[alert_blue] Oscar is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
Warrant Officer Class 2, Oscar Henry POMROY – pre NSWPF
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With regret I advise the death of Oscar Henry POMROY, 91 old, former Regd. No. 5751, a Veteran Member of the Coffs Harbour Branch of the RPA.
Oscar passed away on 31/01/2015 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 3pm on Friday 6th Instant at the Chapel, Coffs Harbour Crematorium, Coramba Road, KARANGI.
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Oscar Henry POMROY
POMROY, Oscar Henry (Roughy) (Ossie)
31st January 2015 at Opal Aged Care. Late of Urunga, Former Inspector of Police at Katoomba.
Cherished Husband of Myra (dec), Loved Dad of Phillip, Loving Pop of Megan and Sally. Great Grandpop of Charlotte, Elizabeth, Hannah and Julia.
Aged 91 Years
Both Now Laid to Rest Gently
Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend Ossie’s Funeral Service appointed to commence Friday 6th February 2015 at 3pm in the Chapel of the Coffs Harbour Crematorium, Coramba Road Karangi.
In lieu of Floral Tributes Donations to R.S.L. may be left at the Chapel.
2/6 Cavalry Commando Regiment and 2nd Cavalry Regiment
Name: Oscar Henry POMROY
Service No: NX202915
Rank: WO2
Unit: 10
Brief History: Oscar Henry Pomroy born 15/02/1924 Griffith NSW enlisted Lismore 12/01/1944 discharged 18/09/1946. From Bren Gunner to WO2 on discharge. Entered the police force NSW and rose to the rank of Chief Inspector. Organized return to Wewak and Squadron reunions at Sawtell. (and so much more).(Details required)
Date Of Birth: 15 Feb 1924
Place of Birth: Griffith, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 12 January 1944
Locality on Enlistment: Lismore, NSW
Place of Enlistment: Paddington, NSW
Next of Kin: POMROY, Percy
Date of Discharge: 18 Sept 1946
Rank: Warrant Officer Class 2
Posting at Discharge: 2/10 Commando Squadron
EXCERPT FROM SHAWN O’LEAR’Y “TO THE GREEN FIELDS BEYOND”
At Maurak, Milak, Aupik and Ami, the commandos frequently had been given reliable advance information by natives of enemy locations; and patrol casualties accordingly had been minimised. At Dove Bay the men prowled for an enemy who, wherever he was, was awaiting them. The first patrol clash of any consequence occurred on 27 May. Perkins took his entire troop, accompanied by an attached medical orderly and artillery and infantry signallers (the latter to communicate with mortarmen), and ferreted over the high areas to the south of the perimieter.
The party made an early morning start and trekked along a ridge until it reached an east-west track which showed signs of recent heavy foot traffic. The troop turned west and followed the track down a slope to upper Mandi Creek which it crossed. When the field telephone was checked it failed to bring response. The trailing sig. wire had been cut. A sub-patrol returned and repaired the break and the troop continued its advance.
Soon a clearing was reached in which holes recently had been dug. The soil was yet damp. The troop edged forward, each man a lubricated shadow. In the jungle no insect chirped and a Japanese who was shortly seen, seemed to slide sinuously into the undergrowth.
Suddenly the jungle exploded with shattering fire. Rifles and machine guns laced the troop with lead and in the first moments Lietenant Land and Trooper NEM Mondon went down, both, fortunately, only wounded. Perkins drew his men back to the fringe of the jungle where fallen logs lay at the head of the track home. A call for artillery fire from the 25 pounders on Boram aerodrome failed because of communication inadequacy, but communication was established with supporting mortars and bombs began to fall among enemy pits.
A strongly defended Japanese position having been found, and the reconnaisance object of his patrol thus achieved, Perkins decided to withdraw. It was beyond doubt that artillery and more than a troop of commandos would be needed to eradicate this target. The rear section filtered back along the track, not knowing that enemy had quickly moved behind the troop and were now astride the path with machine guns. As the point scout, Trooper AA Maurer, rounded the first bend he was killed with a burst of automatic fire. Corporal O.H. Pomroy and Trooper Worrad immediately went into action with blazing Brens. The attached medical orderly, Corporal CR Mahony, daringly dived under their fire to tend Maurer whose body he rolled to security over the creek bank for later burial. He braved the fire once again to return with Maurer’s weapon…….and so on.
p320 and yet another incident “…….. The troop moved in again. Not yet had the enemy been destroyed, the barrage having been laid down slightly to the left of the position. Once more the troop drew fire from rifles and machine guns. Lieutenant Roper, Corporal HG Monk and Lance corporal CT Crawley, were wounded, Corporal Pomoroy with his Bren courageously covered the evacuation of the casualties. Two Japanese had been killed.
p339……and yet another …..”On 23 July 2/10 Sqn, however, was to suffer battle casualties. This squadron had not been relieved by 2/7 Sqn to rest in dalliance at Karawop. It had received 39 reinforcements on 19 July, among whom were three officers, one of whom was allotted to each troop. A patrol led by one of these, Lieut. E.R. Lawler, made contact with the enemy near the village of Machouin, south-east of Suik, on 22 July. Next morning, Lawler led a patrol to the area again to check natives’ reports of Japanese casualties caused by them. The patrol comprised most of B Troop’s reinforcements with a leavening of seasoned soldiers in Lieut. Redmond , Lance-Sgt Simpson, Corporal Pomroy and Trooper Nichols. The reconnaissance was to be a routine one which would serve to temper reinforcements to active service conditions.
Unfortunately, the Japanese had moved a force of about 40 men armed with rifles and a light machine-gun to defend a small spur leading to the village. The village itself was in an exposed area and the patrol correctly scouted to left and right instead of massing for attack.
The enemy was concealed in pits on high ground at the rear of the village which covered the spur. Troopers LD Turner and IG Wharton , on the left, were killed in the first firing, collapsing one on the other. Sergeant Simpson, who had dived behind a mound, emerged to try to drag the bodies back, but was himself wounded by a burst of machine-gun fire across the right shoulder and neck.
The situation was no happier to the right. Redmond and Tpr JN Jeffers had been killed and Cpl Mahoney the medical orderly who had so courageously tried to tend Maurer on 27 May, had been wounded. Mahoney’s wounds were serious ones. He had been shot through the arm and throat, yet still he tried to scrabble forward to minister to Jeffers. Jeffers, though, was beyond aid. Under cover from Cpl Pomroy‘s Bren, Tpr RG Denzel , a reinforcement medical orderly, extricated Mahony under fire. Denzel was awarded a Military Medal; Mahoney and Simpson were mentioned in dispatches. The citation for Denzel’s decoration laid particular emphasis on the fact that the deed was outstanding as the soldier had not been under fire before. When a later patrol came out to bury the Australian dead it was discovered that eight Japanese had been killed in the brief, but tragic, fight. It had been a day of tragedy for the regiment comparable with that of the ambush of the cavalry carriers at Derna in 1941.
Awards: National Medal – granted 6 November 1980, 1st Clasp to the National Medal – granted 8 June 1988, 2nd Clasp to the National Medal – granted 8 March 1997
Born: 20 March 1941
Died on: 29 January 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 73
Funeral date: Tuesday 3 February 2015 @ 2pm
Funeral location: Lake Macquarie Memorial Park Crematorium, Cessnock Rd, Ryhope
Buried at: Cremated
[alert_blue] ANTHONY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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Anthony FENTON
FENTON, Anthony Ivan
Aged 73 Years
Late of Charlestown
Passed away peacefully
29th January 2015Beloved husband of YVONNE, loved father and father-in-law of DAVID and PAULINE, MARK and YULIA, adored Poppy of DESTINY TAYLOR, ALEXANDER and NATASHA.ANTHONY’s Relatives and Friends are invited to attend his Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel, of Lake Macquarie Memorial Park Crematorium, Cessnock Road Ryhope, this TUESDAY afternoon 3rd February 2015 commencing at 2 o’clock.”No Worries”
Adamstown 4957 0237
Australian Owned
Published in The Newcastle Herald on Jan. 31, 2015
Tony. You were always a good friend and great work mate, admired your direct approach to life. Peter Ross.
~
Peter Ross,
Belmont
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Saturday, 31 January 2015
Farewell to my old fishing mate of many years. Always remembered never forgotten. “No worries Tony” Rest in peace.
~
Hal Hubner,
Swansea, New South Wales
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Saturday, 31 January 2015
Will miss my old Mate terribly. He was one in a million. He is now at peace. My sympathies to his boys David and Mark who were the light of his life. In Gods hands.
CHARLESTOWN BOWLING CLUB
Members of the above club are advised of the passing of their late member, ANTHONY FENTON.
D. Hitchcock (Sec Man)
P. Kelly (Chair)
Published in The Newcastle Herald on Jan. 31, 2015
All members of the NSW Police Force are advised that retired Sergeant Stephen Thomas Conroy passed away on Tuesday, 3 February 2015 aged 55 years.
Records indicate that Sergeant Conroy was performing duty at Surry Hills at the time of his retirement on 18 August 2011, completing 26 years service with NSW Police Force.
A funeral service is to be held at South Chapel, Woronora Crematorium, 121 Linden Street, Sutherland on Thursday, 12 February 2015 at 1000hr. All friends and former colleagues are invited to attend.
The Conroy family have accepted an offer of police involvement at the funeral service. The Traffic & Highway Command will provide a Guard of Honour at the chapel service.
The NSW Police Games family will miss him greatly. x
CONROY, Stephen Thomas.
Passed away peacefully surrounded with love February 3, 2015. Beloved partner of Pam. Will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.Gone too soon
Aged 55 yearsStephen’s family and friends are warmly invited to attend his Funeral Service to be held in the South Chapel of Woronora Crematorium, Linden St Sutherland on Thursday (February 12, 2015) commencing at 10am.
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Feb. 7, 2015
I hope your quirkiness is appreciated on the other side Steve, you were a good Supervisor, rest easy now , you deserve it….
~
ken howe,
albury, New South Wales
Monday, 9 February 2015
Rest in Peace Steve, a good man, a good cop. a good supervisor…
~
ken howe,
albury, New South Wales
Monday, 9 February 2015
Steve, I remember you as a young cadet with Phil Hickman at the CIB, Surry Hills, 1975. You would have been 16. You were always a friendly, happy guy. Glad to hear you had such a full adventurous life. xox
Dawn Clee, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Sunday, 8 February 2015
Steve. You touched so many lives, for the better. You truly were a good man.
There was not a person you met in life who you had not made a personal affect on. Thank you for being apart of our lives. Xxx
Nicole Jones signed the Guest Book
Kay and Rick Moriarty signed the Guest Book
Dear Steve
Will always be in our hearts never to be forgotten you were and are a great mate
Love Tina and Robert
Rest in piece
Tina & Robert Watkins signed the Guest Book
Mates for life
Mark Smith signed the Guest Book
‘Big Daddy’ our State of Origin, Tatts dinner and Casino nights will never be the same. Thank you so much for your love and friendship. You will be MISSED!!
Steve & Tina Jones, Selina Withaneachi signed the Guest Book
Eternal lov 4eva bunny una xxx
Suzerainty rugby signed the Guest Book
I miss him so much already
Steve was the man of my life
We had so many great times together
We went separate ways when I moved to nana glen and wanted him to come too but he decided to stay in 2010
Prior to that I was in a relationship with Steve for 4 years and friends from 1998 until when he died
He visited me in February 2014
God bless him and bless you all
Gianna ceccato signed the Guest Book
Best mate to Joanne for over 50 years, beloved friend to Dudley and uncle sarge to Samantha. Rest in peace ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Jo-Anne, Dudley & Samantha allard signed the Guest Book
See you in heaven Steve
Jesus saves
Colin Cuthbertson signed the Guest Book
We will miss you Steve.
Garry Porter signed the Guest Book
Till we bowl again, keep striking em mate.
Stephen Baker signed the Guest Book
You will always be in my thoughts mate
Joe Kilner signed the Guest Book
Mary Shelton signed the Guest Book
Herb Nash signed the Guest Book
Steve, you are one friend who will not be forgotten,. RIP
Mango signed the Guest Book
You were the funniest guy I ever worked with and I loved your humour. You were good cop too, and a loyal colleague. Lest we forget..
Geoff. Woodgate signed the Guest Book
Wish you a safe final journey. We will miss you terribly
Trish & Kevin Gilbert signed the Guest Book
Gone to the bowling lanes up there will miss you down here
Lunettes O’Keeffe signed the Guest Book
RIP Steve xox
Belinha Usov signed the Guest Book
Great man, very good team leader,could always deliver laughs,best wishes for your new posting.
John currie signed the Guest Book
Dearest Steve, you left us way too soon!! I miss you already. Look for me when I’m up there. Love you! Charlene xoxo
Charlene Levesque lit a candle for Stephen Thomas Conroy
THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 FUNERAL SERVICE FOR RETIRED SERGEANT STEPHEN THOMAS CONROY AT THE WORONORA CREMATORIUM, SUTHERLAND. FUNERAL WAS ATTENDED BY 150+ PEOPLE. https://police.freom.com/stephen-thomas-conroy/
Stephen Thomas CONROY
NSW Police Cadet Stephen CONROY – 1976
Thomas Charles GRANATELLI
| 11/02/2015
Thomas Charles GRANATELLI
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 5725
Rank: ?
Stations:
Service: From ? to ?
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: 8 February 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 86
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
[alert_blue] THOMAS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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Thomas Charles GRANATELLI, 86 old, former Regd. No. 5725, a Veteran Member of the Northern Rivers Branch of the RPA.
Thomas passed away on 08/02/2015 and it is expected that there will be a private family funeral.
Stations: Hay, Wentworth, Wollongong Traffic Sgt ( at least between 1972 – 1976 ), Albury ( 1979 )
Service: From pre 1956? to ?
Awards: The Order of the British Empire – Medal ( Civil ) / British Empire Medal (Civil) – granted 18 December 1956 as a NSW Police Officer – Bravery in rescue from drain.
Buried at: Glenmorus Gardens Lawn Cemetery, Union Road, Albury.
REX is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
Rex Keith WHITE BEM, 89 old, former Regd. No. 7296, an Unattached Veteran Member of the RPA.
Rex passed away on 05/02/2015 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 1030am on Thursday 12th Instant at the Chapel, Lester & Son Funeral Directors, 359 Wantigong Street, NORTH ALBURY.
Rex Keith WHITE
White Family and friends of the late Mr Rex White are invited to attend a celebration of his life which will be held at The Evergreen Chapel, Lester & Son Funeral Home, Cnr Mate and Wantigong Sts, North Albury on Thursday, February 12, 2015 commencing at 10.30am.
At the conclusion of the service, the cortege will leave for the Glenmorus Gardens Lawn Cemetery, Union Road, Albury.
Farewell Uncle Rex,
We will miss you. You were a true hero.
Sincere condolences to Gabrielle, Garry, Debbie and their families.
The Patterson family: Olga, Nola, Joy, Alan and families.
SYDNEY, Sunday: Poisonous fumes in a sewer yesterday killed a workman and a male nurse who went down the sewer shaft to help him.
The two men were Vittorio Chiaruttini, 40, whose wife and family live in Melbourne, and Edward James Markey, 35, the male nurse.
Chiaruttini, works foreman of a sewerage scheme being installed in Hay, went down the sewer shaft and when he did not reappear his workmate went for help.
Markey, a married man with two children, volunteered to go down the sewer.
When he failed to reappear Police Constable White went down the shaft, and at the second attempt managed to get a rope around the bodies of the two men.
Two men died yesterday after being overcome by a mysterious gas which filled a narrow tunnel on a new sewerage project at Hay.
They were Victorio Chiaruttuni, 40, foreman, employed by McDonald Construction Co., and Edwin James Markey, 35, a male nurse at Hay Hospital.
Chiaruttuni entered the tunnel on a normal inspection tour and was overcome by the fumes.
Markey heard Chiaruttuni’s cries for help ; and after calling the police, entered the tunnel but was also overcome by the gas.
Constable Rex White, of Hay Police, entered the tunnel with a length of garden hose in his mouth because gas masks were unavailable.
He was semi-conscious and partly paralysed by the gas after rescuing the two men.
The three men were rushed to Hay Hospital, but Chiaruttuni and Markey failed to respond to treatment. Constable White was allowed to leave after treatment.
MILDURA, Wednesday: Police today found the body of seven-year-old Peter Philp in the River Murray.
The boy had been missing from Dareton, N.S.W., since last Friday week.
A post-mortem by the Government medical officer from Wentworth, and medical superintendent at Mildura Hospital last night revealed the boy had died by drowning.
Constables Rex White of Wentworth, and Eric Maurer of Buronga, found Peter’s body snagged against the branch of a submerged tree, about 250 yards from where his clothing was found last Sunday week.
C.I.B. headquarters said last night detectives on the case were satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances. There were no marks of violence on the body.
Peter’s disappearance set off one of the most intensive investigations ever in the area 12 miles from Mildura.
Detectives were puzzled by the fact that Peter vanished at 6.15 p.m. – only 15 minutes before he was due to meet his soldier settler father, Mr. Alf Philp, near the sweet shop the boy had just left.
XIII. Acts of Bravery by Police.
A number of Police distinguished themselves by performing acts of bravery during 1956. Brief particulars are shown
hereunder:—
Constable Rex KeithWhite, has been awarded the British Empire Medal, as well as the Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit of the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society in recognition of his bravery on the 7th January, 1956, in descending into an underground sewer main, then under construction at Hay.
In the first place Vittorio Chiaritina, works foremen on the job, had entered the sewer where he had been overcome by some unknown gas and collapsed. Edwin James Markey descended to the sewer in an endeavour to rescue Chiaritina, but was overcome and collapsed. Constable White was advised that the two men had collapsed and he immediately descended into the sewer, but became affected to such an extent that he could barely give the signal to be hauled up. Although practically unconscious, he was again lowered into the sewer with a garden hose in his mouth. He could not get sufficient air by this means, but although badly affected by the gas, was able to fasten a rope round Markey, and both he and Markey were hauled to the surface. A civilian named Graeme Barry Mitchell then descended and tied a rope round Chiaritina, who was brought to the surface. Mr. Mitchell has also been awarded the British Empire Medal, and the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct has been conferred (posthumously) upon Markey.
Service: From 15 August 1960 to ? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 2 March 1981
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 7 October 1991
2nd Clasp to National Medal – granted 10 August 2000
Born: 13 May 1944
Died on: 16 January 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 70
Funeral date: Thursday 22 January 2015 @ 2pm
Funeral location: Castlebrook Crematorium, Windsor Road, ROUSE HILL
Buried at: Cremated
[alert_blue] Laurence is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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No further information is known about this man or his death / funeral details
Betty Clare STENHOUSE
| 11/02/2015
Betty Clare STENHOUSE nee Ferguson
New South Wales Police Force – Police widow of Kenneth ‘ Ken ‘
Regd. # ?
Rank: ?
Stations:
Service: From ? to ?
Awards: ?
Born: 1931
Died on: 13 December 2014, Late of St Agnes Village, Port Macquarie.
Cause: ?
Age: 83
Funeral date: Monday 22 December 2014 @ 11am
Funeral location: St Francis of Assisi Chapel, Port Macquarie
Buried at: Cremated
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Betty Clare STENHOUSE (1931 – 2014)
STENHOUSE (nee) Ferguson, Betty Clare December 13, 2014 Late of St Agnes Village, Port Macquarie. Dearly loved Wife of Kenneth (deceased). Loving Mother and Mother-in-law of Graeme, Brian and Lynnette, Alison and Neil. Special Grandma to Colby, Kelly, Stephen, Matthew, Sean, Patricia and Warren and Great Grandma of Brayden, Lilly, Tyson and Hendrix. Fond Sister to her seven siblings. Will be greatly missed Aged 83 Years Betty’s Family and Friends are kindly invited to a Celebration of her life to be held at St Francis of Assisi Chapel, Port Macquarie on Monday, December 22, 2014 commencing at 11am. Privately Cremated.
Published in The Port Macquarie News on Dec. 19, 2014
New South Wales Police Force – Wife of Denis DRIVER who passed on 18 March 2022 aged 83
Born: ?
Died on: 20 January 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 75
Funeral date: 28 January 2015 @ 10am
Funeral location: St Andrews Uniting Church, Kenneth St, Loungueville
Buried at: ?
Doreen is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
It has been a privilege to assist your family, may you find comfort and peace at this time through the love of those around you as you begin a new journey in life.
Joined NSW Police via the NSW Police Cadet System on 30 January 1945
Cadet # 505
Regd. # ?
Rank: Assistant Commissioner – Retired
Stations: Newcastle, Corowa, Wagga Wagga
Service: From 30 January 1945 to 4 May 1988 – 43 years
Awards: National Medal – granted 11 December 1985
Australian Police Medal – granted 9 June 1986
Churchhill Fellow, B.A. ( Newcastle )
Born: 9 March 1929
Died on: 17 January 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 85
Funeral date: Friday 23 January 2015 @ 10.15am
Funeral location: North Chapel, Northern Suburbs Crematorium, 199 Delhi Rd, North Ryde
Buried at: Cremated
A photograph taken in 1946 of four cadets exercising police horses at Centennial Park. They are from left: John Nivision-Smith, Bob Shepherd, Ray Carpenter and Jack Bailey.
[alert_blue] Robert is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
SHEPHERD, Robert Charles (Bob)
APM, Churchill Fellow, B.A. (Newcastle)
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired).
Passed away peacefully on January 17, 2015.
Late of North Strathfield, Thornleigh, Newcastle, Corowa and Wagga Wagga.
Much loved and loving husband of Rose (dec).
Adored father of Susie, Stephen (dec), Stewart and Shelley, and their families. Fond brother of Barbara.
Aged 85 years
He always said he lived a good life: a life rich with love and adventure: a happy life alongside his adored Rose and his family.
Rest in peace.
Bob’s family and friends are warmly invited to attend his Funeral Service to be held in the North Chapel, Northern Suburbs Crematorium, 199 Delhi Road, North Ryde on Friday (January 23, 2015) commencing at 10.15am.
Donations to the Police Wives and Friends in lieu of flowers would be appreciated and envelopes will be available at the service.
Please help the family celebrate Bob’s life by wearing something colourful.
Ann Wilson Funerals
An Australian Company
9971 4224
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Jan. 20, 2015
Tribute to Former Police Assistant Commissioner Robert Shepherd
TRIBUTE TO FORMER POLICE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER ROBERT SHEPHERD
Page: 21793
Ms ANGELA D’AMORE (Drummoyne—Parliamentary Secretary) [12.21 p.m.]: It is with great pleasure that I acknowledge the distinguished career with the New South Wales Police Force of one of the residents of my electorate, Robert Shepherd. On 22 February 2010 I attended the South West Metropolitan Regional Zone medal and awards presentation ceremony at Burwood RSL in my capacity as local member and Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Minister for Police to assist with presentation of New South Wales police medals and clasps to the New South Wales police medal.
The New South Wales police medal is awarded to sworn in members of the New South Wales Police Force who have completed 10 years of diligent and ethical service. The medal is awarded only after a detailed review of a nominee’s service history. A clasp is awarded for each subsequent five-year increment of service provided the appropriate award criteria are satisfied. I was delighted to present the medal to my constituent Robert Shepherd, a former Assistant Commissioner with 40 years distinguished service with the New South Wales Police Force.
Robert Shepherd has had an interesting career: He commenced his career as a police cadet between 1945 and 1948. He served at police headquarters, running around delivering mail, nearly knocking down all the senior public service staff, and was an assistant to the station sergeant with a variety of duties. He was then transferred to the depot stables, having never ridden a horse. He then learned to ride and assist in training the horses for the Police Musical Ride. He performed at various shows and tried to establish a new routine of standing on the backs of two horses, not always a successful act as he could not get the two horses to move off together, and police officers often fell between the legs of horses.
Robert then assisted traffic sergeants with their office duties at Central, Regent Street and Phillip Street police stations. As a senior cadet he transferred to the superintendent’s office at Petersham, where he performed duties as a shorthand writer and typist. In those days no mistakes were allowed and there were no erasures; pages simply had to be retyped. Robert moved up the ranks to serve as officer in charge of the Scientific Investigation Section at Newcastle, investigating murders, rapes, serious accidents and crimes from 1959 to 1974. In 1971 he was the second police officer in New South Wales to receive a bachelor of arts from the University of Newcastle and was the first New South Wales police officer to receive a Churchill Fellowship. The fellowship grant was to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] National Academy, and he was the first New South Wales police officer to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy at Quantico, Virginia. This was followed by his attendance in 1972 at the FBI National Academy, graduating with distinctions.
On completing this course, and with the total support and financial backing of his family, he then toured police establishments at Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, London, Glasgow, Munich and Tokyo. New South Wales police service took him to both the country and the city, in both plainclothes and uniform. It is with great fondness that Robert recalls when he established a scientific investigation section at Wagga Wagga and the five wonderful years he spent there with his wife. Whilst based at Wagga Wagga he covered the vast Riverina area and also undertook the duties of lock-up keeper. These duties entailed the care and feeding of prisoners. He said that his wife fed the prisoners exactly the same food that they ate.
The next 15 years were spent in Newcastle as the officer in charge of the scientific investigation section. It was during this period that Robert sat for and qualified to be a detective. He was a detective sergeant in charge of No. 29 divisional detectives, which covered the area extending from Mona Vale to Palm Beach. Upon returning to the Sydney office of the scientific investigation section he played a prominent role in reorganising the managerial aspects of the section and later became an investigating officer with the newly established Police Internal Affairs Branch. He rose to second in charge of the Bureau of Criminal Intelligence and was charged with extracting and disseminating criminal intelligence. He also established an operational unit within the Bureau of Criminal Intelligence.
On 4 May 1984 Robert was promoted to Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Internal Affairs Branch. He retired on 4 May 1988 after 40 years service with the New South Wales Police Force. The Australian Police Medal was presented to him in 1986 at Government House. Some would say that Robert Shepherd was a controversial police officer. He was part of some groundbreaking police techniques, which are now seen as part of everyday police operations. At the time, in order to catch major criminals in the drug trade, his team watched a marijuana crop grow and when it was moved across the border into Victoria they alerted Victoria Police, who made the arrest. This arrest led to the conviction of the murderer of a Griffith whistleblower.
As a result of this police operation Robert Shepherd was heavily mentioned in the Age tapes. This involved the illegal tapping of telephone conversations and, as a consequence, he appeared in a number of royal commissions. At the time the press presented the activities as placing everyone at risk of invasion of privacy but when eventually he gave evidence he was able to show that only well-known criminals were taped and that it was not an invasion of citizens’ privacy. For the first 10 years after his retirement Robert continued to serve the community and extend his years of knowledge in the New South Wales Police Force by giving evidence at local courts, superior courts, royal commissions and even at a commission held in Canberra. Robert Shepherd rose to the rank of Assistant Commissioner and gave 40 years distinguished service. It is with great pleasure that I honour him today in Parliament.
