About 12.25pm on 17 November, 1983 Senior Constable Hutchins was riding his motor cycle to work along Victoria Road, Ryde.
He failed to notice a vehicle that was stationary in front of him and collided with the rear of the vehicle.
Senior Constable Hutchins was conveyed to the Ryde Hospital where he was found to be dead on arrival.
The constable was born in 1951 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 14 February, 1972. At the time of his death he was attached to the Police Communications Branch.
Source: Beyond Courage
John Henry WALTON
| 27/10/2012
John Henry WALTON
( late of Westleigh, NSW )
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern Academy – Class 084A
New South Wales Police Force
Regd # 9727
Joined NSW Police Force via the NSW Police Cadet system on 7 July 1958 but appears to have resigned on 7 July 1958 before re-joining around 1960.
Cadet # 1451
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – commenced Monday 7 July 1958 until 7 July 1958.
Probationary Constable – appointed 15 August 1960
Constable – appointed 15 August 1961
Constable 1st Class – appointed 15 August 1966
Detective – appointed 22 March 1968
Detective Senior Constable – appointed 15 August 1970
Detective Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 28 April 1976
Final Rank: Detective Sergeant 3rd Class
Stations: Police Training Centre ( 150860 – Trainee ), Regent St ( 2 Division GDs from 190960 ), Regent St ( Traffic – Probation from 030161 ), Regent St ( Traffic – Permanent from 030261 ), Wagga Wagga ( transfer cancelled ), Canowindra ( GDs from 080563 ), 11 Division ( GDs from 101163 ), Vice Squad – H.Q. ( from 220365 ), Darlinghurst ( 3 Division – Vice Squad from 251065 ), Liverpool ( 22 Division – C.I. Duties from 280966 ), 9 Division ( C.I. Duties from 250869 ), C.I.B. – Special Crime Squad ( from 260273 ), C.I.B. – Armed Hold-up Squad to death
Service: From 7 July 1958 to 7 July 1958.
Pre August 1960 to 23 June 1978 = 18+ years Service
Awards: No Find in Australian Honours
Born: Sunday 22 June 1941
Died on: Friday 23 June 1978 ( day after his 37th birthday )
Funeral location: Macquarie Park Cemetery & Crematorium, Delhi & Plassey Rd, Macquarie Park, NSW
Buried at: RC Lawn, Block 12 / 0445
GPS: Lat: -33.790614478 Long: 151.142994
Grave Location:
John Henry WALTON National Touch Plate, Canberra
JOHNIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
About 2.45am on 23 June, 1978 Sergeant Walton was a passenger in a police vehicle travelling along Carlingford Road, Carlingford. A vehicle approaching in the opposite direction drove onto the incorrect side of the roadway, forcing the police vehicle off the road where it collided with a parked horse float which was parked, without lights, on the southern side of Carlingford Rd at the intersection of Glenview Parade. Detective Sergeant Walton was killed instantly. Extensive inquiries made to locate the driver of the unknown vehicle responsible for this accident have to date proved unsuccessful.
The sergeant was born in 1941 and joined the New South Wales Police Force, as a Cadet, on 7 July 1958. At the time of his death he was attached to the Armed Hold-up Squad.
Prior to joining the NSWPF, John was a Junior Clerk for 10 months then joined the NSWPF Cadet system from the 7 July 1958 and finished on the 17 August 1958 for reasons unknown to me.
He then appears to have been a General Hand for 4 months and then a Clerk for 18 months before coming back to the NSWPF – Attesting as a Probationary Constable on the 15 August 1960. His re-join date is also unknown to me.
He was 5′ 11″ tall, 12 stone 12 lb in weight with Hazel eyes, brown hair and of a medium build. He was born in Young, NSW and was single at the time of joining but married on 23 November 1963. He obtained his School Intermediate Certificate.
He obtained an 82.5% at completion of Training Class 84A and he had a 23 w.p.m. rate of typing – on the 4 April 1961
He also completed a three day course in Civil Defence in 1961.
He passed his Constable 1st Class exams on the 22 September 1964.
He failed his first attempt at the Sgt 3/c exams on 18 May 1973 but passed on the 16 May 1974.
He passed the Detective qualification course on 25 October 1967 and was designated a Detective on the 22 March 1968.
On the 14 November 1977 he was ” Commended for the good policemanship, excellent teamwork and devotion to duty he displayed as one of the Police responsible for the prompt arrest of Phillip WESTERN, Michael STOGIO, Lawrence JOHNSON and Robert PATTEN for the armed hold-up of the Randwick Branch of the Bank of New South Wales on 29 December 1975.
During committal proceeding at the Central Court of Petty Sessions on 28 April 1976 the Chief Stipendiary Magistrate, Mr. Farquhar, complimented him, along with all Police connected with the case while His Honour, Judge Muir, in passing sentence on the offenders made favourable comment regarding the briefs prepared by Police for the trial.
Mervyn T Wood – Commissioner”
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),
Saturday 24 June 1978, page 3
IN BRIEF
Fatal crash
SYDNEY: Detective Sergeant John Henry Walton, 37, was killed and Detective Senior Constable John O’Hagan, 33, was seriously injured when a police car driven by Detective O’Hagan ran into a horse-float in Epping early yesterday.
Memorial located at: 1/ Glen Davis Rd, Capertee – the Clarence Pirie Memorial Park
Lat: -33.143736 Long: 149.983791
2/ a Wall Plaque at Chifley L.A.C.
SenCon Clarrie Pirie ( 1960 )
Clarence Roy PIRIE – Touch Plate at the National Wall of Police Remembrance, Canberra
CLARENCEIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Grave location: Rookwood Cemetery, NSW
Zone E, Section 19, Grave 3661
INSCRIPTION: In Loving Memory of my dear husband and our dear father Clarence Roy PIRIE died 13th October 1960 aged 40 years. Erected by the New South Wales Government in Memory of Senior Constable Clarence Roy PIRIE who was shot & killed in the Execution of his Duty at Jew’s Creek on the 13th October 1960. Police Crest.
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Senior Constable Clarrie Pirie was the Officer-in-Charge of the Capertee Police Station from 1958 until his death on 13 October, 1960. On that day he was informed by Lithgow Police that two male offenders had abandoned a stolen car at Cudgigong, north of Capertee.
While patrolling the area Senior Constable Pirie found two fourteen year-olds with a vehicle at a roadside camping area at Jews Creek, ten miles south of Capertee. These however were not the two offenders the police were searching for and as such Constable Pirie did not know that on the previous day the pair had escaped from the Yasmar children’s detention centre ( Lidcombe ) and had broken into a dwelling where they stole several items of property and the vehicle before driving to the Jews Creek area.
As the constable was talking to the young offenders one of them suddenly produced a .22 rifle and shot Constable Pirie. He died a short time later. Both youths were captured the following day.
The senior constable was born in 1920 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 September, 1947.
At the time of his death he was stationed at Capertee.
Knew Clarie well when I was at Cowra and Clarie was LUK at Young, I was transferred on the PSB at Lithgow and Clarie was transferred to Capertee so I used to see a lot him as the Highway Patrol done daily runs to Capertee.
I took the phone call at Lithgow from a chap from Cullen Bullen to say Clarie had been shot, then drove Insp. Eli Hanson and Det S/Cst Jimmy Foster to the Scene at Jew’s Creek.
Never will forget that day.
His Youngest son John was a Police Support Officer and KAC Manager at Orange.
( Eli HANSON, NSWPF # 2207, Retired in 1962 and died in January 1973 ( aged 71 years, 0 months, 2 days ) )
Police Remembrance Day – 29 September 2022
A message received from one of the daughters of Roy & Frances PIRIE on 21 September 2022:
Dear Greg, Not sure if you are the right person to find out some info on Police Memorial Day Services in the Young area.
I live near Young & would really like to be able to pay my respect to my Dad who was killed on duty in 1960. It’s my only way to keep my memory going & now my Mum has passed, I’m feeling the sadness even more.
My Dad was Constable Clarence Roy Pirie who was shot & killed at Capertee.
I usually find out after the event that there had been a service around Young so what I’m hoping is that someone could let me know beforehand so I could attend.
Sorry to trouble you but just reaching out.
Yours respectfully,
Francine Pirie.
/////////////////////
Hello Francine.
Good choice picking me. lol.
I have tried to phone Young ( without success ) but I have just spoken with the District Commander, Supt. Paul Condon, and he confirms that there WILL be a Service in Young.
He is now on the phone to obtain the ‘where and when’ for us.
/////////////////////
omg, bless you & thank you x
I am on NSW Fallen Police ( FB Group ) so that’s how I got you so; thanks again.
////////////////////
There is a Service at Young Police Station ( only a small Service though ) at 11am on Thursday 29 September. The troops there will be expecting you.
////////////////////
Greg thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’ll be there
x
////////////////////
You are very welcome Francine.
xoxox
Cal
///////////////////
Dear Greg,
Thank you so much for organising my attendance yesterday.
The staff at Young Police Station were amazing. The young Police Officers were so interested in my family’s story.
Thank you for the link as I read through the article I read things I didn’t know about. Many tears have been cried but I still believe it’s been a healing time for me even though it’s been 62 years.
Sometimes you need a reason & yesterday was a good reason to grieve, not only for my Dad but for all the other families who have lost their loved one.
Again Greg, thank you from my heart as this would not have happened if you hadn’t gone to the trouble to organise this for me.
God bless you
Francine Pirie
xx
The Result
Young Police – Remembrance Day – 2022 – Francine Pirie – Holding picture – Daughter of Clarence Pirie – killed 13 Oct 1960
Great effort from Young Police and Supt. Paul Condon, Goulburn
Mrs Frances Josephine PIRIE sadly passed away last night ( Friday 12 October 2019 ) aged 94 years – 5 days shy of her 95th birthday.
Wife of Senior Constable Clarence Roy PIRIE of the Capertee Police.
Almost 59 years to the day, Frances and Clarey are together again.
Knew Clarie well when I was at Cowra and Clarie was LUK at Young, I was transferred on the PSB at Lithgow and Clarie was transferred to Capertee so I used to see a lot him as the Highway Patrol done daily runs to Capertee.
I took the phone call at Lithgow from a chap from Cullen Bullen to say Clarie had been shot, then drove Insp. Eli Hanson and Det S/Cst Jimmy Foster to the Scene at Jew’s Creek.
Never will forget that day.
His Youngest son John was a Police Support Officer and KAC Manager at Orange.
Almost all visitors to Capertee will notice the large memorial park in the middle of the village close to the Glen Davies turnoff. This recreational area, which includes a car park, childrens’ playground and toilets, is officially named after Clarence Pirie a notable policeman who was stationed in the community during the late 1950s and early 60s. While many police have served the Capertee district well over the years Pirie deserves lasting recognition as he gave his life to protecting the community.
Senior Constable Clarence (Clarie) Roy Pirie was born in Paddington, Sydney, in 1920. During World War 2 he joined the army and served in New Guinea. After the war, in 1947, he joined the New South Wales Police Force, and from 1959 to 1960 he was the Officer-in-Charge at Capertee Police Station.
On the 13th October 1960 he was asked to look out for two male offenders who had abandoned a stolen car north of Capertee.While patrolling the area the following day, Pirie found two 14 year-olds with a vehicle at a roadside camping site at Jews Creeks south of Capertee. According to police records, these were not the suspects who had abandoned the vehicle the previous day but two escapees from the Yasmar juvenile detention centre in Haberfield, Sydney. While interviewing the youths one of them suddenly produced a stolen .22 rifle and shot the officer twice. The Senior Constable died of his wounds at the scene a short time after. The two youths were arrested the following day and were later imprisoned. Pirie was survived by his wife Frances and four young children.
The memory of Clarie Pirie as well as the many other police who have been killed in the line of duty is commemorated each year on Police Memorial Day which is held near the end of September.
INSCRIPTION: This plaque has been erected to perpetuate the memory of Senior Constable Clarence Roy PIRIE in recognition of his ultimate sacrifice when he died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained when arresting two juvenile car thieves at Jews Creek on the 13th October 1960. “to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heaven”
SYDNEY, Thursday: – Police were to-night conducting one of the largest manhunts ever in the Central Western district for two youths who are alleged to have shot dead Senior Constable Clarence Roy Pirie, 40, of Cullen Bullen.
The constable was chasing two youths on the Capertee Cullen Bullen Road early to- night.
Pirie, a father of four, was believed to have been killed with a .22 rifle.
Police from Lithgow, Bathurst, Mount Victoria, Kandos, Rylstone, Katoomba, Oberon, Orange and other centres are searching dense bush near Jews Creek.
Police from other Central Western stations and from Sydney will join the searchers to-morrow.
The searchers are heavily armed with rifles and riot guns.
Other specialised weapons will arrive from Sydney to-morrow.
At 9 a.m. to-day a stolen car was found abandoned at Cudgegong.
Two youths were seen to leave the car and police in the area were alerted.
Constable Pirie sighted two youths in a second stolen car on the Lithgow-Mudgee Road near Jew’s Creek.
Overturned
The stolen car overturned at high speed about a half mile farther on.
Two youths scrambled from the wreck and fled into the bush.
Constable Pirie followed them.
Police believe that the elder youth, realising that Pirie was following them, turned and fired the shot which fatally wounded the policeman.
LITHGOW, Tuesday:- A 14-year-old Sydney boy was remanded in Lithgow Children’s Court to-day on a charge of murdering a policeman.
He was remanded till November 1 without bail and will be detained in custody until that date.
The boy was charged with having murdered Constable Clarence Roy Pirie at Jews Creek camping reserve on October 13.
Police prosecutor Sergeant J. S. Smith said the youth charged with murder had escaped from a Sydney boys’ home on October 12 and together with another boy had stolen a car.
The car was allegedly parked at Jews Creek’ Camping reserve the next day.
When Const. Pirie approached the vehicle he was allegedly shot dead.
The Canberra Times Tuesday 7 March 1961 page 3 of 20
SYDNEY, Monday: — Christopher Lindsay, 15, went to gaol to-day for 15 years for killing a policeman last year.
Mr. Justice Else Mitchell described the fair-haired, well-dressed boy as a “young gangster.”
Lindsay, of Alice Street, Newtown, did not appear to be emotionally upset at the sentence.
He turned to court officials who led him from the dock to the cells below.
The sight of the boy being led away brought an outburst of sobbing from the public gallery.
Lindsay last week had pleaded not guilty to having murdered Constable Clarence Roy Pirie, 39, at Jews Creek Camping Reserve off the Mudgee Road near Cullen Bullen on October 13 last.
The Crown accepted Lindsay’s plea of guilty of man slaughter.
Lindsay – standing in the dock of Central Criminal Court with hands clasped in front of him – heard Mr. Justice Else Mitchell say that the deposition and Lindsay’s own signed statement left slender ground for the lesser offence.
“Before committing this crime, you had shown a refusal both in England and in this country to conform with the laws which are made for the good of society.
“From the record, it is clear that the processes of the habitation and reform which are provided by the country here have made no impact on your attitude or conduct.
“In pursuit of this anti-social conduct you twice escaped from Yasma shelter, where you were being detained awaiting trial for various charges, and on the second occasion in company with a confederate, younger than yourself, stole a rifle, food, other goods and then a motor car in which you travelled to the scene of the crime.
“When you were in fear of apprehension by a constable of the police for the theft of the car you did not hesitate to shoot him because as you said ‘You did not want him to catch you with the car.’
“Your subsequent conduct and your attempt to evade capture though perhaps natural do not appear to have been accompanied by any manifestation of c0ntrition or remorse, a fact which seems to me all the more serious in view of Dr. McGeorge’s conclusion that you are not suffering from any mental or psychiatric disorders.
“A substantial sentence appears to be necessary not only for the reasons I mentioned but as the only possible way in which you may begin to understand your obligations to society.”
SYDNEY, Friday:— The Full Supreme Court to-day dismissed a school boy’s appeal against a 15-year sentence for the manslaughter of a policeman.
The boy, Christopher Lindsay, 15, appealed against the severity of the sentence.
Mr. Justice Else-Mitchell, in Central Criminal Court, had sentenced Lindsay to 15 years gaol for the manslaughter of Constable
Clarence Roy Pirie, at Jew’s Creek, last October.
Pirie was questioning Lindsay on a car theft at the time.
Lindsay to-day conducted his own case before the Full Bench — comprising the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Evatt, Mr. justice Herron and Mr. Justice Hardie.
He handed the bench a written statement, headed —’ “No Discourtesy.”
The statement read: “I respectfully submit that His Honour, at the time of imposing the severe sentence for manslaughter, regarded the offence as tantamount to murder.
“I further most respectfully submit the crime was not premeditated.
“The whole tragedy took place in a matter of seconds.
“At no time did I intend this man’s death.
“I respectfully submit that a 14-year-old youth to be sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for a crime he did not intend, is too severe.”
Mr. Justice Else-Mitchell, reported to the Full Court, that Lindsay’s offence was hardly distinguishable from murder.
However, he had felt that he was bound by the Crown’s acceptance of the manslaughter plea.
Lindsay originally had been charged with murder.
Mr. Justice Else-Mitchell said it had been submitted he should not impose a crushing sentence.
He also was mindful of the danger with a youthful offender — that the imposition of a heavy gaol sentence often could produce more harm than good.
The Full Court ruled unanimously against Lindsay’s appeal.
It added that Lindsay’s crime called for the greatest condemnation.
PERSONAL LOSS: Inspector Greg Pringle and police administration manager John Pirie have personal experience of the loss of someone close on Police Remembrance Day. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0926police2
REPRESENTATIVES from Orange Police Station will today attend a national memorial in Canberra for Police Remembrance Day.
For Inspector Greg Pringle and Canobolas Local Area administration manager John Pirie, the day bears a special significance.
John Pirie was just coming up to his fifth birthday when his 40-year-old father Senior Constable Clarence Roy Pirie was shot at point-blank range and killed near Capertee.
It was on October 13, 1960, that Mr Pirie’s father was patrolling when he came across a stolen vehicle. He stopped the vehicle and spoke to two youths inside, but one of them pulled a gun on Snr Const Pirie and shot him.
Inspector Pringle’s experience is in contrast, but he agrees the grief that comes with losing a colleague on the job remains for many years.
“I was with highway patrol working out of Cootamundra in 1988. I had a cup of tea with a fellow officer Constable Kurt Schetor before we headed off to patrol in separate directions,” Insp Pringle said.
Ten minutes later the then Constable Pringle received a call to respond to a crash and he arrived to find his friend and colleague was in involved in a head-on crash with a truck.
“I did my best but I couldn’t revive him,” he said.
Insp Pringle said many police officers carried a burden of grief with them for colleagues who died on the job.
“In many ways it is harder to deal with your own grief,” he said.
“When you are a police officer your ‘tank’ is full of other people’s grief because that’s part of the job. But it doesn’t leave much left.”
Officers from Canobolas Local Area Command will not be marking Police Remembrance Day in Orange this year.
Instead, this year’s service will be held at Cowra which is part of the Canobolas Local Area Command.
A brother and sister came to yesterday’s National Police Remembrance Day ceremony to remember their dad who was killed in the line of duty 50 years ago.
REMEMBER THEM: Police, emergency services personnel and community members gathered in All Saints’ Cathedral yesterday to mark National Police Remembrance Day. Photo: PHILL MURRAY 092901prem
Three generations of Clarence Roy Pirie’s family came together in All Saints’ Cathedral to honour the police officer who was shot and killed by two escapees at Capertee on October 13, 1960.
At the time her father was killed MaryAnne Ford was just three years old – her brother Ron Pirie was seven. There were two more siblings Francine who was not yet two and John who was five. After the police officer’s death, their mum was left to raise the young family alone. Although MaryAnne remembers little of her dad she still treasures the plastic ‘policeman plod’ doll that he gave her before he died. It is something concrete to remember him by.
“The day I got married I left my bouquet on his grave,” she said.
Ron said although he has blocked out a lot of his memories of that sad time there are things that he does remember – like being put in the wooden slab lock up when he was naughty.
Although yesterday’s national remembrance day was to remember all police who lost their lives, for Clarence Pirie’s family it was very personal.
Apart from MaryAnne and Ron, Clarence’s granddaughters Ruth Ford and Kellyanne Howarth were at the special ceremony along with his three-month-old great grandson Jaydon.
They said the ceremony was both moving and beautiful.
“It was hard, but it was good,” Ron said with tears in his eyes.
He paused then and shook his head. “You know it never goes away.”
Slain policeman remembered
DON MAHONEY
15 Oct, 2010 08:40 AM
When Senior Constable Clarence (‘Clarrie’) Roy Pirie went to work on the morning of the October 13, 1960, he fully expected to go home to his wife Frances and their four young children at the end of the day.Sadly, 40-year-old Senior Constable Pirie lost his life that day at Jews Creek, when he was shot by one of two escapees from a juvenile detention centre.
Senior Constable Pirie’s family returned to Capertee this week to remember the events that turned their lives upside down for all time.
On Thursday morning Senior Constable Pirie’s wife Frances, with her children, grandchildren and some great-grandchildren, joined senior police including Deputy Commissioner Dave Owen, Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, Chifley Area Command Superintendent Michael Robertson, Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin, and many members of the police force at Clarrie Pirie Memorial Park in Capertee to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.
A service was conducted by Police Chaplin Mark Jenkins from the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst and was addressed by the Superintendent Robertson, Mr Martin and Detective Superintendent Jim Foster who investigated Senior Constable Pirie’s death.
“Senior Constable Pirie paid the ultimate sacrifice and was the sixth of eight police officers [in the Chifley command] to lose their life upholding the law,” Superintendent Robertson said.
“Those who follow [in the police force] serve to do his memory proud and he lives on through this park, which was named in his honour.
“The debt owed by society to Senior Constable Pirie cannot be measured and we will always ensure that he is remembered.”
Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin related how Clarrie Pirie served with the Australian Armed Forces in New Guinea during World War II and how he met his wife in military service.
“He undertook a very challenging front line career, which can be extremely dangerous,” Mr Martin said, speaking on behalf of Police Minister Michael Daley.
“His loss will always be a tragedy and compares to the recent death of trainee detective William Crews, the former Glen Innes who lost his life in the line of duty last month.”
Detective Superintendent Jim Foster told how Senior Constable Pirie had joined the police force in 1947 and served at Parramatta and Young before being transferred to Capertee in 1958.
“Those were difficult times with no two-way radios or mobile phones, but the community spirit was evident as we investigated the case,” Detective Foster said.
“The Postmaster at Cullen Bullen kept the phone lines open after the 6pm regular closing time so that we had communications.
“The only police photographer was hours away and a local chemist took the photos we needed to record evidence.
The offenders were arrested at 3am on October 14 as they were attempting to board the Mudgee Mail train at Capertee.”
Detective Superintendent Foster said Senior Constable Pirie was faithful to his duty as a police officer and earned the respect of the Capertee community and the police in the then Lithgow sub-district.
Mrs Pirie said her husband’s attention to detail in his work as a police officer was incredible.
“He knew just about every car that passed through town,” she said.
“Strange cars always attracted his attention.”
Perhaps that attention to duty led him to investigate the stolen vehicle driven by the two escapees, that he saw at Jews Creek that day 50 years ago.
Mrs Pirie, now in her 80s, said her husband’s death changed her life forever as she struggled to raise four children.
“At the time of Clarrie’s death Ron was 8, John 5, Mary Anne 3 and Francene 2,” she said.
“I received a small police pension but had to go out and work to be able to raise and educate them.
“I had to remove our personal effects from the police house at Capertee soon after Clarrie’s death and we moved to Young.”
The ceremony concluded with wreaths being laid by Mrs Pirie and family, Assistant Commissioner David Owen, Superintendent Michael Robertson and the students from Capertee Public School.
John Pirie Wall to Wall – Ride for Remembrance – 2014 I was immensely proud, felt hugely honoured and felt very humbled that the Wall to Wall riders from the Western Region led by Geoff McKecknie stopped at Capertee today. I would also like to express my gratitude to Paul Bousfield and the Capertee Community, especially the school children and those that help with providing lunch for the riders.
by Det. Supt. ( Retired ) Jim FOSTER ( R.I.P. 9 July 2019 )
( 2014 ) The offender, Christopher Lindsay ( assuming he served the full 15 years, would have been 30 years of age when released from gaol in 1975. Assuming he is still alive today, he would now be around 69 years old.
I did a cursory search for him, via Google, but it is a common name and pursued it no further.
Cal
Clarence Roy PIRIE’s Daughter, Maryanne – July 2014 in the park dedicated to her father killed 54 years earlier.
[blockquote]Stopped at my Dad’s park and had a cuppa a few days ago, often wonder how different our lives would have been if he hadn’t been killed. I will, in my elderly mother’s honor, ride the Wall to Wall ( of Remembrance ) this September.[/blockquote]
Clarence Roy PIRIE 13.10.1960 Wall Plaque, Chifley L.A.C.
Frederick George MARTIN
| 27/10/2012
Constable Frederick George MARTIN
Motor Vehicle Accident
South Belmont
26 November, 1953
Aged 30
On the evening of the 26 November, 1953 Constables Martin and Bacon were returning to the Belmont Police Station after attending the Newcastle Court. Constable Morris Bacon ( 27 old ) of Robert St, Strathfield, was driving his private car and Constable Martin was asleep in the front passenger seat. On the Pacific Highway at South Belmont the vehicle skidded, left the road and overturned. As a result both were taken to the Royal Newcastle Hospital however Constable Martin had sustained severe head injuries and died later that night.
The constable was born in 1921 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 16 April, 1950. At the time of his death he was stationed at Burwood.
National Police Remembrance Day ceremony in Lake Macquarie
David Stewart
September 29 2017 – 4:27PM
POLICE from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command have unveiled plans for a memorial wall at Belmont to honour the seven local officerskilled in the line of duty since 1863.
Plaques commemorating the seven officers were dedicated to the wall in a ceremony at Belmont police stationthis afternoon, National Police Remembrance Day.
Chief Inspector Murray Lundberg of Lake Macquarie LAC presided over a private ceremony attended by police, local high school students, and the families of the fallen officers.
“This is a time for reflection on the ultimate sacrifice that police officers can give in the execution of their duty,” Chief Inspector Lundberg said.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree, the Northern Region Commander, said the wall of remembrance, to be created on the distinctive blue wall at the entrance to the police station, would be striking.
“It will be a sight to treasure,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Greentree said.
“I want the officers, as they are walking out the front doors of this police station, to stop and reflect on the names, stop and reflect on the sacrifice.”
He said he hoped that the inaugural plaques to be installed on the wall were also the last.
“My dream is that we never, ever, add another name to this wall. I hope and pray that our wall is now complete.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Greentree reached out to the families of the fallen officers.
“No commemoration or recognition can make good the loss that is unfairly carried by family members,” he said.
“I can only offer you my heartfelt condolences. Please know that your loved ones, who are no longer with us, will always be remembered.”
Across NSW, ceremonies were held to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the 269 officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and through injury or illness, since the formation of the NSW Police Force in 1862.
Eric George BAILEY GC
| 27/10/2012
Eric George BAILEY GC
Arrested his own Murderer
Father to John ‘Jack’ George BAILEY – NSWPF # 6293
( 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
Eric George BAILEY and his son – John “Jack” BAILEY ( NSWPF # 6293 )
ERIC IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Touch plate at National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
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 onlymounted 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 posthumouslypromoted 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
Maz HerrmannHis son John “Jack” Bailey an ex cadet was our boss at Albury during the 80s and the day he retired I spoke to him that evening and said “Jack what are you fkn doing at work; today is your last day”? He said “I’m just tidying up some things before I go.
I knew Jack when he was a Snr Sgt at Wollongong and I was the Inspectors Clerk in 1977-1980.
I joined the cops the following year 1981 – then I had to call him Sir!
He was definitely an old school copper – enough said.
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.
Eric George Bailey (1906-1945), policeman, was born on 14 October 1906 at Tenterfield, New South Wales, ninth child of Arthur Peter Bailey, compositor, and his wife Jane, née Bush, both native-born. Eric worked as a postal assistant before joining the New South Wales Police Force on 16 March 1927. After training, he was transferred to Sydney’s No.4 Division on 14 June, and sent to The Rock in 1928; he then served at Gundagai, Narrandera and other rural stations. Bailey was confirmed an ordinary constable on 16 March 1928. He married Florence May O’Connor at Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Waterloo, on 24 November that year.
Promoted constable 1st class on 23 April 1938, Bailey was next stationed at Moruya on the south coast. In 1940 he arrested a criminal at Batemans Bay and was commended for bravery, cool-headedness and devotion to duty. Learning that a fishing trawler had been attacked by a Japanese submarine off Moruya on 3 August 1942, he and Sergeant Horace Miller set out at night in a pleasure launch in heavy seas to assist with the rescue of the survivors. Bailey was highly commended and awarded six months seniority for conspicuous bravery; he also received a certificate of merit from the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society of New South Wales.
On 4 January 1945 Bailey was transferred to Blayney, south-west of Bathurst. 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. When Bailey questioned the offender, Cyril Norman, and declared that he would search his room, Norman drew a revolver and shot him. In the ensuing struggle two more shots were fired, but Bailey managed to handcuff Norman and restrain him until Constable Grady arrived. Bailey told Grady: ‘He shot me through the back. Don’t let him get away . . . I had a go. I didn’t squib it’. Fatally wounded by the first shot, Bailey died hours later on 12 January 1945 in Orange Base Hospital, his wife at his side.
Norman was charged with the murder 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.
Select Bibliography
I. Bisset, The George Cross (Lond, 1961)
L. Wigmore (ed), They Dared Mightily (Canb, 1963)
Police News (Sydney), Feb 1945, p 7, Sept 1945, p 9, Oct 1947, p 44
Sydney Morning Herald, 14, 20 Jan, 8, 22 Feb, 5 Aug 1945, 30 Oct 1946, 11 Sept 1947
Sun (Sydney), 17 Jan 1979
service records of E. G. Bailey (police registry, New South Wales Police Dept, Sydney).
Citation details
Christa Ludlow, ‘Bailey, Eric George (1906–1945)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bailey-eric-george-9403/text16527, published first in hardcopy 1993, accessed online 6 January 2015.
For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 14 January 1887
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Stations: Gloucester, Paterson, Minmi, and other places & Dungog ( 9 years to death ) ( Port Stephens LAC )
Service: From 14 January, 1887 to4 March 1916 = 29+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1859 at Uralla, NSW
Died on: Saturday 4 March 1916
Cause: Assault – Murder?
Event location: Dungog, NSW
Event date: ? January 1916
Age: 55
Funeral date: Sunday 5 March, 1916
Funeral location: Church of England cemetery, Dungog, NSW
Buried at: Church of England cemetery with his only son & youngest daughter, Alma
Dungog Cemetery,
Tabbil Creek, NSW,
3 references for the grave
Latitude: -32.419403
Longitude: 151.738657
GPS: -32 25.16418, 151 44.31976
-32.418649, 151.738825
Memorial: Memorial & Plaque unveiling at Dungog Police Station on 4 March 2016
WILLIAM IS mentionedon the National Police Wall of Remembrance
Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra Incorrect date of death is displayed on plate.
The sergeant suffered serious internal injuries at Dungog when he was assaulted after detaining a mentally ill man in January, 1916. The sergeant had been called to the Dungog Hospital in relation to a violent and disturbed man. He arrested the man and took him to the local police station. Shortly after their arrival at the station the man again went berserk, kicking the sergeant and attacking him with a chair. The sergeant was taken to hospital for treatment and was eventually admitted to Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital where he died.
The Sydney Morning Herald of 7 March, 1916 reported news from Dungog to the effect that “The funeral of Senior Sergeant Bowen, of Dungog, who died at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Sydney, on Saturday, took place here yesterday, being one of the largest that have taken place at Dungog.”
The sergeant was born in 1859 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 14 January, 1887. At the time of his death he was stationed at Dungog.
** officially recorded as Thursday 2 March 1916 but correct death date appears to be Saturday 4 March 1916. Date of Death on the grave stone also is 4 March 1916.
Dungog Chronicle
Tuesday 7 March 1916 p 2 of 6
Death.
Senior Sergeant Bowen
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Senior-Sergeant William Bowen, of Dungog. It will be remembered that deceased, who had been ill a short time, was taken to Sydney on Friday last ( 3 March 1916 ) to consult a specialist. He was accompanied by Mrs Bowen, and was conveyed to St. Vincent’s Hospital, and several specialists, including Sir Alex. McCormack, were called in consultation, but these were unable to diagnose the cause of the trouble, and an operation was recommended, as soon as he was strong enough to bear it, but the patient did not rally, and he passed away early on Saturday morning ( 4 March 1916 ). Such a sudden ending was totally unexpected, although it was noticed that the Sergeant had been failing for some time past. He thought he was a victim to acute dispepsia, but there was evidently something more seriously wrong.
Deceased was born at Uralla, 56 years ago, and had been 30 years in the service, the past nine years he had been stationed at Dungog. Previously he had been at Gloucester, Paterson, Minmi, and other places.
He was a very painstaking, conscientious officer, who discharged his duties with the utmost impartiality. He was very considerate to the men under him, and only those who were acquainted with him intimately knew what a very kind and thoughtful man he was, ever cheerful under the most adverse circumstances, and apparently never harboring an ill-thought about anybody. He will be hard to replace.
He leaves a sorrowing widow and three daughters ( Mrs J. Hunt, Mrs O. E. Carter, and Miss Myra Bowen ) to mourn their loss, to whom we extend our sincere sympathy.
His remains were brought from Sydney on Saturday ( 4 March 1916 ) and interred beside those of his only son ( who was killed at Minmi a few years ago ) and his youngest daughter Alma, in the Church of England cemetery.
The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon ( 5 March 1916 ) and was one of the largest ever seen in Dungog. The pall bearers were Sergt. Haynes ( Paterson ), Constable Capp ( Gresford ), Constable Vaughan ( Clarence Town ), and Constables Parker and Bates ( Dungog ).
The chief mourners were his two brothers, Tim ( Uralla ), and John ( Newcastle ), his brother-in-law Mr Reece ( Homebush ), and Mr O. E. Carter ( son-in-law ). Local justices and townspeople followed the chief mourners, walking, and then came a long cavalcade of vehicles and horsemen. The burial service was conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Luscombe, who paid a fitting tribute to the memory of deceased at the graveside. Amongst the numerous wreaths sent was a beautiful one from the bench of magistrates and one from the local police.
Police Court On Monday last, before Mr McDougall, S.M., John Dwyer, of Dungog, was charged with stealing about 40 pairs of *naves ( *possibly the central part of a wheel; hub ), valued at £10, the property of Mrs K. B. Walker. Sgt. Bowen represented, the police prosecution ; Mr Borthwick appearing for the accused. Dwyer pleaded guilty and was fined £10, with a fortnight to pay. in default two months in Maitland goal. The fine would be reduced to £5 if the naves were returned to the owner within a week.
Superintendent Childs, of the West Maitland police, received a message from the police at Bullahdelah on Tuesday, giving brief particulars of a sensational shooting incident at the Crawford River.
The message, which came from Constable Sturgiss, stated that Walter John Edwards, 35 years of age, had shot Frederick Soorley, wounding him in the back. He also shot his father, Henry Edwards.
Edwards, who was stated to be apparently insane, is at large, armed with a shot gun. He is described as being 5ft 7in. high, of medium build and having a fair moustache.
Upon receipt of the message, the Superintendent immediately despatched information to all police stations in the locality.
Later.
Superintendent Childs received a telegraphic message from the police at Bullahdelah, stating that the man Walter John Edwards, who was wanted in connection with the shooting sensation at Crawford River, had been arrested between Bullahdelah and Bungwahl. After the shooting, Edwards cleared off, armed with a shot gun. He was charged with shooting with intent to murder, and with maliciously wounding. Arrangements were also made to prefer a charge of lunacy against him. He is stated to have previously been under mental treatment.
Another message from Bullahdelah states that Mr Edwards, sen., was not shot, but was attacked with a tomahawk. The insane man was found hiding in blackberry bushes and they were set alight. He then came out and was captured. Edwards had put his gun down and could not find it again, otherwise there might have been a casualty amongst the captors. The news of the shooting spread rapidly and upset the whole district. People from the Crawford River and other parts left their homes and went to Bullahdelah for safety. The news of the capture of Edwards was a great relief all round.
It will be remembered that Edwards was in Dungog Hospital some years ago and caused a sensation. He went partially insane and smashed up things generally. When the police were securing him at the Hospital he savagely assaulted the late Sgt. Bowen, breaking his hand with a chair.
May I refer to another Edwards, an old schoolmate, ‘Dodger’ Edwards ( Walter John EDWARDS ). He was a super lad also. There were 50 odd pupils at school at Bendolba and some of them up to 18 years of age. Not one of them ever brought down Dodger in a game of football. When the ball went to Dodger it was a ‘try.’ Most times the football was made of rags. Our coach then was Mr. Gardiner, our schoolteacher. I think he replaced Mr. Lord, father ofMr. Dick Lord, of Dungog.
In later years, Dodger left our district and went to Gloucester to live. One evening he left Gloucester River to come over to Salisbury on horse back. He got bushed between Whispering Gully and Flag Staff. He unsaddled his horse and to this day the horse was never found. But ‘Dodger‘ came through. I think the trials experienced slightly derainged his mind.
The late Sgt. Bowen was called to the hospital and nearly met his death from a blow that Dodger gave him by hitting him over the head with a chair.
Some two years later, the late Anthony Hudson, his son Tony, and the late Les Middlebrook and I were out beyond Flag Staff and a horse neighed. Old Tony said: ‘Did you hear that,’ We all did, and we were sure there was a horse somewhere. It was over three weeks before we got that horse to mate up with ours. Eventually we succeeded in bringing that horse back. He was a real outlaw, but it was Les Magennis who mastered him. I think this horse was sold later to a circus. I have never solved the problem; was the horse Dodger’s, or whose was It?
An old photograph of policeman near Dungog. Senior Sergeant William Bowen is among the officers shown.
BELINDA-JANE DAVIS
A Dungog policeman who suffered serious injuries on the job and died a century ago will be remembered in a special ceremony.
Senior Sergeant William Bowen suffered serious internal injuries when a mentally ill man kicked him and attacked him with a chair at Dungog Police Station in December 1915.
He had arrested the man at Dungog Hospital a short time earlier, after reports the man was being violent and disturbing staff and patients.
Sergeant Bowen, 56, was taken to hospital for treatment, but never fully recovered from the incident.
His failing health led him and his wife to travel to St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney on March 3 to see a specialist.
Several specialists, including Sir Alex McCormack, assessed him but were unable to diagnose his condition.
They suggested an operation when he was feeling stronger but Sergeant Bowen continued to deteriorate that day and died in hospital unexpectedly the next morning.
NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione and deputy commissioner Catherine Burn are expected to attend a ceremony at Dungog Police Station on March 4 at 11am, which will mark 100 years since Sergeant Bowen’s death.
NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant and Dungog community groups will also attend and witness a plaque being unveiled, which will commemorate his service.
The Dungog Chronicle recorded Sergeant Bowen’s death on March 7, 1916, saying he would be “hard to replace”.
“He was a very painstaking, conscientious officer, who discharged his duties with the utmost impartiality,” the article said.
“He was very considerate to the men under him, and only those who were acquainted with him intimately knew what a very kind and thoughtful man he was, ever cheerful under the most adverse circumstances, and apparently never harboring an ill-thought about anybody.”
Sergeant Bowen’s body returned to Dungog on March 4 and he was buried in the town’s Church of England Cemetery on March 5 alongside his only son, who was killed in an accident at Minmi a few years earlier, and his youngest daughter Alma, who died of an illness.
It was one of the largest funerals the town had ever seen.
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, Mrs J Hunt, Mrs O.E Carter and Miss Myra Bowen, his two brothers John and Tim, and his brother-in-law Mr Reece and son-in-law Mr O.E. Carter.
Dungog police Senior Constable Mitch Parker said Sergeant Bowen, who was born in Uralla in 1859, joined the police force on January 14, 1887 and spent 29 years serving the region at Gloucester, Paterson, Minmi, Dungog and other stations.
He spent nine years in Dungog before his death.
Senior Constable Parker urged anyone who wanted to pay tribute to Sergeant Bowen’s service to attend the ceremony.
The story Policeman who died a century ago to be remembered first appeared on The Maitland Mercury.
His name adorns the National Police Memorial, but until recently, the death of Dungog policeman William Bowen a century ago went unrecognised in the town he called home.
Today that changed, thanks to years of research and a lot of hard work.
The restored headstone at Sgt William Bowen’s grave site
Posted
Restoration work has been completed on the grave site of Sgt William Bowen, who died on March 4, 1916 after being attacked on duty at Dungog in the NSW Hunter Valley.
Commemorating 100yr anniversary of officer’s death in the Hunter
The New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione will be in the Hunter Valley today to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the death of a Dungog police officer.
Sergeant William Bowen died on March the 4, 1916, three months after he was attacked by a mentally ill man who had barricaded himself inside Dungog hospital.
Today the commissioner will attend the unveiling of a plaque in his honour.
The man had barricaded himself in the committee room, ordered that all patients be killed in the hospital, and then armed himself with surgical instruments.
Snr Constable Mitch Parker, Dungog Police
Dungog police officer, senior constable Mitch Parker, said sergeant Bowen suffered serious injuries as he bravely tried to protect the Dungog community in December 1915.
“There was a patient of the Dungog hospital who had smashed a number of windows and items within the nurses quarters and a wardsman attempted to restrain him and he got viscously assaulted,” he said.
“Police were sent for and the sergeant, who was living in the police lock-up which we still have today, went up the hill to the hospital.
“By this stage the man had barricaded himself in the committee room and he ordered that all patients be killed in the hospital, and then armed himself with surgical instruments of the day — mostly steel and glass.
“Sergeant Bowen, who was 55 years of age at the time, had been in the police for 30 years, forced his way into the room.
“He successfully arrested and apprehended the male, notwithstanding some injuries himself,” he said.
“They brought him back down to the police lock-up and his health just deteriorated from there.
“Several months later he was sent to St Vincent’s Hospital and was seen by a world-renowned surgeon. Unfortunately he passed away in St Vincent’s Hospital before they could ascertain what was wrong with him.”
Senior constable Parker said as part of today’s commemoration, restoration work had also been carried out on sergeant Bowen’s grave.
“With assistance from the Commissioner’s office, the NSW Police Force and Police Association of NSW, we’ve had the original stone-makers who created the gravesite back in the day have restored it.
“It’s quite a long story, but the sergeant’s been put to rest beside his 15-year-old daughter and 20-year-old son who died five years prior, in pretty horrific circumstances themselves.
“So his grave has been redone and we’ve got the plaque unveiling here at the station,” he said.
“There’ll be the police commissioner coming up, and other important people from different agencies, community groups, schools.
“There’ll also be a lot of retired police from the area, who’ve worked here, finished their service and remained in the area.”
James BEATTY
| 27/10/2012
James BEATTY
AKA ?
Late of ?
“possible” relation in ‘the job’: ?
NSW Belmore Barracks Class # ? ? ?
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ‘P‘ 1162
For the purposes of this website ‘P‘ = represents those Police joining Pre 1 March 1862 before the amalgamated of all other Policing Units in NSW. i.e. Mounted Police, Boarder Police, Native Police, Gold Escort Police, Water Police etc.
Rank: Commenced Training as a Probationary Constable – appointed 5 February 1858 ( aged 22 years, 4 months, 15 days )
Constable – appointed 18 February 1858
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: = Sergeant
Stations: Darlinghurst ( 3 Division ), Hill End ( Mounted Police gold Escort ), Lambing Flat, Parramatta ( 1st Class Constable ), Orderly to the Inspector General of Police – Sydney, Parramatta ( Senior Constable ), Windsor ( O.I.C. ), Campbelltown O.I.C., Ryde O.I.C., Penrith O.I.C. ( J District )( Easter 1888 – Death )
Service: From 5 February 1858 to11 January 1890 = 31 years, 11 months, 6 days Service
Retirement / Leaving age: = 54 years, 3 months, 21 days
Time in Retirement from Police: Zero
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system
Born: Monday 21 September 1835 Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
Died on: Saturday 11 January 1890
Age: 54 years, 3 months, 21 days
Organ Donor: N/A
Cause: Murdered – Stabbed – On Duty
Event location: Outside of Penrith Police Station, NSW ( site of the current Station )
On 11 January, 1890 outside the Penrith Police Station, the sergeant had occasion to speak to an Indian vagrant whom he had earlier asked to leave town.
The man suddenly leapt at Sergeant Beatty, stabbing him five times.
Local people and Constable William Moseley then pursued the offender and cornered him however the man threw a brick which struck the constable in the chest.
Constable Moseley then drew his service revolver and shot the offender, wounding him.
The constable and locals then threw themselves on the offender and he was arrested.
The offender died later that night.
Unfortunately, the wounds inflicted upon Sergeant Beatty also proved to be fatal.
The sergeant was born in 1835 and joined the police force on 5 February, 1858. In 1862 he became a member of the newly-formed New South Wales Police Force. At the time of his death he was stationed at Penrith.
James BEATTY’s mother died five days before his own demise.
James had previously suffered a knife wound to the head during the course of the Gold Field Riots at Lambing Flat, NSW.
Sgt Beatty’s grave, photo courtesy of Windy Gale – FB
The Launceston Examiner of 11 January, 1990 provided the following news of the tragedy.
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. A terrible tragedy was enacted this afternoon at Penrith. A coloured man, a stranger in the town, was observed by Sergeant Beatty to be throwing stones at passers-by.
The officer warned him to desist, and was in the act of arresting him when he drew a knife and stabbed Beatty in the chest, the weapon going completely through his body.
Beatty called out, and Constable Mosley came to his assistance, armed with a revolver.
Mosley[Moseley] fired at the coloured man, who was in the act of running away, but missed. A second shot, however, took effect, and the fugitive reeled and was about to fall, when a young man named Zolliner [John Zahnliter] seized him.
Both men rolled over on the street, and the coloured man drew the knife again and stabbed Zolliner.
He was ultimately seized and taken to the lock-up.
Sergeant Beatty, who is not expected to recover, has had his dying depositions taken. Zolliner‘s wound is not serious.
As seen by Col Colman on Friday 28 August 2020 Col Colman Also visited St. Stephens. Anglican Church High Street Penrith and the Cemetery at the rear to visit the grave site of Police Officer James Beatty. Site was cleaned in 2012 by Police and Penrith Council and is in reasonable condition did a little weeding.
Published on Friday, 14 September 2012 06:52 | Written by Mary Thorne | |
On 10th January 1890 Sergeant James Beatty, a long serving officer in the NSW Police Force was fatally stabbed in High Street Penrith. Sergeant Beatty was buried with full police honours in St Stephen the Martyr churchyard cemetery, Fulton Lane, Penrith.
“About 1.30pm on 10 January 1890, Sergeant James Beatty had occasion to interact with an itinerant Cingalese named James in High Street, Penrith outside the Convent of the Sisters of St Joseph. During that interaction the Sergeant was stabbed in the chest.
In the meantime, the offender was contained by townspeople pending the arrival of Constable Moseley who shot the offender. A good Samaritan named John Zahnliter was also stabbed during the melee. Sergeant Beatty died of his wound on the evening of 11 January 1890. He was survived by his widow Margaretta, four sons and two daughters.”
St Joseph’s Convent, High Street Penrith (now Officeworks)
Penrith City Council Library Local Studies collection
On 3rd September, 2012, as part of the 150th Anniversary of the NSW Police Force, a commemorative service was held at Sergeant Beatty’s gravesite to honour his sacrifice, the event a joint venture between Council and Penrith Local Area Command.
Sergeant Beatty’s monument was in a dilapidated and damaged state. Council arranged and funded the restoration of the monument to its former glory by master stonemasons, Monuments in Memoriam who are based at Rookwood Necropolis. All restoration work was in accordance with the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Guidelines for Cemetery Conservation, the Burra Charter and Penrith City Council’s LEP.
Since 1982, Penrith City Council has been the trustee of this significant churchyard cemetery which dates from 1838 with full responsibility for its care and maintenance. The Public Domain Amenity and Safety two man cemeteries crew, maintain five cemeteries, Penrith, St Marys, Emu Plains, Castlereagh and St Stephens.
In preparation for the occasion an intensive clean up of the cemetery took place with staff from the City Presentation Group – Parks, Public Domain and Cemetery Operations spending a day in the cemetery. The heritage nature of the cemetery and fragility of the monuments meant that whipper snipers could not be used and all trimming around and inside monuments was by hand.
Fragile heritage cemeteries are protected by the grasses that grow around and inside the monuments. Plans of Management are currently being prepared for the cemeteries under Council’s control and the consultant’s recommendation for St Stephens is that we should avoid overly detailed or manicured works. The Cemetery should look old, avoid pristine maintenance and maintain the wild character of the grasses within the grave enclosures.
The commemorative service to honour the memory of Sergeant James Beatty was attended by Andrew Scipione APM, Commissioner of Police, Nick Kaldas APM, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Field Operations), Ben Feszczuk APM, Local Area Commander, former Commissioner of Police, Tony Lauer APM, Hon David Bradbury MP, Stuart Ayres MP, Beatty family descendants, Councillor Greg Davies, Mayor of Penrith, Councillor Ross Fowler OAM, Alan Stoneham, General Manager, Barry Husking, Director, David Burns, Group Manager – City Presentation, managers Yvonne Perkins and Barbara McGee, council officers and police personnel.
Mary Thorne, Cemeteries Project Officer
Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 – 1962),
Thursday 12 February 1948, page 6
Old Tragedy Recalled
DAUGHTER. OF SERGT. BEATTY PASSES.
Miss Alicia Beatty (68), who died on 2nd inst. and was buried in St. Stephen’s cemetery, Penrith on 3rd, was the daughter of Sergt James Beatty, who was fatally stabbed by a Cingalese in High Street, Penrith, on January 10, 1890, an incident that is often referred to by the older generation of the district.
The story, briefly told, is that the Cingalese had been prowling around the town for a few days and on the day of the tragedy was ” moved on ” by the Sergt, who followed him for some distance. The man then sat down on the pavement near the Convent and Sergt. Beatty, not liking his appearance, again ordered him to clear out.
The Cingalese started to his feet and, without any warning, drew a sheath knife and, rushing in, stabbed the Sergeant in the chest.
A man named John Zahnliter tried to disarm the assailant and was stabbed in the side.
The Cingalese was shot by Constable Moseley.
Sergt Beatty and the Cingalese died subsequently of their wounds, and Zahnliter recovered, though he suffered severe physical disability, for which he received a pension, till his death many years afterward.
Miss Beatty was buried alongside her late father and mother, in the old St. Stephen’s cemetery. Mrs. Beatty died on August 12, 1916.
Cousin to Senior Constable William SUTHERLAND, NSWPF ‘Q‘ “Possibly” 4257 ( born 1854 in Scotland & joined NSWPF on 26 Sept. 1882 ) OR6417 ( BORN 1869 in Scotland & joined NSWPF on 27 May 1892 )
Uniform # A 356
Regd. # ‘Q‘ 5460
For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
Rank: Constable
Stations: Darlinghurst ( No. 3 Division ) – Death
Service: From 11 October 1887to 3 June 1889 = 1+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1863 @ Canterbury, New Zealand
Died on: Monday 3 June 1889
Cause: Shot – Murdered
Event location: MaCleay St, Potts Point, NSW
Age: 25 – unmarried
Inquest date: Thursday 6 June 1889
Funeral date: Wednesday 5 June 1889
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Waverley Cemetery, cnr St Thomas St & Trafalgar St, NSW
Grave Location: C of E, Sec 9, Grave 941
Memorial at: ?
DAVID IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
Funeral location: ?
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
About 3am on 3 June, 1889 the constable was patrolling MaCleay Street, Potts Point when he saw a man enter a yard and walk to the rear of a dwelling. He detained the man a short time later as he left the premises and spoke to him regarding his actions. When the man attempted to leave, the constable took hold of him and again asked what he was doing. The offender told the constable to let him go or he would shoot him. A struggle ensued and when both men lost their balance, the offender shot the constable in the abdomen.
While they were on the ground the offender again fired at the constable who drew his baton and struck his attacker. Constable Sutherland was then able to take the revolver from the offender, but as he was quickly losing his strength due to his wounds, the offender quickly retrieved the weapon and escaped. He was very soon arrested by Senior Sergeant Robertson and Sergeant Hogan.
Constable Sutherland died later that day, however not before providing his colleagues with a dying deposition and a positive identification of his attacker, John Morrison.
This death was a major factor which led to the general arming of Sydney Police in 1894. Previously, country and mounted police had always been armed, but the Sydney foot police for some reason had not.
The constable was born in 1863 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 October, 1887.
At the time of his death he was stationed at Darlinghurst.
David SUTHERLAND was identified by his Cousin, Constable William SUTHERLAND after the murder.
William SUTHERLAND was later to be murdered in 1901 by a ‘kosh’ on the head.
Evening News ( Sydney ) Monday 3 June 1889 p5 of 8
POOR SUTHERLAND WAS INSURED.
Mr. G. F. Murnin, resident secretary of the Australian Widows’ Fund, 263, George-street, informs us that Constable David Sutherland, who was murdered this morning, was insured for £250, the policy having only been taken out in April last.
The inquest on the body of Constable David Sutherland, who was shot by a burglar at Potts Point, was commenced yesterday afternoon.
The prisoner, James Morrison, was in custody, handcuffed.
There was a crowded court.
Morrison is a powerful fellow, 28 years of age, and the mark of a heavy blow over the left eye is still visible.
Constable William Sutherland identified the body as that of his cousin. He was a native of Canterbury, New Zealand. He was a single man. His mother, three sisters, and four brothers were living there.
Medical evidence showed that the bullet severed the main artery of the groin.
Benjamin Backhouse, architect, residing at Potts Point, deposed that he was awakened by the reports of a shot. On hearing the second shot, he also heard cries for help. He then saw a man running away. The man was of similar appearance as prisoner. A fence over which the man scrambled was examined afterwards and showed blood marks.
Further evidence similar to that reported already was also given.
The inquiry is still proceeding.
Melbourne, Wednesday.
The Melbourne police have identified the photograph of James Morrison, who is charged with the murder of Constable Sutherland, as that of a man known to them as Jackson, who has recently done two and a half-years in Victoria for an impudent forgery.
Goulburn Herald ( NSW ) Thursday 6 June 1889 p2 of 4
THE MURDER OF CONSTABLE SUTHERLAND.
We subjoin further particulars of the tragedy in Macleay-street, Potts Point, reported by telegraph in our last issue: It appears that at about 3 a.m. on Monday, as Senior-sergeant Robertson and Sergeant Hogan were standing at the corner of William and Victoria streets, they saw a man walking towards them. He was proceeding at a very quick pace, and noticing that he was very much excited and out of breath, they stopped him. His trousers, coat, and vest were all smeared with blood, and there was a severe wound over his left eye. While they were questioning him Mr. McElhone junior came up, and said that there was at constable lying on the footpath in Macleay street. The senior-sergeant and Mr. McElbone at once took a cab and went to where the constable was reported to be lying, and in the meanwhile the blood-smeared man was conveyed to the Darlinghurst lookup.
Sutherland ( the constable ) was found lying, as indicated by Mr. McElbone, dangerously wounded, but conscious . He was taken to the hospital, where he was found to be wounded in the abdomen, no hope of his recovery being entertained. Sutherland unhesitatingly identified the man who had been arrested, and who gave the name of John Morrison, as the man who had shot him, and Morrison, who had been brought to the hospital for the purpose of identification, responded, ” Well, it’s wrong of you to say that. I did not shoot you.”
Subsequently the deposition of the wounded man was taken, and he succumbed to his injuries shortly before seven o’clock on Monday morning.
The substance of Sutherland’s deposition was as follows: – At half-past 2 a.m., while the constable was standing near the residence of Mr. C. J. Roberts, Chatsworth, he saw a man enter the gates in front of the adjacent house and pass towards the rear of the premises. After the man had been inside the gates for a minute or two some dogs which were there began to bark, and they continued doing so until the man left and walked into the middle of the road. The constable and the man exchanged a “ good-night ” greeting, and the constable observed, ” you’re out early. ” The man then attempted to make off. The officer, however, caught hold of him, and asked what he was doing. The man replied, “ let me go. If you don’t I’ll shoot you, ” and he immediately thrust his right hand into his trousers pocket. A struggle ensued, and just as they were about to fall the man fired his revolver. Whilst on the ground he again fired. The constable, however, could not say whether the latter shot took effect. Before either of them regained his feet the constable drew his baton and gave the man a severe blow on the head. Owing, however, to his weak state the blow was not as severe as he hoped it would be. The constable, though wounded, wrested the revolver from the man, but as he was very weak the other soon got the better of him, and raising himself, snatched back the revolver, and made off. Whilst the injured constable’s depositions were being taken, the prisoner, who had been brought to the bedside of the wounded man, inquired whether the revolver did not go off accidentally. Replying to this the dying man said, ” no, you pointed it direct at me. ”
The next piece of evidence as to the fatal affray is furnished by Mr. Benjamin Backhouse, a gentleman living close to the scene. He was awakened by a pistol-shot, which was followed shortly after by a second report. He then saw a man running at full speed along Rockwell-street, and at the same time heard loud cries for help. He got out of the house in time to see the man who ran down the street scale the fence at the end of the street, and he became lost to view. He then found the wounded constable and afforded him what assistance he could until the arrival of the police and others.
When the scene of the affray was examined later on, a large morticing chisel was found, and this instrument corresponds with a number of marks on premises in the locality. A six-chambered nickel plated revolver was found concealed in the grass in Mr. McElhone’s paddock, close to where Mr. Backhouse saw the man scale the fence. Four of the chambers were loaded, and the remaining two had been discharged. A third article was also discovered, namely, a cloth tweed hat of large size, which gives colour to the report of the captured man having had an associate.
Constable Sutherland was a young and energetic officer, only twenty-five years of age, and unmarried. He had been about twenty months in the force, and was highly spoken of by his superior officers and comrades. Morrison is also a young man of about twenty-five, stiflly built, and described as a cabinet maker by trade. He is said to be a native of England, and was previously unknown to the police. He has a wound over the left eye, such as would be caused by a constable’s baton. When brought before the police court this morning he made no reply to the charge of murder, and has so far maintained silence as to the part he is supposed to have played. He was remanded to the coroner’s court.
The coroner commenced an inquest on Tuesday, when William Sutherland, a police constable stationed at the Glebe, identified the body of the deceased as that of his cousin David Sutherland, who was twenty-five years of age, and a native of Canterbury, New Zealand. He was a single man. He had left £32 in the Savings’ Bank, Oxford-street, Sydney, and a life policy for £250. Deceased had left a mother and a number of brothers and sisters in New Zealand. Evidence was given in substantiation of the facts above detailed, and the inquiry was adjourned to Thursday.
South Australian Weekly Chronicle ( Adelaide, S.A. ) Saturday 8 June 1889 p21 of 24
THE MURDER OF CONSTABLE SUTHERLAND.
( By Telegraph )
Sydney, June 6.
The coroner’s Inquest relative to the death of Constable David Sutherland, who was shot whilst arresting a burglar at Pott’s Point on Monday morning, was concluded to-day, a verdict of wilful murder being returned against James Morrison, the man who fired the shot.
Morrison will come up for trial at the Quarter Sessions, commencing July 15. Whilst Sergeant Hogan, one of the two officers who arrested Morrison, was giving evidence to-day the prisoner told him that he had better tell the truth. When asked if he had any questions to put to Hogan, Morrison said — ‘ No, your honor. He would only tell lies If I was to. ‘
The coroner, in summing up, said there was a great deal of circumstantial evidence to bear out the statement made by the deceased constable that the fatal shot was wilfully fired. To their verdict the jury added a rider recommending that in future no constables should be allowed to go on night duty in the suburbs or on lonely beats singly, but in pairs, so that in case of emergency they might be in a better position to act. The foreman added that this course would entail an extra expense, but the money would be well spent in the protection thus afforded to life and property.
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser ( NSW )
Sat. 8 June 1889
Funeral of Constable Sutherland.
The remains of the late Constable David Sutherland, who met his death early on Monday morning by being shot by a burglar, were conveyed to the Waverley Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, followed by an imposing procession of the police, the military, and sympathetic citizens.
The funeral was timed (reports the Herald) to leave No. 3 Police Station at 2.30, and almost to the minute the coffin was borne to the hearse by the comrades of the deceased. The streets and roads in the vicinity of the station and Darlinghurst prison were blocked up by some thousands of people, and traffic was consequently suspended along Oxford street as far as the Victoria Barracks, and thence at intervals throughout the route of the cortege. The spectacle was one suggestive of the most marked tribute of respect that could have been paid to the deceased. Four mounted troopers headed the Permanent Artillery Band in the march to the cemetery, followed closely by the hearse and two mourning coaches, carrying the relatives of the deceased; then came upwards of 200 constables four deep, with their officers, Mr. Fosbery, the Inspector – General, Mr. Read, the superintendent, Inspectors Anderson, Larkins, McKay, and Camphin, Sub-inspectors Bremner, Potter, Atwill, Cotter, Long, Hyam, and Lawless. The Permanent Artillery under Major Airey and Lieutenant Kyngdon were next in order, with a body of the Permanent Mounted Infantry on foot, together with the Staff Sergeants and Captains Cuthell and Bayly representing the Permanent Staff. A carriage, containing Sir Henry Parkes and Mr. C. Roberts, M.L.A., was followed by the Mayor’s carriage and a large number of vehicles.
The cemetery was reached shortly after 4 o’clock, and some thousands of persons were in waiting to witness the lowering of the coffin into the grave. The Rev. A. Gardiner was the officiating clergyman, and after reading the burial service he asked to be allowed to utter a few sentences touching the impressive and solemn occasion. It was always, he said, a solemn thing to stand about an open grave and reflect how suddenly the summons of death might come, but there were special circumstances surrounding the present bereavement which tended to make it more solemn and impressive. Probably not many who were gathered around the grave had known David Sutherland, but their hearts were touched with sympathy under the circumstances, and they felt it due to his memory to give him that ennobling mark of respect. There was always something sad about the death of a young man just beginning life, with prospects before him such as the deceased had, but there was something very bad in the terrible consequences which led to his death. He died at his post ; he was faithful even unto death, and perhaps the last words that fell from his lips, like Nelson at Trafalgar, were, ” I have done my duty.”
The fidelity and worth of the people of Sydney had been touched on this occasion by the disaster which overcame the deceased, and yet why should they mourn so much for his departure ? Though young, and called away under such circumstances, it should be remembered that he had faith in God and knew that he was going to a better scene ; he had a knowledge of the divine truth, and hoped in Christ. As for his own part, he would ten thousand times rather be David Sutherland that day lying in his grave than the man who was the cause of his death. Two lessons were taught in the death of the deceased, namely, to be faithful to duty, and to do from day to day what was felt to be right, at any cost. It was gratifying to see the people of Sydney so much moved, because it showed that their hearts were on the right side, and they sympathised with the deceased for his resolution and determination to stand at his post at the cost of his life. It was that spirit that distinguished the British nation more than any other. The benediction was then pronounced by Rev. C. F. Garnsey. The coffin was covered with wreaths of flowers. One came from the ladies of Macleay-street, as a tribute of respect, another from the gardeners of Potts Point, and a third from his comrades.
The inquest relative to the death of Police-constable David Sutherland was concluded on June 6th. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against the prisoner, James Morrison, who was accordingly committed for trial at the next sittings of the Central Criminal Court.
A rider recommending that in the suburbs and on lonely beats, two constables should patrol together was added. The prisoner appeared to feel his position keenly, and towards the conclusion of the inquiry his agitation became apparent. He never asked a question and only spoke twice, on each occasion denying the veracity of a witness.
Sir Henry Parkes has sent the following letter to the Inspector-General of Police with reference to the late Constable David Sutherland: — ” Sir, — You will be good enough to convey to the members of the police force the expression of my deep regret for the loss which the Government has sustained by the murder of Constable David Sutherland. The highest conduct of man in any station of life consists of the fulfilment of trust and the performance of duty. David Sutherland did his duty to the very death. His steady sense of obligation, and his heroic effort to perform his part when his life-blood was ebbing away, furnish an example which could hardly be excelled in front of the enemy on the battle field. His conduct in life and death reflects highest credit upon the force of which he was a member, and will make his memory respected by all good men. ”
In accordance with the request of the Premier the letter has, under the direction of the Inspector General of Police, been recorded in the Orders, and read on parade at the various stations to all of the metropolitan police force, and was published yesterday in the Police Gazette for the Information of the police generally.
OBJECTION TO ARMING THE POLICE. Sydney, February 5.
The Inspector-General of Police [Fosberry] says that one objection to arming the police with revolvers is that the use of firearms may become too common, and if the public get familiar with the snap of the revolver a similar state of things to that prevailing in the United States may be brought into existence. Concerning the two men injured the constables are improving in health.
The same newspaper on 27 February, 1894:
REVOLVERS USED BY THE POLICE. Sydney, February 26.
Two police had an exciting contest last night at Redfern, when they were arresting four men on a charge of thieving. Directly the constables sought to detain them a rough-and-tumble fight occurred, a number of roughs seeking to enable the suspects to escape. Eventually two of the four men broke away, and the others were on the point of being rescued when the police drew their revolvers and threatened to fire on the larrikins. The presentation of firearms completely cowed them, and the constables succeeded in conveying two of the men arrested to the station. This is the first occasion on which the police have found it necessary to use revolvers since their issue, and had they not been available the constables would have been severely maltreated.
John MITCHELL
| 27/10/2012
John MITCHELL
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # Q 3302
( For the purposes of this website ‘Q’ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
Rank: Constable – appointed 27 September 1878
Constable 1st Class- appointed February 1884
Stations: Bathurst, Coonamble – Death
Service: From 27 September 1878 to 13 March 1885 = 6.5 years
Awards: ?
Born: 18 August 1856 in Uig, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland
( This cemetery no longer exists and was turned into a Park around 1970 and the headstones removed. See *below )
JOHN IS Mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
John MITCHELL – National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra – 2015
Early in the morning of 12 March, 1885 two prisoners in the lockup at Coonamble overpowered a warder by the name of Michael Langley who had gone into their cell to place leg irons on a third prisoner by the name of Courtney.
He was knocked to the floor and his revolver taken from him.
Hearing the scuffle, Constable Mitchell, acting Gaoler at the time, arose from his bed and ran to the cells to assist.
One of the prisoners, a man named Angel, warned the constable not to come into the cell however Mitchell ignored this and lunged at the prisoner. As he did so he was shot in the chest. He died about 7am the following day.
In a dying deposition given to the Coonamble Police Magistrate on 12 March, Constable Mitchell said, ‘I am acting Gaoler at Coonamble gaol; at about a quarter past six this morning the 12th March inst., I opened the door of the guard room Coonamble Gaol; the Warder just then came into the cell where the convicted prisoners Angel, Thurston, and Courtney were confined; I heard a noise in the cell as if a man was being strangled; I came in and the warder was lying down on the cell floor; Angel was strangling him and Thurston was taking the revolver from him; I made a rush and Courtney knocked me over; Angel then got the revolver and both he and Thurston rushed at the cell door; Angel said “Keep back or I’ll shoot you”; I made a rush to try and get the revolver from Angel when he shot me; they then shut the warder and myself together with Courtney, who did not get away owing to Warder Langley’s threatening to kill him if he moved in the cell and rushed away. “
Both Angel and Thurston managed to escape, however both were later shot to death by police.
James Alfred Courtney, the third prisoner, was later found not guilty of involvement in the murder as he had been found by other police after the murder and escape, still in the cell attempting to assist Constable Mitchell by bathing his wound with cold tea (there was no water in the cell). A recommendation was then made to have his previous sentence reduced.
The constable was born in 1855 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 27 September, 1878. At the time of his death he was stationed at Coonamble, and had previously been stationed at Bathurst.
The original general cemetery in Coonamble was in operation from 1869 to 1912 when it was deemed to be full and closed to further burials. Many years later (probably around 1970), Council removed the headstones and converted the area into a park.
In the preface to her book, “Coonamble Memorial Wall Pioneer Profiles”, local historian Joan McKenzie explains: “When the old cemetery at the end of Warrena Street was cleared about thirty years ago, a number of headstones were retained and embedded on and around a large mound of earth. In 1993, a Federal Government grant enabled the Shire Council to move those headstones to the cemetery in West Coonamble, which had been established circa 1902. ”
Appropriately, the site chosen by Council to devote to the display of those old stones adjoined the historically significant Sexton’s Hut, erected in 1912. The display was organised into three sections: a covered double-sided memorial wall, a group of sandstone monuments and a group of marble monuments. The work was completed to a high standard and dedicated on 12 September 1993. A list of 611 names of persons whose deaths were registered at Coonamble during the period that the old cemetery was in operation, and known or presumed to have been buried at the old site, was inscribed and mounted on the side of the Sexton’s Hut.
Statue of Constable Mitchell who was shot while trying to prevent the escape from gaol of bushrangers Angel and Thurston in 1885. Front Inscription Dedicated to the memory of Constable First Class John Mitchell. Born Scotland 1856. NSW Police Service 27.9.1878 to 13.3.1885. Shot whilst on duty near this site on 12.3.1885 during the escape from Coonamble lock-up by prisoners, Thomas Angel (alias Hobson) and William White (alias Thurston). Constable Mitchell died from his wounds 13.3.1885 and was laid to rest in the old Coonamble Cemetery. Erected in his honour by the police and citizens of Coonamble and District 12.3.1996. Actual Monument Dedication Date: Tuesday 12th March, 1996 GPS of monument: Lat: -30.952500 Long: 148.388056 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. Unveiled by his great grandson.
John Mitchell – Photo Obelisk erected by the Government on the grave of John Mitchell in the old Coonamble Cemetery – no longer in existence.
Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal ( NSW ) Friday 13 March 1885 page 2 of 4
FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY AT COONAMBLE.
– * –
A CONSTABLE SHOT.
ESCAPE OF PRISONERS.
( BY TELEGRAPH )
[ FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ]
Coonamble, Friday.
A shocking tragedy occurred at Coonamble gaol yesterday morning, in a cell where a prisoner named Angel, who had been sentenced to four years for cattle stealing, another prisoner named Courtney, and a prisoner named Thurstone, who had served a sentence at Berrima gaol, were confined.
When the turnkey ( Warder Langley ) entered to leg iron Courtney and Angel, one of the prisoners pounced upon him, and knocked him down and took his revolver. The turnkey called aloud, when Mitchell, a constable, and formerly of Bathurst, hearing the scuffle, rushed out of bed. The prisoner Angel, who had the revolver, told Mitchell not to dare to come in, Mitchell, however, advanced, and Angel fired. The bullet entered Mitchell’s breast just below the heart, and went right through his body and out at the back. Mitchell at once fell, and the three prisoners made their escape with the revolver.
Five miles from town they pulled a boy off his horse, and the escapees got on to the horse, and galloped into the bush. They have been tracked, and hopes are entertained that they will be soon captured. They are armed with revolvers taken from the gaolers.
The tragic affair has cast quite a gloom over the town.
The warder, Mitchell, is still lingering, but no hopes are held out of his recover.
Later.
On the prisoners getting to the gaol yard, they cut Thurstone‘s irons, leaving the sockets on the legs, and crossed the river at the upper end of the scrub, near the old engine, McMahon’s station. The Police Magistrate and trackers on on their tracks.
Constable Mitchell died at 7 am. to-day. Warder Langley is much prostrated, and quite ill from the effects of the encounter, and will not be able to resume his duties for a time.
The South Australian Advertiser Monday 16 March 1885 page 5 of 8
A good deal of excitement prevails at Coonamble consequent upon the death of Mitchell, the gaolor (sic) of the local prison, from the effects of a wound caused by his being shot at by a prisoner named Angel, who recently escaped from gaol with another prisoner named Thurston.
The men Angel and Thurston, who escaped into the bush, have not yet been tracked, although search parties are in pursuit.
The Government has offered £200 reward for their capture.
The Brisbane Courier Tuesday 17 March 1885 page 6 of 8
The troopers sent out in search of the escaped prisoners Angel and Thurstone, who are charged with the murder of gaoler Mitchell at Coonamble, returned last night without finding any trace of the criminals.
Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal Tuesday 17 March 1885 page 3 of 4
THE TRAGEDY IN COONAMBLE GAOL.
The following, which is a more detailed account of the shooting of the gaoler, Constable Mitchell, and the escape of two prisoners from the Coonamble gaol, is abridged from the Coonamble Independent : —
After the trial of the prisoner Thomas Angel, at the Quarter Sessions, he, together with two other convicted men, Thurston and Courtney, was locked up for the night in a cell in the gaol.
Thurston had riveted irons on, whilst Angel, who it was surmised was shamming illness, and Courtney, were unfettered.
On the following morning, Mitchell gave orders to the warder to leg-iron Courtney, who was told off to act as cook. The warder was in the act of stooping down to leg-iron Courtney when the three prisoners set upon him, got him down, and endeavoured to strangle him. They seized his revolver in the struggle, leaving him powerless and half stunned. Mitchell jumped into the cell to assist the warder, and it is surmised, was tripped up by Courtney. Mitchell regained his feet and Angel was standing at the cell door with the revolver in his hand, Thurston having gone outside, and Courtney being on the inside.
Angel told the warder that if he (the latter) attempted to stir he would blow his brains out. At this juncture Mitchell jumped from Courtney towards Angel, when the latter deliberately shot at Mitchell. The gaoler fell from the effects of the shot, leaving the warder disabled, and Courtney in the cell. The door of the cell was thereupon bolted by either Angel or Thurston on the outside.
Thurston rushed down the passage with a tomahawk in his hand, and Angel went into the guard room. Angel ran quickly to a Mrs. Canham who was present, caught hold of her by the hand, and wanted to lock her up in a cell. She refused to go, when Angel held the revolver to her forehead. After some parleying, Angel let Mrs. Canham’s hand go, and the two men went through the front door.
Drs. Cortis and Tressider, were quickly in attendance, and upon examination it was found that poor Mitchell was shot in the right breast, the bullet having passed clean through his body, coming out at the lower portion of his back.
From the first the case was pronounced hopeless and the deepest sympathy was evinced for the unfortunate gaoler, his wife, and family.
Poor Mitchell, after lingering until Friday morning, succumbed to the effects of the bullet wound, and his untimely end is universally and deeply regretted. He was a thoroughly efficient officer, esteemed at headquarters, and deservedly respected in Coonamble.
He leaves a wife and children totally unprovided for.
Launceston Examiner ( Tasmania ) Tuesday 24 March 1885 page 2 of 4
A verdict of wilful murder has been returned against the escaped prisoner Angel and his companion Thurston, also against another prisoner who was in the cell at Coonamble Gaol when Warder Mitchell was shot.
The two men have not as yet been re-captured, and the Government have offered £200 reward.
Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal ( NSW ) Wednesday 25 March 1885 page 2 of 8
MURDER OF ACTING-GAOLER MITCHELL —
The following notice appears in Friday’s Gazette:-
Whereas on the morning of the 12th instant, two prisoners, named William White, alias Thurston and Thomas Angel Hobson, escaped from the Coonamble Gaol ; and whereas one of the said offenders, previous to escape, fired at and mortally wounded Constable John Mitchell, the Acting-Gaoler, who has since died; and whereas at a Coroner’s inquest held upon the body of the said John Mitchell, a verdict of wilful murder was returned against the said offenders, William White, alias Thurston and Thomas Angel alias Hobson, and James Alfred Courteney, who was confined in the same cell with the two prisoners who escaped.
Notice is hereby given that a reward of £200 will be paid by Government for such information as shall lead to the apprehension of each of the said offenders, William White alias Thurston and Thomas Angel alias Hobson.
Description of Offenders. —
White alias Thurston, is 29 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, medium build, brown hair and eyes ; a native of New South Wales ; a drover.
Angel alias Hobson, is 27 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, dark, beard and whiskers, good looking.
The Goulburn Evening Penny Post Thursday 26 March 1885 page 2 of 6
The Coonamble Outrage.
The Dubbo Despatch regrets to say that the men Angel and Thurston, who escaped from Coonamble gaol, and who have been declared by the Coroner’s jury guilty of the murder of Warder Mitchell, are still at large.
Some information regarding their movements has been gathered by Senior-constable Cusack, of Gilgandra.
On Monday he reached a hut in the warrumbungles, and discovered that the two had been there on the previous Saturday night, Thurston only then got the leg-irons off. He had out the connecting chain, and tied up along each leg the piece of chain. It was not, however, till he reached the hut that he managed to get the rivetted rings off his legs, which were in a fearful condition. They were very much swollen.
Thurston was scarcely able to walk, and several times he had to be carried on his companion’s back. Cusack and other troopers are now hunting the pair in the mountains.
The Government has offered a reward of £200 each for the apprehension of Angel and Thurston.
The following is their description: White, alias Thurston, is 20 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, medium build, brown hair and eyes, a native of New South Wales, a drover;
Angel, alias Hobson, is 27 years of age, 5 feet inches high, dark beard and whiskers, good looking.
Courtney, who was also included in the coronial jury’s verdict of murder, arrived at Dubbo on Wednesday, and is now in gaol.
Evening News ( Sydney ) Friday 27 March 1885 page 3 of 8
COWRA. March 25.
The Victim of a Ruffian.— The deepest regret and sympathy were evinced here when it became known that Constable Mitchell, formerly lock-up keeper of this town, had been shot dead by one of the prisoners in the gaol at Coonamble, where he was acting gaoler at the time of his melancholy death.
The deceased leaves a wife — very ill at the time of the occurrence — and two little children.
All the particulars of the case are by this time very well known to our readers, so that we will not state them here.
After the perpetration of the cowardly deed, the murderer and one of his accomplices escaped from the gaol, and have since eluded all attempts at capture. A large reward has been offered for their capture.
Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal Saturday 28 March 1885 page 2 of 12
THE COONAMBLE TRAGEDY.
The following is the principal evidence taken at the inquest on the body of Acting-Gaoler Mitchell, who was shot by the escaped prisoner Angel: —
Michael Langby states, I am warder at the Coonamble Gaol ; I remember the morning of the 12th inst. Thursday ; about a quarter past six o’clock I knocked at the outer gaol door ; the door was opened by the Acting-Gaoler ; received the keys of the cells from him ; put my revolver on me as usual before I entered the cells ; unlocked the door opened it and went in ; Mitchell was then in the passage but had no arms on him; I knelt down to put the leg irons on the prisoner Courteny; the prisoners knocked me down ; the three prisoners in the cell were Angel, Thurston and Courteny ; I could not see who knocked me down because I was kneeling ; they must have stunned me for I don’t recollect hardly what happened for a few minutes after ; when I came to my senses again I was lying on my back; Angel was at the door of the cell with my revolver in his hand, he pointed the revolver at me and said, ‘ I’ll shoot you dead if you stir ;’ with that the gaoler jumped from the corner of the cell to the door ; Mitchell was then in the cell ; saw the shot fired by the prisoner Angel, it took effect on the gaoler Mitchell in the breast; Mitchell stated in the presence of Courtney that Courteny tripped him up before the shot was fired ; Mitchell fell after receiving the shot ; I heard the prisoners Angel and Thurston outside the cell door for a few minutes ; after the prisoner Courteny made some attempt to move near the door ; I was then standing on my feet as Mitchell received the shot ; the other prisoners did not attempt to rescue Courtney, but left him behind ; when Mitchell was shot Angel, Mitchell, Courtney and I were present ; Thurston had gone out into the passage ; when the prisoner Angel went out, he bolted the door and left Mitchell, Courtney and I in the cell ; Mitchell got up once after he was shot and then fell again ; Courtney wouldn’t let me put the leg irons on ; afterwards put on one of the leg irons, and I believe Constable Newby put the other on; saw the wound in Mitchell‘s breast it was such a one as would be made by a bullet.
By a Juror: It might be a quarter of an hour or 20 minutes from the time the cell door was closed upon me before the police came; can’t say which of the three prisoners took the revolver from me; had my senses when the shot was fired ; I saw Angeldeliver the shot ; knew the prisoners were dangerous characters; my orders are when I have committed men in charge to put on my side-arms or revolver ; when I first saw Mitchell at the cell he was standing behind the door, in the passage ; I think when Mitchell sprang from the cell he was engaged with Courtney ; I don’t think I did sing out for Mitchell ; I might have done so when I was stunned ; I don’t remember doing so.
James Alfred Courtney, a confinee in Coonamble gaol, deposed to Langley‘s coming into the cell to leg-iron him ; somebody gave Langley a shove behind, and knocked him and me over ; it must have been either Angel or Thurston; I was getting up, when Angel hit me in the eye and knocked me down ; I went to get up again when Langley caught me by the throat and Mr. Mitchell rushed into the cell ; he knocked against me, and sent me flying into the corner of the cell ; saw Angel at the door pointing a revolver at Langley ; Mitchell left me and made a rush at Angel, when the latter fired the revolver ; the shot struck Mitchell in the right breast; Mitchell staggered, and I caught him. ( After some words as to the putting on of the leg-irons, witness continued ) : I went and sat down alongside Mitchell; Mitchell said, ” Courtney, get me some water, for God’s sake ;” afterwards bathed Mitchell‘s head with some tea, and then searched and found where he had been wounded ; Mitchell said ” My God, Courtney, I’m dying ;” the sergeant then came to the cell door, walked in, and asked what was the matter, and Mitchell said ” I’m shot;” Mr. Boyd asked who shot him, and Mitchell replied ” Angel;”. the other prisoners did not call out after them — they did not speak to me that I know of ; Mr. Mitchell did not say anything to me when he put his hands on me ; he may have said to me ” You vagabond, you’re as bad as any of them ;” I don’t recollect him saying so ; Mr. Mitchell made no remark about the blood on my neck ; I can’t swear he never mentioned anything about throttling me ; am positive Angel struck me in the face ; I did not know the prisoners were going; I was not assisting or abetting in any way in the escape.
By a Juror : The night before the other prisoners were not sleeping together; did not hear any conversation in the night ; I went to sleep; previous to going to sleep heard Thurston say, ” The mountains would be a good place, or the gulf;” heard Thurston say “Oh, curse these irons.”
By the Coroner: the prisoners did not take me into their confidence at all ; they were strangers to me ; did not assist in taking, nor did I see who took the revolver from Langley ; did not intentionally trip Mitchell; the Gaoler and I were good friends ; he was as good as a father to me ; never struck a blow at Mitchell in anyway ; never heard prisoners planning to escape ; the only thing I heard was Thurston saying one day, ” If he goes to sleep we can get away out of the carriage.”
Harry Tressider, legally qualified practitioner residing in Coonamble, deposed having made a post mortem examination of the body of deceased and as to the cause of death by the bullet wound. ‘The death of Mitchell was consequent upon a gunshot injury.
James Newby, Constable of the Police deposed : I remember Thursday, the 12th inst., on the morning of that day when opening the cell door, heard a great row inside and asked what was up. Saw prisoner Courtney standing in the middle of the floor unironed. Afterwards completed putting on the irons in consequence of Langley‘s being much exhausted; whilst I was putting on the irons Constable Mitchellcrawled over to me on his hands and knees and took hold of me by the hand, I said, ” Who shot you;” the prisoner Courtney said, “It was a cruel b — — y thing of Angel to shoot him like that,”Mitchell said ” You vagabond, you’re as bad as any of them you held the old man’s feet;”Mitchell said, ” When I came in the door was open, they had the old man down and Thurston trying to strangle him, Angel was trying to get the revolver from him, I rushed and struck at Thurston, and when I did this man knocked me down (meaning prisoner Courtney) ; he said we both fell and got our holts in the corner and I throttled him; the next thing I heard, was somebody saying if you move I’ll shoot you; on looking up I saw Tom Angel with the revolver pointing, I jumped up and rushed at him and as I rushed at him I was shot.
Prisoner Courtney was sitting down 3 or 5 feet from me during the conversation which lasted 2 or 3 minutes ; I looked at Courtney‘s neck to see if he had been throttled and I saw three distinct marks as if done by finger nails on his neck and I said, ” You did throttle the wretch. “ I then left and went to the door and saw Warder McGuier ; Prisoner never tried to contradict Mitchell‘s statement about knocking him down.
The dying declaration of John Mitchell, taken before the P.M. Coonamble, 12th March instant. ‘I am acting Gaoler at Coonamble gaol; at about a quarter past six this morning the 12th March inst., I opened the door of the guard room Coonamble Gaol ; the Warder just then came into the cell where the convicted prisoners Angel, Thurston, and Courtney were confined ; I heard a noise in the cell as if a man was being strangled ; I came in and the warder was lying down on the cell floor ; Angel was strangling him and Thurston was taking the revolver from him ; I made a rush and Courtny knocked me over; Angel then got the revolver and both he and Thurston rushed at the cell door; Angel said ” Keep back or I’ll shoot you ;” I made a rush to try and get the revolver from Angel when he shot me; they then shut the warder and myself together with Courtney, who did not get away owing to Warder Langley’s threatening to kill him if he moved in the cell and rushed away. “ After the Coroner’s address to the jury, explaining the law as applicable to the case, a verdict was returned by the jury as follows : ‘ That the deceased John Mitchell came to his death on Friday, the 13th inst., from the effects of a gun shot wound inflicted on him by Thomas Angel, and we also find that William Thurston and James Alfred Courtney were accomplices in the act, and therefore find a verdict of wilful murder against the three of them.’
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 31 March 1885 page 7 of 12
A man was arrested at Granville last evening by Constables Harrison and Wilson on suspicion of being Angel, the Coonamble gaol escapee, who shot Warder Mitchell on the 12th instant. The man corresponds in almost every particular with the description given of Angel. He is very reticent, however, and, in reply to the questions of the police, he merely slated that he was a shearer. He will be brought up before the local Bench to-morrow.
The South Australian Advertiser dated 13 April, 1885 described the shooting and capture of the murderers.
CAPTURE AND DEATH OF THE COONAMBLE MURDERERS. Sydney, April 13.
The Coonamble murderers were captured on Friday night by Sergeant Burns and Constable McKinley at Mr. Stewart’s store, Green’s Swamp. On the arrival of the police at the door of the store Thurston immediately shot Stewart dead. Constable McKinley and Sergeant Burns then fired simultaneously, and killed Thurston and severely wounded Angel, who has since been removed to the Gulgong lockup. Medical assistance was immediately obtained. Inquests will be held to-morrow. Later intelligence has just been received stating that the prisoner Angel died on Sunday morning in gaol. Both prisoners were fully identified. The tragedy caused great excitement.
Our Sydney correspondent telegraphed last night : –Mrs. Georgina Mitchell, matron of the Central Police Station, Sydney, died suddenly on Monday night. She was a recognised fingerprint authority, and had a remarkable memory for prints. Her husband, Constable John Mitchell, was shot dead by two prisoners, Angel and White, when they were escaping from “Coonamble Gaol in 1885.”
Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1886 – 1942),
Friday 11 April 1919, page 4
Tragic Memories Recalled.
DEATH OF MRS. MITCHELL.
The sudden collapse and death last Monday night of Mrs. Georgina Mitchell, matron at the Central Police Station, while she was collecting a parcel at the parcels office on the Central Railway Station, removes an interesting figure in the gaol history of New South Wales. Most of Mrs. Mitchell‘s services was in the position of matron at the old Water Police Station, in Phillip Street, which she occupied for a great number of years.
She was a recognised fingerprint authority, and always assisted the police in the taking of the prints of criminals convicted at the Water Police Court.
It is said that her memory for prints was remarkable.
When the Water Court was abandoned, Matron Mitchell was transferred to the Central Station.
Mrs. Mitchell‘s husband was Constable John Mitchell, acting gaoler at Coonamble lock-up, whose murder in 1885 was a very tragic incident in a sensational escape from the cells made by two notorious criminals, Angel and White.
This affair involved two cold blooded murders.
Mitchell was called into the cell in which the two prisoners were confined on the pretext that one of them was ill. The constable was bending over the man, who was shamming sickness, when the other knocked him down, and, snatching his revolver from his belt, shot him dead. The ruffians then secured the keys of the gaol, and, having let themselves out, took to the bush.
When they reached a store near Mudgee, which they intended to stick up, the men were not a little surprised to find the police awaiting their arrival, and, thinking that the storekeeper had given the warning, they shot him dead too. The police opened fire on the murderers, one of whom was despatched with a bullet, while the other was captured by Senior Sergeant Day, who afterwards became Inspector-General of Police, after he was wounded. He died the following day. Mrs. Mitchell was 58 years old. One of her sons is a member of the postal detective staff at the G.P.O., and another is Ald. J. G. A. Mitchell, of Coraki, G.M. of the North Coast District M.U., I.O.O.F., to whom the sympathy of many friends will go out in his bereavement.
After migrating to Australia some time before about 1876, John Mitchell spent the first few months in Queensland before moving to New South Wales where he spent the remaining years of his life.
He worked as a coachman before joining the Foot Police on 27 September 1878. When 25 years old he married Georgina Diehm (24) at Lidsdale, Wallerawang. John Mitchell was promoted to Constable First Class on February 1884. He was transferred to Coonamble to replace the lockup keeper who had died from heatstroke on 7 January. On 12 March 1885 he was shot when trying to prevent the escape from gaol of bushrangers Angel and Thurston. He died the next day. With his wife and two children – three year old John George Alexander and six month old William James McRae – John Mitchell had been living in the residential portion of the building which had been erected in Aberford Street in 1877 as the Court House/Watch House. At that time and until 1886, it served as the Police Station as well as lockup keeper’s residence attached to the gaol.
A statue of John Mitchell, standing on a pedestal in front of the Police Station in Aberford Street, Coonamble, was unveiled by his great grandson on 12 March 1996. Police and civic dignitaries, Coonamble citizens and Mitchell family descendants were present at the ceremony. John Mitchell was shot in the building which stood on the site in 1885. The plaque reads:
Dedicated to the memory of Constable First Class John Mitchell, Born Scotland 1856
NSW Police Service 27.9.1878 to 13.3.1885
Shot whilst on duty near this site on 12.3.1885 during the escape from Coonamble lock-up by prisoners
Thomas Angel (alias Hobson) and William White (alias Thurston).
Constable Mitchell died from his wounds 13.3.1885 and was laid to rest in the old Coonamble Cemetery
Erected in his honour by the police and citizens of Coonamble and District 12.3.1996.
Georgina Diehm was born 16 February 1860 at Swyers Swamp, NSW, daughter of Johann Georg Michael Diehm and Maria Eva Flegler (see separate file in First Families 2001).
Georgina married her husband John Mitchell at Lidsdale in 1880. After only five years of marriage, she was widowed. She raised her two sons alone and most of spent the remaining years of her life in Sydney.
You and Your Family:
I am Kathy Pearson, nee Dwyer, wife of Bruce Pearson who is the great grandson of John and Georgina. We have three adult children and three grandchildren. My email address is kathypea@yahoo.com.au and we live in Cundletown, NSW. Apart from the first generation of children of each couple, I have entered only my, or Bruce’s, direct line of descent, for the purpose of protecting the privacy of those relatives who may not wish to have their details included. However, if any other descendants of these couples wish to have their families included, please contact me.
See also Margaret Bohan; Annie Clement; William Clement; Melina Clothier; Sarah Coleman; James Colley; Johann Georg Michael Diehm; Oliver Dwyer; Eleanor Ewing; John Farley; Maria Farley; Maria Eva Flegler; Lucy Hetherington; Jemima Hughes; George Hutchinson; Margaret MacFarlane; Donald McDermid; Duncan McDermid; Sarah McDermid; Christopher McRae; Jonathan Pearson; Anne Taylor Pretty; Mary Stewart; Peter Thomas; James Pater Field Walker; Josiah Wesley Walker.
Life Before Australia:
John Mitchell was born in Glasgow in 1856, the son of John Mitchell and Ellen McRae.
Descendants
Children
MITCHELL, John George Alexander 1
MITCHELL, William James McRae 2
Grandchildren
MITCHELL, Minnie Florence 1
Great Grandchildren
PEARSON, Bruce Trevor 1
NB: Superscript behind each descendant name represents the lineage number of that descendant.
This family information was last updated by KATHY PEARSON on the 11 February, 2001.
