Trooper Peter WHITE

Illness

Muswellbrook

27 December, 1844

On 27 December, 1844 Trooper White shot himself in the Muswellbrook Mounted Police Barracks. Apparently he was considerably upset following the earlier escape of a prisoner (then a criminal offence for police). Two days earlier, on Christmas Day, the officer-in-charge of the Mounted Police at Jerry’s Plains, Lieutenant Gale, had sent White to execute a warrant on a man named Jones who lived near Muswellbrook. White had executed the warrant by arresting Jones in his tent, and was escorting him to the lock up at Muswellbrook. Jones’ wife and baby accompanied the trooper and his prisoner.

When within about a mile of town Mrs Jones asked the trooper to hold the child for a minute, which he did, and immediately Jones leapt the fence beside the road and escaped. White handed the child back to its mother and fired at the escaping man without success. He apparently searched for him all night with no luck. He reported the escape to the Chief Constable who in turn reported it to Lieutenant Gale on 26 December. Gale told the trooper that the matter had to be reported. Trooper White took the matter to heart to such a degree that the next morning “in a fit of despondency he took advantage of the men being at the stables and fired a pistol into his breast”.

At the time of his death the trooper was attached to the Jerry’s Plains Mounted Police.

Constable John CONNELL

Assault – Baton

Sydney

23 November, 1841

On the day of his death Constable Connell attended a street brawl outside the Bee Hive Public House in Sydney. The brawl involved (and was probably started by) one Patrick O’Neill (alias Neale or Kelly), described by the Sydney Morning Herald at the time as being “a stout, athletic man“. When the constable attempted to separate the brawling parties by taking hold of O’Neill by the collar, the offender punched Connell to the ground and then took hold of his baton. He then delivered a savage blow with the baton to Connell’s face, above his right eyebrow, “rendering him senseless“. The constable was immediately taken to hospital suffering from a severe concussion however he passed away a few hours later.

Constable Ward attended the scene of the assault and immediately set out after the offender, attending his home in Castlereagh Street. There he found O’Neill and his wife preparing to leave. He arrested O’Neill and shortly thereafter placed him in the Sydney Watch-house.

The Sydney Monitor of 26 November, 1841 reported the coroner’s inquest into the death of the constable.

MURDER – THE INQUEST.-  On Wednesday last. an inquest was held at Driver’s public-house, corner of King and Elizabeth Streets, on the body of John Connell a constable, who, as we stated in our last publication, was killed by a person (named Patrick O’Neill) when endeavouring to take him into custody. By the evidence adduced at the inquest, it appeared that on Tuesday evening, a disturbance took place between the prisoner (O’Neill) and another individual at Cunningham’s public house, in Campbell Street, and that upon the deceased’s attempting to quell the same, and to apprehend the prisoner, the latter struck him with such violence as to cause his death – Constable Ward of the B. division stated that he apprehended the prisoner at his house in Castlereagh Street.

At the time of his death the constable was attached to the Sydney Police Force.

Constable William DUNN

Shot

Berrima

26 November, 1839

 

On 15 November, 1839 the constable was shot to death at Berrima while making an arrest. At the trial of Thomas Leary, alias Sutton, in April 1841 witness Constable Cassidy told the court that “on the day of the incident, myself and the deceased (Dunn) were looking out for bushrangers, on seeing the prisoner and another man within fifty yards of the hut where witness and deceased stopped; deceased challenged them, on which the prisoner dropt on his knees, and on the deceased desiring him to stand up he did so; prisoner then said to deceased, who was about to handcuff him, “do not hurt my hands,” and immediately fired a pistol at the deceased, the ball of which passed into his head over the left eye; witness then fired at the prisoner…”

 

Another witness to the incident, John Ward, who was in the hut at the time, informed the court that “Cassidy and Dunn told the two men to drop on their knees. Dunn asked Cassidy for the handcuffs. Cassidy threw them on the ground and on Dunn stooping for them, he received a shot in the head and fell down.” Constable Dunn died eleven days later from the effects of the wound.

At the time of his death the constable was 31 years of age and is believed to have been stationed at Goulburn.

NSW BDM

Death:  341/1839 V183941 103

[divider_dotted]

Constable Daniel RILEY

Drowned

Goulburn

September, 1836

The Sydney Morning Herald of 29 September, 1836 reported that “A constable named Riley, at Goulburn, was drowned some days since in the Wollondilly. The unfortunate man is supposed to have been intoxicated, and in that state stripped himself and went in to bathe. The body was afterwards found in the same spot where Riley had gone into the water, although, what is most remarkable, it was a running stream.”

The Sydney Monitor of 1 October, 1836 mentioned the constable’s death in a slightly different light, reporting that “The recent rains, in all parts of the country, have swollen the rivers and creeks to a considerable degree, thereby rendering them unfordable. Several persons, in attempting to cross them during last week were drowned. One of these unfortunate persons was a man named Riley, a constable of Goulburn.”

Letters received by the Colonial Secretary provide an interesting insight into both the incident and Riley himself.

State Records NSW: NRS 905, Letter No.36/6819 [4/2330.1] re Daniel Riley (drowned) indicate that the constable left Moses Inn on 19July 1836 and was subsequently found drowned. There was no mark of violence upon the body and as I now understand Riley was much addicted to drinking, and has nearly met with a similar end sometime ago while under the influence of liquor, thus is little room for doubt that he had stumbled into the river the night he was seen leaving Moses Inn (the 19 June) [sic, actually July from accompanying letter], and being much intoxicated he was unable to regain the bank. It should also be noted from his petition for a conditional pardon in 1836 (SRNSW: NRS 905, Letter No. 36/3852 [4/2326.1])that Daniel Riley [recorded in the petition as Reilly] “was the constable who led and assisted the Horse Police in the capture of three notorious bushrangers who had infested the Argyle Road and it appeared in evidence given at the time that he acted with great promptitude, courage and forebearance” according to H.C. Antill, the Police Magistrate for Stonequarry. Riley had arrived as a convict on the ship Guildford 8 on 4 November 1829, having been sentenced to life at Armagh on 12 March 1829 for manslaughter. He was appointed as a constable in 1831 and “his general conduct [was] irreproachable”.

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

Constable Charles WALTON

Shot

Windsor

29 November, 1832

On Thursday night, 29 November, 1832 District Constable Walton and Robert Roberts (presumably also a constable) were attempting to capture bushrangers who they had been told were in their area. Walton had disguised himself and was hoping to tempt the bushrangers to bail him up. Unfortunately two mounted police named Mugglestone and Ferns (who were also in disguise and looking for bushrangers) spotted Walton, and when both parties assumed the other to be bushrangers, a violent struggle ensued. Unfortunately Walton was shot dead and Roberts was wounded in the encounter.An account of the incident appeared in the Sydney Herald of Thursday 6 December, 1832.

On Friday an inquest was held at the Windsor Hotel on the body of Charles Walton, a constable, who met his death the previous night in a struggle with the Horse Police, who were out in search of bushrangers, and both parties being in disguise each took the other for runaways, though the Policeman did declare himself so, yet the constable attempted to fire his piece and ordered his attendant to fire, but both flashed in the pan, but not so with one of the Police – he first wounded one and afterwards shot the other dead while grappling with the other policeman. – Verdict, Justifiable homicide.

The constable was 36 years old at the time of his death and was District Constable at Upper Nelson (Windsor district).He was replaced at that station by Constable Alexander Cross.

He had arrived in Australia on the ship Fame in 1817 and received his Ticket of Leave in 1825. He was appointedas Town Constable at Windsor from 1 November 1828.

Constable Robert McGEE

Drowned

Patrick’s Plains

19 March, 1832

Constable McGee was appointed a constable at Patrick’s Plains (Singleton) on 1 February, 1832 and was drowned a few weeks later while attempting to swim across Fal Brook. He had arrived in Australia as a convict aboard the ship Agamemnon in 1821, having been sentenced at Edinburgh on 3 January, 1820 to be transported to Australia for fourteen years. His Ticket of Leave, No. 31/896, is dated 19 November, 1831. Other details are so far unknown.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser of 31 May, 1832 advertised the following, indicating the death of Constable McGee.

COLONIAL SECRETARY’S OFFICE, Sydney, 28th May, 1832.

HIS Excellency the Governor has been pleased to approve of the following alterations in the Police of the Colony, namely: Penrith – William Rope, native of the colony, and Hugh Wallace Hossack, free, to be Constables from the 24th ultimo, in the room of Abraham Samuels, dismissed for gambling, and James Kerwin, resigned, Williams River – William Charles Stewart, free, to be Constable in the room of John Maxwell, dismissed; to bear date the 1st instant, Darlington – William Everness, holding a Ticket of Leave, to be Constable from the 9th ultimo, in the room of Robert McGee, deceased.

By His Excellency’s Command, ALEXANDER McLEAY.

At the time of his death the constable was serving in the Patrick’s Plains (Singleton) district.

Trooper James STEPHENS

Shot

Bathurst

29 November, 1830

Mounted Trooper Stephens (formerly of the 39^th Regiment) was shot at Bushranger’s Hill, near the Abercrombie Caves, near Bathurst, during a shootout with a party of bushrangers known as the “Ribbon Gang” or “Ribbon Boys”. He succumbed to his wounds a few weeks later. No other details are known as yet.

At the time of his death the trooper was attached to the Bathurst Mounted Police.

Constable Andrew KENNY

Stabbed

Parramatta

4 April, 1830

On 4 April, 1830 Captain Lethbridge of Parramatta had reported to Constable Kenny that one of his assigned servants (a boy convict named Daniel Smith) was absent without leave. Kenny went in search of the boy and soon spotted him in the bush in the company of an older man near where the Government Domain met the Western Road. Kenny then went to a nearby hut where he borrowed a gun from a man by the name of William Birch who, arming himself with a stick, accompanied the constable back to where the two men had been seen.

When they arrived Kenny informed the older man that he was there to arrest the boy. The man then said, “He’s my brother and you’ll take my life before I’ll let you take him.” The man then produced a large knife. The constable handed Birch the gun and took his stick, saying, “I don’t like to take life.” The man then suddenly rushed at Constable Kenny and stabbed him in the chest. Kenny fell to his knees and the offender stabbed him several more times, inflicting fatal wounds. Birch then took aim at the offender and fired the gun from a distance of about 8 metres, but unfortunately the shot was ineffective. The offender then ran at Birch, who retreated to his hut. The offender was later identified as John McNamara, an escapee from the No.9 Chain Gang. The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated 20 May, 1830 announced a reward for the capture of the murderer.

Colonial Secretary’s Office, Sydney, April 7, 1830.

FIFTY POUNDS REWARD AND A CONDITIONAL PARDON

Whereas, John Macnamara, per Ship Brampton, a Runaway from No. 9 Iron Gang, stands charged with the MURDER of Constable KENNY, on the Western Road, about Two Miles from Parramatta, on the Afternoon of Sunday, the 4th Instant; Notice is hereby given, that the above Reward of (£50) Fifty Pounds will be paid to any Person, who shall lodge the said John Macnamara in any of His Majesty’s Gaols, or give such information as may lead to his Apprehension; and if the Party be a Prisoner, he will also be allowed a Conditional Pardon. The said John Macnamara stands about 6 feet 6 inches high, sandy complexion, about twenty-eight years of age and wore at the time he committed the Murder, a black beaver hat, white jean trousers, white cotton stockings, yellow striped waistcoat, and drab coloured jacket. He had also a false Certificate of Freedom.

By Command of His Excellency the Governor,

ALEXANDER McLEAY.

At the time of his death the constable had been in the police force for about twelve years and was stationed at Parramatta.

Chief Constable Joseph YATES

Stabbed

Parramatta

14 October, 1818

In early October, 1818 a settler named Christopher Ward, who lived on the Liverpool Road near Parramatta, had a bag of sugar stolen from his home by an employee named Peter Aldamos (alias Peter Adams). On 14 October Ward was searching for Aldamos when he came across Constable Yates who was walking to Parramatta. The two then walked together and no doubt Ward informed the constable of the theft of the sugar. A short time later they met Aldamos coming in the opposite direction carrying a bundle on a stick over his shoulder. Constable Yates, who apparently knew the offender well, inspected the bundle and found that it contained sugar, so he decided to take Aldamos to Parramatta. As the three men walked along the Liverpool Road Aldamos suddenly produced a knife and stabbed the constable in the chest and then the witness Ward in the arm. Both victims then attempted to run away from the offender, who followed the constable for a short distance to where he was lost from Ward’s sight. Aldamos then returned to where the attack had begun, picked up a stick that Ward had been carrying and a handkerchief dropped by Constable Yates and left. Ward walked to Parramatta and reported the incident to the police.

The following day the constable’s body was found in Bowman’s Paddock, about 200 metres from where he had been stabbed. That evening local constables arrested the offender Aldamos, who was still in possession of Constable Yates’ handkerchief and two knives. He was later charged by Chief Constable Oakes of Parramatta, was convicted and sentenced to death. The constable’s name is sometimes recorded as Yeates.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser of 5 December, 1818 described the aftermath of the murder as follows.

Peter Aldamos, a Spaniard, commonly known by the name of Peter Adams, a tailor by profession, who had been several years in this colony and spoke good English was afterwards placed at the bar and indicted for the willful murder of Joseph Yeates, a Constable of Liverpool, on the 13th of October, within three quarters of a mile of Parramatta, by stabbing him with a knife in the left breast.

Mr. Oakes, Chief Constable of Parramatta, was present at the finding of the body on the 14th of October, and received the prisoner into charge the same evening, he having been apprehended by the pursuing constables. The handkerchief of the deceased was bound round one of his arms, and the other arm was bound round also; he said he had been attacked by a mob, and was wounded in both arms, on examining which, Mr. Oakes found upon one several long incisions that were like scratches, and two slight stabs on the other. He denied having any knife about him, and was unwilling to be searched; but in the performance of this precautionary measure two clasp knives were found in the watch pocket of his pantaloons; the punctures and lacerations on his arms were scarcely more than skin wounds, though some of the latter were several inches long: neither his jacket or shirt was at all cut.

At the time of his death the constable was stationed at Liverpool, having been designated as constable at that location in the Government and General Orders of 21st March, 1818.

Constable Thomas WRIGHT

Assault – Cutlass

Windsor

2 September, 1816

Constable Wright is thought to have been killed on duty, almost certainly in the Windsor area. The Sydney Gazette of 26 October, 1816 reported that Patrick Callaghan, Thos. Davis and William Kirby were indicted for the wilful murder of Thomas Wright, a constable of Windsor, on the night of the 2^nd of September. Upon which charge all the prisoners were acquitted. Want of room does not permit our entering into a detail of the evident that appeared upon the trial; which excited considerable interest, and terminated in a manner that appeared highly gratifying to the general feeling.

Original court transcripts for the trial of Callahan (or Gollocher, Gollicker, Gallagher etc), Davis and Kirby are extremely faded and difficult to read. It would appear however that the following incident occurred, resulting in the death of Constable Wright.

Apparently Constable Wright had previously removed an illicit still from the army barracks at Windsor, which was possibly the motive behind his death. About 9 pm on 1 September, 1816 he was standing outside the Guard Room at the barracks when the first of three soldiers (Patrick Callaghan [as recorded in Sydney Gazette], Thomas Davis and William Kirby) may have assaulted him with a cutlass or on some accounts a long white stick. The first soldier, Callaghan, sought medical help for him but Wright lingered until 2 or 3 am when he died. Conflicting witness statements may have been the cause of the not guilty verdict in October. Patrick Callaghan in the information laid was recorded as Patrick Gollogher or Gollicker but was referred to in the depositions as Gallagher by witnesses who knew him. Patrick Gallagher/Callaghan had been on guard duty at the time of the assault.

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