There is ‘no find’ with a search via Trove – so, at this time, little is known about Scott, his life or career.
Please check back for funeral details which will be included over the next few days when details are known.
We send our deepest sympathy to Olwyn Pratt Edmonds on the loss of her husband of 51 years ( married 10 September 1966 ) after a long battle with Parkinsons disease.
Olwyn is also the daughter of deceased member, Edwin Oliver PRATT, who died on 19 November 1948.
Cal
10 August 2017
[divider_dotted]
Bert Watson CARTWRIGHT
| 10/08/2017
Bert Watson CARTWRIGHT
aka Ben
Late of Lightning Ridge
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ????
Rank: Constable
Stations: ?, Lightning ( Hill ) Ridge – Death
Service: From? ? 1916 to 3 December 1919= 3years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1892?
Died on: Wednesday 3 December 1919 @ 11pm
Age: 27
Cause: Suicide – Firearm – Committed
Coroner Findings: Suicide while temporarily insane
Event location: near Wombat Rd, 13 miles from Young, NSW
Event date: Wednesday 3 December 1919 @ 11pm
Funeral date: Friday 5 December 1919
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Church of England, Young
Memorial located at: ?
[alert_yellow]BERT is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
[divider_dotted]
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
When several men in an hotel ( the Rose & Crown ) at Young were drinking the health of Constable Cartwright, he replied, ” I will bet you £5 I will be dead before any of you. If this gun cartridge will not finish me this revolver will. I invite you all to my funeral.” Later in the night the body of Cartwright was found on the Wombat-road with his brains blown out.
Young Witness (NSW : 1915 – 1923), Tuesday 9 December 1919, page 2
Bert Cartwright’s Death
CORONIAL INQUEST.
The Coroner, Mr. G. S. Whiteman conducted an inquest this morning concerning the death of Bert Watson Cartwright, constable of police, who was found on the Wombat road on the night of December 3rd with his brains blown out, and a double barrelled gun beside him.
Formal evidence of the finding of the body was given by Constable Auld.
George Eastley, a gardener, residing at Spring Creek, said that he had known Bert Cartwright since childhood, and had always been on friendly terms with him. At a few minutes past seven on the evening of December 3rd, deceased had come to his home. He behaved in a peculiar manner, was staring about, and kept looking at his watch. At times he talked quite sensibly. After having a cup of tea he asked for his gun at 7.30 p.m. and announced his intention of going to town alone, but witness insisted on going part of the way with him. Deceased had been shooting rabbits in the locality, and had left the gun in witness’ keeping about three weeks before. Deceased shook hands with Mr. Punt, Mrs. Eastley and Miss Eastley, and as he reached the door said
“THIS IS THE LAST GOODBYE”
As he and witness walked along the road together, deceased said ” I’m going to shoot myself tonight.” Witness replied. ” Don’t talk so foolishly,” but he insisted, ” It must be done tonight.” Both sat down and for an hour witness tried to reason with him, but he repeated, ” It must be done tonight.” When he made an effort to get the gun as they moved off, deceased said, ” You can’t get the gun, and if you did I’ve got a loaded revolver.” After a hundred yards he became excited and looked fierce. He took the gun out and ran into the scrub. Witness could not catch him, so returned home,and went a quarter of a mile for the assistance of his son. Both went to Mr. Bailey’s, and word came through by Mr. W. Eastley that Cartwright had returned to witness’ residence. Witness hurried back and found Bert Cartwright with the loaded gun in his hands and eventually persuaded him to come in and have a cup of coffee and some cake. Again he became restless, would stare, and kept pulling out his watch. At ten thirty witness asked him to stay the night, but he persisted in going. Witness asked him to come tomorrow, but he would not promise. Neither would he promise to go to the pictures next night. Both men walked a few hundred yards along the road when deceased ordered witness to go back. Witness appealed to him to think of his sister and brothers and not to take his life. As they continued, witness asked him for a loan of the gun, but he refused. Then he rushed ahead, put the gun cleaner and the case on a post, stared at witness for a full minute, made a cigarette and lit it. Then he rushed up to witness, and staring at him, said, ” You know nothing. ” He took up the cleaner and case again, shook witness’ right hand, said
” GOOD BYE, OLD FELLOW, GOOD LUCK. “
and rushing away, called out, ” It will all be over before you get home ” Witness could not catch him and walked homewards. Having gone 100 yards, witness heard the report of a gun, and hastening home, got Mr. Punt to accompany him to the place whence the gunshot came.
They found Bert Cartwright dead on the side of the main road, in the shade of a bush. The gun was beside him. Mr. Punt waited while witness went to telephone to the police, who arrived about an hour later, and removed the body. Witness had asked deceased several times to explain his trouble, but the invariable reply would be. ” It is too late. ” Having known deceased all his life, witness believed him to be a temperate, steady young man. Generally speaking, deceased’s actions at ordinary times showed that he was not quite right in his mind. Witness believed that his troubles were imaginary.
Richard Punt, laborer, of Spring Creek, gave evidence of deceased having had one drink on the date of the fatality. He corroborated the evidence of the previous witness.
Mrs. Castledine, proprietress of the Rose and Crown Hotel, said that deceased was having a few drinks at the hotel on the afternoon of December 3rd, and when the other men wished him good luck, he said, ” I’ll bet you £5 I’m dead before any of you. If I don’t do it with this (a cartridge), I’ll do it with this (a revolver). Will you all come to the funeral?” Deceased stayed at the hotel for tea. He said that he was in trouble, but would not explain what the trouble was.
Mr. O. W. Cartwright, father of the deceased, deposed that his son was 27 years of age, and had been a member of the police force for three years. He was a single man stationed at Lightning Ridge, and did not wish to go back. His mother’s death, which took place two and a half years ago, had played on his mind.
Sergeant Wood deposed that he had received communication from the Police Department that the deceased was sober and trustworthy.
A verdict of suicide while temporarily insane wast recorded.
Young Witness (NSW : 1915 – 1923), Friday 5 December 1919, page 2
Shooting Fatality.
CONSTABLE CARTWRIGHT FOUND DEAD.
The report of a gun was heard near the Wombat road, about 13 miles from Young at about 11 o’clock on Wednesday night. Hurrying to the spot, Messrs Geo. Eastley and Potts found the dead body of Bert Watson Cartwright. A sporting gun ( double barrelled ) was near the body. The deceased man’s head was badly mutilated, obviously by a shot from the gun which, on examination, was seen to have just been discharged. Death must have been instantaneous.
Personal troubles had been known to have been a source of much worry to the deceased, who was a constable of police stationed at Lightning Hill, but at the time was visiting his relatives at Young on a holiday.
He had called for the gun, which had been left at Mr. G. Eastley‘s house, and had said that it was his intention to end it all. Mr. Eastley‘s attempts to dissuade him were of no avail.
The profoundest sympathy of many residents who have known Ben Cartwright from boyhood, are expressed for his bereaved relatives.
An inquest into the cause of the death will be held on Tuesday.
The interment was made in the Church of England cemetery to-day,
Young Witness (NSW : 1915 – 1923), Tuesday 20 June 1916, page 2
POLICE EXAM.
Mr. Bert Cartwright, son of Mr. O W. Cartwright, J.P., has been successful in passing an examination for entry into the mounted police force. Mr Cartwright was successfully coached by Mr. D. Perks at his evening school. We congratulate both teacher and pupil.
Mr. Bert. Cartwright, son of Mr. O. W Cartwright, met with an accident at his home on Sunday which might easily have been attended with more serious consequences. He.appears to have been extracting some bullets from a revolver, when he got his finger on the trigger and the weapon went off. Portion of his left hand was over the muzzle and the bullet went right through it. The fleshy part of the palm was punctured, just outside the bone connecting the little finger, but fortunately the bone was missed and the flesh only was wounded.
Bruce passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Friday morning and, although the cause is unknown, it is believed that he simply died from natural causes.
Bruce wished to be cremated and that his ashes be scattered in his garden at the family home.
[divider_dotted]
Dearest Pam, Michelle & Colin,
So sad for the loss of Bruce. Such a wonderful life companion and dad. Sending our love and deepest sympathies.
Lois, Peter and family
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Thursday 14 February 1974, page 10
Man had gun, police say
SYDNEY, Wednesday, –
A man involved in a ” violent incident ” at Kirribilli yesterday was charged in North Sydney Court today with possessing an unlicensed revolver and with two counts of housebreaking at Kirribilli.
He was Mr Leos Buschenhagen, 26, plumber, of Bondi.
One charge alleged that he had in his possession yesterday at Kirribilli a .45 calibre Webley revolver without holding a licence.
The others alleged that: At Kirribilli yesterday he broke and entered the dwelling house of Alan Marshall in Carrabella Street, and stole a TV set, a pair of binoculars, 107 LP records, a travelling case and 13 bottles of spirits.
At Kirribilli yesterday he broke and entered the dwelling house of Lurline Caffrey in Carrabella Street and stole a TV set, cassette recorder, transistor radio, record player, clock, 12 sets of records, a pair of sheets and a pillowcase.
Mr Buschenhagen was led into court in-handcuffs.
Mr Evans adjourned the matter to February 21 and refused bail.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Wednesday 13 February 1974, page 7
Man shot by police to be charged
SYDNEY. Tuesday. – A 24-year-old man will be charged when he leaves hospital tomorrow after being shot by a policeman at Kirribilli today.
The man underwent surgery at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital tonight. A police constable required several stitches in a cut hand after the incident.
Constable J. Murray and Senior Constable B. E. Link were investigating an alleged break and enter in a block of flats in Kirribilli, when a man armed with a .38 pistol ran out and grappled with Constable Murray before forcing him to walk to where Constable Link had handcuffed his companion.
Detectives said the man forced Senior Constable Link to release the handcuffed man. Constable Murray tried to take the gun and cut his hand. The man carrying the gun was shot in the elbow as he and his companion ran off.
Another police officer found the men in a lavatory in a nearby apartment block.
North Sydney detectives charged a 24-year-old man tonight with escaping from lawful custody, having an unlicensed pistol, breaking, entering and stealing and three charges of aggravated assault.
Plain Clothes Constable Handran was fatally shot by Tony Leif Dolerud at Wynnum, Brisbane on 29 June 1989 while attending a serious domestic dispute in company of his partner Plain Clothes Constable ( Stephen ) Clarey ( 24 ).
Dolerud had earlier stabbed his wife in an argument and, as a friend tried to take her to safety, armed himself with a high powered rifle and began firing indiscriminately into the street.
Plain Clothes Constable Handran was fatally shot as he alighted from the police vehicle outside the man’s unit. Constable Clarey was also shot as he took shelter behind the police vehicle.
Dolerud later took his own life ( suicide ) after killing his two-year-old daughter. Four others were wounded.
On Monday 3 July 1989 Brett Handran’s family were joined by a large contingent of his colleagues including senior officers of the New South Wales, Victorian and Australian Federal Police Forces.
The Service was conducted at the Queensland Police Academy Chapel with full police honours.
BRISBANE: On the day that all the headlines were about the Fitzgerald report and its recommendations for massive changes to the Queensland police force, not many would have been thinking of Constable Brett Timothy Handran, 23, who was gunned down last Thursday when he went to investigate a domestic dispute.
His funeral was held an hour after the first embargoed copies of the Fitzgerald inquiry report were handed to state Cabinet and journalists yesterday.
More than 300 police and mourners attended the 10am service.
Constable Handran was shot through the heart at a block of welfare flats in the bayside suburb of Wynnum.
The man who shot him also killed a little girl and then himself.
Four people were injured, including another officer, Constable Stephen Clarey, 24.
The Minister for Police, Russell Cooper, told the congregation, “I express deep regret at the loss of a loved one and a fellow officer.”
Among the mourners were police representatives from NSW, Victoria and the ACT. The Queensland police contingent was headed by Acting Commissioner Ron Redmond.
Some officers at yesterday’s service could not hide their frustration over Constable Handran‘s death, at a time when police morale had taken a battering.
“If only people could accept that we are proud of our job,” one officer said. “You get abused when you hand out a traffic ticket, but there are a lot a crazies running around and it’s the police who are expected to bring them in.”
Constable Handran, a single father, was attached to the Juvenile Aid Bureau. He and Constable Clarey were in Wynnum on another police matter and were the first to respond to the emergency call.
Last week, as police gathered up their equipment and prepared to leave the scene of the Wynnum shootings, one officer said, “Constable Handran will be buried on Monday, the same day the Fitzgerald report is released. Guess which story will get the biggest headlines?”
BRISBANE: The Queensland Government has been criticised for not providing police with bullet-proof vests following a shooting in suburban Wynnum yesterday in which three people were killed.
A two-year-old girl and an unarmed policeman were shot dead outside a flat in Carmichael Court by a man who later turned a rifle on himself and committed suicide.
Police said the shooting was the result of a domestic dispute.
The Opposition spokesman on police affairs, Terry MacKenroth, said every police car in the state should have at least two vests in it to protect officers called to emergency situations such as yesterday’s siege.
“Mr. Cooper, along with every other Ahern Government minister, including Deputy Premier Bill Gunn and the Premier himself, must take the blame for the death of a young police officer today,” he said.
Liberal leader Angus Innes said the Government had promised two years ago to provide police with bullet-proof vests.
He said that it was only in June this year that 1400 bullet-proof vests for police had been finally approved.
“Police know that they are more likely to be killed attending a domestic disturbance than in any other area of police work,” Mr Innes said. .
“The minister for Police, Russell Cooper, said last night that he had ordered a meeting today with Acting Police Commissioner Don Braithwaite to investigate the incident.
“Police said a man, a woman and two children had gone to the Wynnum flat, occupied by the woman’s former de-facto husband, to collect some of the woman’s property.
Police believe an argument started, which resulted in the woman being stabbed several times in the back, chest and arm.
As she fled with her male companion the man in the flat fired a rifle from an upstairs bedroom window, wounding the man in the back.
Police said as the couple drove to a nearby doctor’s surgery for help, a woman neighbour apparently attempted to carry the injured woman’s two-year-old daughter to safety.
The gunman fired another shot from the bedroom window, killing the girl and injuring the woman.
They said two plain-clothed officers from the Juvenile Aid Bureau who were in the area went to investigate.
The gunman then opened fire on the officers as they left their car and 23-year-old Constable Brett Timothy Handran was shot in the back and later died in hospital.
His partner, Constable Stephen Clarey, 24, suffered a bullet graze to the head and was not expected to be detained in hospital overnight.
The woman, her male companion and the female neighbour were also being treated in hospital.
A police spokesman said when the Tactical Response Unit arrived, they were told an eight month-old baby boy was still in the flat with the gunman.
They forced entry through the kitchen and rescued the baby, who was crawling on the floor.
About 45 minutes later police again entered the flat and found the gunman dead in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head.
A man with a baby in his arms runs from the siege area.
14.8 metre Norman R Wright and Sons fast patrol launch, triple diagonal planked hull with a dynel sheath. Powered by twin 420 hp Detroit 6v 92 series motors.
‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘
Brett T Handran II
BRETT T. HANDRAN II – 2009
The Brisbane based ‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘ was delivered to the Queensland Police Service in March 2009.
Built at a cost of over $1m, and one of three similar vessels (‘W.CONROY V’, ‘LYLE M. HOEY IV’ ), the ‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘ was built by Austral at their Margate shipyard just south of Hobart, Tasmania.
The ‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘ is a 22 metre aluminium catamaran powered by two MTU Series 60 diesel engines, each rated at 499kw, with Twin Disc Quickshift MGX-51355C gearboxes driving two Bruntons five-bladed fixed pitch propellers giving a maximum speed of 26 knots (cruise speed 20 knots) and a maximum range of approximately 900 nautical miles.
FROM THE VAULT – Star of Courage: Constable Robert Rodgers
Robert Rodgers joined the Queensland Police as Constable number 5904 on 10 October 1986. He served at the following stations: City; Mooroka; Brisbane Mobile Patrols; Inala, Brisbane CIB and Wynnum and retired on 7 February 1990.
On 29 June 1989Constable Robert Rodgers and Senior Constable Peter Edwards of the Wynnum Police, were told to attend an incident at Carmichael Court where a man was going berserk with a gun and where several persons had been shot, including Plain Clothes Constable Brett Handran. Rodgers and Edwards arrived at Carmichael Court, alighted from the vehicle and took cover. Constable Rogers ascertained from local residents the approximate location of the gunman and learned that a child and woman had been shot.
Constable Rogers found a position of safety close to the gunman’s location and communicated with the man to negotiate access to the wounded people. Without thought for his own safety, Constable Rogers successfully removed the child and woman from harm’s way. Constable Rodgers was awarded the Star of Courage on 18 April, 1991 for displayed conspicuous courage.
The Star of Courage is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril. It is the second highest Australian Bravery Decoration. Only four Queensland Police officers have been in receipt of the Star of Courage since the award was established in February 1975.
Australian Bravery Decorations date from the establishment of the Australian honours system in. The Group Bravery Citation was added in 1990. The decorations recognise acts of bravery by members of the community. There are four levels of decoration:
Cross of Valour (CV)
Star of Courage (SC)
Bravery Medal (BM)
Commendation for Brave Conduct
The book – BRAVE, written by Mark Whittaker and first published in 2011 by Pan MacMillan Australia P/L also goes into further detail about this event.
Ian William DUERS
| 10/08/2017
Ian William DUERS
Late of ?
Redfern Police Academy Class # 132
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 15475[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 11 September 1972
Late of Coledale formerly of Bankstown & Wentworth Falls.
Dearly beloved Husband of Patricia.
Cherished Dad & Father in law of Alison (dec), Lisa & Darren, Kylee & Clinton.
Adored Poppy of Harry, Charlotte, William, Lachlan, Georgia and Jackson.
Will be sadly missed by his Sister Peg & her husband Lindsay and Brother Eric & his wife Edith and their families.
Cherished Uncle & beloved friend to many.
Aged 73 Years
Will Be Forever In Everyones Hearts
The relatives and friends of Murray are invited to attend his Funeral Service to be held at the Woronora Cemetery, South Chapel 121 Linden Street, Sutherland on Monday 6th February, 2017 commencing at 2pm. At the conclusion of the Chapel service the Funeral will proceed to the adjoining cemetery for burial.
In lieu of flowers donations are invited to Parkinsons NSW, a bowl will be provided at the Chapel door.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Patricia and the extended families. I will surely miss the truly lovable and kind person that Murray was. Both he and Patricia have helped and offered kindness to me in my time of need.
Al Tudorin
February 03, 2017
To Dear Pat
I have just heard the news of Murray’s passing & my heartfelt condolences to you & your family Pat. My prayers are with you at this time.
Audrey Hyland
February 04, 2017 | Campbelltown, NEW SOUTH WALES
Fond memories of a holiday in Tahiti with Murray & Pat after I left News Ltd. Murray always had a joke for me every day ! The coconut bra was one ! Also memories of Murray doing his triathlon at Forster. He always gave his best ! RIP .
* * * I shed a tear as I announce that our former President, loyal member, Foster Ironman, old mate and nature’s gentleman, Murray Anderson was freed from his physical shell, which although was once a source of pride and enjoyment had become his prison.
Muzza passed away at 8:30pm yesterday 26th January, 2017.
Our deepest condolences go out to Patricia and his extended family.
Barry John O’BRIEN
| 10/08/2017
Barry John O’BRIEN
aka The Mukhtar of Corrimal
Late of ?
New South Wales Police Force
NSW Police Academy – Redfern – “possibly” Class 036
Regd. # 7680
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 4 January 1954 ( 19 years, 7 mths & 27 days old )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 12 January 1969
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 10 March 1977
Stations: ?, Snowy Mountains during the Snowy Mtn Hydro Scheme, O.I.C. – Corrimal ( 1980’s )
Service: From? ? pre January 1954? to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 17 March 1992 ( Sgt )
Police Overseas Service Medal – Clasp CYPRUS – granted 8 July 1992 ( SenCon )
On 14 April 1971: Commended: Det Sgt 3/c W.B.R. Boyd ( # 4708 ), Sgt 3/c B.J. O’BRIEN ( # 7680 ), Det SenCon Gyula KOVACS( # 8615 ), Cst P.R. PIPER( # 13059 ) & Cst H.G. Tunnicliff ( # 13369 ), for courage and initiative displayed in the handling of and dismantling of a skilfully assembled imitation bomb at Corrimal High School on 12 October 1970, after an Army bomb disposal expert refused to touch the device because it was too dangerous to handle. Signed: F. J. Hanson, Commissioner of Police.
Born: Tuesday 8 May 1934
Died on: Saturday 4 November 2006
Age: 72 years, 5 months, 27 days
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Wollongong Memorial Gardens, Berkeley Rd, Berkeley, NSW
I ( Ron Alexander ) worked with Bruce at the North Sydney Highway Patrol (1984 – 1987). In 1985, Bruce and I were selected to participate in the development of a trial (4 day) Anti-Terrorist driving course at the Police Driving School, St. Ives, as the Highway Patrol was used for mobile security details. The powers to be wanted to provide a higher level of protection for visiting Heads of State and NSW Governor.
Bruce was diagnosed with cancer sometime after that and later transferred to Engadine HWP. I understand that Bruce continued to work through his treatment, until he could no longer perform his duties, due to the illness.
When Bruce was on Roster, everyone wanted to work with him.
Bruce had an infectious smile, causing all who saw it to smile back. He was a loyal colleague and his word was his bond.
It was a sad day when he passed. His wife Judith Louise SPADARO only recently passed away, July 2017.
Kind regards,
Ron Alexander
Retd Sgt NSW Police
[divider_dotted]
George Patulla BROWN OAM
| 10/08/2017
George Patulla BROWN OAM
Late of North Richmond
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 7483
Rank: Probationary Constable – “about” January 1953
Sergeant 3rd Class – Retirement
Stations: ?, Braidwood ( Cst 1/c in early 1960’s ), Wee Waa ( SenCon in late 1960’s ), Blacktown – Retirement
Service: From? ? ? to 24 October 1974= 21 years Service
Awards: Medal of the Order of Australia ( OAM ) – granted 26 January 1988 in recognition to service to the community welfare
