John HOWARD

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

Regd. # ‘Q’  6372

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 )

 Stations:  Goulburn, Araluen, Braidwood Lock Up Keeper – Death

Awards: No find on It’s An Honour

Service:  From  13 April 1892  to  15 November 1895 = 3+ years Service

Born:  ? ? 1870 – Wallsend

Died:  Friday  15 November 1895

Age:  24

Cause:  Suicide – Firearm – Service issue – right temple

Event date: Friday  15 November 1895

Event location:  Braidwood Lockup Keepers residence

Inquest date:  Saturday  16 November 1895 during the afternoon

Funeral date:  Sunday  17 November 1895

Funeral location:  Graveside service by Rev. J.S. Dobson

Buried at:  Braidwood General Cemetery, Uabba Rd, Braidwood, NSW 

There are 2 entries in the Braidwood General Cemetery index both with the same date of death. 1st is Constable John Howard, age 24, C of E, Headstone. 2nd is John Howard, age 24, C of E, Unmarked.

 [alert_red]John is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_red]

Grave location: 

The following article appeared in the South Australian Register of 16 November, 1895.

SUICIDE OF A CONSTABLE – Sydney, November 15.

Constable John Howard shot himself at Braidwood in unusual circumstances today. He was the plaintiff in a slander case against A. Graham and claimed £200 damages. Damages amounting to a farthing were awarded, and Judge Fitzhardinge remarked that according to the evidence the plaintiff had no character to lose. Howard at once returned to the barracks and shot himself.

At the time of his death the constable was stationed at Braidwood.

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Queanbeyan Observer (NSW : 1894 – 1908; 1910 – 1915), Tuesday 19 November 1895, page 4

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/240001276

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Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser (NSW : 1863 – 1947), Tuesday 19 November 1895, page 4

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/100863392

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Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 – 1954), Tuesday 19 November 1895, page 4

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/75263157

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Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 – 1940), Saturday 16 November 1895, page 2

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/98554907

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Braidwood District Court – Slander

Tuesday  19 November 1895

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/98551607

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Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), Friday 22 November 1895, page 4

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108085753

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Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW), Thu 21 Nov 1895,
Page 2

The Funeral of the late Constable Howard.

The funeral of Constable Howard took place on Sunday afternoon last. No better indication of the esteem in which the deceased was held in the town
and the deep sympathy which was felt for his widow and children in their terrible bereavement could be found than the large attendance which assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to his remains.

The gathering was representative of every interest in the community. Not alone in this direction did public feeling find expression, but numerous wreaths and crosses were forwarded by many people in the town whose pulse had been deeply moved by the distressing circumstances under which the deceased met his
death.

Mr. Howard, senr., who resides at Wallsend, in the Newcastle district, where he is in business, and a sister and two brothers of Mrs. Howard were the chief mourners.

They arrived in town on Saturday morning, and, as may readily be imagined, were deeply shocked at the distressing nature of the tragedy which had cast such a gloom over the town.

The coffin was borne to and from the hearse by two of Constable Howard’s late comrades, who by the way selected the site for the grave in the Church of England portion of the cemetery.

The Rev. J. S. Dobson conducted the service at the grave in a most impressive manner, and at its conclusion briefly addressed the large assemblage, referring to the exceptionally sad circumstances under which they had met together, and expressing his warmest sympathy with the heart-stricken widow and fatherless children in their sad bereavement.

The rev. gentleman dwelt warmly on the circumstances which led to Constable Howard’s death. He said he owed his death to the vile breath of slander, which had blasted more reputations and caused more misery and heartburnings than could ever be repaired.

He earnestly exhorted those present to keep their tongues from lying and slandering and their minds from evil thinking, in other words, he said, people should mind their own business.

If every one of them, he added, had every one of their little errors and sins they had committed placarded on their backs or proclaimed from the housetops, there were none who would not hang their heads in shame. The rev. gentleman went on to refer to the deceased as a capable and zealous officer, a man who always did his duty, however unpleasant it might be to his feelings, fearlessly and intelligently, and had earned for himself not only the respect of his superior officers, but the esteem of all respectable townsmen.

He had made a mistake-and all were liable to make mistakes-but he would say to them in the words of our Blessed Master when He was rebuked by the multitude for speaking words of comfort to the adultress, “Let him who is himself without sin cast the first stone.”

The stone at the grave was a most impressive and pitiful one.

The widow of the deceased utterly collapsed, and during the course of the church service and Mr. Dobson’s subsequent remarks, numbers of women wept freely, while tears bedimmed the eyes of not a few of the male portion of the large crowd, whose hearts were touched by the inexpressibly sad circumstances under which John Howard parted with this life.

The members of the deceased’s family must have derived a large amount of satisfaction-if indeed it is possible to experience such a feeling under circumstances of such a melancholy character-from the fact that they unquestionably had the heartfelt sympathy of the large crowd assembled round the grave.

-Braidwood Dispatch.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/98546142

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Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1881 – 1907), Monday 18 November 1895, page 2

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/101111190

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Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 – 1940), Tuesday 12 May 1896, page 4

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/98568405

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New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 – 1900), Tuesday 10 April 1894 (No.218), page 2355

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222330860

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John MITCHELL

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  Q 3302 

( For the purposes of this website ‘Q’ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )

Rank: Constable – appointed 27 September 1878

Constable 1st Class- appointed February 1884

Stations:  Bathurst, Coonamble – Death

Service:  From  27 September 1878  to  13 March 1885 = 6.5 years

Awards:  ?

Born:  18 August 1856 in Uig, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland

Event date:  Thursday  12 March 1885

Event location:  Gaol, Aberford St, Coonamble ( erected 1877 )

Died on:  Friday  13 March 1885

Cause:  Shot – Murdered at Coonamble, NSW

Age:  29

Funeral Date:  Sunday  15 March 1885

Funeral location: 

Buried at:  *Old Coonamble Cemetery, Auburn St, opposite Warrena St, Coonamble, NSW

( This cemetery no longer exists and was turned into a Park around 1970 and the headstones removed.  See *below )

JOHN IS Mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

Early in the morning of 12 March, 1885 two prisoners in the lockup at Coonamble overpowered a warder by the name of  Michael Langley who had gone into their cell to place leg irons on a third prisoner by the name of Courtney.

He was knocked to the floor and his revolver taken from him.

Hearing the scuffle, Constable Mitchell, acting Gaoler at the time,  arose from his bed and ran to the cells to assist.

One of the prisoners, a man named Angel, warned the constable not to come into the cell however Mitchell ignored this and lunged at the prisoner. As he did so he was shot in the chest. He died about 7am the following day.

In a dying deposition given to the Coonamble Police Magistrate on 12 March, Constable Mitchell said, ‘I am acting Gaoler at Coonamble gaol; at about a quarter past six this morning the 12th March inst., I opened the door of the guard room Coonamble Gaol; the Warder just then came into the cell where the convicted prisoners Angel, Thurston, and Courtney were confined; I heard a noise in the cell as if a man was being strangled; I came in and the warder was lying down on the cell floor; Angel was strangling him and Thurston was taking the revolver from him; I made a rush and Courtney knocked me over; Angel then got the revolver and both he and Thurston rushed at the cell door; Angel said “Keep back or I’ll shoot you”; I made a rush to try and get the revolver from Angel when he shot me; they then shut the warder and myself together with Courtney, who did not get away owing to Warder Langley’s threatening to kill him if he moved in the cell and rushed away. “

Both Angel and Thurston managed to escape, however both were later shot to death by police.

James Alfred Courtney, the third prisoner, was later found not guilty of involvement in the murder as he had been found by other police after the murder and escape, still in the cell attempting to assist Constable Mitchell by bathing his wound with cold tea (there was no water in the cell). A recommendation was then made to have his previous sentence reduced.

The constable was born in 1855 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 27 September, 1878. At the time of his death he was stationed at Coonamble, and had previously been stationed at Bathurst.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/514697128544865/?multi_permalinks=4440570939290778&notif_id=1615702894714807&notif_t=group_activity&ref=notif

*Old Coonamble General Cemetery

The original general cemetery in Coonamble was in operation from 1869 to 1912 when it was deemed to be full and closed to further burials. Many years later (probably around 1970), Council removed the headstones and converted the area into a park.

In the preface to her book, “Coonamble Memorial Wall Pioneer Profiles”, local historian Joan McKenzie explains: “When the old cemetery at the end of Warrena Street was cleared about thirty years ago, a number of headstones were retained and embedded on and around a large mound of earth. In 1993, a Federal Government grant enabled the Shire Council to move those headstones to the cemetery in West Coonamble, which had been established circa 1902. ”

Appropriately, the site chosen by Council to devote to the display of those old stones adjoined the historically significant Sexton’s Hut, erected in 1912. The display was organised into three sections: a covered double-sided memorial wall, a group of sandstone monuments and a group of marble monuments. The work was completed to a high standard and dedicated on 12 September 1993. A list of 611 names of persons whose deaths were registered at Coonamble during the period that the old cemetery was in operation, and known or presumed to have been buried at the old site, was inscribed and mounted on the side of the Sexton’s Hut.

For more information on the Old Coonamble General Cemetery (including listings) click here

Cemetery Information

Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal ( NSW )     Friday  13 March 1885     page 2 of 4

FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY AT COONAMBLE.

– * –

A CONSTABLE SHOT.

ESCAPE OF PRISONERS.

( BY TELEGRAPH )

[ FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ]

Coonamble, Friday.

A shocking tragedy occurred at Coonamble gaol yesterday morning, in a cell where a prisoner named Angel, who had been sentenced to four years for cattle stealing, another prisoner named Courtney, and a prisoner named Thurstone, who had served a sentence at Berrima gaol, were confined.

When the turnkey ( Warder Langley ) entered to leg iron Courtney and Angel, one of the prisoners pounced upon him, and knocked him down and         took his revolver. The turnkey called aloud, when Mitchell, a constable, and formerly of Bathurst, hearing the scuffle, rushed out of bed. The prisoner Angel, who had the revolver, told Mitchell not to dare to come in, Mitchell, however, advanced, and Angel fired. The bullet entered Mitchell’s breast just below the heart, and went right through his body and out at the back. Mitchell at once fell, and the three prisoners made their escape with the revolver.

Five miles from town they pulled a boy off his horse, and the escapees got on to the horse, and galloped into the bush. They have been tracked, and hopes are entertained that they will be soon captured. They are armed with revolvers taken from the gaolers.

The tragic affair has cast quite a gloom over the town.

The warder, Mitchell, is still lingering, but no hopes are held out of his recover.

Later.

On the prisoners getting to the gaol yard, they cut Thurstone‘s irons, leaving the sockets on the legs, and crossed the river at the upper end of the scrub, near the old engine, McMahon’s station. The Police Magistrate and trackers on on their tracks.

Constable Mitchell died at 7 am. to-day. Warder Langley is much prostrated, and quite ill from the effects of the encounter, and will not be able to resume his duties for a time.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/62013902?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#reloadOnBack

The South Australian Advertiser                Monday  16 March 1885                      page 5 of 8

A good deal of excitement prevails at Coonamble consequent upon the death of Mitchell, the gaolor (sic) of the local prison, from the effects of a wound caused by his being shot at by a prisoner named Angel, who recently escaped from gaol with another prisoner named Thurston.

The men Angel and Thurston, who escaped into the bush, have not yet been tracked, although search parties are in pursuit.

The Government has offered £200 reward for their capture.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/35978352?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#pstart2698000

The Brisbane Courier                                     Tuesday  17 March 1885                      page 6 of 8

The troopers sent out in search of the escaped prisoners Angel and Thurstone, who are charged with the murder of gaoler Mitchell at Coonamble, returned last night without finding any trace of the criminals.

Mitchell was buried on Sunday.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3440123?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#reloadOnBack

Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal            Tuesday  17 March 1885                   page 3 of 4

THE TRAGEDY IN COONAMBLE GAOL.

The following, which is a more detailed account of the shooting of the gaoler, Constable Mitchell, and the escape of two prisoners from the Coonamble gaol, is abridged from the Coonamble Independent : —

After the trial of the prisoner Thomas Angel, at the Quarter Sessions, he, together with two other convicted men, Thurston and Courtney, was locked up for the night in a cell in the gaol.

Thurston had riveted irons on, whilst Angel, who it was surmised was shamming illness, and Courtney, were unfettered.

On the following morning, Mitchell gave orders to the warder to leg-iron Courtney, who was told off to act as cook. The warder was in the act of stooping down to leg-iron Courtney when the three prisoners set upon him, got him down, and endeavoured to strangle him. They seized his revolver in the struggle, leaving him powerless and half stunned. Mitchell jumped into the cell to assist the warder, and it is surmised, was tripped up by Courtney. Mitchell regained his feet and Angel was standing at the cell door with the revolver in his hand, Thurston having gone outside, and Courtney being on the inside.

Angel told the warder that if he (the latter) attempted to stir he would blow his brains out. At this juncture Mitchell jumped from Courtney towards Angel, when the latter deliberately shot at Mitchell. The gaoler fell from the effects of the shot, leaving the warder disabled, and Courtney in the cell. The door of the cell was thereupon bolted by either Angel or Thurston on the outside.

Thurston rushed down the passage with a tomahawk in his hand, and Angel went into the guard room. Angel ran quickly to a Mrs. Canham who was present, caught hold of her by the hand, and wanted to lock her up in a cell. She refused to go, when Angel held the revolver to her forehead. After some parleying, Angel let Mrs. Canham’s hand go, and the two men went through the front door.

Drs. Cortis and Tressider, were quickly in attendance, and upon examination it was found that poor Mitchell was shot in the right breast, the bullet having passed clean through his body, coming out at the lower portion of his back.

From the first the case was pronounced hopeless and the deepest sympathy was evinced for the unfortunate gaoler, his wife, and family.

Poor Mitchell, after lingering until Friday morning, succumbed to the effects of the bullet wound, and his untimely end is universally and deeply regretted. He was a thoroughly efficient officer, esteemed at headquarters, and deservedly respected in Coonamble.

He leaves a wife and children totally unprovided for.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/62015438?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#pstart6174339

Launceston Examiner ( Tasmania )                        Tuesday  24 March 1885                 page 2 of 4

A verdict of wilful murder has been returned against the escaped prisoner Angel and his companion Thurston, also against another prisoner who was in the cell at Coonamble Gaol when Warder Mitchell was shot.

The two men have not as yet been re-captured, and the Government have offered £200 reward.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/38297541?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#pstart2934593

Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal ( NSW )                   Wednesday  25 March 1885                  page 2 of 8

MURDER OF ACTING-GAOLER MITCHELL —

The following notice appears in Friday’s Gazette:-

Whereas on the morning of the 12th instant, two prisoners, named William White, alias Thurston and Thomas Angel Hobson, escaped from the Coonamble Gaol ; and whereas one of the said offenders, previous to escape, fired at and mortally wounded Constable John Mitchell, the Acting-Gaoler, who has since died; and whereas at a Coroner’s inquest held upon the body of the said John Mitchell, a verdict of wilful murder was returned against the said offenders, William White, alias Thurston and Thomas Angel alias Hobson, and James Alfred Courteney, who was confined in the same cell with the two prisoners who escaped.

Notice is hereby given that a reward of £200 will be paid by Government for such information as shall lead to the apprehension of each of the said offenders, William White alias Thurston and Thomas Angel alias Hobson.

Description of Offenders. —

White alias Thurston, is 29 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, medium build, brown hair and eyes ; a native of New South Wales ; a drover.

Angel alias Hobson, is 27 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, dark, beard and whiskers, good looking.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/62015748?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#pstart6174276

The Goulburn Evening Penny Post                Thursday  26 March 1885                     page 2 of 6

Evening News ( Sydney )                                          Friday  27 March 1885                      page 3 of 8

COWRA.                  March 25.

The Victim of a Ruffian.—   The deepest regret and sympathy were evinced here when it became known that Constable Mitchell, formerly lock-up keeper of this town, had been shot dead by one of the prisoners in the gaol at Coonamble, where he was acting gaoler at the time of his melancholy death.

The deceased leaves a wife — very ill at the time of the occurrence — and two little children.

All the particulars of the case are by this time very well known to our readers, so that we will not state them here.

After the perpetration of the cowardly deed, the murderer and one of his accomplices escaped from the gaol, and have since eluded all attempts at capture. A large reward has been offered for their capture.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/111180347?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#pstart11784420

Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal                              Saturday  28 March 1885                  page 2 of 12

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/62017047?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#reloadOnBack

The Sydney Morning Herald                 Tuesday  31 March 1885                         page 7 of 12

A man was arrested at Granville last evening by Constables Harrison and Wilson on suspicion of being Angel, the Coonamble gaol escapee, who shot Warder Mitchell on the 12th instant. The man corresponds in almost every particular with the description given of Angel. He is very reticent, however, and, in reply to the questions of the police, he merely slated that he was a shearer. He will be brought up before the local Bench to-morrow.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13581284?searchTerm=constable%20mitchell&searchLimits=l-decade=188|||sortby=dateAsc|||l-year=1885|||l-category=Article|||l-month=3#reloadOnBack

The South Australian Advertiser dated 13 April, 1885 described the shooting and capture of the murderers.

CAPTURE AND DEATH OF THE COONAMBLE MURDERERS.   Sydney, April 13.

The Coonamble murderers were captured on Friday night by Sergeant Burns and Constable McKinley at Mr. Stewart’s store, Green’s Swamp. On the arrival of the police at the door of the store Thurston immediately shot Stewart dead. Constable McKinley and Sergeant Burns then fired simultaneously, and killed Thurston and severely wounded Angel, who has since been removed to the Gulgong lockup. Medical assistance was immediately obtained. Inquests will be held to-morrow. Later intelligence has just been received stating that the prisoner Angel died on Sunday morning in gaol. Both prisoners were fully identified. The tragedy caused great excitement.

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Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 – 1954), Wednesday 9 April 1919, page 3

Our Sydney correspondent telegraphed last night : –Mrs. Georgina Mitchell, matron of the Central Police Station, Sydney, died suddenly on Monday night. She was a recognised fingerprint authority, and had a remarkable memory for prints. Her husband, Constable John Mitchell, was shot dead by two prisoners, Angel and White, when they were escaping from “Coonamble Gaol in 1885.”

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66483099

Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1886 – 1942),

Friday 11 April 1919, page 4

First Family Member Details

Family Stories

Life in Australia:

After migrating to Australia some time before about 1876, John Mitchell spent the first few months in Queensland before moving to New South Wales where he spent the remaining years of his life.

He worked as a coachman before joining the Foot Police on 27 September 1878. When 25 years old he married Georgina Diehm (24) at Lidsdale, Wallerawang. John Mitchell was promoted to Constable First Class on February 1884. He was transferred to Coonamble to replace the lockup keeper who had died from heatstroke on 7 January. On 12 March 1885 he was shot when trying to prevent the escape from gaol of bushrangers Angel and Thurston. He died the next day. With his wife and two children – three year old John George Alexander and six month old William James McRae – John Mitchell had been living in the residential portion of the building which had been erected in Aberford Street in 1877 as the Court House/Watch House. At that time and until 1886, it served as the Police Station as well as lockup keeper’s residence attached to the gaol.

A statue of John Mitchell, standing on a pedestal in front of the Police Station in Aberford Street, Coonamble, was unveiled by his great grandson on 12 March 1996. Police and civic dignitaries, Coonamble citizens and Mitchell family descendants were present at the ceremony. John Mitchell was shot in the building which stood on the site in 1885. The plaque reads:

Dedicated to the memory of Constable First Class John Mitchell, Born Scotland 1856

NSW Police Service 27.9.1878 to 13.3.1885

Shot whilst on duty near this site on 12.3.1885 during the escape from Coonamble lock-up by prisoners

Thomas Angel (alias Hobson) and William White (alias Thurston).

Constable Mitchell died from his wounds 13.3.1885 and was laid to rest in the old Coonamble Cemetery

Erected in his honour by the police and citizens of Coonamble and District 12.3.1996.

Georgina Diehm was born 16 February 1860 at Swyers Swamp, NSW, daughter of Johann Georg Michael Diehm and Maria Eva Flegler (see separate file in First Families 2001).

Georgina married her husband John Mitchell at Lidsdale in 1880. After only five years of marriage, she was widowed. She raised her two sons alone and most of spent the remaining years of her life in Sydney.

You and Your Family:

I am Kathy Pearson, nee Dwyer, wife of Bruce Pearson who is the great grandson of John and Georgina. We have three adult children and three grandchildren. My email address is kathypea@yahoo.com.au and we live in Cundletown, NSW. Apart from the first generation of children of each couple, I have entered only my, or Bruce’s, direct line of descent, for the purpose of protecting the privacy of those relatives who may not wish to have their details included. However, if any other descendants of these couples wish to have their families included, please contact me.

See also Margaret Bohan; Annie Clement; William Clement; Melina Clothier; Sarah Coleman; James Colley; Johann Georg Michael Diehm; Oliver Dwyer; Eleanor Ewing; John Farley; Maria Farley; Maria Eva Flegler; Lucy Hetherington; Jemima Hughes; George Hutchinson; Margaret MacFarlane; Donald McDermid; Duncan McDermid; Sarah McDermid; Christopher McRae; Jonathan Pearson; Anne Taylor Pretty; Mary Stewart; Peter Thomas; James Pater Field Walker; Josiah Wesley Walker.

Life Before Australia:

John Mitchell was born in Glasgow in 1856, the son of John Mitchell and Ellen McRae.

Descendants

NB: Superscript behind each descendant name represents the lineage number of that descendant.
This family information was last updated by KATHY PEARSON on the 11 February, 2001.

http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/10421/20041220-0000/www.firstfamilies2001.net.au/firstfamilyf370-2.html

Bernard Joseph John DOWLING

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

Horse Accident

Brewarrina

22 old

Death:  Reported as 11 January, 1882 but grave stone indicates he died on 19 January 1882.

On 11 January, 1882 the constable was riding near Milroy Station, Brewarrina, when his horse bolted and threw him against a tree. He landed across the saddle and was then dragged some distance. Unfortunately Constable Dowling had received severe injuries and despite being treated by a doctor, he passed away the following day.

The Maitland Mercury reported on 14 January, 1882 that “Yesterday evening while mounted Constable Bernard Dowling was riding near Mrs. Whitmarsh’s on Milroy Station, his horse bolted with him and ran him against a tree. He was thrown across the saddle and dragged some distance. A messenger came in for the police and doctor. Dowling was still insensible when the messenger left which was about an hour after the accident. Senior Constable Steele and the doctor left here about midnight.”

The constable was born in Ireland about 1860 and was a single man. At the time of his death he was stationed at Brewarrina.

[blockquote]

Launceston Examiner newspaper, Thursday 2 February 1882, page 1 of 4

DEATHS

DOWLING – Near Brewarrina, N.S.W., Bernard J., son of the late W. P. Dowling, of Launceston, aged 22 years.

[/blockquote]
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5 April 2014:  From Ken Medway, Beyond Courage Facebook page:

We recently visited Brewarrina and located the grave of Bernard Joseph John DOWLING who died in January 1882 as a result of a horse accident.
*
According to his headstone he died on 19 January and was 22 years old being born on 17 July 1859 at Launceston.
*
GPS Location 29 58′ 10S / 146 50′ 46E
Old Catholic Section right over on western fence
Beyond Courage Page 69.
*
A thorough search of the cemetery failed to locate the grave of John Charles DONOVAN aka DONAVON who is also recorded as being buried there. Inquiries with Brewarrina Shire revealed that all records were destroyed some years ago so his precise whereabouts will probably never be known.

NOTE:

From Cal: “See Yackandandah Times story article attached to the death of John Charles DONOVAN.  Body re-interred in Yackandandah Cemetery, Victoria, pre 27 January 1922.”

Edward Mostyn WEBB-BOWEN

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ?

Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations:  ?, Gundagai

Service:  From 11 March 1875 to 23 November 1879 = 4+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born: ? ? 1851

Died on:  Sunday 23 November, 1879

Cause:  Murdered – Shot

Event location:  McGlede’s farm, Wantabadgery

Age:  27 – 28

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Gundagai Cemetery

In November, 1879 a gang of young bushrangers led by Andrew Scott (Captain Moonlite) attacked MacDonald’s farm at Wantabadgery Station, holding the occupants captive for two days and nights. After eating and drinking, the gang moved to a nearby pub, The Australian Arms Hotel, and more hostages were taken.  Eventually one of the captives, Alexander MacDonald, escaped, rode to Wagga Wagga and alerted the police. A party of mounted police were quickly dispatched to the area & arrived at 4am and a gun battle ensued. During a lull in the shooting, while the police retired to await reinforcements, the gang managed to escape.

They then rode to nearby McGlede’s Farm where they again took siege in the farmhouse from the increasing numbers of police who attended from as far away as Gundagai and Adelong. Again a shootout ensued between the two sides. At one stage, one young offender, Gus Wernicke, moved into the yard in an attempt to shoot the police horses and was quickly shot to death. In a further exchange of fire another bushranger, James Nesbitt, was also shot and killed by Senior Constable Webb-Bowen. During this last exchange, Webb-Bowen was also shot in the throat. This wound also proved to be fatal.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 4 December, 1879 reported that “The funeral of Constable Bowen was very largely attended, and partook of a military character. His widow, with her only child, will, we believe, leave for Pembrokeshire, England, where her late husband’s relatives reside. A subscription has been started to present the constables with a substantial reward of their bravery, and of the great service they have done to society.”

At the trial of Scott and his gang for the murder of Constable Webb-Bowen, Mr. Justice Windeyer concluded sentencing by informing him that “Fortunately, your career of crime was promptly cut short by the courage, the vigilance, and the energy of our police, who are entitled to all praise from every man in the community for the prompt manner in which they arrested and brought you to justice. You young men have had an appeal made on your behalf. But I cannot forget that most of the cruel as well as some of the most bloodthirsty crimes which have been committed by the bushranging class in this country have been committed by young men like yourselves, and the question in your case is — what is mercy? Not only to you, but to the youth that are growing up amongst us; and I have been pained to find, through a long experience in our criminal courts that crime amongst our young men is becoming far more frequent than it was. The recommendation in your favour, of course, I will convey to the Executive, but I would remind you that the shadow of death is upon you. Whether it will pass away is not for me to say. The victim of your murder, shot down by you, when in the execution of his duty, will live in the memory of all who admire devotion to the cause of duty and manliness, whilst your fate will only give an additional warning to the reckless criminal that the way of transgressors is hard, and that a felon’s death and an ignominious grave await those who commence a career of crime. It is useless to moralise further on your case.

The senior constable was born in 1851 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 March, 1875. At the time of his death he was stationed at Gundagai.

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/2025629/hero-of-wantabadgery-should-be-remembered/?cs=148

Thursday, 16 January 2014:

TWO Riverina police commands will honour the “Hero of Wantabadgery” – one of their own killed in the exchange of gun fire more than a century ago.

Senior Constable Edward Mostyn Webb-Bowen, known as Edward Bowen, was shot in the neck and died on November 23, 1879 as a result of the wound he sustained.

Now, the Wagga and Cootamundra local area commands (LAC) are working together to restore his grave at Gundagai cemetery.

Staff from the Wagga LAC will meet with Wantabadgery residents on February 1 to discuss ideas regarding a plaque, headstone or statue to honour Sen Con Webb-Bowen.

Wagga police duty officer, Inspector Stephen Radford, labelled the police-led community project – headed by Constable Max Burmeister, who resides in Wantabadgery – as exciting.

“We hope to raise awareness about those who were defending our community and values at a time when bushrangers were a real threat,” Inspector Radford said.

“Unfortunately history has tended to forget the true heroes of this era and instead the names of outlaws such as Captain Moonlight and the Ben Hall Gang, (which are) responsible for the deaths of police officers, hold more recognition than those that did the right thing.

Inspector Radford said the project aimed to help change the imbalance.

Senior Constable Webb-Bowen’s death came after Captain Moonlight and his gang held up Wantabadgery Station one evening in mid-November.

A number of people were taken hostage, and that number increased when the gang moved to the nearby Australian Arms Hotel.

Officers from Wagga police arrived in the early hours of the morning and gunfire was exchanged.

They retreated, waiting for reinforcements from Gundagai, and later visited a farm nearby where they found Captain Moonlight and his gang.

For further information about the project, email waggabowen@police.nsw.gov.au or call Wagga police on 6922 2599.

OFFICIAL OPENING – UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL – SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2015

Hero of Wantabadgery – Senior Constable Edward Webb-Bowen honoured.

Wagga Wagga LAC – NSW Police Force, is honouring the ‘Hero of Wantabadgery’ Senior Constable Edward Mostyn Webb-Bowen who died in an exchange of gun fire in November 1879.

During an evening in mid November 1879, ‘Captain Moonlite’ and his gang held up Wantabadgery Station and took a number of hostages. After eating and drinking, the gang moved to a nearby pub, The Australian Arms Hotel, and more hostages were taken.

At 4am, officers from Wagga Police arrived and gunfire was exchanged with the gang. Officers retreated and waited for reinforcements from Gundagai. On arrival of Gundagai Police, the officers attended nearby McGlede’s farm and found ‘Captain Moonlite’ and his gang.

Shots were exchanged and Senior Constable Webb-Bowen was shot in the neck. On Sunday 23rd November 1879, Senior Constable Webb-Bowen, known as Edward Bowen, died as a result of the gunshot wound.

Project Bowen, was established in 2012 by the Wagga Wagga Police and Wantabadgery community to raise awareness and funds to build a monument to remember Bowen.

Following an, archaeological survey, art exhibition, art auction, generous donations from individuals and local businesses the monument was completed His grave in Gundagai was also restored.

The monument now proudly stands adjacent to the Wantabadgey MacDonald Memorial Hall in Jewnee Street, Wantabadgery.

The memorial will be officially opened at 11:00am on Sunday 13th September 2015 by the Wagga Wagga Local Area Commander Bob Noble.

The opening will include; a display of modern and historic police vehicles, police command bus, police helicopter, horses and re-enactors. People are encouraged to attend in period 1870’- 80’s attire.

Opportunities will be provided to speak to police including the; PolAir – NSW Police Force Airwing, Police Dog Unit – NSW Police Force, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command – NSW Police Force, Women In Policing and Detectives. Interested members of the public are invited to attend and share in this special occasion.

For further information or if you have any enquiries please contact: Detective Inspector Stephen Radford 02 69222599.

George Robert ARMYTAGE

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

&

Michael COSTIGAN

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

Shot – Murdered

Bourke

11 September, 1877

Double Police Murder

On Tuesday 11 September, 1877 Samuel Getting, a barman at the Royal Hotel in Bourke, was speaking with Constable Michael Costigan in the bar of the hotel. The constable had just paid Getting for his room and board, and after having a drink and chatting with the barman for a short time, he left the bar.

Getting, for some unknown reason, also left the bar about that time and went to his room in the hotel, where he took possession of his rifle. He then left his room and walked to the front of the hotel, where he saw Constable Costigan and Constable George Armytage standing on the verandah, having a conversation. He immediately shot both constables from behind before running into the street and attempting to reload his rifle.

Sub Inspector James Keegan, who was nearby, noticed people running toward the river, and when he asked what was happening he was told that Sam, the barman, had shot two of the police and was running away with a loaded gun in his possession.

He then saw Getting running along the bank of the river with a gun in his hand, being chased by several people. The inspector then went towards these people and told them to move away from Getting so he could speak with him. He then followed Getting for a short distance along the river until he stopped and waited for the inspector to approach. The inspector then spent some time talking with the offender and trying to get him to surrender, all the while edging closer as he spoke.

At a later inquest, the inspector described what happened next.

 “I rushed at him, being at this time between 10 and 15 paces from him. The ground was very muddy, and there was a gully between us. I got my hands upon him being beneath the gun, and we both stumbled and nearly fell. He again got a few paces from me, turned round, took deliberate aim, and shot at me. He called to me to keep back. I knew I was shot, but it did not weaken me, and I still went forward.

He then raised the gun, holding it by the barrel, and struck me on the head. I put up my arm to ward off the blow, and it bruised my arm very much and cut my head. He struck me several times, and I at length secured the gun. He then ran parallel with the river for a few yards, and as I followed him he suddenly plunged into the river, and kept his head beneath the water until he was drowned. He went but a short distance into the river.

That is his body I have recently seen lying in an outhouse. He had plenty of opportunity of shooting me at first had he so desired, but he did not attempt to do so until I sought to arrest him. When he shot at me, one shot struck me near the eye, two shots went into my coat, two entered my chest, and two others grazed it. 

The Deceased…was a man of very good character and very good behaviour, and I can ascribe no motive for his acts. He said he had no intention of doing what he did, and that he had loaded the gun to go out for some duck shooting.”

Constable Costigan was born in 1853 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 September, 1873. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bourke.

Constable Armytage was born in 1855 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 4 May, 1877. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bourke.

Grave Location/s:

ARMITAGE: 30 06′ 03S / 145 56′ 12E
Old C of E, Bourke

COSTIGAN: 30 06′ 05S / 145 56′ 14E
Old Catholic, Bourke

Andrew SUTHERLAND

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. # ‘Q‘ 1099

For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )

Rank:  Constable – appointed 7 January 1863

Senior Sergeant – appointed ? ? ?

Final Rank:  Senior Sergeant

Stations:  ?, Cowra – Death ?

Service:  From 7 January 1863 to  1 May 1872 = 9+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born: ? ? 1840, Wick, Scotland

Died on:  1 May 1872

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Event location:  Binni Creek, Cowra, NSW

Age: 31

Funeral date:

Funeral location:

Buried at:  Anglican section of the Young General cemetery

Memorial at:  Cowra Police Station, 88 Brisbane St, Cowra, NSW

ANDREW IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On 1 May, 1872 the sergeant was returning to Cowra from Bathurst Court.

During his journey he was told that two men who were wanted for robbery, George Gray and William Bristow, were at Daniel Horan‘s hut at Binnie Creek, twelve miles from Cowra.

The sergeant rode over to investigate and as he neared the door of the dwelling the offenders suddenly emerged and shot him to death.

The Clarence and Richmond Examiner dated 7 May, 1872 provided a brief account of the tragedy, which tends to suggest that the offenders were known to the sergeant.

SERGEANT SUTHERLAND SHOT DEAD BY BUSHRANGERS –

CARCOAR ” Thursday – I regret to have to announce that Sergeant Sutherland, of the Cowra police force, was shot dead last evening, by bushrangers, at a place about five miles from Cowra.

It appears that two armed men called on a settler named Daniel Oram, whose house is distant about two miles from Cowra and demanded food, which he placed on the table for them.

Sergeant Sutherland, who was going home from the Bathurst Assizes, rode up to the door during the meal, and was dismounting, when one of the men stopped to the door, gun in hand, and said, “I have been looking for you, you wretch,” and then shot him through the heart, causing instant death.

The men then went off and Oram started to Cowra, and upon arriving there, informed the police, who are now in pursuit of the murderers.

The fate of the unfortunate but brave officer is universally regretted. He leaves a wife, and had only been married a few months.

The sergeant was born in 1839 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 January, 1863.

At the time of his death he was stationed at Cowra.

The Queenslander

Sat.  9 Aug 1873  p 10

ST. GEORGE.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 31.

We have also to record the arrest of a man named Frank Riley alias George Gray by Sergeant Cranney, on the charge of murdering Senior-sergeant Andrew Sutherland, of the New South Wales force, at Hordern’s hut, Beni Creek, on the 1st of May, 1872.

The prisoner had been staying in town for some few weeks, and left accompanied by another man with the avowed intention of going to the Surat races, but parted with his comrade about three miles from Weribone, his comrade going on into Surat, while he went out into the bush to camp.

Sergeant Cranney, in the meantime, appearing to have some clue to his identity, followed the pair, and finding that only one had reached Surat, returned on his tracks, and camped in the bush for two nights endeavouring to ascertain the whereabouts of the prisoner.

Becoming faint from fasting, he went to Weribone Station for food, and just dropped on to the man he was looking for, and who had also been there on the same errand. The officer arrested him at once, and prisoner was taken to Surat and remanded to Roma, and we believe by this time is on his way to Brisbane.

This is the second arrest of New South Wales offenders made by Sergeant Cranney during the past few months, the other being that of James Madgwick, whose capture and exploits were narrated in your columns a short time since. Sergeant Cranney was also the officer who arrested the notorious Patrick Collins.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27277108

Address: 88 Brisbane Street, Cowra Police Station, Cowra, 2794
State: NSW
Area: AUS

Please Note: GPS Co-ordinates are approximate.

View Google Map

Monument Type: Garden

Theme: People

Sub-Theme: Crime

Description:

A plaque commemorates Sergeant Andrew Sutherland who was fatally shot in the line of duty as a New South Wales Police officer.

Sergeant Second Class Andrew Sutherland was shot whilst on duty at Binni Creek near Cowra on May 1, 1872. On May 1, 1872 he was returning to Cowra from Bathurst Court. En route he was told two offenders wanted for robbery, George Gray and William Bristow, were at Daniel Horan’s hut at Binni Creek, 12 miles from Cowra.

The Sergeant rode over to investigate and as he approached the door of the dwelling, two offenders emerged and shot and killed him. Gray and Bristow were subsequently arrested but both were later released without charge. No-one was ever convicted of the crime.

Actual Event Start Date: 01-May-1872

Actual Event End Date: 01-May-1872

Actual Monument Dedication Date: 01-March-2012

Front Inscription:

In memory of
Senior Sergeant Andrew SUTHERLAND

who was fatally shot whilst on police duty
at Binni Creek near Cowra
on the 1st May 1872.

http://monumentaustralia.org.au/australian_monument/display/97891?image=1

John McCABE

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  Q 1181

For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )

Rank:  Constable – appointed Monday  23 February 1863

Senior Constable

Stations:  Biree  ( see description below )

Service:  From 23 February 1863 to  1 November 1868 = 5+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1828, Ireland

Event date:  Tuesday  6 October 1868

Died on:  Sunday  1 November 1868

Place of Event:  Enngonia, NSW

Place of death:  ?

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Age:  39 – 40

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Bourke Old C of E Cemetery, Gorrell Ave & Kidman Way, Bourke, NSW

GPS – 30 06′ 05S / 145 56′ 14E

Memorial at:  ?

JOHN IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On 6 October, 1868 Constable McCabe was searching an area near the Queensland border for bushrangers Frank Pearson (Captain Starlight) and Charles Rutherford. He was accompanied by Constable Hugh McManus of the Queensland Police Force. During their patrol the police stopped for supplies at Shearer’s Inn, Enngonia (about 100 kilometres from Bourke). While they were so engaged, two riders appeared and entered the inn. Almost immediately, Pearson yelled “Bail up!” with the obvious intention of robbing those present. The two police, who had taken their weapons into the inn, turned and fired at the two offenders. Constable McCabe, who had dropped to one knee and fired, was shot in the chest, however he managed to fire several times, hitting Pearson in the wrist and right arm. The two bushrangers then ran from the inn and escaped. After rallying for almost a month, Constable McCabe died as a result of both his wound and the resultant infection. ( This murder is sometimes incorrectly attributed to small-time New England thug and armed robber Fred “Thunderbolt” Ward ).

The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser of 27 October, 1868 featured a lengthy article, informing its readers that “Immediately upon the termination of the encounter a special messenger was dispatched from Shearer’s to Bourke, a distance of seventy five miles, for medical assistance. Dr. Roberts, in company with Sergeant Cleary, were promptly upon the spot and the ball has been extracted from McCabe. Its course was through the left breast, passing through a part of the lungs, and finally lodging under the shoulder-blade. Although in a critical state from such a dangerous wound, Dr. Roberts anticipates a favourable result.”

Despite the doctor’s confident prognosis, however, Senior Constable McCabe passed away a few weeks later.

The senior constable was born in 1828 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 23 February, 1863. At the time of his death he was stationed at Biree (Brewarrina).  Biree (a small outpost Station believed to exist only from 1865 to 1869 in the river country between Brewarrina and Enngonia).

Newcastle Chronicle (NSW : 1866 – 1876),

Thursday 19 November 1868, page 3

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article111330794.txt

Location: 30 06′ 05S / 145 56′ 14E
Old C of E, Bourke.
Same GPS as ARMYTAGE as they are adjacent as can be seen in the long shot of the grave.

Thomas MADDEN

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ????

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  ? , Bathurst

Service:  From  20 January 1864  to 30 April 1867 = 3+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born: ? ? 1836 – 1837, County Mayo, Ireland

Died on:  30 April 1867

Cause:  Accidentally Shot – ” Friendly fire “

Event location:  Pulpit Hill ( near Katoomba )

Age: 30

Funeral date:

Funeral location:

Buried at:  Hartley Cemetery, Great Western Hwy, Hartley, NSW

Location of Grave:  a/a

Memorial location:

photo courtesy of:  http://livonne.com.au/2013/03/02/in-the-line-of-duty/

THOMAS IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On the 29 April, 1867 a party of eight police led by Sergeant Walter Casey camped at Pulpit Hill (near present day Katoomba) with fifteen or sixteen ‘heavily ironed’ prisoners they were escorting from Bathurst Court to Darlinghurst Gaol.

At midnight Constable Madden took his turn to watch over the lockup in which the prisoners were housed. When he was relieved at 2am by Constable Hitchcox, Constable Madden went to check the prisoners. When he opened the door of the lockup, the prisoners, who had apparently been waiting for their chance to escape, rushed the constable. Sergeant Casey, who realised what was occurring, began firing at the prisoners. Unfortunately, of the five shots fired by the sergeant, three accidentally struck Constable Madden, inflicting fatal wounds. Two prisoners were also wounded.

The Sydney Morning Herald of

14 May, 1867, page 3  gave news of the inquest into the death of Constable Madden.

INQUEST ON THE BODY OF CONSTABLE MADDEN.

At the inquest held by the District Coroner, at Hartley, on view of the body of the unfortunate deceased Constable Thomas Madden, who was accidentally shot by Sergeant Casey while resisting the attempt of prisoners to escape from the lockup at Pulpit Hill, depositions were taken.

The jury returned the following verdict – “That on the 30th day of April last, at Pulpit Hill, the said Thomas Madden died from pistol shot wounds, fired by Sergeant Casey while in the execution of his duty, and not by any other violent means whatever to the knowledge of the said jurors, did die.” The jury also added that they consider no blame attached to Sergeant Casey.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13138796

The constable was born in Ireland and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 January, 1864 at the age of 28 years. He had previously served in the Royal Irish Constabulary. At the time of his death he was a mounted trooper in the New South Wales Police Force and was stationed at Bathurst.

NSW BDM – Death  5356/1867

I visited this grave today, Saturday 29 October 2016 and it is still in great shape.

Cal

Thomas CANTY

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  ?, ( Berrima Police Force & stationed at Nattai

Service:  From ? ? ?  to  25 June 1866 = around 5 years Service

Awards:  ?

Born: ? ? ?, Glowenties, Shanagold in Limerick, Ireland

Event date: Monday  25 June 1866

Event location:  New Sheffield (Mittagong)

Died on:  Wednesday  27 June 1866

Cause:  Fall

Age: 49

Funeral date: Friday  29 June 1866

Funeral location:

Buried at:  Berrima cemetery, Olbury Rd, Berrima

Catholic Section, Row 6, Plot 14

Memorial location:

[alert_red]THOMAS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_red]   * BUT SHOULD BE

Constable Canty died following a fall down a railway cutting at New Sheffield at night, as he made his way home to Berrima. He had earlier been to Bowral to warn a witness for court. He suffered severe spinal injuries in the fall and lay injured at the base of the cutting until morning. New Sheffield is now Mittagong.

The incident was reported in some detail by the Empire dated Saturday 30 June 1866.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT NEW SHEFFIELD.  ”An accident of a fatal character, resulting in the death of Constable Canty, of the Berrima police, occurred on Monday last. The deceased ( who was stationed at New Sheffield ) had been to Bowral to warn a witness to attend before the Berrima bench of magistrates on the following day to give his evidence in a case which was there to be brought before them and was on his return home when he fell down a cutting of the Great Southern Railway on the Mittagong side of the Gib tunnel.

The night was pitch dark and miserably wet, and it is supposed that the foot of the deceased must have slipped over some of the clay soil, which abounds in the neighbourhood. The cutting was about sixty feet deep, and the unfortunate man lay in a pool at the bottom for several hours, until some workmen were on the following morning attracted to the spot by the howling of the deceased’s dog. Having ascertained that somebody was lying below, the men took prompt measures to effect his release, and afterwards conveyed him to his home.

A messenger was immediately despatched to Berrima for medical aid, and no time was lost by Dr. Williamson in repairing to the scene of the sad and melancholy disaster.

Notwithstanding, however, that every effort was made which medical skill could suggest, the unfortunate man breathed his last at a late hour on Wednesday night. On Thursday a magisterial inquiry was held before G. H.Rowley, Esq., P.M., and a post mortem examination was made by Dr. Williamson, who found that the immediate cause of death was a spinal injury, which had doubtless been received by Canty in his fall.

The deceased had been in the police force of this colony up-wards of five years, and was always held in good repute as an efficient officer. A lasting testimony to the esteem in which he was held by residents in the district was afforded by the large and respectable assemblage which followed his remains to their resting place in Berrima cemetery on Friday last.  A wife and a large family are left to lament their loss.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/60598138

At the time of his death the constable had apparently been a member of the police force for about five years and was stationed at Berrima.

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The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser     Tuesday  3 July 1866    p 4

Constable Canty, of the Berrima police, was recently out on duty, and in the darkness of the night fell down a cutting of the Great Southern Railway, sixty feet deep. The next morning some people were attracted to the spot by the howling of his dog and be was removed ; but on the following day he died from the spinal injury he had suffered.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18722657

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The Sydney Morning Herald      Wednesday  24 January 1866     p 7

ALLEGED MURDER AT NEW SHEFFIELD.

…………  Thomas Canty, being duly sworn, deposed:  I am a constable attached to the Berrima police force, and am stationed at Nattai  ‘ about 1 o’clock on Sunday morning last, John Forward knocked at my door ………..

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13125295

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Samuel NELSON

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ?

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Moreton Bay, Collector ( 7.5 years )

Service:  From  5 August 1857  to  26 January 1865 = 7+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1823 – arrived in N.S.W., from England, aboard the ship ‘ Parsee ‘ in 1855

Died on:  26 January 1865

Cause:  Shot – murdered

Location of Event:  Collector, NSW

Age:  38

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Grave in the C of E portion of the Catholic and C of E Cemetery, Collector

Grave:  34 54’54S, 149 25’51E

Monument:  34 54’44S, 149 25’53E

[alert_green]THOMAS IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]

Shortly before 6pm on 26 January, 1865 bushrangers Hall, Dunn and Gilbert attacked Kimberley’s Inn at Collector. At the time the local police were out searching the area for the bushrangers, and the only man on duty in town was the lockup-keeper, Constable Nelson. When news of the attack reached the constable, he remarked to his wife that he would simply “have to do his best” against the gang. As he approached the hotel, armed only with a police carbine with bayonet attached, the constable was shot by Dunn who had hidden behind a fence post. Nelson was hit in the chest by a shotgun blast and, as he staggered, Dunn fired again, hitting him in the face. He died almost instantly.

The bushrangers then stole the constable’s personal belongings and the carbine, and escaped. The entire incident had been witnessed by young Frederick Nelson, one of the constable’s nine children, who was also fired at by Dunn. Frederick Nelson would later go on to have a long and successful police career himself. Hall, Dunn and Gilbert all met with violent deaths shortly after this incident. Hall and Gilbert were shot dead by police, and Dunn was convicted of Constable Nelson’s murder and was hanged: fitting results for this extremely violent gang of criminals.

Many years after the murder the Australian Town and Country Journal dated 27 November, 1907 printed the following story.

BUSH RANGING DAYS RECALLED.

When Mr. Carruthers, in his capacity of Premier, visited the country some time ago, a spot was pointed out to him at Collector, in the Goulburn district, at which Constable Nelson was shot dead over 40 years ago, while assisting in the capture of the notorious bushranger, John Dunn. The then Premier promised that a suitable monument would be erected to mark the spot, and that has just been completed by Messrs. Ross and Bowman, of Pitt-street. It will be unveiled at an early date by the Treasurer, Mr. Waddell. The Metropolitan Superintendent of Police, Mr. Sherwood, has received a photo of the monument, which stands 9ft 6in high. It shows the stump of what “was at that time a tree near where Nelson stood when he received the fatal wound, and another higher stump behind which some of those held up by the outlaws took refuge. The monument bears the following inscription near the base: “Erected by the Government of New South Wales to the memory of Constable Samuel Nelson, who was shot dead on this spot while in the execution of his duty, by the outlaw John Dunn, January 26, 1865.” On the other side are the words, “In memory of a brave officer”.

The constable was born in 1823 and joined the police force on 5 August, 1857. In 1862 he became a member of the newly-formed New South Wales Police Force. At the time of his death he was stationed at Collector.

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Wollongong police memorials

The NSW Police Force carries on its logo the phrase “Proud Traditions since 1862“, but capturing the history of these traditions at an operational level has never been a priority for the force.

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/602982/wollongong-police-memorials/

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Grave in the C of E portion of the Catholic and C of E Cemetery, Collector.

Sydney Morning Herald, 28 January 1865, p 7

Nelson, Samuel (1827–1865)

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• Tim the Yowie Man

It’s the murderous event which put the village of Collector on the map. On  January 26, 1865, outlaw John Dunn shot dead Constable Samuel Nelson outside the Kimberley Inn while his partners in crime, the notorious Ben Hall and Johnny Gilbert raided the hotel.

The brave Nelson, on being informed that the Hall Gang  was in town, had earlier marched defiantly from the nearby police station towards the hotel with the aim of stopping the infamous mob of bushrangers in their tracks.

Next Sunday, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the dramatic hold-up, a Wild Colonial Day is being held in Collector in which descendants of both Nelson and the Hall Gang  will converge on the town.

One of the most anticipated highlights of the day is the planned re-enactment of the tragic events of January 26, 1865. Although playing out such a momentous event in our region’s history will be no doubt be entertaining for the crowd, I don’t envy the performers of the Gold Trails Re-enactment Group who will need to settle on an agreed sequence of events that unfolded on that fateful day in 1865, the exact details of which appear to have been lost in the mists of time.

One person who has spent months poring over the evidence is Boyd Trevithick, Nelson’s great-great-grandson. In doing research for his family history book, Believe Nothing That You Hear and Only Half of What You See: a compilation of sundry articles, facts, photographs, maps, poems and family anecdotes dating back to 1087AD, (self-published, 2011) Trevithick reports he was “constantly confronted with conflicting accounts”.

“Discrepancies exist as to precisely where John Dunn stood to shoot, what course Nelson took, the distance from which the shooting occurred, the times of the day, the words uttered, whether Nelson staggered forwards, backwards or towards the road and where exactly Nelson fell,” explains Trevithick.

Trevithick isn’t the only one to have struggled to provide a definitive account of the details leading up  to Nelson’s death. Respected historian, the late Stuart Hume, whose widely lauded article  published in the Goulburn Evening Post on January 26, 1965, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Nelson’s death, wrote “to try and get an accurate account of what actually did occur is to find the wayside strewn with garbled, highly coloured accounts from old hands who’d ‘heered telled’ arguments from bush lawyers with a misguided sympathy for the bushrangers and bush balladists using poetic licence to cover a multitude of sins”.

Two of the most contentious issues concern what have subsequently become Collector landmarks – first, a rotting wooden stump standing next to the Bushranger Hotel, and second, Nelson’s final resting place.

1. Stumped

Trevithick reports that his “family members have handed down two versions of the role the stump played in events of 26 January 1865,” and he cites the following references to illustrate these disparate accounts.

The Queanbeyan Age (11/2/1908) reports “… The railing encloses the stump near which Nelson stood when he received his fatal wound.” Meanwhile, The Sydney Morning Herald (10/2/1908) reports “. Inside the railing [of the memorial] is one of the posts of the fence behind which Dunn concealed himself on approach of the Constable …”

Regardless of the significance of the stump, cynics have questioned whether it’s plausible that a 150-year-old stump could still be standing, suggesting that perhaps the stump isn’t the original from 1865 and, is, in fact, a ‘replacement’.

2. Grave diggers

Nelson died during the height of summer and with no morgue within cooee of the Collector, Hume reports, “research indicates that he was hastily buried without the aid of a minister in the grounds of the police station [still operational] … over the grave they struck a willow stave which grew, and, in the course of time, only the willow wept there”.

“Although there is currently no marked grave in the grounds of the police station, some old-timers did recall a willow growing there mid last century,” reports life-long local Gary Poile. However, the precise location of the willow may be a moot point for those who wish to pay their respects to the slain police officer, for it appears that Nelson was unlawfully exhumed  about 50 years later.

Hume reveals that “just after World War I someone decided to remove Nelson’s remains from the Police Station without an exhumation order or permission from the family”. “Not knowing exactly where Nelson lay…they sank several ‘duffers’ till they struck paydust in the shape of the constable’s bones. These they reverently gathered and crawling through a hole in the dividing fence put them in a grave alongside the Kimberleys [in the neighbouring cemetery].”

According to Hume, with the public becoming more history conscious, some years later a cross was  placed on the freshly dug unmarked grave in the cemetery and inscribed “Constable Nelson 1865”.

Neither Hume (nor Trevithick) uncovered the identity of those who allegedly moved Nelson’s bones, nor their motives. Trevithick hypothesises that it may have been “so that Nelson was buried in consecrated ground”.

While snooping around Collector this week I bumped into a couple of bushranger-era enthusiasts who questioned whether Nelson’s remains were moved at all. The duo suggested that a ground-penetrating radar, or perhaps something even more invasive, ought to be employed to prove the presence of remains.

I don’t know about you, but I think poor old Constable Nelson suffered enough trauma in the final moments of his life and that he should be left to lie in peace, wherever that may be.

Fact file

Collector Wild Colonial Day: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the day Constable Samuel Nelson was killed on duty by John Dunn outside the Bushranger Hotel. Next Sunday,  January 25, from 10am–4pm in Collector Village (about a 30-minute drive north of Canberra on the Federal Highway). Free admission.

Expect: Historical displays, re-enactments, bush poetry, author talks, food, wine, local produce, art and craft. Devonshire tea and all day barbecue.

For the kids: Horse and cart rides, face painting (small charge) and bushranger activities (if you dare!) all day.

Shoot-outs: The Gold Trails Re-enactment Group will perform a realistic re-enactment of the murder of Constable Nelson at 3pm near the Collector Police Station (Bourke St) and again outside the Bushranger Hotel (Church St) about 6pm.

Become a star: At midday, there will be a re-enactment of the trial of John Dunn, including an opportunity for “extras” to participate (scripts will be provided).

Don’t miss: The rare collection of guns and equipment used by bushrangers and police during the colonial period (in the Memorial Hall).

Nelson’s Grave: Located in the Anglican Cemetery in Bourke St.  About 3.30pm, the NSW Police Chaplain will lead a graveside Memorial Service, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony.

The stump: Takes pride of place next to Nelson’s Memorial outside the Bushranger Hotel. Unfortunately, there’s precious little information on the state of the stump in 1865, so it’s difficult to determine if it’s the original. However, if any suitably qualified foresters would like to offer an educated opinion, I’d love to hear from you.

More: www.facebook.com/Nelson150 or ph: 0423 672 153

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Gang-gang: 150 years ago – Constable Samuel Nelson shot in Collector

One hundred and fifty years ago this week the brigands Ben Hall, John Gilbert and John Dunn descended on Collector and Dunn shot dead brave constable Samuel Nelson. The gang fled. The Sydney press throbbed with the news. The murder was on 26 January and the inquest, held at Collector the next day, was reported in great and grisly detail by the Sydney Morning Herald. 

Frederick Nelson, 18, eldest son of the dead man’s many children, saw his father shot dead.

” ‘A bushranger sprang from behind the fence and called to my father to stand, and fired immediately afterwards [with a shotgun], on which my father staggered into the road and called out “Oh!”. The bushranger fired again and my father fell. I heard his carbine fall from his hands on to the ground.

“Dr. Hanford deposed: I have made a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased; I found a bullet wound midway between the nose and the ear on the left side of the face; also a wound, two inches long and two and a half inches broad, on the left side of the chest, and twenty shot marks round the wound; on examining the cavity of the chest, I found the heart lacerated … I found several shots in the liver … the stomach was perforated. Death resulted from the wounds I have described and no other cause.

“The jury returned a verdict that deceased was wilfully murdered by John Dunn, and that Benjamin Hall and John Gilbert were aiding and abetting.”

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-life/ganggang-150-years-ago–constable-samuel-nelson-shot-in-collector-20150126-12yg5f.html

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The New City of Canterbury Bankstown

Samuel Nelson

Samuel Nelson was born in 1828 in Chesterton, Oxfordshire, England. His Father was Samuel Nelson and mother Elizabeth Taylor. In England he married Elizabeth Goode who was born in 1828.^[1]

They came on the ship called “Parcee” and arrived in Sydney on 11th January 1853. Samuel and Elizabeth could both read and write. They came with their three children who were born in England, Fredrick 6 years born 1846, Henry 1848 4 years, Jonas 2 years 1850. While the ship was at sea Elizabeth Nelson gave birth to Matilda Parcee Nelson. The ship anchored in Sydney and then proceeded to Queensland.^[2]

Samuel Nelson worked at Drayton Darling Down’s then made his way to Collector N.S.W. which is between Canberra and Goulburn. Four more children were born at Collector Emma born 1857, Samuel 1860, David 1862 and Thomas 1864.

It was on a Thursday, Foundation Day 26th January 1865 in the country town of Collector, when the team of bushrangers, John Dunn and his group, were spotted in the District. They had bailed up Judge F.W. Meymott and two escorting troopers at Geary’s Gap a few miles south of the town. The gang of bushrangers were almost on the outskirts of Collector, when they bailed up a bootmaker named Tom Menzy; three farmers named Mitchell and William Deveron and James Bull; and a 16 year old boy named Henry Nelson – the constable’s son.

At the police station Constable Samuel Nelson was studying his day’s labour. He had chopped a good supply of wood and his gardens were in fine shape. He was looking forward to cleaning up a hearty supper and a quiet evening with his family, including his wife who was eight months pregnant with their ninth child. Suddenly, a young girl came running towards him calling “Mr Nelson come quickly the bushrangers are at the Kimberley’s Inn”, then shots from Dunn’s gun were heard.^[3]

Samuel Nelson entered the station and put on his uniform, jacket and belt while Elizabeth his wife looked on in surprise. At the trial of Dunn, Kimberley’s Inn Keeper said “John Dunn came back from direction and said there one of your bloody are down”. When somebody asked who was shot Dunn said “a little sandy bugger”. Kimberley replied “I felt sure it was Nelson knowing he was a short sandy man”.

Some of the other people brought in the dead body of Constable Samuel Nelson who had a wound on his cheek and a large wound over his heart. Fredrick Nelson was fired upon by the accused. Henry Nelson was forced to hold the estranger’s horses under the threat of having his brains blown out.^[4]

The trial of John Dunn on the 19th February 1866 jury returned the verdict of guilty, the sentence of John Dunn was to be hanged by the neck till he was dead. On the 19th March 1866 the 19 year old murderer was taken from Darlinghurst to the place of execution and was hanged.

http://www.canterburycommons.net/index.php?title=Samuel_Nelson

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