Brother to Retired NSWPF Member – Kelly French ( # ????? ) & Brother-in-law to Serving Member Insp. Matt French ( # ????? – Kempsey ).
Paul, unfortunately, was still suffering from work related PTSD – even after Retiring from the NSW Police Force.
He collapsed, at home, whilst suffered a heart attack.
His daughter-in-law, Bree, bravely performed CPR until the Paramedics arrived, who then took over CPR and transported him to Coffs Harbour Hospital however Paul did not respond to the treatment and passed away at the Hospital a short time after arrival.
It is hoped that he did not suffer.
May Thornys family remember the good times and know that they did everything possible when needed.
Thorny ” bled blue ” and being part of the Police Force meant the world to him – as too, did his family – even through the darkest hours.
May Thorny forever Rest In Peace.
Paul THORN & Danielle Williams
Paul giving Plasma at the Blood Bank
Paul James THORN AKA THORNY
Paul James THORN
Date listed: 21/3/202011th March 2020, passed unexpectedly, protecting those he loved until the end, late of Boambee East.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Christine, his adored children Chantel, Bradley and their partners Bhodi and Bree.
A cherished son to Simon and Maureen (dec’d).
Brother to Mark, Kelly and their partners Bec and Matt.
Uncle to Bennett, Logan, Alexis, Mitchell, Jaiden, Taj and Jamie.
Beloved friend to many.
Aged 48 Years
Brothers In Arms Please contact Keith Logue & Sons Funeral Directors for Funeral details.
In lieu of floral tributes donations will be taken for a charity close to Paul’s heart, a collection box will be at the Chapel.
Retired Detective Chief Inspector
NSW Police Force
Loving father & father-in-law of Peter, Karen, Craig & Debbie, Scott & Michel.
Devoted grandfather of Jacqueline, Tiffany, Hollie, Connor & Kaitlyn and
great grandfather to their children.
Forever in our hearts
The Funeral Service for Barry will be held at St Andrews Presbyterian Church (McKern St) Wentworthville on Friday, March 20th 2020 commencing at 12 midday, after the service the cortege will proceed to Pinegrove Lawn Cemetery.
Leura Memorial Gardens
4784 3399 4751 8000
Constable Barry INGLIS – 1955
PARRAMATTA DETECTIVES
Back Row ( L – R )
W.A. ALLEN # 14367, D. McMILLAN, D.W. WILLIAMS # 14959, I.W. HAMILTON # 10159, K.R. SHEENS # 11044, L. MELCHIOR # 9268, P. MAYGER # 17359
Upon speaking to Bills brother this afternoon, I believe there will be a Police Honour Guard from a local area command, hence medals will be on the agenda.
Wake location: TBA
Funeral Parlour: TBA
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial located at: ?
NABIL ‘BILL’ ELIAS FROM CABRAMATTA POLICE STATION. BANKSTOWN AIRPORT, NSW. ? APRIL 1980
BILLY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Billy, Midnight Elias was a bloody good bloke who was loud, full of laughter and fun to work with in the old Cabramatta / Fairfield days.
May you forever Rest In Peace my friend.
You and your family have my deepest respect and apology for being unable to attend your funeral on Wednesday.
Your mate
‘ Charlie ‘ / ‘Cal ‘
Greg Callander
FLIGHT OVER WESTERN SUBURBS OF SYDNEY WITH Constable’s Greg Callander, Bill Elias & Phil Charlier. ALL POLICE FROM CABRAMATTA POLICE STATION. BANKSTOWN AIRPORT, NSW. APRIL 1980
FLIGHT OVER WESTERN SUBURBS OF SYDNEY WITH CONSTABLE NABIL ‘BILL’ ELIAS, PHIL CHARLIER AND GREG CALLANDER. BILL ELIAS RUNNING THROUGH THE ‘CHECK LIST’ PRIOR TO OUR FLIGHT.
FLIGHT OVER WESTERN SUBURBS OF SYDNEY WITH CONSTABLE NABIL ‘BILL’ ELIAS, PHIL CHARLIER AND GREG CALLANDER. BANKSTOWN AIRPORT APRIL 1980
Cst 1/c Greg Callander & Constable Nabil Elias at a crime scene in Cabramatta where a couple were menaced by shotgun toting bandits. Around 1980.
Salute’
They gave Bill the keys to a City Bus, Sydney CBD. 2016
Cal & 11.45pm ( Nabil Elias – just isn’t quite dark enough to be midnight ) with the old F100 which we did a lot of shifts in at Cabramatta LAC – NSW Police Force & Fairfield LAC – NSW Police Force back in the 1970’s.
And they even let him at the controls of a train.
David DICKMAN
| 18/03/2020
David DICKMAN
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Penrith Police Academy Class # “possibly” 003 – 006
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 5857
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 27 October 1947
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 10 June 1955 (No.57), page 1567
THE undermentioned member of the Police Force to exercise, within the Licensing District preceding his name, the authority conferred by section 63, subsection 1, of the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, from the date specified, viz:—
Cowra.— Constable David Dickman, stationed at Woodstock, vice Constable L. C. G. Keenan, transferred,— from 23rd April, 1955
Cal, I was stationed at Cowra in 1957/58, Dave Dickman was then stationed at Woodstock, our stations were part of the Forbes Police Division.
Used to see a lot of Dave Dickman who was an outstanding fellow and one the nicest persons you would ever meet.
I called him the Gentle Giant because of his size, he had arms like a Brick shit-house and in the 1950;s he was the Australian Champion Axeman.
No chance of a bushfire at Woodstock whilst he was there because he cut all the Bloody Trees down for practise.
I don’t know how many times he won the Axeman championship at the Sydney Royal Show but in the 50’s I think the Axemen turned up just to compete against Him.
RIP Good Friend.
glw
Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 – 1954),
Friday 15 October 1954, page 6
DELAYED INQUEST ON TRUCK TRAGEDY
A man who lost control of a truck descending a hill near Sodwalls on November 7, 1953, died from injuries received when the vehicle ran over his body, Mr. E. B. Watkins, district coroner, found yesterday.
Mr. Watkins was inquiring into the death of Francis James Blewett, who fell from the vehicle as it descended the hill.
Details of the accident were given by William James Wade, welder, of Commens – street, Wallerawang. Wade said that, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, he left Wallerawang in the cab of a truck which contained three other men, Victor Doggett, Horace Fitzgerald and deceased.
They were going to Tarana to pick up some potatoes. Blewett was driving, Fitzgerald was sitting beside him and Doggett was “nursing” Wade.
As the lorry began to descend the hill someone called out ‘ “grab the wheel.” The truck was out of control and Wade grabbed for the wheel. The truck left the road and ran up a bank where it stopped.
Deceased was lying about 20 or 30 yards back and appeared to be unconscious. There were abrasions across his chest.
Wade said he could not get the truck away from the bank and he stayed with Blewett while one of the other men went towards Sodwalls, and one back in the direction they had come.
Blewett appeared to die five or six minutes after the others left.
Const. David Dickman told the coroner of inquiries he had made and of an investigation of the accident scene. It appeared as if the truck struck an embankment on the right hand side, causing the door on the driver’s side to fly open.
Dr. A. L. Langley, Government Medical Officer, detailed superficial injuries to Blewett’s body. However, a post mortem revealed a puncture of the chest wall, extensive fractures of the ribs, a pierced lung which was crushed. Deceased’s spleen was also very badly crushed.
In his opinion death was due to crushed injuries to deceased’s lungs and a ruptured spleen. The injuries were consistent with the wheels of a truck passing over his body.
Service: From4 December 1972to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: Certificate of Merit, from the Royal Humane Society of NSW, to ProCst ROSE for actions involving a vehicle, crashed, burning at Harden on the 24 February 1974 ( Whilst a Cadet ).
National Medal – granted 21 August 1989 ( SenCon )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 28 May 1999 ( Sgt )
Born: Wednesday 7 September 1955
Died on: Thursday 21 November 2019 about 10pm
Age: 64yrs 2mths 14days
Cause: Cancer – ( type ?)
Event location: ?, Cairns, Qld
Event date: ?
Funeral date: TBA
Funeral location: Service & Cremation will happen at Mossman, Qld.
Ashes will then be interned in the Remembrance Wall at Harden Cemetery on a date to be notified.
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Cremated – Ashes will be interned in Remembrance Wall, Harden Cemetery
Memorial located at: ?
MICHAEL is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Darlinghurst ( 3 Division ) ( Jan 1957 – Oct 1959 ),
Liverpool Detectives ( 22 Division )( Oct 1959 – Nov 1968 ),
Campbelltown Detectives ( 35 Division )( Nov 1968 – ) *Campbelltown Dets had no vehicle assigned to them. The had to borrow a vehicle with no radio.,
Vice Squad ( 1997 ),
Service: From? ? pre Oct 1951?to? August 1986 = 35 years Service
Awards: 3 Commendations:
1/ Highly commended for his courage & devotion to duty displayed at Darlinghurst in 1957 on the occasion of the wounding of Detective Constable 1/c K. F. GILMOUR by a well known criminal. Detective Gilmour was seriously wounded in the right arm, which caused him to retire. The offender had been killed by Detective Gilmour discharging his service pistol. Earlier that day, the offender had shot dead a male person and wounded a woman.
2/ Commended for his role in the operation between Nov 1962 and March 1963, in an endeavour to effect the arrest of a violent criminal, who was subsequently sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on charges of rape and attempted rape.
3/ Commended for his role in the search for Monica Schofield, missing from Heathcote Hostel, East Hills, June 1963 and inquiries which resulted in the arrest of her attacker and subsequent conviction for murder.
Medal of the Order of Australia ( OAM ) – granted 8 June 2015
For Service to veterans and their families and to the community of Smithfield
National Medal – granted ? ? 1974
Diligent and Ethical Service Medal – granted post August 1986
Born: Monday 30 August 1926
Died on: Tuesday 5 November 2019
Age: 93yrs 2mths 6days
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Friday 15 November 2019 @ 11am
Funeral location: Liverpool Cemetery, 207 Moore Rd, Liverpool, NSW
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
Pre NSWPF – Bill Enlisted in the RAAF on 19 September 1944 and discharged on 10 December 1945 – reaching the rank of Leading Aircraftsman.
BILL is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Detective Constable 1st Class William NEWALL, from Liverpool Police, along with other Police, were involved in the investigation into the murder of 12 year old school girl, Monica Schofield, on the 17 June 1963.
Monica was abducted on her way to East Hills Girls High School from her home at Hammondville Migrant Hostel – sometime referred to as the Heathcote Migrant Hostel and currently located at the new suburb known as Sanctuary Point.
Source: Retired Det C/Insp. William NEWALL.
Source: Liverpool Police Time Line ( 1788 – 2016 )
Smithfield’s Douglas William (Bill) Newall receives OAM
SMITHFIELD’S Douglas William (Bill) Newall has achieved a remarkable milestone.
The 88-year-old has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday honours for his service to veterans and their families, as well as to the Smithfield community.
Mr Newall was overseas when the honour was announced on Monday.
The former president of the Smithfield RSL Sub-branch was nominated by his mate Rick Stubbs, who is the junior vice-president of the Sub-branch, as well as being one of the club’s directors.
“Bill has done a lot of amazing things for the service of NSW and the country,” he said.
“His tireless and selfless commitment to others is outstanding.
“His life’s motto is ‘always work to the benefit of others and not yourself, and you will go a long way in life’.
“If any person deserves recognition for a lifetime giving, this man does.”
Mr Stubbs said Mr Newall had dedicated about 63 years of his life to the state and country.
“He’s been in the RAAF in World War II and spent many years in the NSW Police Force,” he said. “He also joined the RSL to make a difference in the community for veterans and their families, so he is a very deserving recipient.”
Mr Newall was the president of the Smithfield RSL Sub-branch from 2012 to 2014, a member of the club since 1995 and a trustee since 1999.
He was also the president of the Smithfield RSL Sub-branch Bowling Club from 1999 to 2002. He was awarded a life membership by the RSL of Australia in 2012.
Mr Newall also made significant contributions to the Bowls (Zone 2) Association.
In 2009, he was awarded the Meritorious Service badge by NSW RSL Bowls for his dedication to the sport.
Mr Newall joined the NSW Police Force in 1951 and retired in August, 1986 as a Detective Chief Inspector.
“He was awarded the Police Long Service Medal in 1974 and the Diligent and Ethical Service Medal since retirement,” he said.
“Without the support of his wife Domenica, he wouldn’t have been able to achieve what he has over the years.”
After working for the NSWPF for a number of years, Peter left and then joined Ambulance NSW where he worked at Charlestown as a Control Centre Assistant from around 2010 until his death.
Got the nickname POC from the personalised number plates on his immaculate Toyota Celica with plates (POC-007).
Richard Norman THORNETT
| 18/03/2020
Richard Norman THORNETT
AKA Dick
Late of Milthorpe, formerly of Bronte, NSW
NSW Redfern / Penrith Police Academy Class # 065
NSW Police Cadet # 1429
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ????
Rank: Commenced NSW Police Cadet training – 28 January 1958
Probationary Constable – appointed around November 1959
?
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?, Darlinghurst, NSW Police Water Polo Team, 1960 Rome Olympian Water Polo Team, Randwick 1st grade NRL, 1961 Wallabie for the 2nd Test against Fiji, – Resigned
Service: From28 January 1958to? ? 1965 ( Resigned ) = 7 years Service
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours
Born: Monday 23 September 1940
Died on: Saturday 12 October 2011
Age: 79yrs 19days
Cause: ? possibly heart issue
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: 18 October 2011 @ noon
Funeral location: All Saints, 85 Ocean St, Woollahra, NSW
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
DICK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Australian Rugby Union is today mourning the loss of tri-international Dick Thornett, who passed away on Wednesday morning.
One of three brothers, Dick first sprung onto the international sporting scene in 1960 with the Australian Olympic water polo team, before switching to Rugby in 1961 where his rapid rise through club, state and into the national team was as fast as they come.
After impressing with Randwick he was given a start with NSW and after a strong showing against Fiji joined his brother John in the Test pack for the three Test series against the Pacific Island nation.
His debut against Fiji in 1961 was the start of his career with the Wallabies, which lasted until the end of the 1963 season when he decided to switch codes and excel at rugby league.
In a career that included 11 consecutive Tests and 11 tour matches, Thornett was never dropped from a Wallabies side and is considered to be one of the most extravagantly gifted sportsmen Australia has produced in the last 50 years.
ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O’Neill AO, said Thornett would always be remembered for his deeds in both Rugby codes.
“There could be no greater tribute to a Rugby forward than to have former All Blacks great Colin Meads describe you as one of the finest second rowers he ever opposed,” Mr O’Neill said.
“Dick Thornett was paid that honour after playing against Meads in 1962.
“Dick Thornett played his 11 Tests across only a short period of time but his impact was enormous. He was a ferocious ball runner and at more than 100kg was a prototype for the modern day forward.
“The Thornett family has given wonderful service to Australian sport. John is a Wallabies legend who captained Australia for many years. Ken never played for the Wallabies but was one of rugby league’s great fullbacks.
“Dick played Tests with them both, across two codes. He was a uniquely talented sportsman and a proud Wallaby. He will be missed.”
Dick Thornett, the youngest of the three Thornett sporting brothers, represented Australia in Olympic water polo, rugby union and rugby league and could have played just about any other sport.
In a rugby Test against the All Blacks, an opposing forward saw Dick Thornett aim some well-directed retaliatory blows and asked: ”Were you an Olympic boxer as well as a water polo player?” But, as it turned out, when off the field Dick Thornett was very much the gentle giant.
Richard Norman ”Dick” Thornett was born on September 23, 1940, of a Canadian migrant, Harold Thornett, who had settled in Griffith as an irrigator, and Marjorie (nee Attwood). When the family moved to Bronte, the Thornett brothers learnt to swim before they were five and became the mainstays of the Bronte water polo team.
The sport built muscles and Thornett would claim that it gave him wonderful ball control. He captained Randwick High’s rugby team in 1957.
Leaving school, Thornett joined the NSW Police Force and was appointed to Darlinghurst station. He also went to the Randwick Rugby Club as second rower and lock, joining his brother Ken. He also found a place in the NSW water polo team. At 188 centimetres and weighing 104 kilograms, in 1960 Thornett competed for Australia in water polo at the Rome Olympics. In the 1961 season, he played in the Randwick first grade side.
Thornett played with the Wallabies for their second Test against Fiji in 1961, joining his other brother, John. His game was distinguished by his uncanny ball distribution skills.
He toured with the Wallabies in South Africa and ended playing 11 rugby Tests for Australia. In 1962, when Dick and John lined up in the second row against New Zealand, Dick Thornett was acknowledged as the finest forward out of both teams. North Sydney, South Sydney, Newtown and St George rugby league clubs were bidding for him. Parramatta, which had already signed on Ken, was said to be prepared to better the offer of any other club.
Joining Parramatta in 1963, Thornett handled his fame easily. The sports writer Jim Webster said: ”Despite his massive frame, Dick is docile – off the field – and very quietly spoken. A bit stand-offish to those unknown to him, he is reserved and speaks in very low tones even when a friendship is made.” Parramatta reached the final in the Sydney competition, but they went down to St George.
Thornett had his international rugby league debut on July 20, 1963, when he turned out for the first Test against South Africa.
Later that year, Ken and he joined the Kangaroo tour of England and France. At Swindon, fired by the antagonism of an opposing forward, he produced one of the greatest second-row performances of all time. Thornett played against the French when they toured Australia in 1964.
In 1965, he married Maureen Kay, an airline hostess, and resigned from the police force to help Ken, who was captain-coach of Parramatta.
In 1966 Maureen gave birth to Liesl and in 1967 to Amanda.
Also in 1967, when Thornett finished a four-year contract with Parramatta, he suffered a form lapse and missed a chance to tour again with the Kangaroos. That year he took over the North Star Hotel in North Sydney. He also signed a five-year contract with Parramatta, and in 1968 scored four tries in one match against Canterbury.
In 1968, Thornett was vice-captain to Johnny Raper in Australia’s successful World Cup campaign. He turned out 13 times in rugby league for NSW and 11 times in Tests for Australia. In 1969, his third daughter, Sophie, was born. Thornett stayed with Parramatta until the end of the 1971 season, totting up 168 appearances for the club.
Even that year, he was in the running for a tour with the Kangaroos to New Zealand but he declared himself unavailable because of business. In 1972, he joined Eastern Suburbs but played only a handful of games before announcing his retirement so that he could concentrate on running his hotel.
In 1976, Thornett moved to the Dolphin Hotel in Surry Hills. Ten years later, he and Maureen were divorced and he later married a former Olympic swimmer, Jan Andrew. In 1993 he ran into serious financial problems and had to make ends meet by doing gardening jobs and driving taxis. He then settled in Millthorpe in the state’s central west where he had a small farm and could be near his brothers.
Thornett’s second marriage ended in divorce several years ago and, after battling heart and general health problems for some time, he died in Sydney last Wednesday. Dick Thornett is survived by his brothers and their families, his three daughters, two sons-in-law and five grandchildren. His funeral will be at All Saints, Woollahra, at noon tomorrow.
Loving brother & brother-in-law of Kathleen & Percy (both dec), Joe (dec) & Nonie, John Francis (dec), Joan & John (dec), Frank & Bev (both dec), Bill & Dorothy, Louis (dec), Lucy Anne (dec) & Las, Christine RSJ, Pat & Ann, John & Sue, Marie & Ian, Peter & Brenda and loved Uncle of his many nieces & nephews.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 18 March 1988 (No.56), page 1676
POLICE REGULATION (SUPERANNUATION) ACT 1906
Notification of Appointments
I, Patrick Darcy Hills, in pursuance of section 2h of the Police Regulation (Superannuation) Act 1906, do, by this notification, appoint as members of the Police Superannuation Advisory Committee for the period from 1st April, 1988, to 31st March, 1990, both dates inclusive:
Lloyd William Taylor, Esquire,
Anthony Lawrence Day, Esquire, Geoffrey Richard Green, Esquire,
Nominees of the Police Association of N.S. W.;
Donald Coates, Esquire,
Nominee of the Commissioned Police Officers’ Branch of the
N.S.W. Public Service Association; Peter John Cox, Esquire,
Nominee of the State Authorities Superannuation Board,
Ella Wietske de Rooy,
Nominee of the State Compensation Board of N.S.W.; and
James Rowan, Esquire,
Nominee of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Dated at Sydney this tenth day of March, 1988.
NSW Redfern or Penrith Police Academy Class # ? ? ?
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ????
Rank: ?
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?
Service: From? ? 1950to? ? 1956 = 6 years Service
Awards: Medal of the Order of Australia ( OAM ) granted 12 June 2006
For service to the community, particularly through pipe bands & aged care organisations, & to a range of military and law enforcement authorities as an instructor.
Born: Wednesday 9 September 1925
Died on: Thursday 27 June 2019
Age: 93yrs 9mths 18days
Cause: On 24 May 2019 – Ken was in Arcardia, Pittwater Private Hospital after a heart attack
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Thursday 4 July 2019 @ 10.30am
Funeral location: St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Prahran Avenue, Davidson, NSW
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: Ann Wilson Funerals – 02 9971 4224
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
In the 1954 Electoral rolls, Ken is living at 91 Connaught St, Dee Why – along with Dory Mary, who was possibly his wife – and his occupation is recorded as ‘Policeman’.
Norma ( dec ), mentioned in his obituary “may have been” his second wife.
Cal via Kevin Banister.
BLUEY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Date listed: 29/6/2019CURRAN, Kenneth Roy OAM NX202327
1st Commando Company “BLUEY”
Aged 93
Late of Frenchs Forest Passed away peacefully 27 June 2019
Dearly loved husband of Norma (dec).
Adored father of Neville, Graeme, Jenny and their partners.
Devoted Pop of seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Loved by all his family.
In God’s Care
A Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Ken will be held at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Prahran Avenue, Davidson on Thursday, 4 July, 2019 at 10.30am.
Inducted into the A.M.A.H.O.F.(Inc) for 2012
Lifetime Achievement – Army Unarmed Combat
Inducted into the W.K.U.H.O.F. for 2012
Lifetime Achievement – Army Unarmed Combat
Blue Curran on an unarmed combat course in the early 1960’s
Kenneth Roy “Blue” Curran was born on 9th September 1925 in Waverly NSW. He first joined the army during WW II in 1943 at 18 years of age. His service number was NX 202327 he served in Australia and after reaching 19 years of age and therefore being eligible for overseas operational deployment transferred from Infantry to Commandos. He saw service in 2/11 Cavalry Regiment Commando Squadron, he completed his commando training in far North Queensland and later saw service in Moratai, Labuan, British Borneo and Rabaul before the end of the war.
At wars end he returned to civilian life but reenlisted in the military as a Citizen Military Force (CMF) member of the newly raised 1 Commando Company (1 Cmdo Coy) in 1955 at the age of 30. His CMF service number was 2242907.
Blue was an active member of 1 Cmdo for twenty years up until 1975 when he officially retired from military service. However, as a result of Blue’s experience and skills relating to Military Unarmed Combat (MUC) training over the years he has been retained as a consultant from time to time to the military to assist in MUC training well into the new millennia.
As a consultant to the military he had conducted training for commandos, infantry battalions and other unit’s right through to 2000. From 2004 to 2007 he was requested by the Infantry Training Center at Ingleburn to conduct training in bayonet fighting. In addition to his service to the military Blue has also trained the first members of the then newly raised NSW Police Tactical Response Group (TRG) and continued to provide training support as requested. He has trained numerous other law enforcement groups, prison services and members of the Sheriff’s Department. He has also conducted security training for security firms, and personal self defence training for members of the community. He continues to train security officers in self defence and the use of batons and handcuffing techniques.
Physical fitness in MUC training is heavily emphasized by Blue
During his time in the Australian Military Blue was responsible for keeping alive MUC from his initial training in WW II to its resurgence in the mid 1950’s with the raising of 1 Cmdo Coy. He was also instrumental in the continual review and development of the MUC training program ensuring that outdated techniques were dropped from the syllabus and new information added to keep the MUC syllabus relevant to the changing needs of the military. This also comprised the inclusion of skills from civilian martial arts either through serving soldiers with previous experience or through association with martial arts instructors. However, it was always advocated that any changes to the syllabus was relevant to the operational requirements of the military and were not a stylised application of complicated techniques that did not fit military needs or application.
Blue over time would later become the Army’s senior MUC instructor and the person primarily responsible for its propagation to the next generation of MUC instructors in the early to mid 1960’s who in later years would guide MUC within the military. In this role Blue was the last then serving WWII Commando with MUC training and operational experience remaining from the WW II era. Those instructors who later would have their own significant contributions to MUC that would benefit from this knowledge and experience included Major Greg Mawkes, Major John Whipp, and WO1 Denis Gaskell to name a few.
In 1980 Blue was officially acknowledged for his services related to MUC training within the military and was awarded the Order of Australia Medal. In later years he was recognized further by membership to the International Close Quarter Fighting Instructors Association. Ken currently lives with his wife in French’s Forrest Sydney.
Blue supervising training on a MUC course in the 1950’s
Dialogue and Interview with Ken “Blue” Curran OAM, JP
Recorded by Glen Gardiner 1st April 2010, Sydney
I first joined the army in 1943 when I was 18 years old. I went to recruit training in Warwick in Queensland and returned to Sydney where I was posted to a young soldier infantry battalion.
At that time you could not be deployed overseas on operations until you were 19 years of age. So those of us who were under 19 years of age would end up in these young soldier battalions. There were three of these battalions located in Sydney at the time.
Bayonet training is integral to MUC
While posted to Sydney I was involved in the development of beach defences in and around Sydney. I attended my first Military Unarmed Combat (MUC) course in Sydney which was run by an ex professional wrestler named Alf Vockler. He was a Warrant Officer 2nd Class (WO 2) and the only instructor on the course. In those days MUC was virtually unheard of. To the best of my memory he was posted to the military as a Sgt because of his wrestling experience. He may have come from a corps of instructors but I am not certain.
The MUC course was conducted in the French’s Forrest area at Terry hills around the Xmas period of 1943/1944. The course duration was for a period of 2 weeks, the courses official title was Physical Training and Unarmed Combat Course. There were approximately 20 participants on the course from the infantry corps. To my knowledge all passed the training and qualified as an exponent. In those days the army did not run instructors courses that I am aware of and relied on military personnel with previous experience recruited specifically to instruct.
The training consisted mostly of holds and restraints with a heavy focus on wrestling. There was a little bit of disarm techniques related to pistols. Not much was done with rifles or knives even. Counters to open handed attack with the counters mainly being throw downs was also conducted. There was a very heavy amount of work related to physical fitness training.
Later that year after completing the MUC course I was sent to Cowra as a reinforcement when Japanese POW’s made an attempt to escape. After that I returned to Sydney where I turned 19 and was then sent to Canungra. The course at Canungra was jungle training before we were deployment north on operations. After completing training at Canungra I and 3 others volunteered to be transferred from infantry to Commandos. 3 of us were accepted into 2/11 Commando Cavalry Squadron. This unit had formally been a cavalry unit in the Middle East with the 9th Division prior to their return to Australia. From Canungra I was posted to the Atherton Tablelands with 2/11 Commando Sqn (Divisional Commando with 3 Commando units attached to each Division) at Raven hoe where we conducted pre deployment training. We concluded commando training here in 1944. It included infantry training, MUC, explosives training, etc.
I was used to conduct the MUC training as an instructor for the unit as I was the only one in the unit who had done an MUC course that I was aware of. During this period at Raven hoe which was only several months. During this time I trained the personnel in platoon sized groups. I think would have trained 2 platoons in this period. It was difficult to train more or formalize the training as in those days the members of the unit were scattered all over the place conducting various forms of training before deployment. This was all prepatory to us doing invasion training which was later conducted near Cairns if my memory is correct. Members of the unit would conduct training at the Atherton Tableland and then go to Cairns to do training changing from ships to landing craft, cargo nets and practicing beach landings. The troops would then return to the tableland and do other forms of training some of which included MUC depending on availability. We then were deployed in the invasion of Moratai in 1944 (2/11 Cmdo Cav Regt, 24 Bde, 9 Div). After Moratai we boarded steamers and conducted the invasion of Labuan (1944). After the capture of Labuan we were deployed to British Borneo, Papar on the Padus River pushing up the rail link to Jesselton. While we were in Jesselton we received news that the war was over.
Blue and Lionel “Pup” Currell both WWII Cmdo and MUC Instructors
The 2/11 Cmdo Cav Regt was disbanded and I was sent to Rabaul for several months guarding prisoners as well as being involved in infrastructure rebuilding. I then returned to Australia and after a period when I was hospitalised with malaria I was demobed at the School of Artillery at North Head after I had recovered from my bout of malaria.
After the war I completed my apprenticeship as a photo engraver and joined the NSW police force from 1950 to 1956. I then worked for the NSW railway as a fireman on the steam engines for a year. I then returned to my trade. During my working life I did a lot of different jobs.
In 1955 I joined the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) the pre cursor to the Reserves. I did my CMF recruit course at 1 Commando Company at Georges Heights, Mossman. I remained in that unit until 1975. During this period I instructed MUC courses for the unit and other members of the Army. The chief instructor for MUC training at 1 CMDO at this time was WO 2 Lionel Currell (“PUP” Currell).
Standing Blue last right with John Whipp second from left 1970’s
It was during this period that I requalified as a MUC exponent and later qualified as an Instructor. During my time with Commandos I later assumed the position of chief instructor teaching MUC at 1 Commando. WO 2 Lionel Currell was a regular army soldier and a WW II commando veteran. When I joined 1 Cmdo, he was the 1 Cmdo Coy, Company Sergeant Major (CSM). He was posted to the unit from Western Australia where he was involved in a parachute unit. I have no idea where he learnt MUC but he was very proficient, a disciplinarian and I was his assistant instructor. After his 4 year posting to the unit he was reposted and I became the senior instructor for 1 Cmdo Coy. Prior to his leaving I had risen through the ranks and I was promoted to the position of CSM 1 Cmdo Coy, the first CMF member to reach this position. The Officer Commanding (OC) of 1 Cmdo Coy during this time was a regular army officer, Major Grant, a veteran of WWII and Korea who was later promoted to Brigadier and an ex WWII Commando. He is now living in Melbourne I believe.
Blue teaching counters to Bayonet attacks at 1 Cmdo in 2007
During my time with 1 Cmdo I trained many units over the years in MUC. I trained the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) on 4 occasions in Perth as well as their members at 1 Cmdo Coy. The majority of SAS instructors came from 1 and 2 Cmdo with a lot of their first members coming from these units as well. I also gave training to 3rd battalion Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) and the 1/19 battalion CMF Bushman’s Rifles at Ingleburn.
It is hard to remember all the courses I instructed on. A lot of the courses would be conducted at 1 Cmdo Coy. After I retired from the CMF in 1975 I would still be asked to conduct MUC courses for my old unit and others. In 2004 I was called by Major Davis at Singleton to teach bayonet work in trenches. I did this as a volunteer for a period of 3 and half years.
I think while I was at 1 Cmdo I ran approximately 2 courses a year from 1955 to 1975. In addition to this I was also involved in conducting training for police instructing the first course for the NSW police Tactical Response Group (TRG) at 1 Cmdo Coy. In subsequent years I conducted follow up training with the police as well as the NSW prisons department and later the Corrective Services, Australian Protective Services, and Sheriff’s Department. I have also conducted numerous self defence and training courses for commercial security personnel in the security industry. I am currently 84 years young and still conducting self defence and security officer training teaching self defence, batons and handcuffing techniques.
“Blue”, who were the Instructors of MUC and what was their backgrounds when you first started training and then through your subsequent time teaching MUC?
The first MUC instructor I met was WO 2 Alf Vockler who was a professional wrestler. As a young digger this man was god to us. I believe he had joined and was recruited by the military to teach MUC. Later in the 1950’s while at 1 Cmdo Coy I met WO 2 Lionel Currell who was the senior instructor for MUC at 1 Cmdo Coy before being posted from the unit. I am not sure where he learnt MUC but he was quite good at it. I believe Lionel was initially trained possibly by British instructors. I am not aware if he had previous training in martial arts other than MUC. I remember that he was a strong disciplinarian.
Blue taking PT on a MUC course in 1980 when he was 55 years old
To your knowledge “Blue” was MUC also being trained in other non commando units and was it widespread in the Army as well as other services during WWII?
I am not certain about that because during this time you only new about what your particular mob was doing. But thinking about it, it is quite possible that this was the case.
After World War II can you describe the attitude toward MUC training by the military command in commandos and the wider military?
After WWII MUC training disappeared within the Australian military. It did not gain resurgence until the formation of the CMF commandos in 1955.
Senior military commanders had lost touch with MUC and felt that it was a specialist skill and not something that was regularly conducted within the wider Army. It was thought of as being more relevant for Special Forces (SF). However, non SF units would contact 1 Cmdo Coy requesting this form of training.
“Blue”, was there a resurgence of MUC training with the onset of the Korean War and if so who were the instructors and where were the courses conducted and what did the syllabus contain?
I am not sure if MUC was taught for the Korean War but it was 1 and 2 Cmdo Coy which revitalized MUC in the Australian army from the mid 1950’s. In 2 Cmdo Coy the main Instructor was Ted Malone. I also qualified Major Greg Mawkes from the SASR in Swanbourne in the 1960’s. He later became OC of 2 Cmdo Coy and then was responsible for MUC training in the SASR.
John Whipp was another instructor qualified by me in 1962 prior to going to Vietnam. He was in an infantry battalion at the time and did the course at 1 Cmdo here in Sydney. John and Greg would both later play important roles in MUC training within the Australian military.
During this period the syllabus for MUC had changed dramatically to that of WWII. The main emphasis now was on killing techniques. This was developed through seeing what was being done in military circles as well as civilian martial arts and then adapting that information for the various roles required in the military. The courses were continually updated for current techniques of the day with the syllabus still displaying a strong emphasis on physical training, rolls and break falls, pressure points, throws, striking techniques, defence against weapons including firearms, knives, machetes, bayonet fighting, elimination techniques and prisoner control.
Blue instructing on a MUC course at 1 Cmdo Coy in 1980
“Blue”, did you feel that the support for MUC by the military command was cyclic and stop and go during your years of association with MUC training?
Yes support for MUC in the Australian military was very up and down dependent on the individual interest of senior commanders within the army. Some military commanders understood the value others did not and MUC either benefited or not from this situation.
The problem was however, that after a period of non support the Army would need to re-invent the wheel again and had to either find remaining qualified personnel or start again. I think the cycle now is going downhill once again after some support in recent years.
“Blue”, was there a renewal and subsequent wane of interest in MUC in the Vietnam War era?
Prior to going to Vietnam there was interest by personnel to conduct training however, this conflicted with the need for unit commanders to train troops prior to deployment in normal infantry soldier skills and not ones seen as value added such as MUC.
“Blue”, do you feel that MUC in the Australian military developed in different directions as members of the defence force promoted MUC in the Army as well as the other services for different needs, what can you tell us about this?
Yes I did see MUC go in different directions, but I still think that MUC should be under one banner with different corps requirements being managed under one guiding direction. Each one has its own core requirement but needs to be managed so that MUC heads in one direction; to make my point Military Police don’t need to be taught how to kill for example. But they also need to know techniques for an operational focus.
“Blue”, during the period that you have been involved with MUC training in the military have you seen it evolve and if so what are your thoughts about that evolution?
Yes, MUC has evolved and I think for the best as new techniques are added that support the soldiers role for today.
“Blue”, in your opinion do you feel that there is still a place for MUC training in the military in the 21st century and if so what it is?
Yes, without a doubt. MUC is required to enable our Army to stay relevant with other nations and to develop soldierly skills and techniques that are required on operations.
Blue in his mid 80’s still teaching Bayonet fighting skills
“Blue”, what is your opinion concerning the military sourcing civilian martial artists to teach soldiers, do you think it relevant and are these instructors suitable to teach for various operational roles?
I maintain that an instructor needs to have a military background but it is commonsense to take knowledge from wherever we can find it and adapt it for the military role. You must update to stay current. I don’t think civilian instructors though are the complete answer. But certainly take the knowledge and adapt it for the militaryusing military instructors or previous civilian instructors who are in the military.
“Blue”, in your opinion what do you feel would be the way forward for MUC training today for today’s military?
Training needs to be relevant to the needs of the Army, it is unfortunate that currently MUC in today’s military is not as widespread throughout the military as it should be as in other nations. I think that it is difficult for military commanders to recognize the value of MUC and to support MUC. Until this happens MUC will remain as it always has and will be reliant on the support of individual commanders as they come and go. In today’s Army MUC should be integral in training developing skills and confidence.
“Blue”, can you describe what the training was like? How hard? Injury rates etc
Injury rates in the WWII MUC courses were very low and the same applied during my time teaching MUC. High injury rates are a sign of bad instruction. Training was hard, we had to prove a point, and a lot of the techniques were designed for killing. Physical fitness was a big part of training, it was important to teach soldiers to develop the will to still keep going. It still is important.
“Blue” you have lived to a very fortunate age what pearls of wisdom can you impart to the younger generations on conducting self defence/defensive tactics training?
As is, Keep it up and keep it going, it is something that is needed. Use commonsense, make sure there are no injuries and impart knowledge as best you can.
“Blue” what advice would you give people regarding avoiding fights and once in a fight what should they do?
Walk away from it if possible, if you cannot walk away you have to do the best you can. If you are in it you are in it to win. I don’t care if I have to use dirty tactics to win and survive.
“Blue”, what are your views of the Australian soldier from when you were serving and the current Aussie soldier today?
Blue and the Author, former MUC instructor Glen Gardiner
I think today they are far superior to the soldier of the past. The soldier of the past came up through the depression days. He had to learn the ropes the hard way. Today’s young soldiers in my opinion are far better educated and sophisticated and willing to learn. A far better type of lad mentally and physically to previous years. As an example one participant as a private learning MUC was a qualified medical doctor and he had a genuine desire to learn.
