“possibly” related to Police Woman J.D. COUPER, NSWPF P/W 139
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 101
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 11196
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 2 November 1964 ( aged 24 years, 4 months, 9 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 4 December 1964 ( aged 24 years, 5 months, 10 days )
Constable – appointed 7 January 1965
Constable 1st Class – appointed 7 January 1969
Senior Constable – appointed 7 January 1973
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?, North East District, Wollongong ( pre 1973 ), School Lecturing, Redfern Police Academy ( pre 1974 ), Goulburn Police Academy – Senior Lecturer ( 1986 ),
Service: From 2 November 1964 to? ? ? = ? years Service
Passed away in Palliative Care at Calvary Hospital, Wagga Wagga.
Devoted and dearly loved husband of Dianne.
Loved and respected stepfather of Scott, Craig and Fiona and
father-in-law of Tony.
Much loved Grandpa of Kirra Leigh, Taneasha and Lochlann.
Highly respected son-in-law of Noel and Anice.
Dear brother-in-law of Gary, Carol & Ray, Susan & Aris and David & Angela.
Loved brother & brother-in-law of Tony & Diana, Marys (dec’d) & Bob. Loved by all his nieces and nephews.
He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.
He fought a long courageous battle and is now resting peacefully.
A Requiem Mass for the Repose of The Soul of Brian Joseph Couper will be held in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Wagga Wagga on Tuesday, 22nd January 2019, commencing at 10:30am.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
Published in The Daily Advertiser on Jan. 19, 2019
Brian is described as a “very talented man”.
Other than being a Policeman, he was also a Barrister, a ventriloquist, a radio announcer and all round good bloke. He also studied to be a priest.
His first wife was a plainclothes Police Woman from Wollongong in the 1970’s.
Brian, together with Ray WILKINSON, authored the book ‘ A guide for Senior Sergeant’s and Inspector’s ‘ course in the Unit “Management” in 1986
Brian also penned ‘ The use of case studies in police education ‘ in 1988
Brian also penned ‘ Teacher development course ‘ in 1988
Brian also penned an unpublished paper with Peter SHINFIELD ( # 16630 ) & Paul TROTMAN ( # 13882 ) – ‘ The use of case studies in police education ‘
Brian also penned ‘ Residential police education and its implications for curriculum design ‘ in 1987
‘ Transparent Reflections in a Pool of Blue ‘ is also attributed to Brian
Brian also penned ‘ Economic loss and experimental farms a discussion of the High Court decisions in Perre v. Apand and Dovuro v. Wilkins
Stephen Edward PEARCE
| 18/01/2019
Stephen Edward PEARCE
AKA ?
Late of Maryborough
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 155
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 17631[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 27 June 1977
Constable – appointed 27 July 1978
Senior Constable – appointed 27 July 1986
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ???
Final Rank = Sergeant
Stations: ?, Tabulam, Coraki – Retirement
Service: From? ? pre June 1977?to2 July 2004 = 27 years Service
Late of Maryborough. Passed away at the Royal Brisbane Hospital on Sunday, 30th December, 2018. Aged 62 years.
Beloved husband of Ricky. Dearly loved father of Troy, Jackie, Daniel and Ruby. Loving and proud Poppy of Mark, Owen, Bruce and Jacob. Loved brother of Belinda and Uncle to Jasmine and Sophia.
“Gone To The Races”
Family and friends of Steve are invited to attend his funeral service to be held at the Ross Funerals Maryborough Chapel, Cnr of Russell and Stafford Streets, Maryborough on Tuesday, 8th January, 2018 commencing at 10:00 am.
Today we farewell our friend Sam Baglin-Limu aka “Baggers”.
There are still answers sought and comprehending how this all happened.
But today is not for that, today is to remember our friend, work mate, AFP agent in different roles, wife, daughter, sister, advocate, carer, support officer for others trauma, many, many roles she did.
Sam you will be missed, you will always be loved. We will continue through our work to give you a voice. You’ve left us too soon, our hearts broken, as yours must have been to for this to happen.
Sammy’s funeral is today at 2pm, in Melbourne.
An AFP remembrance service was also held at the AFP national headquarters in Canberra at the same time.
Rest now Sammy, your shift is over, your duty done. ❤
BAGLIN-LIMU, Samantha Jane
BAGLIN-LIMU.
The Funeral Service to Celebrate the Life of Samantha Jane Baglin-Limu will be held at the Victoria Police Academy Chapel, 1 View Mount Road, Glen Waverley on TUESDAY (Dec 18, 2018) commencing at 2.00 p.m.
Private Cremation will follow.
No flowers by request.
In lieu, donations to Beyond Blue would be appreciated.
Envelopes will be available at the Service or donate online to www.beyondblue.org.au
AFP has ‘blood on its hands’ over agent’s death
EXCLUSIVE
WARNING: Distressing.
A FEDERAL agent who provided crucial support to family members of flight MH17 victims has died in an apparent workplace suicide at the Australian Federal Police national headquarters.
Sergeant Samantha Baglin, 44, was found dead in the vault room at the Edmund Barton building in Canberra on Sunday morning. It comes just six weeks after Superintendent Richard Roberts also took his own life in the same place and less than two years after another two AFP agents separately died by suicide at the Melbourne headquarters.
Friends of Sgt Baglin told news.com.au that the AFP “has blood on its hands” over its alleged failure to provide adequate support for members suffering from mental health issues.
An AFP spokesperson confirmed in a statement to news.com.au “that on Sunday, 9 December 2018, a member of the AFP appears to have taken her own life”.
“A brief is now being prepared for the ACT coroner,” the spokesperson said.
The AFP did not respond to further questions regarding the matter.
Several AFP sources told news.com.au that Sgt Baglin was involved in the organisation’s Safe Place – a cultural reform initiative led by AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin amid widespread revelations of internal bullying and a spate of workplace suicides.
Those who knew Sgt Baglin described her as kind, with “a heart of gold”, and said she would make others “laugh to the point where we would suffer cramps”.
Sgt Baglin married just over a year ago but battled with work-related PTSD.
Former AFP agent and Australian of the Year finalist Katie Tonacia told news.com.au she was “shocked” and “devastated” over the loss of her close friend.
The pair met through Ms Tonacia’s organisation Picking up the Peaces, which provides support to uniformed service personnel struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), almost a decade ago.
“None of us saw this coming,” Ms Tonacia said.
“But she was upset in terms of a few things occurring in the workplace, and the fact she did this at work is such a statement to all of us.”
According to Ms Tonacia, Sgt Baglin was “desperate to see change within the organisation and wanted to see mental health education implemented”.
“If she’d identified as mentally unwell to the AFP it would have gone against her in her career and she loved her career,” she said.
“The stigma and lack of education about mental health at the top level of management just below the commissioner is rife and that’s why she came to us in 2009.”
Ms Tonacia’s husband David is medically retired from the AFP. He told news.com.au that the organisation “has blood on its hands” over its alleged failure to provide adequate support for members suffering from mental health issues.
Sgt Baglin had an extensive policing career both in Australia and as part of the AFP’s International Deployment Group in which she served on overseas missions. She had also operated as a family liaison officer for the AFP and worked closely in Perth with the Maslin family, who lost their three children and their grandfather, in the flight MH17 disaster in 2014.
One close friend of Sgt Baglin’s, who spoke to news.com.au on the condition of anonymity, said she was “such a big-hearted and sensitive person” who “loved being a cop and loved helping people”.
“It was like a therapy for her to help other people in dealing with trauma,” he said. “She was especially good at it.”
Samantha Jane BAGLIN-LIMU
Ms Tonacia told news.com.au that Sgt Baglin had recently expressed frustrations to her about the AFP having only two in-house qualified psychologists for the entire organisation of some 6000 members, as previously revealed by news.com.au.
“Wherever there’s smoke, there’s fire and by God it is blazing at that building right now,” Ms Tonacia said.
“The AFP has failed (Sgt Baglin) and so many others because they don’t trust the system.
“There needs to be a royal commission so we can get to the bottom of it and get all of those responsible out. We won’t let her death be in vain.”
Another AFP whistle-blower said it was “petty managerial and micro-managerial bulls**t breaking people devoted to their jobs” in the AFP.
“We can’t attribute all bad things to the AFP’s culture but one thing is for certain, had (Sgt Baglin) been a kindergarten teacher, or run her own business, we wouldn’t be talking about this,” he said.
“There is nothing worse than coming back to the office after a day of dealing with death or whatever, only to be counselled for not ticking the correct box in a case report, or something similar that is easily corrected and carries no operational consequence.”
One AFP source told news.com.au he was a friend and former colleague of Sgt Baglin’s and that “she didn’t deserve this”.
Six weeks prior to Sgt Baglin’s death, Superintendent Richard Roberts also walked into the AFP national headquarters and didn’t come out alive.
The Australian Federal Police Association revealed Supt Roberts “appears to have taken his own life” on October 27.
An AFP spokesman also confirmed at the time that “a member of the AFP” had died, in a statement to news.com.au. The AFP did not respond to further questions.
News.com.au understands Commissioner Colvin “spoke to troops” to inform them of Supt Roberts’ death in an email and video to colleagues nationwide. It’s a process he is likely to repeat sometime today.
The latest AFP workplace suicide is the fourth incident in which an officer appeared to take their own life inside one of the organisation’s buildings since the start of last year.
In November 2017, AFP member Malcolm Scott, 59, walked into the foyer of the organisation’s Melbourne building and took his own life just before 9am on a Saturday.
Mr Colvin said at the time that it was “with great sadness I can confirm one of our police officers has died in Melbourne”.
“The male officer was found by colleagues in the AFP’s Melbourne Headquarters in La Trobe Street,” he said.
Mr Scott’s death followed that of colleague Sue Jones, 53, a mother-of-two who died in shockingly similar circumstances in the same building earlier that year. Mr Scott and Ms Jones had worked on the same team within the Melbourne branch, according to colleagues who spoke to news.com.au. Both deaths were later deemed to be non-suspicious.
An independent police advocacy spokesman, who asked not to be named, previously told news.com.au he was concerned officers might be trying to send a message by taking their lives in the workplace.
‘THIS JOB’S F***ED’
One AFP source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, previously told news.com.au that the organisation “needs intense scrutiny that the agencies can’t cover up”.
“We have an expression in our job: TJF – this job’s f***ed,” the source said.
“Morale is in the toilet. We know we have no support and no backing from most of the management.”
The source described the company’s external Employee Assistance Program as inadequate.
“If the Employee Assistance Program they always reference was adequate we wouldn’t have members falling like flies.”
There are more than 6000 AFP members – 3481 of those are in sworn roles – nationwide.
An AFP spokesperson previously said the organisation “acknowledges first responders are at higher risk of trauma-caused mental injury than almost any other profession”.
According to the AFP in 2017, the organisation employs two social workers, “5.6 full-time equivalent” psychologists and “4.4 full-time equivalent nurses” – all based in Canberra.
But AFP members outside of Canberra do not have face-to-face access to qualified psychologists through the organisation. They are instead given a number for an employee assistance program with over-the-phone support from any one of 658 outsourced psychologists and 132 registered social workers through Davidson Trahaire.
A Confidant Network made up of volunteers and AFP members is also in place to “provide guidance to staff on options for professional support if needed”. According to the AFP, it also employs seven chaplains across the country.
“There is also one part-time family support officer based in Canberra, who is available for families of members deployed with International Operations and ad hoc government response to large-scale disasters such as the downing of MH17,” an AFP statement read.
But many AFP agents have criticised the services, labelling them ineffective and impersonal. They say they need face-to-face access to qualified psychologists so they don’t have to “retell (their) stories to a different person every time (they) call”.
“We need someone to talk to in person who is qualified in psychology and who understands the nature of issues AFP agents deal with … it’s not that complicated,” a sworn member said.
In March this year, the high rate of suicide deaths and mental health conditions experienced by first responders – including emergency service workers and volunteers – prompted a federal Parliament committee to launch an inquiry into the role of the Commonwealth and the states to address the issues.
The inquiry is expected to release its report on the matter in February 2019.
It came after almost 100 past and present AFP agents contacted news.com.au to report widespread mental health issues among first responders within the organisation, mismanagement of the issue and a disturbing internal bullying culture.
News.com.au exposed the issues in an investigative series, which prompted the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) to audit the AFP’s management of mental health within the organisation.
The report, released on March 7 this year, found that the “AFP lacks a comprehensive and consolidated organisational health and wellbeing framework to enable effective management and support of employee mental health”.
“While the AFP offers a variety of mental health support services, there is no evidence that these services are effective and they are not supported by sound governance, risk management, evaluation or an articulated business rationale,” the report read.
“The AFP does not currently have in place mechanisms or sufficient data to appropriately align resources with key mental health risks.”
The ANAO made six recommendations, which the AFP agreed to implement as part of its “new Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the organisation” by mid-May this year.
The AFP also engaged the Phoenix Australia Centre to conduct an independent mental health review into the organisation. It released its report earlier this year and made 37 recommendations to be implemented over five years.
But for some, it’s already proven too little, too late.
If you or someone you know needs help call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
For more information on how to support others who might need help and what warning signs to look for, visit: Conversations Matter
AFP officer workplace suicides: Headquarters scene of second tragic death
A SECOND workplace suicide has rocked the Australian Federal Police after another member died at the Melbourne Headquarters.
AN AUSTRALIAN Federal Police officer who is believed to have taken his own life inside the Melbourne Headquarters over the weekend was the second to do so in the building this year.
It was the latest in a string of apparent workplace suicides that have rocked the embattled organisation.
News.com.au understands that AFP member Malcolm Scott, 59, walked into the foyer of the building and died by suicide just before 9am on Saturday.
AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said it was “with great sadness I can confirm one of our police officers has died in Melbourne … as a result of a gunshot wound”.
“The male officer was found by colleagues in the AFP’s Melbourne Headquarters in La Trobe Street,” Mr Colvin said.
Independent police advocacy and support group Blue Hope spokesman Mark Kelly said: “It’s tragic and does point to problems in the AFP.
“We’ve been contacted by a lot of members who have been struggling with PTSD.”
Mr Kelly said he was concerned officers might be trying to send a message by taking their lives in the workplace.
The circumstances in the lead up to Mr Scott’s or Ms Jones’ deaths are not yet publicly known. But the tragic incidents have highlighted an increasingly fragile workforce in an organisation that has now seen two members go to work and die there in within nine months of each other. According to AFP whistleblowers, the deaths are symptomatic of a stressed workforce that has been overexposed to a toxic — and dangerous — culture.
Ms Jones’ death prompted close to 100 current and former AFP agents to contact news.com.au about the organisation’s extreme bullying culture and its mismanagement of the issue.
Many of those who came forward said they or their loved ones had contemplated or attempted suicide because of poor treatment at the hands of the organisation and a lack of internal support.
“It’s like looking at a whole lot of ticking time bombs and wondering which one will go off,” one AFP source told news.com.au in February this year.
It was a prediction those who spoke out publicly believed would come to fruition.
There are now grave concerns from within the AFP community that some struggling members with access to firearms may not only be a risk to themselves, but also to others.
Several AFP officers who contacted news.com.au said “things have only become worse” in recent times.
“Anytime another story comes out it turns the spotlight on AFP and then the sharks come out,” one source said.
“The AFP only cares about managing their image, it’s toxic.
“There needs to be an inquiry.”
An AFP spokesman on Tuesday said members of the organisation “were shocked and saddened following the incident on Saturday — with our deepest sympathies extended to the officer’s family and colleagues”.
“The AFP recognises that policing is in inherently difficult job that can place the mental and physical health of members at risk,” the statement read.
“This is why the AFP has a range of systems and protocols in place that recognise the seriousness of mental illness, and to provide necessary support to affected members.”
Mr Scott had served in the AFP’s International Deployment Group (IDG) in East Timor and Papua New Guinea before returning to Melbourne.
Prior to that Mr Scott served as a member in Victoria Police. He was also a popular footballer who had played 10 games and kicked 26 goals for St Kilda in 1979-1980 and later played one game for Sydney. He was a country footballer with the Sebastopol, North Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh clubs.
Bacchus Marsh Club president Adam Sutherland described Mr Scott as a “special member of the Cobra family being a player, Captain, Coach, Mentor, Leading Goal Kicker, and member of the Team of the Era”.
“He is also a BFL Hall of Fame member, and decorated North Ballarat and Sebastopol player and member. Malcolm was also a very community-minded person, performing many community roles over many years, most recently of course as a member of the Australian Federal Police to do his bit to help make and keep our country safe,” Mr Sutherland said.
One of many tributes to Mr Scott that poured in on social media described him as “a great guy who touched the lives of thousands”.
“A respected veteran police officer and admired AFL coach, he quietly commanded respect, and his deeds and mannerisms made him a stand out as a true gentleman,” it read.
“His memory will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who had the privilege to meet him.
“Our sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of this great officer, footballer and humanitarian.”
Victoria Police is preparing a report in relation to Mr Scott’s death for the state coroner.
“The AFP will closely consider the circumstances surrounding this recent incident as well as any recommendations from the coroner to determine if any further support or operational changes are required,” a statement from the AFP read.
One police welfare advocacy group spokesman told news.com.au: “The most important thing is that AFP should constantly be under a strong spotlight, we must never lose interest, assume that things got better, or fall for the plane-pulling stunts.”
If you need help call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
For more information on how to support others who might need help and what warning signs to look for, visit: Conversations Matter.
Ballarat football fraternity mourns great mentor Malcolm Scott
Tim O’Connor and Kim Quinlan
DEDICATED: Malcolm Scott, right, with Wayne Cracknell during the 2001 VCFL championships.
RESPECTED: Sebastopol coach Malcolm Scott during a 2001 match against Lake Wendouree. Picture: Lachlan Bence
GONE TOO SOON: Malcolm Scott was also a much-respected and long-serving police officer.
Ballarat’s football fraternity has vowed to rally behind the family of Ballarat Football Netball League Hall of Fame member, Malcolm Scott.
Scott, who had an illustrious playing and coaching career with Sebastopol and Bacchus Marsh clubs in the BFNL, died suddenly at the weekend.
Bacchus Marsh club president Adam Sutherland confirmed Scott’s passing to The Courier on Saturday evening.
Sutherland also posted on the Cobras’ Facebook page, informing their members of his death.
“Malcolm you have gone too soon but will live on in the hearts and memory of the Cobra family,” part of the post read.
The former St Kilda and Sydney player was a well known figure in the region’s football circles for his decorated career in the BFNL. He was also a long time member of the police force.
Scott coached the Sebastopol Football Club in 1983-85 and again in 1999-2001 and the club’s football department member Chris Parker told The Courier on Sunday the Scott family would be well supported by the entire football fraternity.
“Prue (Scott’s daughter) plays a big part in the Sebastopol FNC’s netball side and the club will rally around her, her mother and brother as much as we can,” Parker said.
Parker, who played at the Sebastopol club under the guidance of Scott as coach, described him as a great mentor.
“Malcolm led by example. He was a terrific player and coached a young side … he was an excellent mentor to the lot of us. He was a big influence on the young guys and was well-respected at the same time,” Parker said.
Parker also described Scott as eccentric. “He would often say or do something that you were not expecting.”
Scott was also modest about his football achievements. While researching Scott’s career before his induction into the BFNL Hall of Fame, Parker asked the Sebastopol coach about his AFL playing career, which included 11 games with St Kilda.
“That’s not worth mentioning,” was Scott’s reply.
Parker said while Scott’s formal involvement with the Sebastopol FNC finished several years ago, he still liked to watch matches throughout a season.
“He will be sadly missed around the club,” Parker said.
Scott’s football achievements included:
– North Ballarat FC junior player, played over 100 junior games with premierships in all grades
– North Ballarat FC senior player, played over 100 senior games
– North Ballarat FC premiership player (1978,79,82)
– Sebastopol FC senior player, played over 50 games
– Sebastopol FC coach (1983-85, 1999-2001), runners-up (1985 & 2000)
– Sebastopol FC life member (2002)
– Bacchus Marsh FC senior player, played over 100 games
– Bacchus Marsh FC Team of the Era member (2016)
– Bacchus Marsh FC leading goal-kicker five times
– Coached junior football teams at Bacchus Marsh and Sebastopol
– Coached senior football teams at Ballan and Learmonth
– Premiership player with the Avoca FC (1996). Also won league goal-kicking award
– Tony Lockett Medalist for most goals kicked in a BFL season (1987, 1990)
– Played 20 matches with the Ballarat FL senior interleague side. Member of the division 1 championship teams (1981-83)
– Represented the VCFL at the state championships (1984)
– Ballarat FL interleague coach of VCFL Country Championship Division 2 winning side (2001)
– Picked in the best team ever for the Sebastopol FC, Bacchus Marsh FC and North Ballarat FC
For help and support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636
Many friends will regret the passing of Mr. Joseph Blake Leonard, who was a retired Sergeant of Police, death taking place in Brisbane on Monday last. The late Mr. Leonard spent many years in Mackay, and after serving a short period in the North, went to Gayndah. After his retirement Mr. and Mrs. Leonard built a home at Ashgrove, where Mrs. Leonard died in 1938. Their son, Blake, survives them.
Thank you for the page on Lawrence Blake Leonard. I thought you might be interested to know he had a brother in the NSW Police & another in the Queensland Police. I understand William was posted to Moulamein, Broken Hill and then Albury. The following is copied from Trove : Western Herald 1 Jul 1903
Constable William Leonard, brother of Constable J. B. Leonard, of Enngonia, died on Friday last at the Hospital, Albury, from pueumonia. Deceased was a married man and about 37 years of age. Very general sympathy is extended to both Mr and Mrs Leonard, who have each lost a brother within a few days, and also to the young widow and remainder of the family.
William had married Emily Theresa Stevens in Moulamein.
A third brother, Joseph Blake Leonard, joined the Queensland Police. This is from the Daily Mercury, Mackay (Trove) 1939
Many friends will regret the passing of Mr. Joseph Blake Leonard, who was a retired Sergeant of Police, death taking place in Brisbane on Monday last. The late Mr. Leonard spent many years in Mackay, and after serving a short period in the North, went to Gayndah. After his retirement Mr. and Mrs. Leonard built a home at Ashgrove, where Mrs. Leonard died in 1938. Their son, Blake, survives them.
The three were the children of James Leonard, (an assisted emigrant from Woodford Galway in 1850) and his wife Catherine Blake. All three were born at Jerrara, Goulburn, New South Wales. James was a farmer.
Ted, apparently, grew up in the Cowra ( NSW ) area ( 1949 – 1961 ) before moving to Sydney ( Brighton Le Sands area and Kogarah area ) before returning to Cowra once he reached the age of 15 and left Kogarah High School to join the work force.
Prior to joining the NSWPF, he worked at the Cowra Wool store from around 1969 to 1972.
He was a lovely bear of a man but, unfortunately, his latter days were not always filled with joy.
In April 2018 he moved to Lismore, NSW, from Cairns, Qld due to the stifling heat in Cairns. He originally moved into a Retirement village, in Cairns, due to having spent a significant amount of time in Hospital due to a Staphylococcal Infection in the spine. Ted loathed the Retirement village but it was close to his daughter.
Despite being closer to his daughter, Ted felt he had to move to Lismore where the climate felt better for him.
Ted was found, deceased, this morning – Tuesday 8 January 2019, at his home.
Ted was a friend to many and a member of various Policing Facebook Pages / Groups where his quick wit was always welcomed.
We all wish you a safe journey and hope that you forever Rest In Peace mate.
Cal
Ted COLLINS in Ballina, NSW, 2018
Class 132
Francis DRUM
| 18/01/2019
Francis DRUM
AKA ?
Late of Marengo, NSW
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ‘P‘ 0086
For the purposes of this website ‘P‘ = represents those Police joining Pre 1862 when NSWPF “Officially” commenced
Rank: Constable – commenced 24 February 1862
Senior Constable
Final Rank = Senior Constable
Stations: ?, Morangarell ( 1875 ), Murringo, Marengo – Death
Service: From 24 February 1862 to 12 January 1882 = 20 years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: 31 March 1838, Auchandinard, Bally Connell, Fermanagh, Ireland
Died on: Thursday 12 January 1882
Age: 45
Cause: Fall from horse whilst On Duty – Fractured neck
Widow: Mary Agnes DRUM & 6 children of Marengo in the Colony of NSW
FRANCIS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * BUT SHOULD BE
On Friday 27 September 2019 an omission was rectified with the name of Senior Constable Francis DRUM being added to the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance together with the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Regarding Senior Constable Francis DRUM. I received a message from Inspector Jacob REEVES, OIC of Young Police 3 days ago. My apologies for not posting earlier, it was in my ‘other’ messages.
“Hello Kevin, just FYI, Senior Constable Patrick Smith of Young Highway Patrol has been lobbying to have S/Cst Drum added to the NSW Police Force Honour Roll in the Domain and has been successful. S/Cst Drum will be added in time for Police Remembrance Day 2019 and will also be sent to Canberra for inclusion on the National Wall. We will be having a ceremony in Murringo to mark this event on Friday 27th September. The Hume Police District Facebook page will have details shortly.”
Outstanding.
In 1882 Senior Constable Francis Drum paid the ultimate price in the execution of his duty. Unfortunately his death has not been accepted as duty-related by the various Commissioners (and Inspectors General) of the Police.
Francis Drum, a twenty year veteran, was thrown from his horse near Murringo while collecting crop returns and electoral lists. Sadly, his fatal fall was not regarded as being in the line of duty.
It has since been shown that in a report by Edmund Fosbery Inspector General of Police to the Principal Under-Secretary of the NSW Police Department that most country police had this task as a normal part of their duties at that time. “These duties and others such as the collection of the Electoral Lists, Jury List, Stock and Crop Returns interfere more or less with legitimate police work and occupy much time, but there is some counter-balancing advantage by bringing the police into contact with people they would not otherwise meet, whereby they acquire information of service to them in a police point of view”. (see Police Duties in NSW 1862 – 1915).
We have been in contact with a serving Police Officer who wishes to facilitate the process of getting Francis Drum recognised as his due right and to have his name included on the Police Honour Roll.
The coroner (Mr. S. Robinson) and a jury of five held an inquest at the dwelling house of the late Senior-constable Drum, Marengo, on Tuesday, touching the death of that officer.
John McSpadden deposed : I am boundary rider to Mr. W. B. Suttor ; I know the deceased Senior-constable Drum ; I saw him yesterday morning ; be called at the station and asked me the road to Beplate‘s ; he was collecting the electoral roll ; I went on horseback with him ; we had ridden about three quarters of a mile from Warrangong station ; there was a storm rising ; Drum said he would turn back ; his horse gave two or three turns round ; Drum stuck the spurs into the animal ; she made a bound and deceased’s hat fell off ; the mare then bolted ; deceased could not hold her ; after going about 300 yards I saw the mare fall right through a six-wire fence, on the top of the rider ; I galloped up, and found deceased bleeding copiously from the mouth and ear ; he was quite dead ;
I then went and reported the circumstances to the overseer of the station ; Mr. Johnson, I, and my wife, went to where the body was ; we then took the body to the station ;
Mr. Woodbridge, who is a neighbour, afterwards reported to the police, and the body was then brought to Marengo, by order of the coroner ; the mare from the start was restless ; she appeared to be a very fiery animal ; I thought she was not a safe animal to ride ; I brought the mare here from Warrangong this morning ; she is marked in several places by the wire fence.
Charles Henry Thompson deposed : I am a constable stationed at Marengo ; Senior-constable Drum was in charge of the Marengo station ; from information I received I went yesterday to Bang Bang, distant from here about 25 miles ; I there saw Constable Drum ; he said he had been sick, but that he was then all right ; Mrs. Drum spoke to me on Wednesday night ; she said she had heard her husband was sick at Bang Bang ; she further requested me to take a buggy and bring him home ; I and Mr. Connor, inn-keeper, started at 12 o’clock on Wednesday night, and got to Bang Bang at 5 on Thursday morning ; Drum was better, and started to finish the electoral roll at about a quarter past eight in the morning ; while I was with deceased he had one glass of brandy ; he said he had a touch of sunstroke on Monday last ; I arrived home about noon yesterday, and about two hours afterwards news came to me that Drum had been killed ; I telegraphed to the police, and also to the coroner, and upon the order of the coroner, I had the body brought home ;
he, deceased, left home on Monday morning : I have been ten weeks here ; I have known Drum for nearly four years ; I never saw him drunk ; when he started from Bang Bang on Thursday the mare was very fidgetty, and was prancing about ; I told Drum if the mare was too much for him that I would ride her and finish taking the roll ; I don’t think the mare is safe to ride ; she is flash and has a bad temper ; I would not care to ride or have charge of her ; Drum used to say that she required watching.
Michael O’Connor deposed : I am an innkeeper, residing in Marengo ; I knew the deceased, Senior-constable Drum ; I have known him on and off for about twelve years ; on Wednesday evening about 10 o’clock Mrs. Drum came to my house and said she had heard that her husband was sick at Bang Bang ; she asked me if I would go with my buggy and bring him home ; she said that Constable Thompson would accompany me ; I consented to go ;
I started with Constable Thompson about 12 o’clock, and arrived at Bang Bang at five in the morning ; when we arrived I saw Drum coming out of the stable ; Drum said, “Where are you going ?” I did not tell him my object in coming ; he appeared to have been sick, but not from drink ; I only saw him have one drink that morning ; the mare Drum rode was very fidgetty ; we afterwards left and came home ;
Drum was a very regular man, and not in the habit of drinking.
The verdict of the jury was that deceased met his death by falling from his horse over a six-wire fence on the 12th instant, which fall dislocated his neck.
The jury added a rider to the effect that they were of opinion that the mare was not a fit animal to be supplied to the police force.
The funeral of Senior-constable Drum took place on the evening of the inquest, and was followed by a large concourse of people, vehicles and horsemen.
The burial service was read by the Rev. Father Long, of Burrowa.
A public subscription is being raised for the purpose of erecting a memorial stone over the grave of the deceased.
There is no doubt that the primary cause of the accident was the temper of the mare, which appears to have been very bad. She has passed through several hands and was given up each time by the possessor as being unsafe to ride.
It is said that she killed a man sometime ago in another district, and was brought over here for the use of an officer of rank in the service, who declined to have her, since which she has been sent away from place to place with the object of exchanging her.
Under these circumstances it is not creditable to the authorities to allow animals of this class to be ridden by the police, who, of all men, require horses which can he kept thoroughly under control. It is to be hoped that the rider to the verdict will have some effect in the proper quarter.
Assuming however, that the horse had been a quite animal, then the Government would still be blameable for permitting the use of wire fences without a top rail, at any rate along public roads.
Only a few months back another trooper lost his life over a similar fence to the one in question. And so the affair as usual, rests, until death after death at last compels the selfish red taped authorities to move in the matter.
There is a fence of this class on a main road not many miles from Young, and as a matter of course, it is impossible for man or beast to see it by night, nor indeed often by day. What is of more common occurence than, for say a vehicle to run slightly off the track of a bush road on a night, not necessary dark, and if the fences are not discernible, what guide is there for a driver. A matter of this kind could be easily regulated by a brief Act, and would prevent many an accident to life and limb. — Argus (Young.) .
Thomas Evans was brought from Murrumburrah by constable Francis Drum, charged with the above offence. Fined 10s., or three days’ imprisonment.
OBSCENE LANGUAGE.
Thomas Evans was charged with using obscene language. Constable Francis Drum deposed that, when attempting to arrest defendant, he made use of the language complained of, a repetition of which would be unfit for publication. Fined 1/., or fourteen days’ imprisonment.
ASSAULTING POLICE.
Thomas Evans was charged with assaulting the constable in the execution of his duty. Constable Francis Drum deposed that, when arrested, defendant refused to walk, after which he got up, kicked him in the stomach, and tried to turn his thumb back. Eventually he had to obtain the assistance of Mr. Dillon. Defendant resisted all the way to the lockup. He was the worst man he (constable) ever had his hand on. Fined 2/., or one month in gaol. Locked up in default.
Friday 27 September 2019 ( National Police Remembrance Day )
Young Sector – Police Remembrance Day
Today on duty and off duty police from Young Sector gathered at Murringo Cemetery to commemorate Police Remembrance Day and the addition of the Late Senior Constable Francis Drum, Officer in Charge of Marengo, (as it was then known) to the NSW Police Force Roll of Honour.
Senior Constable Drum was killed on duty in a horse riding accident in 1882.
Research and hard work from the Murringo First Families Group, Young and District Family History Group and Leading Senior Constable Pat Smith of Young Highway Patrol, supported by the Mayor and Local Member, saw Senior Constable Drum included on the Roll in time for this year’s Remembrance Day.
A message from the Deputy Prime Minister was read, our Local Member Steph Cooke MP made the opening remarks and a prayer service was officiated by Fr Allen of St Mary’s Young.
Wreaths were laid by our Local Member, our Mayor, the great-grandson of Senior Constable Drum and also by Leading Senior Constable Smith.
We paused for a moment at the grave of another police officer who died of illness in 1904 before we gathered for lunch at the Murringo Memorial Hall.
A day in remembrance of our fallen colleagues.
(Thanks to the Young Witness for the photos)
Gary Ian THATCHER
| 18/01/2019
Gary Ian THATCHER
AKA GONAD
Late of Thirroul
Son of SenSgt ( Retired ) Laurie Ian THATCHER Regd # 8009 ( R.I.P. )
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 155
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 17604[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 27 June 1977
Gary THATCHER, son of Laurie, was with old work mates at the Palm Court Restaurant, Corrimal Hotel, Princes Hwy, Corrimal tonight ( Wednesday 12 December 2018 ).
This ‘get together’ was with old Policing Footy Team mates from the Illawarra – who regularly gathered to celebrate old war stories and great times together.
Tonight, about 6pm, Gary was ready to leave the restaurant with his mates and went to the bathroom. At the time he was wearing a moon boot due to a recent operation. Gary was in good spirits when he went into the toilet but a short time later he was found lying on the floor in the bathroom and it is unsure what has occurred and further enquiries by police are continuing.
His friends and colleges commenced CPR until the arrival of Paramedics who took over but unfortunately Gary passed away.
Gary was in good spirits and health and his passing comes as a total shock to all that knew him and were with with him.
Gonad will forever be resting with his father, Laurie.
Funeral details have yet to be arranged.
May the lads forever Rest In Peace.
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Keith Maree Caldwell 141218
Wednesday was supposed to be a great day for myself & a group of mates..Xmas Lunch with a bunch of good guys beers & punting, war stories, funny times……we do this 6 times during the year. 13 of us were there on Wednesday (few missing) but only 12 got to go home to their loved ones, family & friends!
But this day we will never forget because of the passing of one of us Gary ‘GONAD’ Thatcher ????????. I’m crying as I write this & all of us will deal with this in our own special way.
Some of us had left, but majority were still there, when Gary had a fall around 6pm. NSW Ambo’s / Paramedics attended & a few of the boys assisted them???????? wow..heartbreaking boys but there was nothing else you could do. Maria & myself ended up getting back to the pub with others who arrived to console everyone, it was heart breaking & sad.
This is hard to say but you know what Gary went doing something he really enjoyed…together with old boys having a giggle, telling war stories, food & beer plus a few bets on the side. It is now a special but sad day in our lives.
Gary was loyal to his mates until his last day, loved his family & would do anything for both. A funny bugger who made us laugh. If you had the chance to work with him in the cops (which I did), he was a good old fashion cop.
Police Footy was special, he loved this from his early days as a Campsie ‘Camel’ to the world famous Wollongong ‘Falcons’….he had a ball, and come to think of it majority of us did, great days playing, enjoying life long friendships, away bus trips & end of season trips away. ???? The Townsville trips to see my good mate Muzza ( RIP ) were up there too. This is hard for us but GONAD you wont be forgotten mate…we all loved you❤
Few mates caught up yesterday which was good.
Look over us as we continue in life….a few photos
Our thoughts,prayers & condolences to his family.
RIP GONAD????????xxoo
Geoffrey SINGLETON
| 18/01/2019
Geoffrey SINGLETON
AKA SINGO
Late of ?
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # ???
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 14739[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 28 June 1971
Geoff had been an inpatient at Coonamble Hospital, in the palliative care unit, after suffering a seizure during chemotherapy.
Singo was apparently a “tough old bastard” and it took “a lot to get the better of him” but he succumbed to his cancer – with his wife, Dot, by his side.
He was renowned amongst the policing troops as a “Champion bloke” and “bloody tough”
When he first turned up at Pilliga, one of the locals thought he was a drover and asked him where he had his herd.
Singo was a yarn teller and a bad singer. He was a good poet and could roll a smoke one handed.
He was a good bushman.
Greg Martin A true blue country cop Rest In Peace Singo
Phillip Stephenson He was a legend in Coonamble.
Mal Unicomb RIP Singo. What a great character he was. A very dry wit and so many stories. Always amazed me how that tiny little bit of rolly cigarette stayed on his lip.
Michael McCulkin Thanks for the update John. RIP Singo, a legend in the true sense
