William RAYMOND

AKA – William MILLER ( Surname of his Step Father – John Miller )

Late of Berrima, NSW

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #   ????

( No find under RAYMOND, nor MILLER, in the Police Service Registers 1852 – 1913 )

Rank:  Constable

Stations: ?, Sydney Metropolitan District – Death

Service:  From  3 June 1862  to  14 April 1866 = 3+ years Service

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  ? ? 1838 at Bishops-gate, London, England

Birth Certificate ( pdf ) 1838

Died on:  Saturday  14 April 1866

Age:  28

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Event location:  The Southern Rd, near Picton ( Bargo Brush – now Pheasant’s Nest )

Event date:  Saturday  14 April 1866

Funeral date:  Monday  16 April 1866

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  St Stephen’s, cnr Lennox St & Church St, Newtown, NSW

[ Note the original church at Newtown, NSW, was moved to within the grounds of Camperdown Cemetery in the 1870s ]

This grave, in 2021, could not be located.  Exact location of grave is unknown and cemetery is in disrepair.

WILLIAM is mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

May they forever Rest In Peace

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954),

Wednesday 9 May 1866, page 5

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13130850

Spencer Henry WALKLATE

aka  Spence

Late of  Bondi Junction

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ????

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Regent St – # 2 Division,

Service:  From  3 July 1940  to  16 December 1943 ( Resigned to join Army in WWII ) = 3+ years Service

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World War II

Australian Imperial Force   ‘Z’ Special Unit from 4 August 1944  Group ‘C’.  Involved in Operation Copper.

Regiment:                                  33rd Militia Battalion

Enlisted:                                    at Gunnedah

Service #                                   NX202843

Rank:                                          Lance Corporal

Embarkation:                           21 February 1945 for Papua & New Guinea

Next of kin:                               Linda Maude O’Keefe – wife

Religion:                                    Methodist

Single / Married:                    Married

Returned to Australia:          No.  K.I.A.

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Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  11 January 1918 at Brushgrove, Clarence River, near Maclean, NSW

Died on:  Between April – June 1945

Age:  27

Cause:  Executed ( beheaded ) by OAWAGA Waichi – Japanese Petty Officer

Event location:   ?

Event date:   ? Between April – June 1945 ( WWII )

Funeral date:  ? ? ?

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  Muschu Island, Papua & New Guinea

Memorial located at:  St George Police Station has a conference room named the  ‘ Spencer Henry Walklate ‘ room, named in honour and memory of the man.

A plaque and story is on display at the Police Station, 13 Montgomery St, Kogarah.

The room was named by the, then Commander, Peter J O’Brien, APM.

[alert_yellow]SPENCER is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow]  *NEED MORE INFO

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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

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May they forever Rest In Peace

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Spencer Henry Walklate conference room

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Operation Copper

Concerning the murder of NSW Police Constable Spencer Henry Walklate and others – Muschu Island in the Japanese occupied Territory of Papua & New Guinea – April 1945.
by Detective Senior Sergeant Garry Nowlan

On the 150th anniversary of the NSW Police Force many former and retired Police Officers who have contributed so richly to our history have been remembered. However, we rarely mention the achievements of Police Officers in times of war. Many NSW Police Officers have served during many wars, deployments and peacekeeping operations over many years and some have paid the supreme sacrifice.

This is the story of one of them.

Spencer Henry Walklate was born at Brushgrove on the Clarence River near Maclean in northern NSW on the 11th January 1918. He was enrolled and educated at the nearby Wardell Public School in 1923. Spencer attended Church, Methodist Sunday School and was a fit and healthy country kid who excelled at sport. After leaving school he became a grocery salesman and purveyor of small- goods. He later met a Grenfell girl named Linda Maude O’Keefe who was to become the love of his life. They married at Gunnedah on the 31 January 1938 and settled down to start a family.

But, these were uncertain times and war clouds gathered over Europe. A fragile peace had existed with Germany since the end of WW1 but that was shattered when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939. When Britain declared war on Germany and her allies Australia and all the other Commonwealth Nations also went to war. Many young Australian men went off to fight in Europe the Middle East and North Africa.

Life was good in quiet country NSW for a young man with a new wife and a bright future. However, due to events abroad, Spencer became unsettled and through a strong sense of duty to country, joined the 33rd Militia Battalion at Gunnedah, where he underwent basic military training.

Meanwhile, Japan watched events in Europe unfold with interest. Japan had until the 19th century been a very
isolationist society with little contact from the outside world.
Then, in 1860 Japan formed an unlikely but long standing cultural and intellectual association with Germany. But, due to conflicting political aspirations over China, Japan declared war on Germany and fought on the British side during WW1. An uneasy peace existed for the next decade or so but in 1931 Japan invaded Manchuria and fought a long and bloody war against China, committing many atrocities.

The conflict expanded Japanese military power in the region and it’s troops soon became battle hardened, experienced combat veterans. By the mid 1930’s a rising Japan had formed a strong military alliance with an increasingly aggressive Germany and became part of the Axis Alliance along with Mussolini’s Fascist Italy. The ultimate aim of this pact was world domination.

On observing Hitler’s early successes in Europe, Japan a small country with limited resources, cast it’s eyes south.
To the rich resources of land, agriculture, oil, rubber, iron ore and coal. And their aspirations turned to South East Asia, and beyond. The U.S. had remained neutral for the first 2 years of WW2 but they had a powerful naval presence in the pacific based at Pearl Harbour, which threatened Japanese ambitions. So, on 7 December 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Simultaneously and through a series of coordinated, vicious attacks Japan invaded the Philippines, and moved quickly south through Indo-China taking Burma,
Thailand, Vietnam and Malaya. Fortress Singapore fell on 15 February 1942 after one week of bitter fighting and 130,000 Commonwealth troops
entered the hell of Japanese captivity.
This included over 22,000 Australian troops mainly from the 8th Division.

Just 4 days later on 19 February 1942 Darwin was bombed by a massive Japanese force destroying much of the town and many Allied ships in Darwin Harbour. The attack was carried out by the same bomber group which attacked Pearl Harbour, however more bombs were dropped on Darwin than at Pearl Harbour. Australia would be attacked and bombed by the Japanese on 63 occasions. This was followed up with the raid in Sydney harbour on 31 May 1942 by 3 midget Japanese submarines. Sydney and Newcastle were shelled by Japanese submarines and Allied shipping was sunk off the eastern coast of Australia.
The Japanese invaded Rabaul massacring 130 Australian POW’s at Tol  Plantation and began building an airfield on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands to provide a base from which to further isolate and attack Australia. By July 1942 the Japanese occupied the Mandated Territory of Papua & New Guinea, Timor, Nauru, and the Solomon Islands and also held many other islands just to our north.
These were the darkest days for Australia and the Japanese advance south seemed unstoppable. Due to the imminent threat to Australia, Prime Minister Curtin defied Winston Churchill and brought Australian troops home from the Middle East and North Africa to defend Australia. The battle on the Kokoda Track was still raging, when in September 1942 Japanese land forces were for the first time stopped and defeated by Australian troops at the battle of Milne Bay. The tide had turned. Then the slow and painful slog through mud, swamp and jungle began, to push the Japanese back. To borrow the words of Winston Churchill, “This was not the end. It was not even the beginning of the end. But it was the end of the beginning.” It looked for the first time like the Battle for Australia could be won.
Meanwhile, Spencer Walklate observed events from afar. He had decided to move closer to the action and he and Linda left the bush and moved to Sydney taking up residence at Bondi Junction. Again through a sense of duty he decided to join the NSW Police Force at the age of 22 years so he could do his bit to defend the homeland. He joined the NSW Police Force on 3rd July 1940 and after initial training at the Burke Street Police Academy Redfern, was posted as a Probationary Constable to No 2 Division Regent Street. He performed wartime General Duties and was no doubt disturbed by world events, particularly the Darwin air raids and Japanese Submarine attacks on Sydney Harbour.

Spencer had developed into a fine, solidly built, very large and physically fit young man.

In addition to his demanding role as Constable of Police pounding the beat around Central Railway Station, Broadway and Paddy’s Market, he had developed into a first class footballer. He joined St. George Football Club and in 1943 played 15 first grade games as a forward scoring 2 tries and 3 goals. He was also a strong swimmer and in his spare time was a Bondi Surf Life Saver. Spencer Walklate was a big man of many talents. Just the kind of man you might need when your country was fighting for it’s very existence In June 1942 the Australian Military formed a Special Forces unit for clandestine commando operations behind enemy lines. Their main role was reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, sabotage and supporting resistance efforts in occupied territories. It was a secret force named
simply ‘Z’ Special Unit. The unit was administered through Special Operations Executive (SOE) Australia and was made up entirely of volunteers. It’s recruits came from various army and naval units who volunteered for ‘Special’ service in extremely high risk and dangerous operation’s.
They trained in a variety of secret training camps including Camp Z in Broken Bay, Z Experimental Station in Cairns and there was a commando school on Fraser Island. In June 1943 a ‘Z’ Special Unit commando team based on Magnetic Island staged a mock raid in Townsville Harbour by placing dummy limpet mines on allied shipping. When the mines were discovered it caused a furore as the navy thought the mines were real. The commander of the unit was arrested and subject to disciplinary action. But, the lessons learned here were later used in the highly successful Operation Jaywick raid by ‘Z’ Special Unit in Singapore Harbour, where 39,000 tons of enemy shipping was destroyed by limpet mines.
By late 1943 Constable Walklate was in a state of personal crisis. He did not want to leave his young wife or his job, but could find no other option.
His country was at war and he had army training. He knew men who were going off to fight. Not to go was unthinkable.
At the time the Police Force was designated a reserved occupation. Police were not permitted to join the military forces as it was deemed just as important for them to remain at home to keep the peace, defend the homeland and protect critical infrastructure. But, as so many Police were resigning to enlist, the rule was later relaxed and Police were allowed to enlist and return to the Force at the end of their military deployment.

So, Spencer made the only decision he could. In order to enlist he resigned from the NSW Police Force on 16th December 1943 and joined the AIF at Paddington on 31 December. On 5 January 1944 Spencer Henry Walklate Serial No NX202843 marched into 3rd Australian Army Recruit Training Battalion. He was 25 years of age.
Private Walklate‘s Police Training and leadership abilities held him in good stead and 3 months later he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 16 April. On 16 July 1944 Lance Corporal Walklate attended and successfully completed the jungle warfare course at the Australian Jungle Warfare Training Centre, Canungra. But, as in peacetime Spencer Walklate excelled and wanted to be among the best. So, on 4 August he volunteered for, and was accepted into ‘Z’ Special Unit. As this was a highly specialised unit he had to accept reduction to the rank of Private. But, after gaining all his skills and proficiency levels on 29 October 1944 his rank was reinstated to Lance Corporal.
Due to the level of secrecy involved, not much is known of his service over the next four months however it is highly likely he attended one or more of the ‘Z’ Special Unit training camps for specialised training in espionage and battle survival techniques. He departed Australia in secrecy for war service in the occupied Territory of Papua & New Guinea on 21 February 1945. He did not know he would never see Australia or his beloved wife Linda again.
Lance Corporal Spencer Walklate was posted to Group ‘C’ – ‘Z’ Special Unit in Lae where he trained in secret with other members of the group. It is not known what Spencer Walklate did or where he went for the next several weeks.
But, what is known is that he was about to enter the history books as taking part in one of the boldest, most heroic and tragic commando raids behind enemy lines in the South West Pacific theatre of war. Operation Copper.
Of course the name is a mere co-incidence, but the irony is not lost on the astute reader.
By April 1945 the allies were well and truly winning the war. In Europe the Russians were advancing on Berlin and Hitler would commit suicide within weeks. The Japanese had lost the war but were in denial and were being pushed back to Japan or decimated island by island. General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Allied Commander in the South West Pacific, was island hopping eager to complete his self fulfilling prophesy of, “I shall return” to the Philippines. And he did not care how many Australians had to die in order for him to fulfil it. As the Japanese had already proved they would rather die than surrender, the Americans were by-passing Japanese held islands in their rush north. MacArthur, determined to have all the glory for America had relegated the Australian troops, who were
the first to ever stop the Japanese and who had done the lion’s share of the fighting in New Guinea, to clearing up the stranded Japanese remnants. But, this was no easy task as the Japanese had been on some of these islands for years. They had established strong defences and built food gardens to enable them to survive and were willing to fight to the death to hold their ground.
And so it was that plans were made for an Australian invasion of Wewak on the north coast of New Guinea where the Japanese were stranded in strength, with nowhere else to go. Many diggers after the war would say that many a good man was lost and most of these operations were unnecessary as the Japanese could have just been left to starve and ‘wither on the vine’.
Intelligence reports indicated that there were two big 140mm naval guns situated on Muschu Island which commanded the coastline where the invasion was to take place and could wreak havoc on Australian invasion troops and shipping. Muschu was a small nondescript tropical island, like thousands of other small tropical islands, situated just 4kms off the coast near Wewak. Surrounded by coral reefs it was flat around the fringes, with scattered rocky coves, spectacular lagoons and beaches. It was hilly in the middle with a couple of isolated native villages and covered in dense tropical jungle. It was also the home for 700 very hostile Japanese soldiers. ‘Z’ Special Unit and Lance Corporal Spencer Walklate, were given the task of locating and disabling the guns on Muschu Island.
The following members of the Group ‘C’ – ‘Z’ Special Unit raiding party were assembled and briefed at Aitape on 8 April 1945:

Lt. Thomas Barnes, Lt. Alan Gubbay, Sergeant Max Weber, Signalman Michael Hagger, Private John Chandler, Private Ron Eagleton, Sapper Edward ‘Mick’ Dennis and Lance Corporal Spencer Henry Walklate.
‘Mick’ Dennis and ‘Spence’ Walklate had already become best mates and both had close familial connections with the NSW Police Force. ‘Mick‘ had been an unarmed combat instructor with the NSW Police Force before the war. His sister, Clare Dennis, was a 1932 Olympic 200 metre breaststroke swimming Gold Medallist, who was married to George Golding, a NSW Police Detective and 1930 Empire Games track and field Bronze Medallist. His father Alexander Dennis was a Police Prosecutor in the NSW Police Force at Burwood.
During the Aitape briefing the team was provided with maps, prismatic compasses, aerial photographs, secret wireless codes and intelligence reports on their area of operations. They would be inserted into the area by Naval Patrol Boat and would then paddle to the island by folding canvas kyak-like boats called ‘folboats’. Each man carried a 9mm automatic Sten SMG backed up by a .38 calibre Smith and Wesson Model 10 revolver. The raiding party was also issued with three 9mm ‘Welrods’ which were a silenced bolt action repeating pistol also known as ‘The Assassins Gun’. Other equipment included the Fairbairn Sykes commando fighting knife, two radio transmitters, walkie talkies, Very lights (flares), signal mirrors and rations for 24 hours. The mission was simple. Get in, capture a
Japanese prisoner for interrogation, find the guns, disable them if possible, contact the naval patrol boat by wireless and get out.
The night of 11 April 1945 was selected as it was a dark, moonless night with favourable tides. That afternoon the raiding party boarded Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) 1231 at Aitape and was conveyed under cover of darkness on the 8 hour, 150 kms journey to within 5 kms of Muschu Island. At 2130 hrs they disembarked the patrol boat in four folboats, two men paddling in each and set off into enemy held territory. And into the lion’s den.
As the men’s night vision kicked in all eyes strained on the dark brooding mass ahead. The only sight that pierced the darkness was the luminous trail left in the rippling wake of the boats as they carved their way through the calm tropical waters. The only sound that broke the silence was the dip of paddles as they sliced the still black water, the slap of the waves against the flimsy canvas hulls of the tiny boats, and the faintly suppressed groans of straining men as they pulled the fragile craft closer. The eerie blackness was occasionally violated by the phosphorescent flash made by some unseen creature lurking in the murky depths below
the sweating, determined men. On they went through the still, balmy, tropical night towards the dark foreboding shadow of the unseen enemy’s lair.
Then disaster struck. At 2230 hrs the folboats hit an uncharted reef and capsized. The party managed to recover the boats but much of the party’s weapons and
equipment was saturated or lost in the black churning water. Two hours later 8 tired, wet and bedraggled men dragged themselves to shore where the party slept fitfully 15 metres inland.
At 0500 hrs on 12 April they stood to. Weapons at the ready clutched in tense, sweating hands, eyes straining through the thick jungle foliage and ears fine-tuned to pick up the slightest hostile sound. When no enemy activity was detected they concealed the boats 50 metres inland in dense undergrowth and set up a base camp some 100 metres further inland where the wireless transmitter and equipment was concealed.
The team then moved east for 30 minutes where they located two well oiled Juki machine guns in firing positions covering the beach. They dismantled the guns and threw them into the sea. The party continued across the island and found strong enemy posts every 50 metres along the coast with a network of trenches and connecting tracks behind. A further four machine guns were located and dismantled. A food garden and some enemy occupied huts were located. There were some bomb craters in this area and here they obtained fresh rain water for the first time.
That afternoon they captured a Japanese soldier who was bound and gagged.

They then tried to find their way back to their base camp but got lost. Taking the wrong track they came upon a Japanese camp. They diverted around the camp and on some cliffs found several gun positions.
They made contact with two Japanese near some huts and both were shot dead with the silenced ‘Welrods’.
They then moved back east and finally found the naval gun positions they were looking for. Grid references were taken so the guns could be destroyed by allied aircraft and with the mission nearly accomplished they began to make their way back to base camp.
But, again disaster struck. As they passed near a Japanese patrol the prisoner slipped his gag and called out alerting the enemy. The prisoner was immediately shot and the party went to ground. There was a strong Japanese presence on the island and by now they were alerted to the presence of the raiders and several hundred Japanese were out in force searching for the Australians. That evening they moved back to the folboats but found they had been discovered by the Japanese and an ambush had been set nearby with a machine gun covering the boats. The party then withdrew, made a fresh base camp and now with no wireless transmitters had to plan their getaway.
They decided to try for the mainland so constructed a raft from logs and at 2000 hrs put to sea but the raft smashed to pieces on a coral reef. This time they lost the remainder of their weapons and equipment and the only man to retain his weapon and pack was Sapper Dennis. It would save his life and enable him to live to tell the story of what happened next.
They returned to the island and after much debate decided by democratic vote to break up into two groups. One group of four men being Sergeant Weber, Private Chandler, Signalman Hagger and Sapper Dennis, favoured remaining on the island and would try to recover a wireless transmitter to contact the rescue boat. The other group comprising Lt Barnes, Lt Gubbay, Private Eagleton and Lance Corporal Spencer Walklate, favoured putting to sea on separate logs to try to make it to nearby Kairiru Island and signal patrolling allied reconnaissance aircraft with mirrors. The men said their goodbyes, shook hands and wished each other luck.
Spencer Walklate and his party then set to sea and the last time he or his mates were seen alive by friendly eyes was as they paddled quietly off into the darkness. Four tiny, bedraggled figures bobbing along on coconut logs carried on the unpredictable currents of the Solomon Sea. Into the vast, enemy held, shark infested unknown.
The story of what happened to Spencer Walklate and his mates cannot be told without reference to the extraordinary tale of survival by Sapper Dennis. The Dennis party moved inland and rested. They spent the 13/14 April observing the movements of the Japanese and watching for signals.
At 0600 hrs on 15 April they moved back to their original base and recovered one of the wireless transmitters. While moving back to a safe position to set up the radio they were ambushed by a Japanese patrol. Sapper Dennis shot two Japanese with his sten gun and the party split up discarding the wireless set in the scrub. Dennis was unable to locate the rest of the party throughout the day. He returned to the bomb crater to get fresh water but found it sour and bitter to the taste. The Japanese were poisoning the water holes to deny the intruders water. Dennis then moved west and in an encounter near a hut shot one Japanese. He then surprised a Japanese Patrol of four and shot one wounding several others. He hid for the night in the scrub and heard Japanese patrols moving around and heard shots near the beach.

Having given up hope of finding the rest of the party he continued west and found a Japanese machine gun in position but unattended so he toppled it over a cliff. He slept in a sago forest and could hear and see the Japanese searching for him. As per mission objectives he continued to record the details and grid references of all Japanese positions, strengths and infrastructure in his note book.
On 16 April he reached the west coast of the island near Muschu Bay and decided to try for the mainland. He found a suitable plank on a wrecked Japanese barge and hid it.
He remained in the area until night and returning to the plank found it had been removed back to the barge. He retrieved the plank and then paddled for 10 hours through shark infested waters and battled strong ocean currents until making the mainland two hours before dawn. He rested, then on 17 April set off north west towards what he hoped were the Australian lines. He evaded Japanese patrols but was observed by two Japanese and shot one.
He later encountered another four man Japanese patrol and shot two. He then surprised two Japanese but his SMG misfired.

The Japanese were so frightened one lost his rifle and they both ran away.
He continued west for 20 kms through enemy territory until 1400 hrs on 20 April when he contacted a patrol of the 2/7th Australian Commando Company. His ordeal was over and the details of his intelligence debrief conducted at Aitape on 21 April 1945 form the basis for this narrative.

Sapper ‘Mick’ Dennis, former NSW Police unarmed combat instructor, was awarded the Military Medal for this extraordinary feat of courage and endurance.
But what of the other 7 men of Operation Copper?
The war ended just 4 months later with the dropping of the atomic bombs ‘Little Boy’ and ‘Fat Man’ at Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6th and 9th August 1945 respectively. After cessation of hostilities the Australian military commenced it’s War Crimes investigations and trials into Japanese atrocities. Muschu Island was converted to an internment camp for Japanese POW’s and Japanese officers and soldiers were interviewed to establish what happened to missing allied servicemen and women. But, the Japanese were often untruthful, uncooperative and sought to cover up the truth for fear of being tried and executed as war criminals. It had been a long and bloody war and most Allied Governments just wanted to forget about it. The Americans were even less enthusiastic to pursue high level war criminals as General MacArthur was given the task to re build post-war Japan and he used high ranking Japanese officers and officials, many of whom were war criminals, in the process. So, many war criminals escaped justice, as was to be the case for the missing men of Operation Copper.
In 1945/46 war crimes investigators interviewed senior Japanese officers on Muschu Island re the fate of the Operation Copper men. They were told that the three men from the Dennis party were ambushed and killed while trying to operate a radio set. However, natives had reported seeing the mutilated bodies of these men on Muschu in April 1945. While the Japanese claimed the bodies had been damaged by artillery shells, Sapper Dennis has always disagreed with this. He believes his three mates were captured, tortured and murdered by the Japanese.
The mutilated bodies could indicate they were cannibalised which was a common practice by the Japanese in New Guinea during WW2. After the war the remains of the bodies of Sergeant Weber, Private Chandler and Signalman Hagger were recovered from a shallow grave and re-buried at Wewak. They were later exhumed and moved to Lae war cemetery. At least one body appeared to have been decapitated and another was shot through the head.
But what of Spencer Walklate and his 3 mates, who set off into the unknown so long ago on coconut logs?
The Australian Army concluded in 1946 the party was drowned at sea or taken by sharks. But, many years after the war, with the declassification of military documents, new information became available and has shed fresh light on what happened.
It is now known that natives on nearby Kairiru Island told military investigators that up to three Australian’s came ashore on Kairiru in April 1945 and were executed by the Japanese. The Japanese denied this claim stating that two airmen did come ashore but they died of sickness and disease two days later. The native claims were ignored and never followed up at the time.
But, recently Australian Army documents have surfaced containing eye witness accounts of the murder of two Australian soldiers on Kairiru Island, including an account by the Japanese officer who carried out the executions.
According to these primary source documents between April-June (sic) 1945 a very large Australian ‘airman’, perfectly fitting the description of Spencer Walklate, was captured on Kairiru. ‘Z’ Special Unit operatives would have used a cover story if captured as espionage was punishable by summary execution, while ordinary servicemen were entitled to protection under the Japanese Code of Military Law. (Japan was not a signatory to the Geneva Convention). So, claiming to be an airman shot down or crash landing in the vicinity made perfect sense.
It is also known that checks of military war dairies indicate that no Australian airmen were lost in that location at that time. The Australian POW referred to in this document is almost certainly Spencer Henry Walklate.
Following is the disturbing firsthand account of his beheading murder, sourced from official Australian Department of Army War Crimes Archives and extracts taken from an interview with Ensign OAWAGA Waichi of the Japanese Imperial Navy, who was stationed on Muschu Island in 1945.

OAWAGA Waichi (states): During the first part of June 1945, an Australian airman was brought to headquarters from the north coast. At about 1300 Medical Officer MARUYAMA came to the sick bay and I received the order:
“Petty Officer OAGAWA, execute him.”
Thereupon I went to the scene of the action. At a spot about 100 yards away in the direction of headquarters a large Australian airman, blindfolded and wearing Japanese summer clothing, was being held with his arms behind his back by a guard detail of the sixth squad. He was kneeling on both knees in front of a hole in the ground. I approached Ensign FUMIYA, the chief of the guards, and reported:
“I have come upon orders from the medical officer.”
“Hurry and execute him.” (HYAKU Kire) I was ordered, so I borrowed the sword from the NCO who had come for liaison purposes and decapitated (the prisoner). With only a single stroke of the sword, he fell forward and died.
At this time there were present from headquarters the Staff Engineer Officer, Secretary KAWADA, Medical Ensign OMOTEZAKA, Supervisor Petty Officer (medical) SUZUKI and Leading Seaman MACHI.
Besides these there were fifteen to twenty officers and guards.
The corpse was buried on the spot under the direction of Ensign FUMIY A.
The same grim, barbaric ritual was repeated 10 days later with the capture and murder of a second member of the Operation Copper party. However, the precise identity of this soldier is not known and he was heavily drugged with Narcopon (Opium) prior to execution.
OAWAGA Waichi (states): “ About ten days had passed since the first incident when again an Australian airman was brought to headquarters from the north coast. At about 1500 I received the order from the medical officer:
‘Execute him with an injection of one CC of Narcopon.’

Thereupon I took one CC hypodermic needle and one CC of narcopon from the dispensary and went to the scene of the action. Lt (s.g) AMENOMORI and Secretary KAWADA were investigating in the finance room.

A fatigue detail was digging a hole. In about two hours the investigation was finished and an Australian of average stature, blindfolded and wearing Japanese summer clothes, was lead out by the guards. His hands were held behind his back and he was made to kneel in front of the hole.

The medical officer ordered me:
‘Give him the injection’ (CHUSHA SHIRO), so I injected one CC of Narcopon into the lower part of the left shoulder blade. Then I borrowed a sword from Superior Petty Officer KAWANO. About fifteen to twenty minutes after the injection the order:
‘Execute him’ (KIRE) was given, so I raised the sword over my head and brought it down, decapitating (the prisoner).
The Australian fell forward and died. Under the direction of Ensign FUMIYA, the corpse was buried on the spot.”
It appears that possibly one other member of the Walklate party met a similar fate with the fourth probably lost at sea.
Surprisingly, no Japanese solder was ever charged with war crimes regarding the murders of the Operation Copper men, in spite of this compelling evidence. The information provided by Sapper Dennis, the sole survivor of the Operation Copper raid, was used in the planning for the successful invasion of Wewak and the subsequent defeat of the Japanese which ended the Japanese occupation in New Guinea.
And so ends the heroic but tragic story of the men of Operation Copper and of the murder of Spencer Henry Walklate. Athlete, elite sportsman, football star, surf life saver, soldier, commando, POW, war hero, loving husband and NSW Constable of Police. Executed without trial by war criminals, he lies in an unmarked grave, in a lonely foreign place, on a tiny god forsaken island no one has ever heard of.
Postscript:
Each ANZAC Day, Edward Thomas ‘Mick’ Dennis MM, rises early.
He polishes his shoes, dresses in his best suit and carefully pins the shining row of bronze and silver medals with their brightly coloured ribands on the left breast of his jacket just above the pocket. The RSL badge and Returned From Active Service badge complete the ritual. Then, arming himself with his walking cane, he shuffles off to the dawn service. Rain, hail or shine, he has done it dutifully for 69 years. At 96 it is getting harder, but he knows he has to go. As he stands for The Last Post, on weakened, shaky legs, he remembers. He remembers the happy, smiling, youthful faces of his mates. He remembers them just the way they were, then. As if frozen still in time. Their bodies not wasted by age or sickness or despair. They have become ageless. He remembers Muschu Island, his mate ‘Spence’ Walklate and what they did there so long ago. And for a brief moment he stiffens and somehow grows taller. A tear comes to his eye. He wipes it with his  handkerchief and with head bowed, shuffles slowly off home.

Until next year.
In a final irony, the naval guns at Muschu Island were never fired in anger and remained silent during the campaign.
The Japanese commander was afraid if they were used the Allies would be alerted to their position and they would be destroyed by superior allied air power. They are still there today. Lest We Forget.

Reference List:
Dennis D.
(2006)

‘The Guns of Muschu’,

Allen & Unwin,
Sydney,
Australia.
www.gunsofmuschu.com
Australian National Archives.
Australian War Memorial Archives.
http://www.peacekeepers.asn.au/mag/2014winter/PKWinter14.pdf

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Arthur John COX

aka  Archie

Late of Salt Ash, formerly Dubbo & Emu Plains

Redfern Police Academy Class # 120

New South Wales Police Force

[alert_yellow]Regd. #  13879[/alert_yellow]

Rank:  Probationary Constable – appointed 15 September 1969

Senior Constable – appointed 15 December 1978

Sergeant – Retirement

Stations: ?, Tactical Response Group, St Marys – Retirement

Service:  From  ? ? pre September 1969?  to  9 June 1988 = 19 years Service

Awards:  National Medal – granted 10 September 1986

Born:  15 August 1949

Died on:  Wednesday  19 July 2017 @ 5am @ Newcastle

Age:  67

Cause:  complications after recent surgery for Cancer

Event location:   ?

Event date:   ?

Funeral date:  Monday  31 July 2017 @ 10am

Funeral location:  The Chapel, Lake Macquarie Memorial Park, 405 Cessnock Road, Ryhope

Buried at:  ?

 Memorial located at:  ?

[alert_yellow]ARCHIE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow]  *NEED MORE INFO

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May they forever Rest In Peace

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Published in Port Stephens Examiner on July 27, 2017

http://tributes.cessnockadvertiser.com.au/obituaries/cessnockadvertiser-au/obituary.aspx?n=arthur-john-cox&pid=186187662

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Richard SMITH

Late of  ” Iona “, Fern Hill, Canterbury, NSW

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ????

Rank:  Sergeant

Stations: ?, Manning River – Taree, Major’s Creek Gold Fields ( 1851 as a Sgt ), Sergeant’s Point – Little River ( Braidwood District ) – ( 9 years to Retirement )

Service:  From  ? ? 1837?  to  ? ? 1860? = 23+? years Service.  Retired aged 64

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1796 in Wiltshire, England.  Arrived in Australia in 1835 with the 12th Regiment

Died on:   Saturday  30 May 1903

Age:  107

Cause:  Age

Event location:   Fern Hill, Canterbury

Event date:  30 May 1903

Funeral date:  Monday  1 June 1903 @ 1.45pm

Funeral location:  Necropolis

Buried at:  Rookwood Cemetery, NSW

Roman Catholic Sec. M1 – Row T – Grave 170

 Memorial located at:  ?

RICHARD is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance  *NEED MORE INFO

 Funeral location:  TBA

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Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954),

Monday 1 June 1903, page 10

SMITH. — The Friends of the deceased Mr. RICHARD SMITH, late of Sergeant’s Point, Little River, Braidwood, are kindly invited to attend his Funeral; to move from Iona, Fernhill, Canterbury, THIS MONDAY, at 1.45, for the Ashfield Station, thence to the Necropolis.

Mrs. P. KIRBY and SON

Undertakers,

113 Miller-street, N. Syd.

.

SMITH. — The Friends of Messrs. T. WILLIAM,

JOHN and CORNELIUS SMITH are kindly invited to attend the funeral of their dearly beloved FATHER, Richard Smith to move from Iona, Fern Hill Canterbury THIS MONDAY at 1 45 pm for Ashfield Station thence to the Necrópolis

Mrs P KIRBY and Son

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14558101

Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 – 1907),

Wednesday 10 June 1903, page 26

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71482173

The above story was basically reproduced on Saturday 6 June 1903 in the Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal but with the added text from the Editor B.D. about SMITH.

Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888 – 1954),

Saturday 6 June 1903, page 2

The above account does not agree in several particulars with what is known by several oil residents of the district regarding the Sergeant Smith after whom Sergeant’s Point, on the Mongarlowe River, was named.

In the first place the Sergeant Smith who came here at the breaking out of the goldfields, and who was a contemporary of the later Inspector Hogg, of Braidwood, was a much younger man than the Mr Richard Smith above referred to and died we believe, several years since.

The Sergeant Smith of Mongarlowe never kept a public house in Braidwood.

Another Smith, the late Mr Edward Smith, who died some years ago, leaving a large family well known in Braidwood, Mr A. Smith, of this town, being one of the sons, also the late Mr. S. Smith, kept a public house here for a short time some forty years since, but of course it cannot be him.

However, we are not disposed to be too critical as to his identity or at all desirous of disclaiming as one of our old identities one who has lived to such a good round age.

It is certainly very singular that the deceased’s eldest son should err so much in his recollection of his father’s history, but all the same, there is a mistake somewhere. — Ed. B.D.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/100204424

Further, to the above:

Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888 – 1954),

Wednesday 10 June 1903, page 2

The Death of Mr. SMITH. –

With reference to the death of Mr. Richard Smith, of Canterbury, near Sydney, at the age of 107 years, reported in your last issue, the ‘old hands‘ We quite endorse your remarks that he was not the Sergeant Smith who formerly occupied a position in the district, Mr W. B. Bruce, who knew the Sergeant Smith with whom Mr. Richard Smith is evidently confounded intimately, informs us that the former gentleman was drowned in the Moruya river some years ago.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/100205943

And further evidence to the above:

Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888 – 1954),

Saturday 20 June 1903, page 2

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/100209188

Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888 – 1954),

Saturday 20 June 1903, page 2

Robert Thomas HAWTHORNE

aka  Tommy

Late of  ?

NSW Police Cadet # 1021

New South Wales Police Force

[alert_yellow]Regd. #  7752[/alert_yellow]

Rank:  NSW Police Cadet – commenced 30 July 1952

Probationary Constable – appointed 22 May 1954

Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 28 June 1977

Inspector 3rd Class – appointed 4 June 1983

Superintendent – appointed 1985

Chief Superintendent – Retirement – 1988

Stations: ?, Eastwood ( 1967 / 68 – GD’s ), Petersham ( 11 Division ), Management Review Unit ( O.I.C. ) 1986

Service:  From  30 July 1952  to  ? ? 1988 = 35+ years Service

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  22 May 1935

Died on:  Monday  3 July 2017 during mid afternoon

Age:  82

Cause:  Cancer

Event location:   Toronto Private Hospital

Event date:   Monday  3 July 2017

Funeral date:  Friday  7 July 2017 @ 11.30am

Funeral location:  Hillside Chapel, Palmdale Lawn Cemetery and Memorial Park, 57 Palmdale Road, PALMDALE

Buried at:  ? TBA

 Memorial located at:  ?

[alert_yellow]TOMMY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow]  *NEED MORE INFO

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 Funeral location: 

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Edward SEWELL

Late of  ?

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ???

Rank:  Constable 1st Class

Stations: ?, Bathurst ( entire Service )

Service:  From  ? ? 1853  to  18 January 1892 = 39 years Service

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  ? January 1832 in Ireland

Died on:  Thursday  11 February 1892

Age:  60

Cause:  Influenza – On Duty

Event location:   Piper St, Bathurst

Event date:   ? October 1891 ( contracted influenza )

Funeral date:  Sunday  14 February 1892

Funeral location:  ?

Buried at:  ?

 Memorial located at:  ?

[alert_yellow]SEWELL is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow]  *NEED MORE INFO

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Stanley David PICKERING –

aka  David

husband to Trish – Secretary of Wide Bay Branch of RPA

Late of  Hervey Bay, Qld & formerly of Bathurst, NSW

New South Wales Police Force

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? ?

Died on:  Saturday  17 June 2017

Age:  73

Cause:  ?

Event location:  Hervey Bay Hospital, Qld

Event date:  Saturday  17 June 2017

Funeral date:  Monday  26 June 2017 @ 11am

Funeral location:  Ross Funerals, Fraser Coast Crematorium & Bayside Memorial Gardens, 18 Nikenbah Road, HERVEY BAY

Buried at:  ?

 Memorial located at:  ?

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May they forever Rest In Peace

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Beresford John KILL

aka  Barry

Late of  Corrimal

New South Wales Police Force

[alert_yellow]Regd. #   10867[/alert_yellow]

Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 28 October 1963

Senior Constable – appointed 28 October 1972

Sergeant 3rd Class –

Senior Sergeant – appointed 31 December 1987

Senior Sergeant – Retirement

Stations: ?, Bulli ( O.I.C. ), Wollongong Transit Police, Wollongong G.D’s – Retirement

Service:  From  ? ? pre October 1963?  to  30 October 1993 = 30+ years Service

Awards:  National Medal – granted 11 December 1980  ( Sgt 3/C )

1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 15 December 1989

Born:  21 September 1936

Died on:  Thursday  8 June 2017 at home

Age:  80

Cause:  ?

Event location:  Home

Event date:  Thursday  8 June 2017

Funeral date:  Tuesday  13 June 2017 @ 10am

Funeral location:  Parsons Funeral Home Chapel, 278 Princes Highway, Bulli ( cnr Organs Rd )

Buried at:  ?

 Memorial located at:  ?

[alert_yellow]BARRY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow]  *NEED MORE INFO

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 Funeral location: 

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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

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KILL Beresford John ˜Barry’ of Corrimal

Passed away peacefully at home on June 8, 2017.

Beloved husband of Val.

Loving father and father in law of Evan, Alanna, Tahnee, Mitchel, Rowan and Leonie, Patrice and Nathan, Bethany and Matthew, Julieanne and Michael, Leonard.

Much loved Grandad to his 14 grandchildren and Sookie.

Aged 80 Years

At Peace

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Barry’s funeral service to be held in the chapel, Parsons Funeral Home, 278 Princes Highway Bulli on Tuesday June 13, 2017 at 10am.

Published by Illawarra Mercury on June 9, 2017 – See more at: http://tributes.illawarramercury.com.au/obituaries/illawarramercury-au/obituary.aspx?n=beresford-john-kill-barry&pid=185746807#sthash.s16AoXZC.dpuf

Peter John ARMSTRONG

aka  Sheepdog

Late of Picketts Valley, NSW

New South Wales Police Force

[alert_yellow]Regd. #  21800[/alert_yellow]

Rank:  Probationary Constable – appointed 25 January 1985

Constable – appointed 25 January 1986

Stations: ?, Burwood & Enfield ( 9 Division ),  VKG1 ( Sydney ), Flemington, Gosford – Medical Retirement

Service:  From  ? ? pre January 1985?  to  ? ? ? = ? years Service

Awards:  There are two Peter John Armstrong’s mentioned on It’s An Honour.

They both received the National Medal & 1st Clasp to National Medal with one receiving the 2nd Clasp but I am unable to confirm who is who on that system.

Born:  2 March 1965

Died on:  ” Left to go to heaven” on Thursday  1 June 2017 @ 2.15pm at home

Age:  52

Cause:  Tumour in the brain.  Diagnosed in May 2016

Event location:   ?

Event date:  Thursday  1 June 2017 @ 2.15pm

Funeral date:  Friday  9 June 2017

Funeral location:  Pete requested a private funeral for his family and close friends.  The Chapel, Greenways Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 460 Avoca Dve, Green Point

Buried at:  ? TBA

 Memorial located at:  ?

[alert_yellow]PETER is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow]  *NEED MORE INFO

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 Funeral location:  TBA

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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

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May they forever Rest In Peace

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Brett Andrew FORTE

Husband of Serving QPS Member – Susan

Son of Retired QPS Member – Stuart

Late of  ?

Queensland Police Service

Regd. #  ?????

Rank:  Senior Constable

Stations: ?,  Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad – Death

Service:  From  ? ? ?  to  29 May 2017 = ? years Service

Awards:  Commendation for Brave Conduct (posthumous), granted on 14th of March, 2018

Born:  ? ? ?

Died on:  Monday  29 May 2017

Age:  ?

Cause:  Shot – Murdered – Semi Auto gun fire – Violent Traffic Offender Stop

Event location:   Seventeen Mile, Lockyer Valley region, near Toowoomba

Event date:  Monday  29 May 2017

Funeral date:  Wednesday  7 June 2017

Funeral location:  University of Southern Queensland campus, Toowoomba

Buried at:  ?

 Memorial located at:  ?

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

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 Funeral location:  TBA

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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

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May they forever Rest In Peace

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But as she laid the bouquet down — inconsolable and barely able to stand on her own accord — Rick Maddison’s supporters saw an opportunity to let their voice be heard.

One person in a full car yelled “What about Rick?” as the Forte family huddled together, hunched over Susan in the floral sea of colours.

A gasp could be heard, but the family did not retaliate as the station wagon continued down Neil St.

Union president Ian Leavers lambasted the culprit.

“It is nothing short of a disgrace that associates of a career criminal and murderer would dare heckle a grieving widow while she pays tribute to her husband,” he said.

“Police and their families deserve better than to be treated like this.”

Despite the shock, Brett’s father Stuart turned and smiled as the family walked away — Susan arm-in-arm with her daughter Emma Morris.

Stuart confirmed yesterday that Brett’s funeral would be held in Toowoomba next Wednesday at the University of Southern Queensland campus.

Stuart said the family was doing its best to cope with the tragedy and the subsequent attention it had received.

Early morning visits to the Brett’s shrine outside the station have formed part of the grieving process for the family over the last two days.

Via a lawyer yesterday, Maddison’s family also spoke of their pain.

A statement — read out by Alroe and Sullivan’s Solicitors practice manager Michele Alroe -claimed the murderer was more than just a career criminal.

“To us he was not the one-dimensional career criminal which the media are now portraying but rather a loved son, brother, nephew, uncle, grandson, friend and mate to many and as such will be sadly mourned,” the statement read.

The statement went on to say that Maddison’s actions may never be fully understood, but it expressed condolences to the police force and the Forte family.

The streets of Toowoomba are rife with anecdotes about Maddison’s self-destructive behaviour.

Friend Anthony Hogan said Maddison was “banned from more licenced venues than he was allowed into”, but said he would never hesitate to help out a mate.

“His name can strike fear into people. He was notorious … I’ve known Rick for many years and I’m not ashamed to say,” Mr Hogan said.

“I loved the guy and I will miss him.

“I’m not defending his actions or his criminal side, nor would he want me to defend him, but those who truly know him, well there was a caring and fiercely loyal side to the man too.”

Stuart acknowledged that the Forte’s were not the only family grieving and maintained that he felt no ill-will towards Maddison for his actions.

Brett Forte’s funeral is expected to be held in Toowoomba next Wednesday.

The Courier-Mail reported today on the heroic actions of Senior Constable Forte’s partner the moments after he was shot.

Constable Forte was shot by Maddison as he gave chase to the criminal in bushland on Monday.

It is understood Constable Forte and his partner were in one of three police cars that followed known criminal Maddison down a dirt road in a “low speed chase” around 2pm on Monday at Seventeen Mile, near Toowoomba.

His colleague used her bare hands to tear a hole in the windscreen of their upturned car so she and others could drag him to safety — all while under fire from a crazed gunman with an automatic weapon.

The Courier-Mail understands Constable Forte and his partner were in one of three police cars that followed known criminal Maddison down a dirt road in a “low speed chase” around 2pm on Monday at Seventeen Mile, near Toowoomba.

His vehicle and the other vehicles tried to reverse, but his rolled on the rough terrain, trapping him and his partner inside. With Maddison still firing, several officers from the second vehicle ran back to try to get their badly injured colleague out.

Donations for Brett Forte Remembrance Fund

QBANK

BSB: 704 052

AccNo: 100 179 875

Westpac

BSB: 034 838

Acc No: 263281

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/the-wife-of-slain-policeman-brett-forte-has-been-tormented-outside-toowoomba-police-station/news-story/75e376c3836cea1f00850b4f9559f491

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They said Rick’s actions could not be excused, “nor is it likely they will be ever fully understood”.

“To us he was not the one- dimensional career criminal which the media are now portraying but rather a loved son, brother, nephew, uncle, grandson, friend and mate to many and as such will be sadly mourned,” the statement read.

The family also expressed their support for QPS and thanked negotiators for their attempts to resolve the situation peacefully.

“We express our support for the Queensland Police Service and the often difficult and dangerous work its officers are required to undertake. We particularly wish to thank the police negotiators for their attempts to resolve a very difficult situation peacefully.

“The Maddison family thank the many people who have expressed to them their overwhelming support, sympathy, love and prayers,

Rick Maddison was shot dead by specialist police officers after a tense 20-hour standoff at his barricaded rural property in Adare, east of Toowoomba on Tuesday

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/family-of-cop-killer-rick-maddison-releases-statement/news-story/e1ae7a9b158a010b27b269a2121a3cef

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Chris Clarke, The Courier

-Mail

May 31, 2017 6:01pm

It was the hat his father Stuart wore during his more than 42 years with Queensland Police.

More than a decade ago – soon after Brett had married the love of his life and fellow officer Susan – the respected Toowoomba officer had found the hat sitting in the laundry of his father’s home.

He claimed it and wore it as his own until his final day on Monday when he was shot and killed by a cop-fearing gunman.

The hat is a symbol of the Forte family’s affinity for ­policing, Stuart told The Courier-Mail yesterday.

A treasured possession that will forever remind him of the boy who would sneak out of home to turn on his old man’s police radio.

The boy who would grow up to passionately follow in his father’s policing footsteps – like Stuart had done himself years earlier.

“He’s just a hero,” Stuart said. “He was a great bloke and he needs to be remembered,” he said.

Brett – known for his ­humour at home and at work – wasn’t afraid to do the hard yards and he rose through the ranks by doing his time in the regions around Brisbane.

His career had him sent to Cunnamulla, west of Brisbane, before going to Toowoomba, then Caboolture and settling down in Toowoomba again.

Brett leaves behind two sons, Brodie, 9, and Samuel, 3, and stepdaughter Emma, 16.

Similarly, Brett grew up in a family of three, but it wasn’t until early adulthood that he informed his father of his ­desire to join the force.

While Stuart’s father had some reservations about his own son joining the force around 1970, Stuart himself was never reluctant to see his son sign up.

“(Brett) was always that way (passionate about policing),” he said.

“I wouldn’t say he was gungho, but he wanted to get in there and do the job and do the job right.

“I’ve been told that he was the guy who had the knowledge of the guidelines and how you’re supposed to do things.

“If anyone wanted any ­advice, he’d tell them that you do it this way.

“He knew what he was doing and he was very smart in that area.”

Brett’s heartbroken stepdaughter Emma Morris ­yesterday laid flowers outside Toowoomba Police Station in memory of her father figure.

She echoed her grandfather’s sentiments, calling Brett a hero.

But Emma wept at the thought of her brothers growing up without the guidance she had received from him.

“Brett was just a true hero to everybody he knew … a true family man that would put his life on the line for anybody,” she said.

“Especially because I have younger siblings and they’re never going to remember him.”

Brett is expected to be laid to rest in coming days with his faded police hat.

But Stuart expects his son’s legacy to live forever within Queensland police ranks.

It remains to be seen whether Brodie and Samuel will follow in their father’s footsteps and continue the family tradition.

One thing Stuart will ensure is that they will grow up knowing their dad was a hero.

Arrangements for Brett’s funeral are still being discussed by his family, who gathered at the home he and Susan shared at Highlands, a suburb of Toowoomba, yesterday. The funeral will be held in Toowoomba next Wednesday in Toowoomba but the location of the ceremony is yet to be determined.

While some in the Forte family have expressed anger towards the slain officer’s killer, Stuart says he has no ill will.

“I don’t hate anybody,” he said. “Funnily enough I thought I would, but there’s no hatred there.”

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Harrowing video has emerged of the frantic moment police officers bravely tried to save the life of a hero Queensland senior constable who was shot dead allegedly by a wanted man on Monday.

Daily Mail Australia has obtained video from a Lockyer Valley resident who watched with her heart in her mouth as cops worked frantically to save the life of a married father-of-two.

A known offender, Rick Charles Maddison, 41, allegedly shot Senior Constable Brett Forte at about 1.40pm during a police chase in the regional area near Toowoomba, an hour west of Brisbane.

‘A hero lost his life today,’ state police minister Mark Ryan said in a statement.

In the video, filmed on a mobile phone from the window of a nearby home, officers sprint up the road, sirens wail and police can be seen performing CPR on Snr Const Forte. 

‘Jesus Christ!’ the woman could be heard exclaiming.

Police later bellowed for her to step away from the windows due to the active shooter, sources said.

Maddison, who was believed to be armed with a machine gun, abruptly stopped and got out of his car during the chase involving two police vehicles and four officers and allegedly shot Snr Const Forte.

Maddison, from Toowoomba, then drove down a dirt road at Seventeen Mile, just northwest of Gatton.

It was understood the police vehicle Snr Const Forte had been travelling in rolled over after the chase resumed and Maddison also allegedly fired at a police helicopter while fleeing into bushland before entering a farm house.

The husband of the woman who filmed the video told Daily Mail Australia she was frightened and ‘freaking out a bit’ after gunfire rang out through the area.

Police officers would later carry the wounded officer off the paddy wagon onto her front lawn and ‘keep him alive’, he said.

Several locals were forced to watch helplessly behind a barricade for hours while their wives were stuck in their homes behind police lines.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4552100/Queensland-police-race-save-life-shot-officer.html

Senior Constable Brett Forte, a father of two, was shot in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley on Monday afternoon when a man got out of his vehicle and opened fire on a number of police cars with an automatic weapon.

Now, new video has emerged of fellow officers attempting to resuscitate Snr Const Forte after the shooting.

The heartbreaking footage, obtained by the Daily Mail, shows cops performing mouth-to-mouth and heart massage in a ditch beside a police car.

When officers notice the woman shooting the video, they yell at her to “get inside” and “get away from the window” because the shooter was still at large.

Queensland Police confirmed that Snr Const Forte had died in a statement on Monday night.

“A hero lost his life today,” Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan said.

The gunman, who The Courier-Mail identified as “career criminal” Rick Maddison, is in a stand-off with police in an area near Gatton in southeast Queensland.

The incident began about 2pm when police attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by a “person of interest” on Wellers Rd at Seventeen Mile, near Toowoomba.

Snr Const Forte’s fellow officers were able to move him away and extract themselves from the scene.

Police are in negotiations with the gunman, who fled the vehicle into nearby bushland.

While neighbours reported hearing what sounded like machine-gun fire, police did not confirm details about the weapon.

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart described the situation as an “active scene” and said the gunman was considered to be “at large”.

“Obviously we want to resolve this situation as peacefully as humanly possible,” he said.

Officers from the Special Emergency Response Team have arrived at the scene and a huge area has been locked down around Seventeen Mile, 115km west of Brisbane.

Gatton resident Kyal Pennell told news.com.au that he heard the first shots, which sounded like machine-gun fire, about 2.30pm and then a police siren for about 15 minutes.

“Then there was basically gunfire every 10 to 15 minutes from about 2.45pm through to 4.30pm,” he said.

“It was pretty scary, I wasn’t sure what to think, I wasn’t sure what was going on and I couldn’t see anything. I was only hoping it wasn’t getting any closer.”

Mr Pennell said he was eventually evacuated about 5.30pm and was now staying at a hotel with his family as police continued to hunt for the shooter.

Snr Const Forte was part of Toowoomba’s Tactical Crime Squad and worked with Queensland Police for about 15 years.

“My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues … along with millions of Queenslanders, I pay tribute to his service,” Mr Ryan said in his tribute.

“He will never be forgotten.

“With honour, he served.”

There were also unconfirmed reports shots were fired at a police helicopter, which was forced to land for its own safety.

https://youtu.be/XiNqAUi6GMQ

Police have urged nearby residents to remain inside as they try to locate the gunman.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman earlier confirmed paramedics had been called to the scene to treat two people, one with critical injuries, however only one was transported to hospital.

One person was taken to nearby Toowoomba Hospital with shortness of breath.

http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/crime/cop-shot-in-regional-queensland/news-story/0b523c3fda652de3154dd6127ecc0885

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On a country road in the rural Locker Valley is where a police pursuit came to a bloody and abrupt end.

Some residents have recorded the moment a gunman opened fire on police with a semi-automatic weapon.

It’s understood Senior Constable Brett Forte and his partner had pulled over wanted man Rick Maddison on Waller Street just after 2pm on Monday when the fugitive began shooting their patrol car.

It’s believed it rolled down an embankment during the gunfire.

The Toowoomba tactical crime officer was critically injured.

Details aren’t clear but it’s understood police had tried to return fire.

Those nearby attempted CPR however his injuries were too severe.

Police say the shooter then fled in a vehicle and then on foot.

An exclusion zone was set up across several hectares streets locked down and residents told to stay inside.

“I looked out the window, couldn’t see nothing but I could hear sirens then all of a sudden like 6 or 7 short bursts of a machine gun,” Kyal Pennell a neighbour told 7 News.

PolAir assisted from above until Maddison opened fire on the police helicopter.

“I haven’t heard police fire for about 25 minutes, half an hour, but the machine gun every five or then minutes he’s letting off like quick bursts,” Pennell continued.

It’s understood the man was wanted over a series of serious crimes – including torture.

He was being pursued at the time by Senior Constable Brett Forte, a married father of two and the son of a highly regarded retired police officer.

The tragedy comes on the anniversary of the shootings of detective senior constable Damien Leading and former deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett.

Queensland Police have requested locals avoid Wallers, Forestry, Ringwood, and Fords Rds near Seventeen Mile.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/35683499/police-officer-shot-dead-in-queenslands-lockyer-valley/#page1

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Bravery awards for police who tried to save fellow officer’s life

Brisbane Times on 28 March 2018, 6:30pm

When thousands of mourners had filed away, as slain Queensland policeman Brett Forte’s family stood by his grave for a private service, a woman approached them.

“Brett saved my life,” she said.

It’s one of many memories that make Stuart Forte proud as he struggles to come to terms with the killing that tore his family apart 10 months ago to the day.

When Senior Constable Brett Forte is posthumously awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct on Thursday, it will be “lovely”, a fitting recognition of his sacrifice.

But it won’t stop Stuart Forte breaking down when he tries to pick out a photo to go up on the wall from his son’s wedding to still-distraught fellow officer Susan, a tribute that’s been a work-in-progress for months.

Those four officers risked their lives deep in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, on the afternoon of May 29, as a cop killer sprayed them with bullets from an automatic rifle.

On Thursday, they will be among 34 Bravery Medal recipients to be honoured in this year’s Australian Bravery Awards, a federal tradition dating back to 1975.

“It’s hard to answer because we still feel the tragedy of it,” former cop Stuart Forte said.

“It’s had a huge impact on the family and everything and it’s lovely to hear when these things are going to happen and everything.

“Because it’s a recognition of the sacrifice that he made and what sort of person he was and the heroic things that went on by the other officers there trying to save him.”

On May 29 last year, Gatton officer Senior Constable Barlow heard the message over the radio that officers Forte and Nielsen had spotted wanted criminal Ricky Maddison’s ute and begun following him.

Immediately after the shooting, police believed Maddison had deliberately lured the officers back to “his territory”, after calling from a telephone box in Toowoomba and challenging officers to find him.

The repeat offender had been convicted of assault and charged with torture at one point and had a “grievance” with the Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad, according to police.

By the time Maddison had driven down the hill from Toowoomba, the crew from Gatton and another from Helidon had joined in.

He avoided road spikes before driving off the edge of the highway, eventually ending up on Wallers Road, where he seemed to lie in wait for the first car to come over the hill.

Senior Constable Barlow heard the shots first, before the Helidon crew started reversing back over the rise and Senior Constable Nielsen shouted for help over the radio.

Confronted with such a heavily armed offender, Senior Constables Hill and Barlow and Constable Poulton knew their cars would be too large a target, so ran along a driveway up to the scrub and down the hill to rescue their colleagues.

“It was daunting,” Senior Constable Barlow said.

“At first when we got out of the car, our training kicked in.

“ … When we got to the actual scene, the police vehicle was on its side. The siren was blaring out.

“It was quite overwhelming but, as I say, we knew what we had to do.”

All the while Senior Constable Nielsen was firing back at Maddison with nothing but her police service handgun.

When the other three arrived, Constable Poulton laid down cover fire as officers Nielsen and Barlow kicked in the window to rescue their dying colleague.

Despite the gunfire, Senior Constable Barlow started first aid, before Constable Poulton raced away from the area in a squad car with Senior Constable Forte on board, according to the bravery citation.

“We didn’t know where he was but we could certainly hear machinegun fire,” Senior Constable Barlow said.

“We didn’t know whether he had us in his sights or what he was doing.”

Realising they were outgunned, officers Barlow, Nielsen and Hill retreated once the car was safely away.

Ten months on, the extended Forte family will gather in Narangba for Easter, where Stuart promises there will be a massive Easter egg hunt as Brett loved it last year.

The 2018 awards will also recognise with the Star of Courage slain Lindt Cafe manager Tori Johnson for his role in calming the gunman in the December 2014 Sydney siege, and NSW man Antonio Rokov, who died saving the life of a 14-year-old boy in a skydiving accident.

Also in Queensland, 65-year-old Norman Olsen will be posthumously awarded a Bravery Medal for freeing a woman from her partner’s assault in Toowoomba, on February 22, 2016.

The woman was able to run from the scene, but Mr Olsen was punched in the head and fell backwards, fatally striking his head on the footpath.

Several other Queenslanders, both in and out of the emergency services, will be recognised with a Commendation for Brave Conduct.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/bravery-awards-for-police-who-tried-to-save-fellow-officer-s-life-20180328-p4z6rg.html