Evan Clyde WILLIAMS

Late of Macquarie St, South Windsor

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ????

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  Riverstone

Service:  From  28 March 1949  to  10 August 1953 =  4+ years Service

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World War II

Australian Imperial Force     Australian Army

Regiment:                      2/4 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment ( RAA )

Enlisted:                        9 July 1941, Paddington, NSW

Service #                        NX38321

Rank:                              Gunner

Embarkation:  ?

Next of kin:                   Ethel WILLIAMS

Born:                               12 January 1922

Religion:  ?

Single / Married:  ?

Returned to Australia:  ?

Date of Discharge:     12 October 1945

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Awards:   No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  12 January 1922 at Leeton, NSW

Died on:   10 August 1953

Age:  30

Cause:   Motor Vehicle Accident – Police Bike – Rider

Event location:   Riverstone Rd, Riverstone

Event date:   9 August 1953

Death location:  Prince Henry Hospital

Funeral date:   12 August 1953

Funeral location:   ?

Funeral Parlour:  ?

Buried at:   McGraths Hill Cemetery, Charles St

 Row 11, Plot 2

Memorial located at:   ?

[alert_green]EVAN is mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]

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Grave location:  TBA

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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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On the evening of 9 August, 1953 Constable Williams was riding a police motor cycle outfit along Riverstone Road, Riverstone when the cycle collided with another vehicle which had been travelling in the opposite direction. The constable was treated at the scene before being conveyed to the Hawkesbury District Hospital suffering from severe injuries including a fractured skull. He was transferred to the Prince Henry Hospital that night, where he was operated on, however he died on 11 10 August, 1953 without regaining consciousness.

The constable was on his way home from duty when the accident occurred.

The constable was born in 1923 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 28 March, 1949. At the time of his death he was stationed at Riverstone.

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Murrumbidgee Irrigator (Leeton, NSW : 1915 – 1954), Friday 14 August 1953, page 2

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/156130553

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Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Wednesday 12 August 1953, page 28

WILLIAMS, Evan Clyde.— August 10, 1953 (suddenly), late police constable, dearly loved husband of Pyhllis Williams of Macquarie street, South Windsor, and dear father of Graham and Ian, aged 30 years.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18390127

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Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 – 1954), Tuesday 11 August 1953, page 21

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230220323

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Murrumbidgee Irrigator (Leeton, NSW : 1915 – 1954), Tuesday 5 August 1941, page 2

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/156075803

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Murrumbidgee Irrigator (Leeton, NSW : 1915 – 1954), Tuesday 9 November 1943, page 2

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/156038450

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Relatives of killed officer Evan Clyde Williams being sought

Left to right.

Senior Constable Neville Higgs, Detective Constable Terry Dudeney, Sergeant Edwin Pratt & ?.

The three Police Officers were involved in numerous rescues/incidents in the Blue Mountains.

Photo taken outside Sinclair Motor Garage, Katoomba (unknown date)

The sergeant was born in 1904 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 14 May, 1924. At the time of his death he was stationed at Katoomba.

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On Thursday, 10 August 2017, the son-in-law – Retired Sgt 3rd Class Scott EDMONDS – married to Edwins daughter – Olwyn, passed away and was married to Olwyn for 51 years at the time.

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The death of Edwin has been widely circulated as having occurred on the 19 October 1948 which is INCORRECT and as of 30 October 2013, steps have been taken to have the correct date of 19 November 1948 recorded on all official touchstones and publications.

As of 14 October 2016, having checked the online website of the National Police Memorial, the data on the website HAS been changed to reflect the correct date of death as NOVEMBER BUT, unfortunately, the actual Touch Plate has NOT been altered and still displays ( as of Police Remembrance Day 2016 ) the incorrect date.

Unfortunately, the NSW Police Protocol Unit have done nothing to alter the Official website of http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/proud_traditions where the INCORRECT date is still reflected.  I have, this date, sent a message to the Webmaster for NSWPF to action the website.

As of 9 March 2017 – I have never received a response to the message I sent to the Webmaster

02 9285 3835

Would have been nice if NSW Police Protocol Unit had let others know that they had actioned the matter in relation to the National Wall but I have now found out ( Friday 14 October 2016 ), that the actual Touch Plate on the National Wall of Remembrance has NOT been changed to reflect the correct date.

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BDM – Birth = 14621/1904   to Charles P. & Caroline A. Pratt at Narrandera.

BDM – Marriage = 10147/1934  to Alma C. NEVILLE in Sydney

BDM – Death = 29635/1948.     Charles Pacey PRATT & Caroline Ann PRATT.

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http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/79692879?searchTerm=sergeant%20pratt&searchLimits=

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http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/117911405?searchTerm=sergeant%20pratt&searchLimits=l-decade=194

Sgt Edwin Pratt – Nepean Times ( Penrith NSW ) Thursday 25 November 1948 page 1 of 10

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http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/18095887?searchTerm=sergeant%20pratt&searchLimits=l-decade=194

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http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17940647?searchTerm=sergeant%20pratt&searchLimits=l-decade=194

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http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/18121770?searchTerm=sergeant%20pratt&searchLimits=l-decade=194

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 Edwin is buried at Katoomba Cemetery. Cemetery Rd, Katoomba, NSW.

Section KCE3 Row R1, Plot 2

His son, Ian Stephen PRATT died on 7 July 1949, aged 4 years and is buried with his father.

Alma Charlotte PRATT ( wife of Edwin ) died on 26 February 1959, aged 49, and is buried in the same plot also.

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Olwyn Pratt Edmonds

September 29 at 6:29am ·

Remembering father Sgt 3/c Edwin Oliver Pratt on Police Remembrance Day.

2 Comments

 10 Eucser Haze and 9 others

Like

Comments

Susanne Pearson Loving thoughts are with you Olwyn ♡♥♡

Like · Reply · September 29 at 8:31am

Eucser Haze Hello Olwyn I’ve replied to your email, if you want to send me number I’d like to give you a call

Like · Reply · September 29 at 10:33am

John H. A. MILLAR

New South Wales Police Force

Sergeant

Stations:  Sydney?,  Holbrook ( about 2 years ), Wagga Wagga ( about 8 months ),

Officer In Charge, Corowa Police Station ( from 1947 )

Illness – Suicide

Corowa

1 August, 1948

Sergeant Millar died from a self-inflicted bullet wound on Sunday 1 August, 1948 at Corowa police residence. No further details are known.

The West Australian dated 2 August, 1948 reported the death as follows.

POLICE SERGEANT FATALLY SHOT SYDNEY, Aug. 1: Sgt. John H. A. Millar (56), whose recent absence from his police duties was being investigated by a high-ranking officer, died in the Corowa hospital last night after he had been found with a revolver wound in the head at his home, adjoining the local police station. An inspector from Albury was walking around the side of Sgt. Millar’s home when he heard a shot and rushed inside to find him lying on the floor dying. Sgt Millar was said to have been extremely worried recently over his official duties.

 The sergeant was aged 56 years at the time of his death and was stationed at Corowa.

Grave location.  Cemetery Rd, Corowa, NSW
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 Location of Corowa Police Station, NSW
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The Sydney Morning Herald  Monday  2 August 1948  page 4 of 12

POLICEMAN’S DEATH

Shot In Head

Sergeant John H. A. Millar, 56, who had been in charge of the Corowa police station for two years, died in the Corowa Hospital on Saturday night from a bullet wound in the head.

A police report states that, soon after Inspector Yardy arrived at the police station to investigate a report that Sergeant Millar had been missing from the station for a few days, he heard a shot.

Going round to the quarters occupied by Sergeant Millar, Inspector Yardy found him lying on the floor. A police revolver was near Millar. He had been shot through the head.

Sergeant Millar was rushed to hospital, but died a short while after admission.

Sergeant Millar’s wife, who was in Sydney, returned to Corowa last night.

Sergeant Millar was a prominent bowler, and was popular in the town.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/18079968?searchTerm=MILLAR&searchLimits=l-decade=194|||l-month=8|||l-year=1948|||sortby=dateAsc#pstart1014481

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The Argus ( Melbourne )  Monday  2 August 1948  page 5 of 12

POLICE SERGEANT

FOUND SHOT

SYDNEY, Sun( 1 August ):   Sergeant J. H. A. Millar, 56, sergeant in charge of Corowa police station, was found shot in his home behind the station late yesterday afternoon. He died soon after reaching Corowa  Hospital.

He was found by Police Inspector Yardley, of Albury, who had gone to Corowa to investigate a report that Sergeant Millar had been missing from the station for several days.

Inspector Yardley heard a shot as he neared the station. He found Millar lying on the floor with a revolver beside him.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/22678266?searchTerm=MILLAR&searchLimits=l-decade=194|||l-month=8|||l-year=1948|||sortby=dateAsc#pstart1714125

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Daily Advertiser ( Wagga Wagga, NSW )  Monday  2 August 1948  page 2 of 6

FORMER WAGGA POLICEMAN FOUND DYING AT COROWA

A former Wagga police sergeant, who was found at the rear of the Corowa police station on Saturday night with a bullet wound through his head, died shortly after being admitted to the Corowa Hospital.

HE was Sergeant John A. Millar, 52, offlcer-in-charge of the Corowa Police Station.

Millar was found by Inspector Yardy, who had gone from Albury to Corowa to investigate a report that Millar had been missing from the police station for a few days.

Millar had not been on duty for three days.

Inspector Yardy, accompanied by Sgt. McGuiness, of Albury, arrived at Corowa on Saturday afternoon and interviewed Millar at his home, which adjoins the police station.

Shot Heard

Millar was resting at the time, but agreed to accompany the two police officers to the station.

He went outside for a few minutes and a shot was heard.

Inspector Yardy rushed out the back and found Millar lying on the ground with a bullet wound through his head.

Millar is said to have been worried a good deal lately over his police duties.

As soon as news of the tragedy was received, Superintendent Parmenter, of Wagga, left for Corowa and took over inquiries with Inspector Yardy and Detective Munro, of Albury.

Inspector Parmenter will return to Wagga today after the funeral at Corowa, which he will attend.

Millar’s wife, who was holidaying in Sydney, returned to Corowa yesterday, accompanied by her son, who is a member of the police force.

Was at Holbrook

Sgt. Millar was well-known in Riverina. He took up duty at Holbrook after being transferred from Sydney and was stationed there about two years before coming to Wagga.

After about eight months service at Wagga, he was transferred to Corowa last year as officer-in-charge.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/144766510?searchTerm=MILLAR&searchLimits=l-decade=194|||l-month=8|||l-year=1948|||sortby=dateAsc#pstart15780643

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VICTOR IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On 11 August, 1946 Detective Constable Ahearn and Detective Constable Bowie waited at Long Bay Gaol to arrest two suspects ( Sydney Grant and Keith George Hope ) who were wanted for break and enter and motor vehicle theft offences. When the two men arrived to visit two female prisoners at the gaol, as expected, the detectives arrested them. They then set out to convey the prisoners to Daceyville Police Station, with Constable Bowie driving and Constable Ahearn seated in the rear of the vehicle between the prisoners. Shortly after leaving the gaol Grant produced a firearm and shot Constable Ahearn twice in the side. Constable Bowie quickly stopped the vehicle, and when trying to assist his colleague now struggling with the offenders, he was also attacked. The offenders then made good their escape. Unfortunately Detective Constable Ahearn died of his wounds before medical assistance arrived at the scene. Both offenders were later arrested.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 14 August, 1946 reported on the detective’s funeral.

LARGE NUMBER AT FUNERAL OF DETECTIVE.

The funeral yesterday of Detective V. D. Ahearn, who was shot by a gunman on Sunday, was one of the largest seen in North Sydney. Christ Church, Lavender Bay, was crowded for a memorial service. About 300 members of the police force remained in the street, and many other sympathisers were unable to get into the church. Detective Constable Alexander Bowie, who was injured in the police car in which Detective Ahearn was shot, was among the mourners. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Frank Cash. Archbishop Mowll, who gave the address at the service, said he hoped it would be some comfort to Mrs. Ahearn that so large and representative a gathering had come together to do honour to her husband, who in the course of his duty had suddenly been killed.

The Advocate newspaper of 12 December, 1946 announced the result of the trial of the two offenders.

GRANT SENTENCED TO DEATH: UNUSUAL SCENES.

SYDNEY, Wednesday – Extraordinary scenes were witnessed at the conclusion of the murder trial in the Central Criminal Court to-day of Sydney Grant (23), labourer, and Keith George Hope (23), farm laborer, for the murder of Detective Constable Victor Donald Ahearn on August 11 at Matraville. The jury found Grant guilty and Hope not guilty. Grant was sentenced to death. Mr. Justice Herron agreed that the jury’s verdict was inevitable.

The constable was born in 1906 [ and was the son of Percy Augustis Ahearn & Elizabeth Anne Pirie ] and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 8 January, 1930. At the time of his death he was stationed at North Sydney.

As an aside – Victor AHEARN was the cousin of Clarence PIRIE who was also shot and murdered in 1960 aged 40.

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NSW BDM’s
Birth
17164/1906 AHEARN, VICTOR D : PERCY, ELIZABETH A   @ PENRITH

Marriage
14450/1934 AHEARN, VICTOR D,  MALLARD IRENE  on 15 September 1934 in St Johns Church, PARRAMATTA, NSW

Death
25813/1946 AHEARN, VICTOR DONALD : Parents: PERCY AUGUSTUS & ELIZABETH ANNE  @ KINGSFORD

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Kalgoorlie Miner (WA : 1895 – 1950), Wednesday 14 August 1946, page 4

 

The Sydney Morning Herald                    Monday  12 August 1946               page 1 of 14

DETECTIVE SHOT IN POLICE CAR

Troops And Plane Join In Sydney Manhunt

One detective was shot dead and another brutally attacked at Matraville yesterday afternoon while they were escorting two men they had arrested at the gate of Long Bay Gaol.

Four hundred armed police, soldiers ( some carrying machine-guns ), the police aeroplane, and police dogs later took part in one of the most intensive manhunts ever organised by the New South Wales police.

The two men, who had been visiting two girl prisoners in the gaol, were not located at an early hour to-day.

 

DRAMATIC DRIVE FROM GAOL

The detectives were attacked as the men were being driven away in a police car. After a fierce struggle in the car the men made off across sand dunes and scrub covered hills.

Detective First-class Constable Victor Donald Ahearn, 40, married, with one child, who was stationed at North Sydney, was shot dead. Two bullets entered his body, one passing through his heart. Ahearn joined the police force 16½ years ago, and lived at Lavender Bay.

Detective Constable Alexander Bowie, 27, stationed at Mosman, was kicked about the head and body, and suffered severe abrasions and shock. He is the son of Superintendent L. Bowie, who was recently in charge of the Tamworth police district.

The two detectives had driven in a police car to Long Bay in the morning, believing that two men for whom they had been searching in connection with charges of car stealing and breaking and entering garages might visit two girls, aged 19 and 20.

The girls recently had pleaded not guilty to charges of illegally using motor cars and breaking into a Lindfield garage. According to the police, two men had   been seen with the girls on the night of one alleged crime, but escaped.

The detectives yesterday parked their police car near the outer gates of the gaol. Soon afterwards the big gates opened and two men came out.

Ahearn and Bowie immediately intercepted them, and after a short conversation, ordered them to get into the car.

Bowie sat at the wheel and Ahearn sat between the two men in the back seat. The men, though sullen and disinclined to talk, gave no indication that they intended resisting arrest until the car had travelled about two miles along Anzac Parade.

About 300 yards from where the main road crosses the tram line near Pozieres Avenue, Matraville, and where dunes and tea-tree skirt the road, one of the prisoners is alleged to have pulled a .32 revolver from his pocket.

Bowie did not know it until he was attracted by a sudden scuffle from the back seat of the car. In less than two seconds there were two shots, and as Bowie turned round Ahearn muttered, “They’ve got me.”

Two bullets had plunged into the side of his body, piercing the heart and other vital organs.

 

LONG STRUGGLE IN MOTOR CAR

As Ahearn slumped dying on the floor of the car with portion of his clothes singed with the flame from the shots, Bowie swerved the car on to the grass track off the macadam road.

He pulled on the brake and after throwing the engine into neutral, he leaned over the seat to seize the two men.

The tracks of the car showed that during the subsequent struggle, the car travelled several yards before stopping.

As Bowie attempted to hurl himself on to the men, the one with the revolver pointed the gun at his head with the muzzle only a few inches from Bowie’s temple, the man said. “Get back or you’ll get it, too!”

Bowie saw the man pull the trigger and he heard a click. The revolver had jammed. The man holding the gun then crashed the butt of the revolver on to Bowie’s head, causing a deep cut.

 

Still Fought On

As Bowie was attempting to lever himself over the back of the front seat, the two men leaned back and raising both their feet, kicked him viciously about the face and head.

Each kick brought a new trickle of blood down Bowie’s face, but he continued to struggle with the men, and eventually wrested the gun from them.

Evidently, fearing that Bowie would continue the fight and get the better of them, the men threw open the doors on either side of the car and leapt to the road.

One ran through a wire fence up the sandhill towards Yarra Bay and was soon lost in the thick scrub.

The police last night issued these pictures of two men they are seeking in connection with the shooting of a detective at Matraville yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOP: Sidney Greenep, alias Grant, alias McMahon.

LOWER: Keith Beckett (or Hope).

The other bolted in the opposite direction and was last seen making across the tramline over the sand

dunes.

Bowie, who by this time was on the point of collapse, tried to lift Ahearn from the door of the car.

But Ahearn was dead. Powder marks   and blood on his clothing showed where the bullets had entered his body.

Glen Rich, a young man living in Page Street, Botany, who was passing on his bicycle, saw Bowie leave the   car and stagger towards the road. He helped to lift Ahearn from the car to the grass on the side of the road, and then went to look for a telephone to summon the police.

Many Cars Passed

Police believe that many cars passed after the shooting, but it was not until 15 minutes later that a man and a woman who had driven along Anzac Parade to Maroubra, accosted Sergeant Ryan and Constable Watts on   the beach.

The man said, “We think there’s been a bit of shooting along the road. You had better go along and see what’s happened.”

Ryan, and Watts raced back along Anzac Parade until they came upon the police car still parked on the side   of the road. Bowie was sitting, still dazed and bleeding profusely, on the grass alongside the body of Ahearn, holding the revolver which he had taken from one of the men.

Two empty cartridge shells from which Ahearn had been shot were in the car. One cartridge bore a faint hammer imprint, but had jammed. There were other live cartridges in the revolver.

 

SPECTACULAR HUNT DEVELOPS

With at least 20 minutes start the men had probably travelled a long distance before the police search for them was begun, but within a short time Superintendent F. Matthews had organised   one of the biggest manhunts ever known in Sydney.

The police plane was called out for the first lime to assist in the search. Police dogs were rushed to the car in which the shooting had occurred

and then they were let loose in the direction taken when the men ran away. And 400 armed police were rushed from the city and all suburbs to form a cordon around the district.   Army personnel some armed with sub-machine guns, were rushed in military wagons to join in the hunt and within an hour an area extending from Malabar, Botany Bay, Yarra Bay and Kingsford was being systematically combed.

Every car returning from the seaside of the district was stopped and searched. The contents of several utility vans being removed to ascertain if anyone was hiding there.

 

Plane Uses Radio

The police plane swept low in circles over the sandhills, the observer using powerful glasses to scan the thick scrub as he kept in touch by radio with the police cars racing backwards and forwards throughout the district.

One message radioed from the plane and picked up by the police cars near the scene of the shooting was that a man was seen making his way over the sand dunes towards Yarra Bay.

Superintendent Matthews revealed late last night that a taxi-driver had picked up a man walking along Bunnerong Road near the Matraville Hotel about 3.30 p.m.

The man asked him to take him to East Sydney.

The description of the man tallies with that of one of the escapees. There were bloodstains visible on his neck and clothing.

Police found a cream Hillman car with a Victorian registration plate, near Long Bay Gaol. It was later learned that the car had been stolen in Melbourne on Friday.

The police state that the two men had used the car to drive up to the gaol and brazenly left it near the gate while they visited the two girl inmates.

Police said last night that one of the men sought is known to them as Sidney Greenep, alias Grant, alias McMahon.

 

Suspects Described

The police issued the following description of him:

“Twenty-six years old, 5ft 7in, dark hair and complexion, freckled face, brown eyes, scar over right eye, appears to be new scar on forehead, and two old scars on forehead as well. Lobe of left ear is peculiar shape. Dressed in black and white or dark brown and white very small check pattern sports coat. Badge in lapel appeared to be returned soldier’s badge. Man wearing light blue or bluish-green sports trousers. Green silk open-neck sports shirt, no hat. Very tidy appearance.”

A second suspect, the police say is known as Keith Beckett (or Hope). He is 22 to 25 years old, 5ft 9in or 10in. fair complexion, medium brown-coloured straight ball hooked nose, rather large and red; wearing a light blue American type of coat of woollen material, large lapels, and dark blue piping on pockets and lapels blue shirt with collar to match, a tie and fairly new grey felt pork-pie-shaped hat.

 

North Sydney Report

On latest reports, it was believed both hunted men had reached and possibly passed through the city.

Becket was said to have been seen in North Sydney at 3.30 p.m., after the shooting. He was wearing a white open-neck shirt, light coloured sports suit, light grey felt hat.

The search early this morning was covering a great part of the metropolitan area.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17982254#pstart995837

The Sydney Morning Herald                    Monday  12 August 1946               page 1 of 14

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17982253#pstart995837

The Sydney Morning Herald                 Wednesday  11 September 1946                  page 4 of 36

http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~aherns/ahvda.htm

Eric George BAILEY GC

Arrested his own Murderer

Father to John ‘Jack’ George BAILEY – NSWPF # 6293

Grandfather to Stephen Colin MARTIN, NSWPF # 24821

New South Wales Police Force

NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # ???

( Class # 001 was in March 1947 – so Eric pre dates that. )

Regd. # 2382

Rank: Commenced Training on ? ? ?

Probationary Constable – appointed Wednesday 16 March 1927

Constable 1st Class – appointed 23 April 1938

Constable 1st Class – posthumously promoted to Sergeant 3rd Class

Stations: No. 4 Division from 14 June 1927,

The Rocks in 1928, then Gundagai, Narrandera & other rural stations.

Moruya 1938 then Blayney from 4 January 1945

Service:  From 16 March 1927 to 12 January 1945 = 18 years Service

Awards:  * George Cross  ( GC ) awarded, Granted 20 October 1946 – posthumously

also the George Lewis Trophy.

Bravery Commendation re arrest at Batemans Bay in 1940.

Highly Commended and awarded six months seniority for Conspicuous Bravery for the rescue of survivors, at sea, off Moruya on the 3 August 1942, after a fishing trawler had been attacked by a Japanese submarine.  Also received a Certificate of Merit from Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society of NSW.

Born:  Sunday  14 October 1906 at Tenterfield

Died:  Friday  12 January 1945

Age:  38 years, 2 months, 29 days old

Cause:  Shot – Murdered

Event location:  Outside of Exchange Hotel, Adelaide St, Blayney

Funeral date:  Monday  15 January 1945

Funeral location:  Buried in Rookwood Cemetery

Grave location:  Anglican Section, Rookwood Cemetery.  Zone C, Section 08, Grave 1959

GPS:  -33.87119050511541,  151.05958014008522

Grave: 

ERIC IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

Memorial location:  Below plaque is located at the location of the murder.

On 4 January 1945, Constable 1st Class Bailey commenced duty at Blayney Police Station.  On his 8th day at that station, he was dead.

On a hot summer evening, eight days later, while on duty in Adelaide Street, he was informed that a drinker at the Exchange Hotel was displaying a revolver.

Shortly after 8pm on 12 January 1945, Constable 1st Class Bailey spoke to a man, Cyril Norman, who was dressed in an American Naval Uniform outside the Exchange Hotel, Blayney. The constable told the man that he intended to search him and his belongings regarding his alleged possession of a revolver. The man suddenly produced the revolver and shot Constable Bailey in the stomach. The constable then took hold of the offender and during the ensuing struggle two more shots were fired and the offender was wounded in the wrist. Three railway employees quickly came to the constable’s aid and the offender was handcuffed and detained until the arrival of Constable Grady.  Bailey told Grady: ” He shot me through the back.  Don’t let him get away …I had a go.  I didn’t squib it “.

The wound suffered by Constable Bailey proved to be severe and he died on admission to the Orange Base Hospital with his wife by his side. He had in fact arrested his own murderer.

Allegations were later made suggesting that the offender was a contract killer sent to murder another local policeman, Constable Stan Grady, who had been enthusiastically investigating sly grog sellers and SP bookies in the area. The offender was said to have inadvertently shot Constable Bailey, whom he mistook for Grady, who was off duty at the time. When shot, Constable Bailey was in mounted police uniform, and until that day Stan Grady had been the only mounted constable in Blayney, thus the offender’s error. The offender, well-known Sydney criminal Cyril Norman – alias Thomas Couldrey – was convicted and sentenced to death.

Norman was charged with the murder of Bailey and that of Maurice Hannigan, a Sydney shopkeeper from whom he had stolen guns and ammunition. Although he was convicted, the death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.

Bailey was posthumously awarded the George Cross, instituted in 1940 by King George VI and intended primarily for civilians, which recognized ‘acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger’.

The first Australian policeman to be so honoured, he was also posthumously promoted sergeant 3rd class and awarded the George Lewis trophy in 1945 for the most courageous act by a policeman.

Bailey was accorded an official police funeral in Sydney and was buried in the Anglican section of Rookwood cemetery. His daughter and son John, who was to join the New South Wales police at the age of 16, also survived him.

( John ‘Jack’ George BAILEY, NSW Police Cadet # 0613, Regd. # 6293 )

28 May 2020

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1087842541279097/

The Sydney Morning Herald of 11 September, 1947

announced the presentation of Sergeant Bailey’s George Cross by Sir William McKell.

GEORGE CROSS AWARD – INVESTITURE BY MR. McKELL.

Mrs. F. M. Bailey, of Cleveland Street, Moore Park, widow of Police Sgt. Eric G. Bailey, yesterday received the George Cross awarded to her husband for holding a man who had fatally wounded him until assistance arrived, at Blayney in January, 1945. The decoration was made at an investiture held by the Governor General, Mr. McKell, at Government House.

Sergeant Bailey was born in 1906 and joined the New South Wales Police Force in 1927. At the time of his death he was stationed at Blayney. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant 3rd Class ( Although his grave states Sgt 2/c ) and awarded the George Cross and the George Lewis Trophy.

* Eric BAILEY is the ONLY Australian Police Officer to be awarded the Imperial Honour, namely the George Cross Medal.

John Lindsay MARSH

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ?

Rank:  Constable 1st Class

Stations:  ?, Glenn Innes ( 5 – 6 years ), Gloucester ( 10 months ) – death

Service:  From  8 January 1930  to  9 November 1943 = 13+ years Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  ? ? 1909

Died on:  Monday 9 November 1942 about 2pm

Event location:  southern end of Church St, Gloucester

Death location:  at MVA scene

Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident, Police bike & sidecar – Rider

Age:  33

Funeral date:  Wednesday  11 November 1942 @ 2pm

Funeral location:  St James Church of England, Maclean

Buried : Maclean General (Anglican).

Cameron Street, Maclean.

Anglican, Section C, Row CC, Lot 13

GPS: -29.466111, 153.201944

Memorial at:

 [alert_green]JOHN is included in the NSW Police Honour Roll.[/alert_green]

On 9 November, 1942 Constable Marsh was riding a police motor cycle outfit in Church Street, Gloucester. The cycle collided with a post, overturned and threw the constable to the roadway. As a result Constable Marsh suffered a fractured skull and despite being taken to hospital, died the same day.

The constable was born in 1909 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 8 January, 1930. At the time of his death he was stationed at Gloucester.

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The Dungog Chronicle                                 Friday,  13 November, 1942                          page 3 of 4

“SHOCKING ACCIDENT.    CONSTABLE MARSH KILLED.

A distressing fatality occurred in the southern end of Church Street, Gloucester, on Monday afternoon, when Constable John Lindsay Marsh was thrown from his motor cycle and received severe head injuries from which he died within a few minutes. The occurrence happened about 2 p.m., just at a small culvert almost in front of the home of Mrs. J. West, Sen. The constable left town and was on his way to Ward’s River on official duty. A few minutes before he was at the motor garage of Mr. A. Grahame and in excellent spirits. Mr. Jack West, who saw the happening from his home, said Mr. Marsh seemed to be doing something to the gears of the cycle. It suddenly veered to the left-hand side of the road way and the wheel of the sidecar struck the guide post of the culvert. The rider was thrown into the air and in falling his head appeared to come in contact with the hard road. The machine overturned, also, and skidded partly under the injured man. Constable Marsh was unconscious when help arrived, within a short space of time, but passed away without regaining consciousness, some fifteen or twenty minutes later. In addition to his parents, widow and son, the deceased is survived by four sisters: Mrs. Boon and Mrs. Moses, of Kogarah; Mrs. William S. Friar, 19 Boyce Street, Taree; and Mrs. Farlow, of Maclean.”

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NSWBDM

Born   – 5214/1909       Father = Walter   Mother = Barbara A         MacLean District

Married 1932 to Sheila Daphne MARSH nee THOMAS in Narrabri, NSW – born 1912

Death – 26323/1942    Father = Walter   Mother = Barbara Ann

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Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 – 1954), Wednesday 11 November 1942, page 2

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article194064086.txt

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Gloucester Advocate (NSW : 1905 – 1954), Tuesday 10 November 1942, page 2

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article160198670.txt

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Cornelius Martin CARROLL

aka  Con

( late of 8 St David’s Road, Concord )

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #   ??

Rank:  Detective Sergeant 3rd Class

Stations: ?, Burwood, Petersham ( O.I.C. – Detectives )

Service:  From  24 February 1915  to  6 June 1939 = 24+ years Service

Awards: No Find on It’s an Honour

Born:  ? ? 1888 in Ireland

Died on:  Tuesday  6 June 1939

Cause:  Struck by a Motor Vehicle

Event location:  Parramatta Rd, near Ross St, Camperdown

Age: 50

Funeral date:   Thursday  8 June 1939 @ 8am

Funeral location: St Mary’s Church, Concord

Buried at:  Rookwood Catholic Cemetery @ 2.30pm

Section:  Mortuary 2 – 12  533

Lat / Long:  -33.88171, 151.05267

 CORNELIUS IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

About 6pm on 6 June, 1939 Detective Sergeant  ‘ Con ‘ Carroll, the Officer in Charge of Detectives at Petersham, left his station to meet with an informant near the Sydney University.

In Parramatta Road near Ross Street, Camperdown he was accidentally hit by a car and was killed instantly. A report of the death was published in the Sydney Morning Herald of 7 June,1939.

DETECTIVE KILLED – Knocked Down by Car.  1939

Detective Sergeant Cornelius Carroll, 50, of St David’s Road, Concord was knocked down and killed by a motor car in Parramatta Road near Ross Street, Forest Lodge last night. Detective Sergeant Carroll had been in the police force 25 years, mostly in the Burwood and Petersham areas. He was in charge of the detectives at Petersham.

Detectives Brown and Rowland were informed that Detective Sergeant Carroll was either walking across the road or had just alighted from a tram when the accident occurred. The driver of the motor car did not see him until the impact, which fractured Detective Sergeant Carroll’s skull and limbs, killing him instantly.

Detective Sergeant Carroll’s body was taken to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital by the Central District Ambulance. Detective Brown who was a close friend did not know whose death he was investigating until Detective Sergeant Carroll’s papers were found at the city morgue.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17604312

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to communicate with Detective Parmeter or Detective Wiggins at the Camperdown police station.

The sergeant was born in 1888 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 24 February, 1915.

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

He was buried at Rookwood Catholic Cemetery.

As an aside, there was a Cornelius Daniel CARROLL who joined the NSW Police Force, as a Police Cadet, on the 12 February 1941.  Cadet # 309.

It is not known if C.D. Carroll is related to Cornelius CARROLL who died in June 1939.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday  8 June 1939    p8

CARROLL – June 6 1939 suddenly Cornelius John ( Con ) Carroll detective sergeant of police dearly loved husband of Catherine Mary Carroll and father of Martin Josephine (Greta) Mary and Cornelius ( Conny ) aged 51 years Requiescat in pace.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17612052

Crookwell Gazette

Wednesday  21 June 1939    p 1

FULLERTON NEWS

SERGT. CARROLL’S DEATH SUCCUMBED TO INJURIES

On June 6 th. Detective-Sergeant Cornelius Carroll (“Con” to every one) had just signed off from duty at 6 p.m. and was waiting on the Parramatta Road, near the University, Sydney, for a bus to take him home to Concord, when he observed that a car coming along was one he was looking for.

On the impulse he stepped in front of the car to stop the driver, but the car crashed right into Carroll, who was flung and carried 100 yards.

He was picked up and given medical attention but died very shortly afterwards from his injuries.

The driver had gone on and escaped.  ( This doesn’t appear to be true – after reading other articles stemming from the Coroners Court )

The funeral on Thursday went from Burwood R.C. Church to the R.C. portion of Rookwood Cemetery.

The cortege was headed by the Sydney Police Band playing The Dead March. Over 200 police followed as a tribute of respect to a comrade who had always been popular in the Force for his geniality and readiness to do a good turn.

He was well known to the “underworld,” who regarded him as a “holy terror.”

Con Carroll was liked and known to many of the people of the Fullerton district, as up to a few years ago he was a frequent visitor to his parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Horgan, of Cartwright’s Creek, he having married their eldest daughter. Besides his widow, he is survived by his four children, Martin, the Misses Gretta and Mary and Cornelius.

Detective Carroll was born in Ireland 51 years ago and always retained a great love for his native country and his church. He came to Sydney as a young man and had been in the Police Force in the Sydney district ever since his arrival in Australia. He had resided at Davis Street, Concord, for many years. The sudden tragedy came as a great shock to his aged mother-in-law, Mrs.

Mary Anne Hogan, who always looked upon the deceased as one of her own sons.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221299636

The Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday  11 July 1939    p16

DETECTIVE’S DEATH.

Finding of Accident.

The City Coroner Mr Oram at an adjourned inquest yesterday into the death of Detective sergeant Cornelius John Carroll, 50, of Davidson Street Concord who was knocked down by a motor car in Parramatta Road Forest Lodge on June 6, found that he was killed accidentally.

In previous evidence it had been stated that Carroll was on his way to keep an appointment with a female informer near the University grounds when he met his death.

In announcing his finding Mr Oram said that he could not commit the driver of the car for trial on a charge of manslaughter. Evidence was conflicting but it seemed to suggest that the car that struck the dead man was travelling in excess of 30 miles an hour in a built up area when the accident occurred. It was a border line case but there was no evidence that the driver displayed gross carelessness amounting to criminal negligence.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17616515

Other readings can be found at:

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17595388

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/133740103

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/133733182

The Newcastle Sun ( NSW )

Tuesday  12 September 1939     p 8

SERGT.’S DEATH IN ACCIDENT

Motor Driver Fined For Negligence

SYDNEY. Tuesday

A trail of broken glass for 120 feet and a blood trail 33 feet long were described by Constable Cecil Stanley Jardine in the Traffic Court to-day when Archibald William Johnson, of Ashfield. was convicted by Mr. Wood. S.M., of negligent driving and fined £7.plus 23s 6d costs and expenses.

The charge arose out of an accident in Parramatta-road, Forest Lodge, on June 6, which resulted in the death of Detective-Sergeant Cornelius John Carroll, of Petersham. James Aubrey Gibson told of a man crossing the road as though to board a tram when a car approached fast. It had dim lights. The man put a hand up but the car hit him and carried him along the road 40 or 50 yards.

Johnson, who is a printer, pleaded not guilty. He said he eased to about 12 miles an hour and then increased speed to about 30. He felt a bump and saw a form disappear in front of the radiator. ” I applied the brakes and drew into the side, ” said Johnson.

Mr. Wood said he would recommend the Transport Department to test whether Johnson was fit to drive a car. Either he had not been paying proper attention or there was a defect in his vision.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167327081

Riverine Herald ( Vic. )

Friday  17 February 1933     p3

DETECTIVE WOUNDED.

Accidental Discharge of Revolver.

SYDNEY, Thursday

Although wounded in one shoulder when his companion’s revolver was accidentally fired last night, Detective Cornelius Carroll insisted on carrying on with the task of searching for burglars in a house before going to hospital.

When Mr W. T. Coggins, of Chalmers Rd, Strathfield, returned home last night he saw lights burning in the house and rang the police on a neighbor’s telephone.

Detective Carroll, Detective Clifton and Constable Gordon answered the call. Sir Coggins and Constable Gordon went to the rear of the dwelling, while Detectives Carroll and Clifton approached the front.

Carroll, with revolver drawn, was walking a few yards in front. Clifton was drawing his revolver from its holster when it went off, and the bullet, ricocheting off a brick wall, buried itself in the fleshy part of Carroll’s right shoulder.

Carroll took part in a search of the house, saying that the wound was a mere scratch. The burglars had decamped, however, taking £20 worth of clothing.

Examination at the hospital revealed the detective’s injury was not serious, but the bullet was still embedded.

So little did Carroll think of it that he rang the Burwood police station to inform officers there of his injury, joking with his mates and asking them to send him along a pair of slippers.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116480254

Goulburn Evening Penny Post

Friday  3 March 1933     p 2

Detective Carroll, who was shot accidentally during a raid in search of suspects at Ashfield, is Cornelius John Carroll, a son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hogan, of Cartwright’s Creek, Fullerton. ” Con. ” is often to be seen in Crookwell when on a visit to his wife’s parents. His genial nature and his coolness and pluck are outstanding attractions of this big, genial Irishman.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/102864809

Lionel George GUISE

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

Regd. #  ?

Stationed at Newtown Police Station

Murdered – Shot

Newtown

Born  1916

Joined NSW Police Force on 22 November 1937

22 old

Died  26 February, 1939

Buried in Rookwood cemetery

On the afternoon of 26 February, 1939 Constable Guise and Sergeant Werner were patrolling the Newtown area when they were advised of a possible break and enter offence occurring in Marion Street, Newtown. On attending the address, the police stopped their vehicle beside a truck which had apparently been used in the offence. As they stopped, two men jumped from the truck and fled on foot, pursued by the two police. As Constable Guise caught up with one of the offenders the man turned and threw a torch, striking the constable in the chest. In the struggle that followed the offender managed to shoot the constable in the abdomen. Constable Guise died in hospital a short time later.

The Advertiser dated 14 June, 1939 reported on the trial of the murderer Leslie Murphy.

CONSTABLE SHOT WHILE MAKING ARREST-

ACCUSED SENT TO GAOL FOR MANSLAUGHTER.

SYDNEY, June 13 – Leslie William Murphy, 28, was found guilty before Mr. Justice Owen and a jury in the Central Criminal Court this morning with the manslaughter of Constable Lionel George Guise, 22, and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. Constable Guise was fatally shot at Newtown early in the morning of February 26 and died in hospital about seven hours later. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr. L.J. McKean K.C.) said that the Crown alleged that Murphy had been doing an unlawful act in attempting to resist apprehension. If a person resisted lawful apprehension and did something which brought about the death of a police constable, then, the Crown contended, such person would be guilty of manslaughter. Following the theft of a lorry a struggle took place between Guise and Murphy and Guise lost his life while lawfully apprehending Murphy.

The dying depositions of Constable Guise, taken at the hospital, were read in court. They were as follows: “We had a fight and my own gun went off. The other man did not have a gun. I don’t know the people. One ran one way, one another. I caught one and he threw a torch and missed. We had a scuffle. My gun went off and I felt a terrible pain. I shot from the ground at the man. I don’t know whether I hit him or not. He was about 35 years old.”

The constable was born in 1916 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 22 November, 1937. At the time of his death he was stationed at Newtown.

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NEWTOWN LOCAL AREA COMMAND POLICE COMMEMORATION SERVICE

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20130508056

Ms CARMEL TEBBUTT (Marrickville) [7.07 p.m.  8 May 2013]: Recently at Rookwood Cemetery I attended a memorial service to commemorate police officers from the Newtown local area command killed in the line of duty. The moving service was attended by Deputy Police Commissioner Nick Kaldis, Superintendent Simon Hardman, the commander of the Newtown Area Local Command, many other police representatives, and relatives and descendants of the police officers. Those attendees included Ms Avona Wallace, Mr and Mrs Norman Stephenson, Mrs Lynette Everton and Ms Edna Stevenson. Representatives from the emergency services and community members were also in attendance. The member for Campbelltown, Bryan Doyle, attended representing the Premier.

The five officers being remembered at the ceremony gave their lives to protect the community. They were Constable First Class John Wallace, Constable First Class Ruston Stephenson, Constable Lionel Guise, Detective Inspector Reginald Stevenson and Constable Pashalis Katsivelas. The ceremony to mark the sacrifice of these officers reflected on the enormity of their contribution to the community, as well as the impact of their death on their families. It is often said, and it is true, that police officers leave their homes for each shift uncertain of what any day may bring and whether they will return at the end of the day. We owe these men and women our deepest gratitude for the risks they face and take every day in their job. At Rookwood Cemetery we visited each of the graves of those officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and behind each individual was an illuminating life story.

We began at the grave of Constable First Class Ruston Stephenson, who died 80 years almost to the day of the commemoration. Constable Stephenson joined the Police Force in 1912, and four years later enlisted in the army, later joining the fight in France during the First World War. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry in rescuing injured soldiers while under fire. Remarkably, when he returned he rejoined the Police Force and continued to serve until his death on 9 April 1933 after a tragic accident involving a motorcycle at the then Newtown Stadium while performing general duties policing.

We were also told the story of Detective Inspector Reginald Hugh Stevenson—I was honoured on the day to meet his widow, Ms Edna Stevenson, who still had strong memories of the incident that led to Inspector Stevenson’s death. Detective Inspector Stevenson joined the NSW Police Force as a cadet in 1943 at the age of 17. In an act of extraordinary selflessness, Detective Inspector Stevenson was on annual leave on 9 December 1974 when he decided to go to work to assist in the planned arrest of a dangerous offender in Newtown, at the time telling his wife, “I don’t want my boys doing this on their own.” During the operation he was shot in the chest after leading his team in pursuit of the offender.

Detective Inspector Stevenson partially recovered and was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct and the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. However, he died in 1980 of a heart attack, deemed to be the result of the injuries he sustained on duty in 1974. These officers are just a few of many across New South Wales whose lives have been cut short as they have gone about performing their duty. I pay tribute to them all. They will not be forgotten and local events such as this are a powerful reminder of their sacrifice.

I also take this opportunity to acknowledge two Marrickville police officers, Sergeant Stewart and Constable Steele, who on Monday of this week rescued an intellectually disabled person from a house fire in Marrickville. Thankfully, those two officers who took huge risks survived and are quite rightly being hailed as heroes by their colleagues and the community. It is yet another example of the risk our police men and women take every day in order to keep the community safe. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to them.

[divider]

Harold William STURGISS

( late of Emu Plains )

New South Wales Police Force

Regd #.  1943

Uniform #  I690

Rank:  Constable 1st Class

Stations:  George St North Police Station, Granville, Penrith ( since 11 December 1928 ) – Death

Service:  From  29 October 1924  to  2 February 1939 = 14+ years Service

Awards:  No Find on It’s An Honour

Born:  ? ? 1902 in Tarago in the Goulburn District

Died on:  Thursday  2 February 1939

Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – Police motor cycle rider

Location:  High Street, Penrith approaching ( Victoria Bridge ) Nepean River bridge

Age:  36

Funeral date:  Friday  3 February 1939

Funeral location:  C of E portion of Penrith general cemetery

Buried at:  Plot 14, Row AB, Anglican 1 Section ( unmarked grave ),

Cox Ave, Kingswood

Grave updated:  On Tuesday,  11 July 2017, the UNMARKED grave of Cst Sturgiss was suitably MARKED.

The unmarked grave of Harold is the dirt to the left of the well kept grave in the foreground

HAROLD IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On the afternoon of 2 February, 1939, Constable Sturgiss was riding a police motorcycle outfit along High Street, Penrith. As he was negotiating a bend approaching the bridge over the Nepean River, the wheel of the sidecar struck the kerbing of the roadway. The cycle veered across the roadway and collided with a truck travelling in the opposite direction. Constable Sturgiss was thrown heavily to the roadway, sustaining severe injuries. He died in hospital a short time later.

The West Australian dated 3 February, 1939 contained the following brief paragraph relating to the constable’s death.

CONSTABLE’S FATAL INJURIES. SYDNEY, Feb. 2 –

Constable Harold William Sturgiss (37) died in the Nepean District Hospital today from injuries he received when his police motor cycle collided with a motor lorry on the eastern end of the bridge over the Nepean River at Penrith.

The constable was born in 1902 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 29 October, 1924. At the time of his death he was stationed at Penrith.

NSW Birth, Deaths & Marriages

Birth:    12276/1902  to David J & Margaret E STURGISS

Death:  3196/1939

The Sydney Morning Herald    Friday  3 February 1939  p 9 of 26

STURGISS.- The Relatives and Friends of Mrs.

H. W. STURGISS and FAMILY, of Emu Plains, are invited to attend the Funeral of her dearly beloved HUSBAND and their dear FATHER, Harold William Sturgiss; to leave his late residence, Emu Plains, This Day, at 3.30 p.m.. for the Church of England Cemetery, Kingswood.

T. J. ANDREWS, A.F.D.A..

23-25 Enmore Road, Newtown.

Phones, L2873-4.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17559160?searchTerm=harold%20william%20sturgiss&searchLimits=#pstart1173406

Nepean Times ( Penrith )    Thursday  9 February 1929  p 1 of 8

Fatality at River Bridge

DEATH OF CONSTABLE STURGISS

As briefly mentioned in the second edition of last issue, Constable Harold William Sturgiss  (36), of Penrith Police Force, died in Nepean District Hospital last Thursday afternoon from injuries received shortly before when a motor cycle and sidecar he was riding got out of control at the eastern end of the Victoria Bridge, over the Nepean River, and ran into a motor lorry. The accident happened shortly after 1 p.m., when the constable was returning to his home at Emu Plains.

Approaching the bridge the constable was travelling on his correct side of the roadway, when the wheel of the sidecar struck the kerbing along the footpath. The wheel, it seemed, travelled hard on to the kerb and then suddenly swung across the roadway to the right hand side, striking the off front corner of a heavy motor truck carrying five tons of sand and travelling east.

Apparently the constable’s chest came in contact with the off corner of the lorry and then slid along the side, striking the off rear wheel. This threw him off the machine on to the roadway.

INQUEST

The district coroner, Mr E. F. Rule, held an inquiry into the fatality at Penrith Court House yesterday.

Sergeant Sheridan stated that approaching the bridge from the eastern end there was a very sharp curve to the left, and eyewitnesses stated that as the motor cycle was being driven around the curve the wheel of the sidecar struck the kerbing on the left hand side going west, and then suddenly the cycle swung to the left with the sidecar up in the air. Deceased appeared to make every effort to right the cycle, but failed to do so, with the result that it struck the motor truck with great force.

The Ambulance was soon on the scene and he was taken to Penrith Hospital.

Deceased was regarded as a very careful motor cycle rider, stated the Sergeant, and had been riding departmental bikes for ten years. The bike   used on this occasion was in good repair, added the Sergeant.

Cedric Russell Neville, contractor, residing at Merrylands, stated that he was at present employed carting gravely sand, and blue stone from the Emu   Plains Gravel Coy’s. works to the Water Board’s construction works at Eastern Creek. At the eastern end of the river bridge his lorry was doing about 10 – 15 miles an hour. The motor cycle ridden by the constable came round the bend on its correct side. Witness was on his correct side. The sidecar wheel bumped the kerb, and the car immediately jumped into the air. Then the cycle swerved across to witness’s lorry, striking the off rear wheel. Witness stopped immediately Some lady in the vicinity immediately rang for the Ambulance.

Dr. Barrow, who examined deceased at the Hospital, stated that his injuries were a fractured right arm, a   double fracture of the right forearm, extensive fractures to the ribs on the right side of the back, pelvis bone fracture, and extensive shock. The cause of death was shock and visceral

injuries.

The coroner extended sympathy to the bereaved widow, and stated that deceased’s record as a police officer was of the highest, and it was a tragedy that the career of a man so young   should be cut off in this way.

A verdict of accidental death was returned.

DECEASED’S CAREER

The late Constable Sturgiss was born at Tarrago 36 years ago and was the son of Mr and Mrs D. Sturgiss, of that town. Deceased joined the New South Wales police force in Sydney on 29th October, 1924. He was attached to George Street North and Granville stations before coming to Penrith on 11th December, 1928, and had carried on duties here as a motor cyclist of the force. He had been residing   at Emu Plains since 18th March, 1929.

Constable Sturgiss was a very efficient officer of the force and both in   his official and private capacity enjoyed the esteem of many who knew   him. He was obliging, courteous, and conscientious, and his tragic passing is a great sorrow to many friends.

He is survived by Mrs Sturgiss, a son (Ramond) and daughter (Norma).

THE FUNERAL

The funeral, on Friday afternoon, was one of the most largely attended in Penrith for some time, the force and the civilian population being well represented. It was Impressive evidence of the esteem in which the deceased was held as an officer and as a citizen.

The cortege left deceased’s residence at Emu Plains at 3.30 p.m., escorted by four police motor cyclists, who acted as pall-bearers.

At Riley Street the procession was joined by the Police Band and a contingent of police of Penrith and surrounding stations, as well as some from the city.

Inspector Cannell, of Parramatta, represented the Commissioner of Police.

The Police Band and police unit escorted the cortege as far as the police station, after which the members proceeded to the cemetery by cars.

The interment was in the C. of E. portion of Penrith general cemetery, the service being conducted by the Rector. Rev. R. S. Capple.

Numerous wreaths were forwarded including wreaths from Penrith and Parramatta police and the Police Officer’s Association, Sydney.

It was an official funeral and the casket was draped with a Union Jack.

The P.A.F.S. and L.O.L. Orders were largely represented, deceased being secretary of the local lodges in each ease.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/101057355?searchTerm=harold%20william%20sturgiss&searchLimits=#pstart10719157

Leslie Andrew NASH

New South Wales Police Force

Late of 6 Clarence St, Penshurst, NSW

Regd. #  ????

Uniform #  87A or 97A

Rank:  Commenced Training at ? Academy on Tuesday 5 April 1921

Probationary Constable – appointed ? ? ?

Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?

Final Rank: Constable 1st Class

Stations:  Parramatta ( 1924 ), Sutherland, Hurstville ( 1928 – 1935 )

Service:  From 5 April 1921 to 15 April 1935 = 14 years, 0 months, 10 days Service

Awards:  ?

Born:  22 December 1898 in Parkes, NSW

Died: Monday  15 April 1935

Cause:  Illness – Suicide- service revolver

Age:  36 years, 3 months, 24 days

Event location:  Hurstville Police Station

Funeral date:  Tuesday  16 April 1935

Funeral location:  St Declan’s Church, Penshurst @ 2.30pm

Buried at:  Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland

Grave Location:  Roman Catholic Monumental Section 3 – Plot: 0493

Coroners Inquest:  Tuesday  30 April 1935

 LESLIE is NOT mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance ( 2021 )  * BUT SHOULD BE

Constable Nash is thought to have been shot to death, possibly while on duty, on 15 April, 1935. It was thought that he had committed suicide however little is known about this incident and to some extent it remains a mystery.

The Hurstville Propeller newspaper dated 18 April, 1935 published the following article.

CONSTABLE FOUND SHOT AT HURSTVILLE POLICE STATION.

First-Class Constable Leslie Andrew Nash, station officer at the Hurstville Police Station, was found dead at the station early on Monday morning. Constable Nash commenced duty at 5 a.m. Constable Harvey left the station and when he returned Nash was missing. A search revealed his body in the bathroom attached to the station. Nash’s service revolver was nearby.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 16 April, 1935 added a bit more to the story.

POLICEMAN FOUND SHOT. Constable Leslie Andrew Nash, 38, was found dead in the bathroom at the Hurstville Police Station yesterday morning with a bullet wound in his head. A revolver was found nearby. Nash was to have sat for an examination yesterday morning and had been in ill-health for some time. For the last eight years, Nash, who was a first class constable with 14 years service, had been stationed at Hurstville and was well liked and respected in the district. He had previously been stationed at Sutherland. He is survived by a widow and five children.

The constable was born in 1897 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 April, 1921. At the time of his death he was stationed at Hurstville.

Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners’ Advocate

Tuesday  30 April 1935   P9

WORRIED OVER LECTURES

Constable Committed Suicide

SYDNEY, Monday,

Forgetting what he had been told at lectures, Constable Leslie Nash, 37, committed suicide at Hurstville Police Station on April 15.

At the inquest today, Constable James Harvey said that Nash told him that he was worrying over a departmental examination that day, and had forgotten what he had been told.

Returning a verdict of suicide, the Coroner said that the case was very sad.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article139251811.txt

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 – 1861; 1863 – 1889; 1891 – 1954),

Monday 15 April 1935, page 1

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article192714831.txt

News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 – 1954),

Monday 15 April 1935, page 4

The Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday  16 April 1935   p 9

NA8H.- H.A.C.B.S. St. DECLAN’S BRANCH, No. 659.- The Officers and Members of the above Branch are requested to attend the Funeral of their late Bro.. LESLIE A. NASH: to leave St. Declan’s Catholic Church. Penshurst, THIS DAY. at 2.30 p.m., for Woronora Cemetery. By road.

W. J. MEACHMAN. Tres.

R. J. MADDEN. Sec.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article17166023.txt

Further reading:  https://police.freom.com/woronora-cemetery-wall-of-remembrance/

The Coroners Inquest returned a verdict of “Effects of a bullet wound in his head, wilfully self inflicted“

Inquest was concluded on 29 April 1935.

In the attached photo, his Uniform #  is 87A or 97A.

The ‘ A ‘ used to depict the District that the member was attached to.  ‘ A ‘ District was Sydney – so he may, at the time of the photo being taken, have been stationed at one of the Sydney CBD Stations.

NSWBDM

Birth   =   6089/1898             Father = Patrick                 Mother = Amelia             District = Parkes

Marriage = 2105/1925           Bride  = McDonnell or MacDonnell                           District = Kempsey

Death =   7008/1935              Father = Patrick                 Mother = Amelia             District = Hurstville

Leslie Andrew Nash

Born 22 Dec 1898 in Parkes, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Son of Patrick Michael Nash and Amelia (Brenner) Nash

Brother of Patrick Nash, Edward Charles Nash and Robert Bernard Nash

Husband of Sara Catherine Ellen McDonnell — married [date unknown] [location unknown]

[children unknown]

Died 15 Apr 1935 at age 36 in Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia

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Profile last modified 12 Sep 2021

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Biography

Leslie was born in 1898, the son of Patrick and Amelia, Leslie married on 10 Jan 1925 to Catherine McDonnell. Leslie was a First Class Constable Leslie passed away 15 Apr 1935 (aged 36)

Sources

• NSW BDM
• BIRTH NASH LESLIE A 6089/1898 PATRICK AMELIA PARKES

• MARRIAGE 2105/1925 NASH LESLIE A MCDONNELL CATHERINE KEMPSEY

• DEATH NASH LESLIE A 7008/1935 PATRICK AMELIA HURSTVILLE

• RYERSON INDEX
• NASH Leslie Andrew Death notice 15APR1935 Death 37 at Hurstville, late of Penshurst Sydney Morning Herald 16APR1935

• The Sydney Morning Herald NSW 1842 – 1954

Tue 16 Apr 1935 DEATH NASH-April 15, 1835, suddenly, at Hurstville, Leslie Andrew, of 6 Clarence-street, Penshurst, dearly beloved husband of Catherine and father of Pat, Francis , Alma, John and Peter aged 37 years. Requiescat in pace.

The Sydney Morning Herald NSW 1842 – 1954 Tue 16 Apr 1935 Page 9 FUNERAL NASH.-The Relatives and Friends of Mrs. CATHERINE NA8H and FAMILY are kindly Invited to attend the Funeral of her dearly beloved HUSBAND and their FATHER. First Class Constable Leslie Andrew Nash: which will leave St. Declan’s Church. Penshurst, THIS TUESDAY, at 2.30 p.m., for the Catholic Cemetery. Woronora. Mrs. P. KIRBY and SON. LTD.. Leadlng Funeral Directors. phone, M2221-2. 263 Elizabeth-street, Sydney.

NASH.-‘The Friends of Mr. WILLIAM ROSS are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of his friend, the Late Mr. Leslie A. Nash: lo leave St. Declan’s Church. Penshurst, THIS DAY (Tues day. For further details please see above notice.

NASH.- H.A.C.B.S. St. DECLAN’S BRANCH, No. 659.-The Officers and Members of the above Branch are requested to attend the Funeral of their late Bro.. LESLIE A. NASH: to leave St. Declan’s Catholic Church. Penshurst, THIS DAY. at 2.30 p.m., for Woronora Cemetery. By road. W. J. MEACHMAN. Tres. R. J. MADDEN. Sec.

• NASH Leslie Andrew Death notice 16APR1935 Death at Hurstville Sydney Morning Herald 22APR1935
• The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954)

Mon 22 Apr 1935 Page 8 Family Notices

• DEATH

NASH.—April 16 (suddenly), at Hurstville, Les- lie Andrew, beloved brother, brother-in-law, and darling uncle of Bob, Rene, and Aileen.

• Death aged 37 at Hurstville, late of Penshurst

• BURIAL Woronora Memorial Park

Sutherland, Sutherland Shire, New South Wales, Australia PLOT RC 3 0493

• MEMORIAL ID 180629133

Leslie Andrew Nash (1898-1935) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree