Shortly after 6pm on 16 May, 1943, Constables Matthews and Emslie were on duty in Campbell Street, Sydney. They intervened in a brawl outside the Capitol Theatre where they had seen two men kicking a man on the ground. When they arrested the assailants the crowd turned on them and both constables were assaulted. Constable Matthews received injuries to his nose and left eye and as a result reported off duty on sick report. Unfortunately his condition deteriorated and he was admitted to the Sydney Hospital where he passed away on 31 July, 1943.
The constable was born in 1917 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 3 July, 1939. At the time of his death he was stationed at Central Police Station.
Duncan Hughie McCallum MURPHY
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Constable 1st Class Duncan Hughie McCallum MURPHY
Assault Injuries
Paddington
27 September, 1940
In the early hours of 18 December, 1938 Constable Murphy went to Leinster Street, Paddington following a complaint of two intoxicated men causing trouble. He located one of the men and as he attempted to arrest him, the offender struck the constable a heavy blow to the right eye. Constable Murphy managed to subdue the man however he was again attacked and kicked in the groin and the offender escaped. The offender was quickly arrested by Sergeant White. On 10 September, 1940 the constable was admitted to the Mater Hospital, North Sydney, for a tumour on the right side of his brain. He died seventeen days later. The tumour was attributed to the assault in December, 1938.
The constable was born in 1895 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 1 July, 1919. At the time of his death he was stationed at Paddington.
Constable William James WEBB
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Constable William James WEBB
Injuries – Motor Vehicle Accident
Burwood
3 June, 1940
About 4.15pm on 15 July, 1923 Constable Webb was the rider of a police motor cycle outfit in Parramatta Road, Burwood, when he was involved in a collision with a motor vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. As a result the constable suffered a compound fracture of the leg and abrasions to his head and body. The exact cause of the accident was not determined. Due to deteriorating health caused by his injuries, the constable was discharged medically unfit in 1931. He died 17 years later from the effects of staphylococcal pneumonia.
The constable was born in 1891 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 31 May, 1917. At the time of his injury he was stationed at Burwood.
Constable William SHERMAN
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Constable William SHERMAN
Illness
Marrickville
11 April, 1940
Little is known of this incident, other than the following brief paragraph in the Advertiser dated 12 April, 1940.
CONSTABLE DIES FROM BULLET WOUND
SYDNEY, April 11. – Plainclothes Constable William Sherman, 40, who was on the staff of the Criminal Investigation Branch, was found in the yard at his home in Victoria Road, Marrickville today with a bullet wound through his head. His service revolver was clasped in his hand and he died two hours later in the Marrickville Hospital. Sherman was on duty at the headquarters of the CIB yesterday and nothing unusual was noticed in his demeanour. Of late, however, he had suffered from nerves. He was the second policeman in Sydney to die from a bullet wound within a few days.
The constable was born about 1900 and at the time of his death was stationed at the Sydney CIB.
Service: From 24 February 1915 to 6 June 1939 = 24+ years Service
Awards: No Find on It’s an Honour
Born: ? ? 1888 in Ireland
Died on: Tuesday 6 June 1939
Cause: Struck by a Motor Vehicle
Event location: Parramatta Rd, near Ross St, Camperdown
Age: 50
Funeral date: Thursday 8 June 1939 @ 8am
Funeral location: St Mary’s Church, Concord
Buried at: Rookwood Catholic Cemetery @ 2.30pm
Section: Mortuary 2 – 12 533
Lat / Long: -33.88171, 151.05267
CORNELIUS IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
About 6pm on 6 June, 1939Detective Sergeant ‘ Con ‘ Carroll, the Officer in Charge of Detectives at Petersham, left his station to meet with an informant near the Sydney University.
In Parramatta Road near Ross Street, Camperdown he was accidentally hit by a car and was killed instantly. A report of the death was published in the Sydney Morning Herald of 7 June,1939.
DETECTIVE KILLED – Knocked Down by Car. 1939
Detective Sergeant Cornelius Carroll, 50, of St David’s Road, Concord was knocked down and killed by a motor car in Parramatta Road near Ross Street, Forest Lodge last night. Detective Sergeant Carroll had been in the police force 25 years, mostly in the Burwood and Petersham areas. He was in charge of the detectives at Petersham.
Detectives Brown and Rowland were informed that Detective Sergeant Carroll was either walking across the road or had just alighted from a tram when the accident occurred. The driver of the motor car did not see him until the impact, which fractured Detective Sergeant Carroll’s skull and limbs, killing him instantly.
Detective Sergeant Carroll’s body was taken to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital by the Central District Ambulance. Detective Brown who was a close friend did not know whose death he was investigating until Detective Sergeant Carroll’s papers were found at the city morgue.
Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to communicate with Detective Parmeter or Detective Wiggins at the Camperdown police station.
The sergeant was born in 1888 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 24 February, 1915.
At the time of his death he was stationed at Petersham.
He was buried at Rookwood Catholic Cemetery.
As an aside, there was a Cornelius Daniel CARROLL who joined the NSW Police Force, as a Police Cadet, on the 12 February 1941. Cadet # 309.
It is not known if C.D. Carroll is related to Cornelius CARROLL who died in June 1939.
The Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday 8 June 1939 p8
CARROLL – June 6 1939 suddenly Cornelius John ( Con ) Carrolldetective sergeant of police dearly loved husband of Catherine Mary Carroll and father of Martin Josephine (Greta) Mary and Cornelius ( Conny ) aged 51 years Requiescat in pace.
On June 6 th. Detective-Sergeant Cornelius Carroll (“Con” to every one) had just signed off from duty at 6 p.m. and was waiting on the Parramatta Road, near the University, Sydney, for a bus to take him home to Concord, when he observed that a car coming along was one he was looking for.
On the impulse he stepped in front of the car to stop the driver, but the car crashed right into Carroll, who was flung and carried 100 yards.
He was picked up and given medical attention but died very shortly afterwards from his injuries.
The driver had gone on and escaped. ( This doesn’t appear to be true – after reading other articles stemming from the Coroners Court )
The funeral on Thursday went from Burwood R.C. Church to the R.C. portion of Rookwood Cemetery.
The cortege was headed by the Sydney Police Band playing The Dead March. Over 200 police followed as a tribute of respect to a comrade who had always been popular in the Force for his geniality and readiness to do a good turn.
He was well known to the “underworld,” who regarded him as a “holy terror.”
Con Carroll was liked and known to many of the people of the Fullerton district, as up to a few years ago he was a frequent visitor to his parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Horgan, of Cartwright’s Creek, he having married their eldest daughter. Besides his widow, he is survived by his four children, Martin, the Misses Gretta and Mary and Cornelius.
Detective Carroll was born in Ireland 51 years ago and always retained a great love for his native country and his church. He came to Sydney as a young man and had been in the Police Force in the Sydney district ever since his arrival in Australia. He had resided at Davis Street, Concord, for many years. The sudden tragedy came as a great shock to his aged mother-in-law, Mrs.
Mary Anne Hogan, who always looked upon the deceased as one of her own sons.
The City Coroner Mr Oram at an adjourned inquest yesterday into the death of Detective sergeant Cornelius John Carroll, 50, of Davidson Street Concord who was knocked down by a motor car in Parramatta Road Forest Lodge on June 6, found that he was killed accidentally.
In previous evidence it had been stated that Carroll was on his way to keep an appointment with a female informer near the University grounds when he met his death.
In announcing his finding Mr Oram said that he could not commit the driver of the car for trial on a charge of manslaughter. Evidence was conflicting but it seemed to suggest that the car that struck the dead man was travelling in excess of 30 miles an hour in a built up area when the accident occurred. It was a border line case but there was no evidence that the driver displayed gross carelessness amounting to criminal negligence.
A trail of broken glass for 120 feet and a blood trail 33 feet long were described by Constable Cecil Stanley Jardine in the Traffic Court to-day when Archibald William Johnson, of Ashfield. was convicted by Mr. Wood. S.M., of negligent driving and fined £7.plus 23s 6d costs and expenses.
The charge arose out of an accident in Parramatta-road, Forest Lodge, on June 6, which resulted in the death of Detective-Sergeant Cornelius John Carroll, of Petersham. James Aubrey Gibson told of a man crossing the road as though to board a tram when a car approached fast. It had dim lights. The man put a hand up but the car hit him and carried him along the road 40 or 50 yards.
Johnson, who is a printer, pleaded not guilty. He said he eased to about 12 miles an hour and then increased speed to about 30. He felt a bump and saw a form disappear in front of the radiator. ” I applied the brakes and drew into the side, ” said Johnson.
Mr. Wood said he would recommend the Transport Department to test whether Johnson was fit to drive a car. Either he had not been paying proper attention or there was a defect in his vision.
Although wounded in one shoulder when his companion’s revolver was accidentally fired last night, Detective Cornelius Carroll insisted on carrying on with the task of searching for burglars in a house before going to hospital.
When Mr W. T. Coggins, of Chalmers Rd, Strathfield, returned home last night he saw lights burning in the house and rang the police on a neighbor’s telephone.
Detective Carroll, Detective Clifton and Constable Gordon answered the call. Sir Coggins and Constable Gordon went to the rear of the dwelling, while Detectives Carroll and Clifton approached the front.
Carroll, with revolver drawn, was walking a few yards in front. Clifton was drawing his revolver from its holster when it went off, and the bullet, ricocheting off a brick wall, buried itself in the fleshy part of Carroll’s right shoulder.
Carroll took part in a search of the house, saying that the wound was a mere scratch. The burglars had decamped, however, taking £20 worth of clothing.
Examination at the hospital revealed the detective’s injury was not serious, but the bullet was still embedded.
So little did Carroll think of it that he rang the Burwood police station to inform officers there of his injury, joking with his mates and asking them to send him along a pair of slippers.
Detective Carroll, who was shot accidentally during a raid in search of suspects at Ashfield, is Cornelius John Carroll, a son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hogan, of Cartwright’s Creek, Fullerton. ” Con. ” is often to be seen in Crookwell when on a visit to his wife’s parents. His genial nature and his coolness and pluck are outstanding attractions of this big, genial Irishman.
For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 11 March 1913
Buried at: Cremated – Ashes scattered at Rookwood. No Memorial at Rookwood
Memorial located at: Oak Flats Police Station – main entrance wall and also inside security hall
THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2014 Located on the front wall to Oak Flats Police Station.
THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2014 RETIRED POLICE DAY HELD AT LAKE ILLAWARRA POLICE STATION, OAK FLATS. Memorial Plaque hanging inside the Secure foyer of Oak Flats Police Station, NSW.
[alert_green]FREDERICKIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
On 6 January, 1922 Constable McLaughlan attended a disturbance at Port Kembla. While he was attempting to arrest a man who had been involved in a fight, another man tried to hit the constable with a bottle of beer. The constable consequently punched the man in the mouth and in so doing received a deep cut to his right hand.
After suffering some discomfort with the injury, the constable sought medical attention. Complications with his health developed over the next few years and it was eventually determined that he was suffering from an aortic aneurism, the result of an infection from the injury sustained when he punched the offender in 1922. He was discharged medically unfit in November, 1930 and passed away on 3 December, 1938.
The constable was born in 1890 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 March, 1913. At the time of his injury he was stationed at Port Kembla.
BIRTH: No find for McLAUCHLAN or McLAUGHLAN in NSW between 1880 – 1920
MARRIAGE: Reg. # 5225/1914 Frederick J McLAUCHLAN. BRIDE: Vera Alma BEST in Sydney (B: 1891 – D: 1 Sept 1954 )
DEATHS: Reg. # 22586/1938 Frederick James McLAUGHLAN Father: James Mother: Elizabeth Canterbury District. The parents in this Death have the same Christian names as the person born in N.Z.
In N.Z. his surname is spelt with the ‘C‘ but in NSW, his surname is spelt with the ‘G‘.
Whilst updating this Memorial page on 16 September 2018, I found that this person is recorded in the NSW State Archives & Records under Registers of Police as having the surname spelt McLAUCHLAN & not McLAUGHLAN.
Numerous local newspaper articles also have him as McLAUCHLIN.
Cal
160918
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Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Saturday 19 December 1942, page 16
MARRIAGES
BRUSSEL – McLAUCHLAN – November 23 at St John’s Church, Campsie, by the Rev. C. C. Short, Pamela, younger daughter of the late Mr Frederick James McLauchlan, and of Mrs Vera McLauchlan, to Hendrikus Brussel (M. N.), younger son of Mr and Mrs P Brussel of Leiden, Holland.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW : 1900 – 1954), Friday 5 February 1926, page 16
NORTH ILLAWARRA COUNCIL.
At the meeting on Wednesday night, all the aldermen were present.
From Constable McLauchlan intimating that his transfer not having been yet arranged for definitely he was prepared to continue inspection of slaughter premises. — Agreed to.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW : 1900 – 1954), Friday 15 January 1926, page 19
WOLLONGONG COURT.
MONDAY.
Drink. — Walker Chaulker pleaded guilty to charges of drunkenness and of offensive words at Balgownie.
Constable McLauchlan stated that Chaulker was behaving in a violent manner with a paling in his hand, and when spoken to by himself addressed the language to him.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW : 1900 – 1954), Friday 27 February 1925, page 21
QUARTER SESSIONS
Assault.
William Pollack (18) pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecently assaulting Muriel Hughes at Tarrawanna. There was a second account of common assault.
Mr. Clancy, instructed by Mr. Morgan for defence. Accused exhausted his right of challenging jury.
Muriel Hughes deposed on the night of the 24th November, when she was on her way home from the Pictures at Corrimal to Tarrawanna, accused accosted her and threw her down. She screamed and he went off.
Witness had three years before had had an illegitimate child.
Br. Mr. Clancy witness was asked about habits of being out late at night; she went to dances.
Constable McLauchlan gave evidence of arrest of accused at Mount Pleasant Colliery, and produced a statement signed by accused.
Accused in a statement from the dock said he had merely put his arm round the girl’s waist; she struggled and they both fell; if he hurt her, he was sorry.
Alexander Drain deposed that on the day following the alleged assault, he had heard Muriel Hughes speak of it laughingly. Acquitted.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 20 Nov. 1925 (No.111), page 5044
[7918] Department of Lands,
Sydney, 20th November, 1925.
AUTHORITIES FOR PROSECUTION OF TRESPASSERS ON CROWN LANDS.
IT is hereby notified, for general information, that the undermentioned members of the Police Force and other persons are authorised and empowered to prefer informations in writing, under and in pursuance of the provisions of the Crown Lands Acts, against any person or persons in unlawful occupation or use of Crown Lands, or lands granted, reserved, or dedicated for public purposes, or found cutting or removing timber, or stripping or removing bark, or digging for or removing stone, soil, or other material therefrom, without holding a license.
They are further authorised to sue for and recover such penalty or penalties as any such person or persons shall have incurred for and in respect of such unlawful occupation, use, or proceedings.
[ Leases 1925-18,180]
P. F. LOUGHLIN,
Minister for Lands.
Friday 20 Nov. 1925 Government Gazette of NSW Page 5044
Station. Name of Person authorised Rank
Balgownie McLaughlan, Frederick James Constable 1st Class
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW : 1900 – 1954), Friday 4 July 1924, page 16
NORTH ILLAWARRA COUNCIL.
At the meeting on Wednesday night | all the aldermen were present.
Correspondence.
Meat Inspector and Impounder
There were four applications in reply to advts. ( adverts ) for the above office. In the course of discussion, the Mayor said the finances would not admit of the appointment of the proposed officer. He recommended appointing a combined maintenance Workman and impounder and asking department’s permits for Constable. McLauchlan ( who had applied to be appointed for meat inspection ). This was agreed to, former position to be advertised. It was proposed to allow £1 a week for forage, but an amendment reduced this to 10/.
Wollongong — Friday, February 23rd. ( Before Mr. M. T. McMahon, S.M.)
Alleged Shooting with Intent.
Reginald Davidson, 21, was charged that on 20th February he did, at Fairy Meadow, shoot at Stanley Robinson with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. Mr. Morgan appeared for defendant.
Constable McLauchlan, stationed at Balgownie, deposed that at 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 20th inst., he went to Mr. Elliott‘s house at Fairy Meadow. He knocked at the door, which was opened by Mr. Elliott.
In the kitchen he saw defendant and said, ‘I want that revolver you were shooting with tonight,’ and he ‘replied, ‘I have no revolver, and did not shoot at anybody.’
He called Robert Robinson and pointing to defendant said, ‘Do you know this man?’ He replied, ‘Yes, that is the man who shot at us tonight.’
He then called Stanley Robinson and he said, ‘That’s the man who fired the revolver off at me.’
Witness questioned Davidson, who replied, ‘I did not mean to shoot them. I had a few drinks, and I will tell you all about it.’ I was with Jack Elliott at Wollongong this afternoon, We met Mrs. Robinson and a young lady with a baby. They told me her name was Mrs. Taylor. We all got pretty drunk and went home to Elliott‘s in a motor car. We had more drink at Elliotts.
At 9 o ‘clock someone knocked at the door, and I heard a man ask for Mrs. Taylor. They had an argument, as she wouldn’t go home with him. The man walked inside and took the baby. He ( defendant ) struggled with the man on the verandah and fired off a revolver to frighten him.
Defendant was then arrested. Defendant subsequently told witness that he had thrown the revolver into the dam, and which witness recovered loaded in four chambers, and with one empty shell.
Witness asked Davidson who the revolver belonged to and he replied Jack Elliott. About three months ago he had a row with his wife, and I told him I would throw the revolver into the dam, but I hung it up, behind a picture.’
Witness recovered the revolver in a dam about 200 yards away from Elliott‘s place. Defendant boards at Elliott‘s.
There were several bottles nearly empty on the premises when defendant was arrested.
Stanley Robinson, living at Fairy Meadow, deposed that he went to Elliott‘s place on the evening of the 20th to bring home his sister, whose name is Mrs. Taylor. His brother and brother-in-law were with him. While his brother was talking to his sister a man came out of the door and made a punch at him ( witness ). The blow missed and they closed, and they rolled from the verandah on to the ground, where witness was on top.
Defendant was the man who wrestled with witness. Defendant stepped back about four paces and pulled a revolver from his hip pocket and fired at him. He ( witness ) saw the flash, but the bullet missed.
When defendant fired witness went to run, but fell over the fence, and defendant said ‘I’ve got the ____.’
Witness had never seen defendant to speak to before.
Robert Robinson gave corroborative evidence.
Leonard William Taylor, hairdresser, Keira Street, Wollongong, deposed that. he went to Elliott‘s place on the night in question. Saw accused there, and saw him make a hit at Stanley Robinson, after which there was a scuffle and they both fell. The accused then fired the revolver at Stanley Robinson, and the two Robinsons ran away.
The accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial.
A sensational arrest was made at Balgownie Co-operative Store at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, when Detective Sergeants Barclay and Thornley, Plain Clothes Constables Morgan and Cameron, and Constable McLauchlan found Sydney Hill, 58, and Albert (Duck) Clarke, 45, on the premises with a kit of house-breaking tools. Both men were brought to Wollongong lockup, and charged with breaking and entering.
The defendants were brought before the Court on Tuesday, and charged. Evidence, however, was not entered on, and the cases were remanded till Monday next, 12th instant. Bail was allowed — self in £80 or two sureties of £40. In Clarke’s case alone was bail forthcoming.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 21 July 1922 (No.111), page 3943
[7918] Department of Lands,
Sydney, 14th July, 1922.
AUTHORITIES FOR PROSECUTION OF TRESPASSERS ON CROWN LANDS.
IT is hereby notified, for general information, that the undermentioned members of the Police Force and other persons are authorised and empowered to prefer informations in writing, under and in pursuance of the provisions of the Crown Lands Acts, against any person or persons in unlawful occupation or use of Crown Lands, or lands granted, reserved, or dedicated for public purposes, or found cutting or removing timber, or stripping or removing bark, or digging for or removing stone, soil, or other material therefrom, without holding a license.
They are further authorised to sue for and recover such penalty or penalties as any such person or persons shall have incurred for and in respect of such unlawful occupation, use, or proceedings.
[ Occ. 1922-4,267]
W. E. WEARNE,
Minister for Lands.
Friday 21 July 1922 Government Gazette of NSW Page 3943
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW : 1900 – 1954), Friday 16 June 1922, page 4
WOLLONGONG COURT.
MONDAY. Fencing Posts for Firewood.
Godfrey Williamson pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny of posts, property of the Towrodgi ( Towradgi ) Park Trust.
Constable McLauchlan deposed that he visited a house at Balgownie, and found the missing posts there in a load of firewood.
Then spoke to accused who admitted having sold the posts in a load of fire wood.
G. W. Payne, chairman of the trust, deposed that a considerable part of the boundary fence had been taken away ; there had been much destruction done at the park ; about a dozen seats had been torn up and taken and a shed damaged.
Defendant, a returned soldier, said he had been off work and under the doctor for six weeks; he took the posts at the fence, seeing the state it was in and supposing these would not be required.
Mr. Payne said the trustees only wanted a caution administered.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW : 1900 – 1954), Friday 2 June 1922, page 9
BALGOWNIE
(Correspondent.)
On Friday evening, 19th, the local School of Arts was the scene of a very happy gathering of adults and young folks who had assembled to express feelings of goodwill and appreciation, and also farewell greetings to ConstableFrewin, Mrs. Frewin and family, who have been, recently transferred to Watson’s Bay.
The function also included a formal welcome to his successor, Constable McLauchlan; and Mrs. McLauchlan.
The early part of the programme was mainly vocal, and was shown much appreciation of Mr. P. Meizer presided, acting for Mr. Alridge, who had been called away to another urgent meeting.
The chairman directed the attention of those assembled to the aim of their presence there that evening— to do honor and show their appreciation both verbally and materially, to the guests of the evening. Mr. W. Madden spoke of the Frewin family, both in private and social life in terms of esteem.
Mr. S. W. Sproule, on behalf of the public, presented to the guests a very fine silver tea and coffee service, also personal gifts to Constable Frewin of a fountain pen, and to Mrs. Frewin a beautifully bound volume of Tennyson’s poems. Speaking, he said, from having known Constable and Mrs. Frewin, he spoke words of praise, congratulating the constable on his promotion to such a comfortable retreat as Watson’s Bay. He also welcomed Constable McLauchlan.
After Constable Frewin‘s acknowledgements, the remainder of the time was spent socially and in dancing.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW : 1900 – 1954), Friday 25 November 1921, page 17
WOLLONGONG COURT.
MONDAY.
Thomas J. Williams and Arthur Floyd for drunkenness in Main road, Corrimal, were each fined 5/ and 8/ costs.
Thomas A. Ryan and James Stewart were charged with being on hotel premises in prohibited hours. — Constable McLaughlan deposed to having seen the defendants at 10.30 p.m. in the Great Eastern Hotel, Port Kembla ; Stewart said he was seeking a bed. Each fined 10/ and 8/ costs.
Richard M?????a pleaded not guilty to a charge of being in the Great Eastern Hotel, he being a prohibited person.
Constable McLauchlan deposed that on the 12th instant he saw defendant go into the bar of the Great Eastern ; witness asked the licensee if he knew that man, he replied he did not know his name; the licensee also, in reply, said he had served him several drinks during the day; just then, he called for five drinks, but as he did not pay for them he (licensee) told him to get out. — In reply to Mr. Morgan ( for the defence ) witness said defendant had been a source of annoyance to the police ever since the order had been made against him. — Defendant denied having been inside, he merely looked in to see if his brother was there. — Mrs. Brunning deposed she had given defendant, who was her uncle, a letter to give to her father, who lived at the hotel.
By Sergt. McAuley : Defendant had had some drink that day.
Constable McLauchlan, recalled, deposed he saw defendant with his brother before he went into the hotel. —
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW : 1900 – 1954), Friday 27 July 1917, page 22
WOLLONGONG COURT
TUESDAY.
Patrick Kennedy was charged with indecent language at Port Kembla, and with no lawful visible means.
Constable McLauchlan deposed that defendant had been discharged from the penitentiary on the 26th February; he had been at Port Kembla for five months, and had done about three weeks work. He had been about hotels a nuisance in the bars; if people would not shout, he wanted to fight them. He had earned £2 8s the last week and had 14s coming to him.
The D.S.M. said that when arrested he was not without lawful means, having been earning money. Information dismissed. A number of previous convictions were read by Sergt Toohey.
For indecent indecent language fined £5 or 2 months.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW : 1900 – 1954), Friday 2 June 1916, page 8
WOLLONGONG COURT
WEDNESDAY.
Thomas Osborne, thirty-three, was charged with drunkenness in Wollongong, fined half a crown. For insulting words to Constable McLauchlan, fined twenty shillings or seven days. Fines paid.
On the afternoon of 31 March, 1937, Constable Boore was seated in the sidecar of a Police Public Safety Bureau motor cycle outfit which was travelling along Parramatta Road, Camperdown. Constable Frank Hume was the rider of the outfit. While they were overtaking a speeding vehicle they had been attempting to stop, another vehicle stopped suddenly in front of them. Constable Hume braked and swerved to avoid a collision, and the cycle collided with a tram. Constable Boore sustained severe injuries in the collision and died in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital two days later.
The constable was born in 1907 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 March, 1928. At the time of his death he was attached to the Public Safety Bureau, Police Headquarters.
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Deadly toll
By Jonathan Pearlman November 6, 2004
Alone in his patrol car, Chris Thornton had the police siren flashing as he chased a white sedan through Woy Woy.
Thornton, 35, a highway patrolman, had been in the force for 15 years. He was, his mother says, “the best driver I have ever seen”.
The reason for the chase that night in April 2002 is unknown. Both cars were seen travelling at high speed. Thornton was about 50 metres behind.
Meanwhile, Leonard Rowley, 56, an unlicensed driver, was driving to his local KFC to pick up dinner. He saw the first car flash past and judged – wrongly – that he had time to turn out in front of the patrol car. Thornton tried to avoid Rowley’s car but clipped the back, veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a power pole.
Thornton died on the spot, which is marked by a permanent stainless-steel cross. Rowley later received a suspended two-year sentence.
“His life from the age of 12 was about helping people,” says Thornton’s mother, Freada Thornton. “He was in the surf club and he was there to rescue people and then he went into the force and he was doing the same thing.” His father, Barry Thornton, says: “He loved life. He had been in Gosford for 15 years and was so popular with the community there.”
Police pursuits are, says Barry, a necessary evil: “If they don’t catch the criminals there will be more deaths on the roads. The ones that they’re in pursuit of are the idiots that have done the wrong thing to start with.”
But pursuits have come at a cost to the NSW Police Department. Fifteen officers have died as a result of high-speed chases, beginning with the death of Constable George Boore in 1937.
Details provided by the NSW Police Association show a steady stream of fatalities involving cars and motorcycles. The full list of casualties is as follows:
In 1931 Constable Nowland was the lone policeman attached to the Bendemeer Police Station. On the night of Sunday 4 October, 1931 a man came to the station to complain that he had been camped under the bridge at the river and had been accosted by a “madman” who had threatened to kill him. He requested that the constable come down to the bridge, which was at the McDonald River, a distance of less than 300 metres to look for the madman. The constable obliged, however after a brief search under and around the bridge, the alleged “madman” could not be found. The following night the man again came to the police station with the same complaint. (It was believed to have been the same man both nights as Mrs Nowland heard his voice on both visits, although she never actually saw him). The constable took his revolver and set out to search the bridge area again. When he failed to return home by the morning Mrs Nowland telephoned the police at Tamworth.
Police from Tamworth quickly travelled to Bendemeer and, with the assistance of an Aboriginal tracker, began to search for the missing man. Later that afternoon Constable Nowland’s body was found and recovered from the McDonald River. He was still fully clothed, except for his cap, and the body had no apparent signs of violence, although apparently the constable’s nose had been bleeding before he fell or was thrown into the water. At the spot where the body was found the water was only three to four feet (about 1 metre) deep.
The Brisbane Courier dated 7 October, 1931 reported that “The police believe that Nowland was insensible or dead before he entered the water. It is thought that Constable Nowland did not reach the bridge last night. His way would have taken him past a hotel, and beneath brilliant lights, and it is considered that he would certainly have been seen had he gone direct to the bridge from the police station. It is thought probable that he was attacked almost as soon as he left the police station, and was then taken to the river and thrown into the water insensible. The police are handicapped by the absence of any description of the man who twice called at the police station and spoke of the lunatic. Constable Nowland was the only one who saw him.”
The Sydney Morning Herald of 10 November, 1931 reported the open finding of the inquest into the constable’s death, as follows.
“BENDEMEER MYSTERY – CORONER’S OPEN VERDICT.
TAMWORTH. Monday.
The inquest into the death of Constable Nowland, whose body was found in the McDonald River on October 5, came to an end to-day, when the coroner (Mr. Geikie, P.M.) returned an open verdict. Six sessions of the inquest have been held, and 24 witnesses have been examined. In delivering his finding, Mr. Glekie said that the case was marked by many conflicting and mysterious statements. If it was suicide, then the deceased must either have been sane or insane. If he was sane, the first thing was to look for the motive, and the evidence adduced no such motive. If he was insane, no motive need be looked for. There was not a tittle of direct evidence of mental derangement in the constable up to the time of his death. His finding would be that Nowland was found dead in the McDonald River without any marks on the body; further, that death was due to drowning, but how or by what means drowning came about the evidence did not say.”
The mystery of what exactly happened to the unfortunate Constable Nowland has apparently never been solved, although theories ranging from suicide to poisoning to murder have long been put forward. A coroner’s inquest into the death gave the cause of death as drowning, however the surrounding circumstances remain unknown.
The constable was born in 1901 and was aged 31 years when he died. He joined the New South Wales Police Force on 25 August, 1922. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bendemeer. He is not listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll.
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George Thomas WHITELEY
| 26/10/2012
George Thomas WHITELEY
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Penrith Police Academy Class # ? ? ?
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ‘Q‘ 9081
For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
Rank: Constable ( Mounted Police Trooper ) – appointed 15 March 1910
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Sergeant 3rd Class
Stations: ?, Hill End ( Constable – 1913 ), Fifield ( SenCon 1920 ), Berrigan ( 2 years ) – Death
Service: From 15 March 1910 to25 March 1931 = 20+ years Service
Embarkation: 201014 at Sydney on H.M.A.T. A14 ‘Euripides”
Age at embarkation: 25 yrs 10 mths
Occupation: Mounted Police Trooper
Address: Bega
Next of kin: Father: George Edward WHITELEY – A farmer
Religion: Roman Catholic
Single / Married: Single
Returned to Australia: 191018 from Plymouth, England on D24, “Sardinia”
Awards: 1914 /15 Star, Returned Solider badge # 87105
Injuries: gunshot ( shrapnel ) wound to lower lip – 130515. 9 days under treatment. Gunshot wound to left leg, left foot & right side of head. He stated that while serving in Gallipoli, he suffered from indigestion for the first time and has suffered on and off whit it ever since. In the past twelve ( months ) the attacks of pain with occasional vomiting have been more frequent…. Twelve days before admission and on the 5th July, he vomited about a couple of pints of blood.
Attributable to service during war and active service conditions in Gallipoli.
Discharge #: 56009
Previously Served in the Colonial Force.
Description: 5′ 8″ tall, fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. Chest = 34.5 – 40″. 11 stone 12 lbs. No marks on body.
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Sgt George Thomas WHITELEY ( 29 old ) of 1st Division H.Q., ( The Hutment Camp, Abbotsbury Rd, Wyke Regis, U.K. married Kate HARPER ( 22 old ), Spinster of 2 Block A, The Flats, Tidworth, England ( occupation: Clerk ) at St. Augustine’s Chapel, Dorchester Rd, Melcombe Regis, Weymount, England by Roman Catholic Priest Thomas Sheehan on the 3 October 1918. Registrar’s Reference # 80.
In 1936 – after the explosion, his wife was living at 134 Railway Pde, Carlton, NSW. This address ( 2019 ) is / was the Westpac Bank, Kogarah.
About 4am on 25 March, 1931Sergeant Whiteley and Constable McRae attended a fire at the Momalong Hotel, Berrigan.
During the fire both police officers were standing on the roadway outside the hotel when a gas cylinder exploded and a piece of flying metal struck the sergeant in the face, causing “injuries of a terrible nature” and killing him instantly.
Three bystanders (of an estimated two thousand who were watching the blaze) were also badly injured in the blast and another five were hit by flying steel, however all others recovered.
The sergeants faithful dog, which was standing beside his master, was also struck by flying debris and killed instantly.
The Canberra Times of 26 March, 1931 carried the following account of the incident.
FATAL EXPLOSION IN FIRE AT BERRIGAN. Police officer killed by flying steel.
Sydney, Wednesday.
The explosion of a gas cylinder occurred during a fire at the Momalong Hotel, Berrigan. Within a few minutes the entire population had turned out. The flames spread with great rapidity. The occupants of the hotel made a speedy exit. When the cylinder exploded with a terrific roar, Sergeant Whiteley and Constable McRae were standing in the centre of the roadway. A piece of steel became embedded in Whiteley’s head. He was quickly conveyed to a local surgery where life was pronounced extinct.
Michael Hurood, Elsie McGee, and Elaine Dawson were struck by flying steel and badly injured about the body. They are expected to recover.
A bucket brigade did splendid work.
More than two thousand persons turned out to watch the fire, but when the explosion occurred there was a wild dash for safety.
Whiteley, who was 41, suffered injuries of a terrible nature, while a dog standing beside him was killed instantly.
Five other men were hurt by flying steel.
Whiteley was married with five children.
The sergeant was born in Bega in 1886 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 March, 1910.
At the time of his death he was stationed at Berrigan.
Constable Chasling & Sgt Whitely ( Whiteley ) at Berrigan Police Station. And, no doubt, the “faithful dog of Sgt Whiteley” also killed in the explosion.
Western Argus ( W.A. ) Tuesday 31 March 1931 page 13 of 36
GAS CYLINDER EXPLODES POLICE SERGEANT KILLED. DISASTROUS FIRE AT BERRIGAN. Sydney, March 25.
A police sergeant was killed, three people were hurt and nearly 1000 others scattered in terror when, during a fire at the Momolong Hotel, Berrigan, a gas cylinder exploded. The dead man is Sergeant C. George Whitley (41) married, with five children.
Whitley saw service at the war, and was at the Gallipoli landing. Mick Hurwood, Miss McGee and Miss Elaine Dawson ( was a former Echuca girl, living in High Street ) were injured by flying fragments of steel and wood. The two girls were taken to hospital.
The entire population of 2000 turned out when a fire engine rushed up the main street at 4.30 a.m. Hundreds of people assisted the firemen in trying to quell the outbreak, but the hotel was burned to the ground. In the hotel was a 40 lb. gas cylinder, which exploded during the height of the blaze. With a terrific roar it burst into flames, and sparks shot high in the air. The crowd scattered in terror. Whitley and Constable McRae were standing in the middle of the roadway assisting the fire fighters when there was a yell from the crowd. “Look out,” shouted a number of men, and they and the police ran for safety. McRae tried to catch hold of Sergeant Whitley and threw himself flat on the ground. A piece of steel, became embedded in Whitley’s head. McRae was not injured. Pieces of steel and wood cut their way into Hurwood’s leg, and the two girls were hurt about the body. They are expected to recover. The cause of the fire is unknown. Residents of the hotel hurriedly left the building, which was a single storied one, when the outbreak occurred.
Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 – 1936), Thursday 26 March 1931, page 9
POLICE SERGEANT KILLED BY EXPLOSION
FIRE BURSTS CYLINDER.
SYDNEY, Wednesday.
Police-sergeant George Thomas Whitley, 41, married, with five children, was killed, three persons hurt, and about 1000 others scattered in terror this morning, when, during a fire at the Momolong Hotel, Berrigan, a gas cylinder burst.
A fire broke out at 4.30 o’clock, and the entire population turned to in an effort to save the hotel. Nothing, however, could be saved, and the hotel was burnt to the ground, though adjoining premises were saved from destruction.
There was a 40lb cylinder of carbonic acid gas in the hotel, and during the fire this exploded with a terrific roar.
Sergeant Whitley was standing in the roadway with Constable McRae when the cylinder burst. McRae threw himself to the ground, endeavoring to pull Whitley with him, but a piece of steel embedded in Whitley’s head, killing him instantly.
Michael Hurwood, Elsie McGee, and Elaine Dawson were injured about the legs and body by flying steel, all being seriously hurt. They were taken in motor cars to Corowa Hospital.
Whitley was a well-known and popular officer, aged 43, and joined the force 21 years ago.
NSW Government Gazette – issue 108, page 3292. Friday 4 June 1920
Electoral Appointments
Second Class Constable George Thomas WHITELEY, Fifield ( near Trundle ). – Electoral District: Murrumbidgee – Polling place: Fifield In lieu of McLean – on leave. To take effect on 22 March 1920
Bathurst Times (NSW : 1909 – 1925), Wednesday 8 January 1913, page 4
POLICEMAN ASSAULTED.
CASE AT HILL END.
HILL END, Tuesday.
Considerable interest was centred in the local Police Court proceedings on Saturday morning, when Vivian Clyde Cook, a resident of Hill End, was charged with assaulting Constable George Thomas Whitley while in the execution of his duty.
The accused was represented by Mr. Casey, solicitor, from Orange, and Inspector Rank appeared for the police.
The facts of the case as stated by Constable Whitley were that on New Year’s night he was in Clarke-street when he heard the Roman Catholic Church bell ringing. He hastened away to the church, and when near there heard stones being thrown on the church. He also saw three men running away.
Witness and Constable Creevy gave chase. After running about 400 yards he came up with one of them, whom he recognised to be the accused. Witness said, “Alright, Cook, I will give you a summons for this.” Then he turned to run after the other two. When he had gone a few paces he was hit on the head with a stone, which knocked him down on the ground. He got up again quickly, and saw the accused lying on the ground, he also heard him saying someone had hit him.
Then witness and Creevy arrested Cook, and locked him up for the night.
Dr. Michael John Ryan stated that about 2.30 on New Year’s morningConstable Whitley was brought to him suffering from a severe wound on the head. He dressed the wound and put in two stitches. The wound was about a quarter of an inch from the temple.
The doctor said that he considered the constable was out of danger, but Constable Whitley could not go on duty for at least one week yet.
At this stage, Mr. Casey, solicitor, made a very strong appeal to the P.M. not to send the accused to gaol.
He pointed out that he had never been before the Court before; that he was a hard-working young man; that he was extremely sorry for what he had done, and that he belonged to a very respectable family.
There were a number of young men, most of whom were in the Court, at the time, who had made up their minds to give the police all the trouble they could. They were known as the “Kelly Gang.”
The police had had no trouble whatever with anyone.
The P.M. said that the case was a very serious one indeed, and on hearing the doctor’s evidence he had made up his mind to send accused to gaol.
The accused promised to be of good behavior.
The P.M. then imposed a fine of £15 and £3/4/ costs.
Four days were allowed in which to pay.
Two other charges— one for insulting language and the other riotous behavior were withdrawn.
Shortly after 8pm on 27 May, 1927 Constables Bell and Lawman were standing in the centre of Auburn Street, Goulburn. It was a Friday night shopping night in the city. Constable Lawman noticed an approaching vehicle which appeared to be travelling directly toward them. He jumped aside, calling a warning to his colleague. The vehicle however struck Constable Bell in the back, throwing him forward and causing him to strike his head on the asphalt roadway, inflicting serious head and back injuries. Although many people rushed to assist the constable, there was little that could be done for him. He was conveyed to the Goulburn Hospital where he died of his injuries.
The Sydney Morning Herald of 10 June, 1927 reported the following information on the inquest into the constable’s death.
MOTORIST CHARGED – GOULBURN, Thursday.
After an inquiry lasting three days the deputy coroner (Mr A.Macintosh) found that Constable O.E. Bell was killed by a motor car negligently driven by Ernest Hibbert in Auburn Street, Goulburn, on Friday May 27th. He committed Hibbert for trial, bail being fixed at £100. Hibbert was the last witness. His examination lasted nearly all day. He denied the allegations that he was under the influence of liquor at the time of the accident but admitted that he had had six or seven small glasses of stout during the afternoon. Hibbert maintained he had no drink after 6 pm. He admitted driving on the wrong side of the road, in an attempt to pass another car and said he swerved over further in the direction of the constable in order to avoid a boy who was running across the road.
The constable was born in 1883 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 29 October, 1913. At the time of his death he was stationed at Goulburn.
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The Canberra Times Tuesday 14 June 1927 p 1
GOULBURN
After three days of enquiry, during which about 29 witnesses were examined, the Coroner has found that Constable Owen Edwin Bell died from injuries received on May 27th through being knocked down by a car negligently driven by Ernest Hibbert, whom he committed for trial for manslaughter at the Goulburn Quarter sessions on September 13th, substantial bail being allowed.
