a case of overkill because they can’t see the flames.
“But property can be rebuilt but you only have one chance with life.”
Constable David Dee came across a fresh outbreak of fire when he was sent out to set up a police blockade to prevent motorists travelling on Old Northern Road, south of Kulnura.
“I’d spent three days up here and had seen a lot of smoke but no flames. I was driving along a dirt track and I could see the red tinge in the smoke. Then, suddenly I was confronted with a wall of flame. I got out of there quick-smart.”
Motels in the popular holiday havens of Wyong, Gosford, Tuggerah and The Entrance were booked out last night by stranded motorists.
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I have found reference to this man with the spelling of his christian name being slightly different: Anatolli, Anatolij & Anatolil.
