Gold Coast RPA Newsletter – September 2015, Issue # 16
The life of June Anne HUGHES was commemorated on the 19 August last when she was bid farewell by so many that knew and loved her throughout her lifetime. Father John ECHEWODO, of the St Marys Catholic Church, Beaudesert, officiated at the service in celebration of the life of June Anne Hughes.
Funeral arrangements were most professionally conducted and attended to under the auspices of ‘A Gentle Touch Funerals’ of Mudgeeraba.
A large gathering of family and friends ensured that June received a most splendid farewell. Her husband (our Treasurer Garry Hughes) presented a most solemn and touching eulogy – which was followed by number of family members and other friends who spoke glowingly of a truly endeared person, a fine woman and a wonderful, caring mother.
[divider_dotted]
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location:
[divider_dotted]
With regret I advise the death of June HUGHES, the wife of Garry Hughes, of the Gold Coast Branch of the RPA.
June passed away on 10/08/2015 and her funeral is proposed to be held at 1pm on Wednesday 19th Instant at the Nerang-Beaudesert Catholic Church, Bromelton Road, BEAUDESERT.
Service: From pre 21 December 2001 to Friday 14 August 2015
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: Saturday 12 September 1970
Died on: Friday 14 August 2015 during the morning
Cause: Cancer
Age: 44 years, 11 months, 2 days
Funeral date: Friday 21 August 2015 @ 2pm ( wear blue jeans & AC/DC t-shirt )
Funeral location: St John’s Anglican Church, 98 Kendall St, Cowra
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial 1: NSW Police force Service Memorial Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, A8 ( right wall )
Memorial 2: Police Memorial Wall at the new Deniliquin police station, Charlotte St ( February 2018 )
the Thin Blue Line Rose
JENNIFER is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
I regret to advise the death of Serving member, Senior Constable Jennifer Louise EDGERTON, this morning – Friday 14 August 2015.
EDGERTON Jennifer “Jenny”
Passed away 14th August 2015, aged 44 years.
Late of Cowra & formerly of Moama.
Beloved partner of Klint & loving mother of Connor & Cooper.
Beloved daughter of Ross Edgerton & Lois Camps (Dec) & sister of Suzanne & Daniel (Dec).
Jenny’s family & friends are respectfully invited to attend her funeral to be held at St John’s Anglican Church, Cowra, commencing at 2.00pm on Friday 21st August 2015.
Thence for private cremation.
By request, please attend wearing blue jeans & AC/DC t-shirt, if possible.
2/1/2019, Deniliquin Times.
Eight honoured on police memorial wall’ –
Seven former local police officers and a former police chaplain were honoured during a police reunion in Deniliquin.
They were the first to be added to the police memorial wall at the new Deniliquin police station.
Enjoy car racing with dad and uncle Robert. Reggie Renault was the go.
You chose a job that I chose too.
I left Cowra when you were a child to pursue my dream.
You left many years later to pursue your dream.
Your life was cut short far too early.
I knew you as a princess a small child.
I never saw you in uniform but knowing your parents they were both immensely proud of you.
I speak not only as a former Cowra resident, and we both shared childhoods there, I also speak as a member of which you too belonged the NSW Police Force.. Rest In Peace Jennifer your duty has been done.
I hope you find peace.
I think Cowra has lost a cherished daughter.
My heart goes out to your parents and close relatives that I personally knew.
[alert_blue]LAWRANCE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location:
[divider_dotted]
McNAB Lawrance Birrell (Larry)
Died 1st August 2015
Beloved Husband of Margaret (deceased). Loved Father of Duncan, Jane, Libby and James. Cherished Pop to Lucy, Trudi, Jess, Laura and Justin and Cherished Great Pop to Taylor.
Larry was an old traffic man in his day.
He retired to the Gold Coast Hinterland and formed the Gold Coast Branch of the Retired Police Association about 10 years ago when over 150 members turned up.
[divider_dotted]
Larry left the NSW Police ( unknown date ) and joined the Commonwealth Police Force ( from an unknown date )
In 1968 he was doing a ‘course’ at the Australian Police College on North Head, Manly, NSW, whilst a member of the Commonwealth Police.
[divider_dotted]
Ronald William PARRY
| 17/08/2015
Ronald William PARRY
( late of Wanneroo )
Western Australia Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: ? – Retired
Stations: ?
Service: From ? to ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 7 June 1991
Born: 16 October 1946
Died on: Tuesday 4 August 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 68
Funeral date: Thursday 13 August 2015 @ 11am
Funeral location: West Chapel in Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, Whitfords Ave, Padbury, WA
Buried at: Cremated
[alert_yellow]RONALD is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location:
[divider_dotted]
Ronald William PARRY
Funeral notice
PARRY:
The Funeral for the late Mr Ronald William Parry, retired Police Officer of Wanneroo, will assemble at the West Chapel in Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, Whitfords Ave, Padbury, for a Cremation Service to commence at 11am on THURSDAY (13.08.2015). Please no flowers by request.
Donations to Brain Cancer Research would be much appreciated.
Stations: ?, , St Marys – 23 Division ( mid 1960’s ), Flemington to 3 June 1982
Service: From ? to 3 June 1982 = 31 years Service
Awards: ? ?
Born: 21 February 1930
Died on: Monday 3 August 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 85
Funeral date: Monday 10 August 2015 @ 10.30am
Funeral location: West Chapel, Pinegrove Memorial Park Crematorium, Kington Street, MINCHINBURY
Buried at: Cremated
HILTON JAMES CHARLES HALL Funeral pamphlet
[alert_yellow]HILTON is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location:
[divider_dotted]
With regret I advise the death of Hilton James Charles HALL, 85 old, former Regd. No. 6751, not an RPA member of St Marys.
Hilton passed away on 03/08/2015 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 10.30am on Monday 10th Instant at the West Chapel, Pinegrove Memorial Park Crematorium, Kington Street, MINCHINBURY.
[divider_dotted]
Marie LENTON
| 17/08/2015
Marie LENTON – wife of Robert Lenton
New South Wales Police Force
Rank: Police Wife
Stations: ?, M. O. Unit – Parramatta
Service: From ? to 9 May 2015
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: Saturday 9 May 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 80
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
[divider_dotted]
I have been advised, on 4 August 2015, of the death of Marie LENTON, 80 old, the wife of Robert Lenton, an Unattached Veteran Member of the RPA.
Marie passed away on 09/05/2015 and her funeral has been held.
[divider_dotted]
Sergeant Lenton worked his last years at the M. O. Unit, Parramatta, around the 1980’s – 1990’s
[divider_dotted]
Gregory George BROWN
| 17/08/2015
Gregory George BROWN
( late of Newport Island Road, Port Macquarie )
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 4106
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 9 April 1934
Cadet # 51
Rank: Chief Superintendent 2nd Class – retired
Stations: ?, Wollongong
Service: From 9 April 1934 to 29 June 1975 = 41+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: Friday 31 July 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 98
Funeral date: Tuesday 4 August 2015 @ 2pm
Funeral location: St Agnes Catholic Church, 47 Hay Street, Port Macquarie
Buried at: cremated
the Thin Blue Line Rose
[alert_blue]GREGORY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location:
[divider_dotted]
With sincere regret I advise the death of Gregory George BROWN, 98 old, former Regd. No. 4106, a Veteran Member and the former Chairman of the Mid North Coast Branch of the RPA.
Greg passed away today, 31/07/2015, and his funeral is to be held at 2pm on Tuesday 4th August next at St Agnes Catholic Church, 47 Hay Street, PORT MACQUARIE.
[divider_dotted]
BROWN, Gregory George (Greg)
Passed away peacefully on July 31st, 2015, late of Newport Island Road, Port Macquarie.
Dearly beloved husband of Grace (dec) and Marie (dec). A loving father and father-in-law of Marilyn and Shelton, Michael and Silva, Greg and Gail, Dianne and Bill, Christine and Peter and Anthony (dec). Loved stepfather of Marla. A loving and adored grandfather and great grandfather to their families.
Aged 98 years
A Rite of Christian Burial for GREG’S Life will be celebrated in St Agnes Catholic Church, Hay Street, Port Macquarie on Tuesday, August 4th, 2015 commencing at 2:00pm.
At conclusion of service a private cremation will follow.
The N.S.W. Police Golf Club is the oldest sporting body within the N.S.W. Police Force, having been formed in 1932 by the then Commissioner Mr. Walter Henry Childs. It is also the oldest Social Golf Club in Australia.
Mr. Childs, a keen golfer, had applied for and been refused membership of the exclusive Royal Sydney Golf Club, due to his background, having risen through the ranks. Somewhat miffed by this refusal, Mr. Childs set about forming the N.S.W. Police Social Golf Club. He sought permission to play on various Sydney courses and the club was formed.
A constitution was drawn up and the first committee elected. Competition fees were small and the trophies in those days were generally a few golf balls.
The first club championships were held that year, consisting of 36 holes qualifying with 16 qualifiers playing off under match play conditions. Mr. Childs donated a cup known as the W.H. Childs Cup for the leading qualifier and a gold medal for the eventual champion. This first championship was won by Constable Cecil Coupland. The same conditions for the club championship still apply, except that B and C grade championships have been added, and the medal has been replaced by club blazers.
The first years of the clubs history were depression years and its development was slow and almost ceased to exist during the war years. After the war, activity within the club resumed, golfing equipment was readily available again and competitions were held at St. Michaels, Moore Park and other public clubs. Sponsorship was introduced and proved a great success as it also provided the opportunity for these sponsors to join the Police in competing on the finest courses available in Sydney. The Club attracted to its ranks some notable and exceptional Police golfers, perhaps the most outstanding being Vic Bulgin, who represented Australia in the Eisenhower Cup.
Many other fine golfers including Fred Miller, Reg Dunn, Harvey Wilson, Jack Newton snr. and Mark Wilson – all champions of their own various clubs – were all regular members of the Police Golf Club. More recently Peter Read, Mike Edgtton and Stuart McDiamid have also been members. Harvey Wilson and Peter Read have both won the world left-handers championship.
In 1956 the Olympics were held in Melbourne and a member of the N.S.W. Police Consorting Squad was required to perform duty there. He was Steve Duff, a keen golfer, who returned with a glowing account of the Victorian golf courses and information concerning the newly formed Victorian Police Golf Club.
The Captain of the N.S.W. Police Golf Club Ray Blissett approached the Commissioner Mr. Colin Delaney, also a keen golfer and foundation member of the N.S.W. Police Golf Club with the idea of a competition between the two states. Suitable arrangements were made and in March 1957Ray Blissett took a field of 24 golfers and a few supporters to Melbourne. In 2009 we managed to locate another member who was also a foundation member, retired Chief Superintendent, Gregory George BROWN, now 92yrs of age and residing at Port Macquarie.
So was born the Australian Police Golf Championships which have expanded to include all states and territories of Australia. These championships are held annually, generally in March over a week and are hosted on a rotational basis by the individual states and territories.
In 2010 Coffs Harbour will be the host venue. Such is the popularity of these events that in excess of 250 golfers compete each year and restrictions have to be placed on entries. The original concept of formulating friendships and camaraderie between the Police Forces has been maintained and is actively supported by the various Commissioners and state government Ministers, with these persons regularly being present at opening and closing ceremonies. Such is the prestige of this event that major corporations provide sponsorship to assist in the conduct of the event which involves great organization and expenditure.
In 1982 the N.S.W. Police Golf Club celebrated its golden anniversary with a week of golf, organized along similar lines to the Australian Police Golf Championships.
Since those early days the Police Golf Club has grown and despite ever increasing costs of participating on the best courses, maintains its attraction by providing the opportunity for Police officers and their guests to play some of the finest and most exclusive courses in Sydney, such as The Lakes, Monash, Killara, Pymble, New South Wales. Bonnie Doon, Long Reef and many more. A generous bequest by the late Inspector Steve Engel, added to by his widow, provides trophies for a perpetual Steve Engel Trophy over three days during the year and attracts large fields.
The club participates once each fortnight, on either a Tuesday or a Thursday, with new members always welcome. The average field is about 45 and average cost of green and competition fees is $55. Any serving or retired member of the N.S.W. Police Force may join and visitors are also welcome and compete in the competitions.
We currently have over 600 register players consisting of current serving members, retired members, and NSW Ambulance and Corrective Services and civilians.
The Hon. JENNIFER GARDINER: I direct my question to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Will the Minister inform the House about the NSW Police Force 150th anniversary celebrations on the mid North Coast?
The Hon. MICHAEL GALLACHER: Every region and every area of the NSW Police Force has a history that deserves to be told. In May 2012 the mid North Coast and Manning-Great Lakes local area commands joined forces to celebrate the role that they have played over the past 150 years of policing in New South Wales. The member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams—what an outstanding local member—spoke during the ceremony and thanked the men and women of the NSW Police Force for their enduring dedication to upholding the law and keep the people of this State safe. I think we all agree about that. The ceremony was also attended by the Commander of Northern Region, Assistant Commissioner Carlene York; Commander of Manning-Great Lakes Local Area Command, Superintendent Paul Fehon; Commander of Mid North Coast Local Area Command, Commander Superintendent Peter Thurtell; and Port Macquarie Hastings Administrator, Neil Porter. They all expressed how privileged they felt to be a part of policing history and how impressed they were with the community response. Current and retired police officers marched on 17 May and represented the contributions of police officers both past and present over the past 150 years of policing with a “Sea of Blue March” along Horton Street to Port Macquarie Town Green. The marching contingent included 70 officers, 30 members of the police band and 30 retired officers from the area led by the very proud 96-year-old retired Chief Superintendent Greg Brown. In the parade, the Banner Party and the Marching and Capability Contingents represented the various police groups that were brought together as one police force under the proclamation of 1862. We had police representatives from the highway patrol, operational foot police and the Marine Area Command Water Police, who demonstrated their skills in an operational display later in the day at Lady Nelson Wharf. Also later in the day there was a fly-over by the PolAir 4 helicopter and participants were joined by Police Launch Fearless. Each of these pieces of equipment demonstrates the modern resources in the hands of the NSW Police Force. A display by the EyeWatch project team also showed how the NSW Police Force is using social networking to assist communities in new and exciting ways. The celebrations at the Port Macquarie Town Green were an acknowledgement by the Mid North Coast and Manning/Great Lakes local area commands and the State Government of the service provided and sacrifices made by the northern region and its members to the people and institutions of New South Wales. It is important to note that police officers wear their uniforms with pride and it is not often that members of the public get to experience the pride that police feel. This was an event not only for police, both retired and active, to show off their uniforms and skills but also for the public to convey their thanks for a job well done. This event was a terrific way to showcase this community feeling and I look forward to the continuing celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the NSW Police Force. I have some more good news for the House. I know members are interested in her progress so I am proud to announce that yet another officer graduated into the ranks of the NSW Police Force. Police dog Angel has completed her eight-week training course and is now a fully qualified drug detector. The Hon. Duncan Gay: Did they have a lockup in The Greens’ office while she was in training?
The Hon. MICHAEL GALLACHER: They have a sit-in on the days she is out and about. I understand that her initial training was difficult because, like her namesake, she had problems going to the left. Very much like her namesake, she also bit all the other members in her training group. Of course, if the trainers held anything green in front of her there was trouble. It is amazing how human personalities are often played out in these— [Time expired.]
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 1 October 1952
Cadet # 1032
Rank: Sergeant 2nd Class
Stations: ?, STP North Sydney – ( early 1970’s ), 21 Division – 1974 / 78 ( Special Squad ), Manly
Service: From 1 October 1952 to 21 February 1986 = 33+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: Tuesday 28 July 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 79
Funeral date: Friday 31 July 2015 @ 10am
Funeral location: St Michael’s Catholic Church, 12 Sproule Street, NELSON BAY
Buried at: ?
Police Cadet Ronald Douglas DOBSON – 1952
Senior Constable Ron Dobson, third from the left. Taken at Bathurst in the early sixties.
[alert_yellow]RONALD is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location:
[divider_dotted]
Ronald Douglas DOBSON, 79 old, former Regd. No. 8051, an Unattached Member of the RPA of Nelson Bay.
Ron passed away on 28/07/2015 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 10am on Friday 31st Instant at St Michael’s Catholic Church, 12 Sproule Street, NELSON BAY.
[divider_dotted]
William Arthur HARRIS
| 17/08/2015
William Arthur HARRIS
( late of Allawah )
aka Jack
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 4222
Rank: Detective Sergeant 1st Class
Stations: ?, C.I.B. Sydney, Redfern, Mascot
Service: From ? to 19 October 1970 = 32 years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ? October 1915
Died on: Sunday 26 July 2015
Cause: ?
Age: 99
Funeral date: Friday 31 July 2015 @ 10.30am
Funeral location: West Chapel, Woronora Cemetery, 121 Linden Street, SUTHERLAND
Buried at: ?
Bill Harris
Bill Harris
[alert_blue]JACK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
Father and Father-in-law of Bill and Lynne, Leonard, Melissa and Peter (dec). Grandfather of Jillian and Billy, Grandpa Jack of Grace, James, Benjamin and Hunter.
Aged 99 Years
A happy and long life
Relatives and friends of JACK are kindly invited to attend his Funeral Service, to be held within the West Chapel of the Woronora Crematorium, Linden Street Sutherland Friday 31/7/2015 commencing at 10:30am.
Please meet at the chapel.
Southern Cross Funeral Directors
ALL SUBURBS
PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN
9529 6644 9521 4422
.
Thursday, 30 July 2015
Deepest condolences to Bills family . Bill was adored by all our staff and will be sadly missed by all at City Tatts . A beautiful man who lived such a full life and now rests in peace x
~
Krissy Jones,
Sydney, New South Wales
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Our deepest sympathy to all who were family and those touched by Jack’s presence. He was a legend within the Policeandthe Entertainment industry. God Bless.
~
Barry Gobbe,
Sydney, New South Wales
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on July 29, 2015
The Sydney Morning Herald Friday 5 February 1954 page 17 of 34
Dope Case Hearing Near End
Preliminary hearing of doping conspiracy charges against four men will conclude before Mr. T. Doolan, S.M., in Central Court of Petty Sessions to-day.
The men are Reginald Aubrey Doyle, 42, who is serving a 10-year gaol sentence for forgery, fraud and theft; Jack Sharpe, plumber and former stablehand, of Park Avenue, Ashfield; Ronald Edward Irwin, 42, stud groom, of Scone; and Gordon Ray, 37, horse trainer, of Croydon Avenue, Croydon Park.
They are charged with conspiring between January 1 and April 6, 1952, to defraud bookmakers and members of the Wyong District Agricultural Association Turf Club by administering a drug to the horse Buccaneer to improve its performance.
Mr. Doolan heard the last of evidence yesterday. To-day he will hear addresses by counsel for Ray, Sharpe and Irwin, and by Doyle.
Detective William Arthur Harris, of the C.I.B., Sydney, said that information which had led to police interviewing Ronald Irwin at Scone last year had come from Harold O’Dwyer.
[ Earlier evidence was given that O’Dwyer was a racehorse trainer with stables in Avoca Street, Randwick. ]
INTERVIEW
Detective Harris said that he had been present when Detective-sergeant Frank Lynch had interviewed Irwin at Scone.
To Mr. J. Lee, for Irwin, he said that he went to see Irwin over disclosures about the racehorse Tarien. He said he had not interviewed Doyle before this time.
Nor had he read statements in newspapers to the effect that Buccaneer had been doped.
He had suspicions at the time that Doyle was implicated in the doping of race-horses, but they had not led him and other police to Irwin.
Mr. Lee: Are you willing to tell the Court why you interviewed Irwin before you interviewed other defendants in the case?
Mr. J. O’Brien, for the Crown: I object to that question. I know the source of that information, but it is not wished that it be disclosed.
Mr. Doolan: He may answer the question.
Harris said he was not willing to disclose the identity of the man who had given the information unless directed to do so.
Pressed by Mr. Lee, he said it was a man interested in the racing game.
Mr. Lee: Has that man given evidence here at the inquiry?
Harris: Yes.
S.M.’s VIEW
Mr. Lee then asked the name of the witness. Mr. Doolan said: “He has given evidence here. I can’t see why the name shouldn’t be disclosed.”
Mr. O’Brien said: “It’s the usual procedure that the name of a man who has given information confidentially is never disclosed. It may have been mere hearsay.”
Mr. Doolan ruled against him, and Mr. Lee asked: “Will you tell the name of the witness?”
Patty MaceyThe Daily Telegraph did a feature piece on Bill in the past few days! As well as being a very fine detective he was also a very well known and accomplished acrobat! Not to mention a capped Rugby player! RIP good man, your time has come to join your brothers and sisters in arms!
[divider_dotted]
The Daily Telegraph
Bill Harris, former detective, acrobat and rugby representative, shares stories of his luminary past
Dave Meddows
The Daily Telegraph
May 22, 201512:00AM
BILL Harris is just months away from his 100th birthday but the retired detective’s memory is sharper than that of men half his age — and it holds amazing tales you’d be forgiven for thinking were closer to fiction than fact.
Skills as acrobat led to recognition on television and with colleagues
Entertained senior police with spontaneous demonstration on table
Led taskforce that investigated gruesome murders of ‘The Mutilator’
Still gets birthday calls from NSW’s most senior policeman
BILL Harris is just months away from his 100th birthday but the retired detective’s memory is sharper than that of men half his age — and it holds amazing tales you’d be forgiven for thinking were closer to fiction than fact.
The 99-year-old was one of the state’s first drug squad detectives and the man entrusted with tracking down The Mutilator, one of Australia’s first known serial killers.
But when he wasn’t fighting crime on the streets of Sydney, Harris was moonlighting as an internationally renowned acrobat and was a first grade rugby union player who was selected to play for Australia.
Bill Harris was an investigator on the case of serial killer William MacDonald, who died this month. Picture: Richard Dobson
Bill Harris, 99, at his Allawah home with his photos of his acrobat days. Picture: Mark Evans
The young cop would head to Bondi Beach to practise hand balancing, something that was apparently a “thing” at the famous beach in the 1940s.
It was there that his talents were recognised by a professional acrobat who suggested he team up with Thelma Harris.
The pair would go on to tour the country with their death-defying acrobatics and even appeared on an early edition of The Graham Kennedy Show.
But his talents almost got him booted from the police force. Ironically it was those same skills that saved him.
[blockquote]With a footballer’s build and the strength of a top athlete, Harris was sometimes called on for some tough tasks.[/blockquote]
After taking a number of weeks off to tour with the Tivoli Circuit, a hugely popular group of roving entertainers, Harris was hauled in front of the Commissioner of Police.
“I’m standing in front of the Commissioner and he’s tearing strips off me,” Harris said. “He said: ‘You young fellas, there’s a book of rules and you just ignore them’.”
His boss who was also in the room urged the Commissioner to take a look at the young constable’s talents and he reluctantly agreed.
“So up I go and jump on his table and do a handstand on his table,” he said.
As Harris continued to perform, the stunned Commissioner picked up the phone.
Harris’ prowess helped him as a policeman.
Bill Harris as an acrobat (in the middle).
He appeared on television as an acrobat
Harris holds his son on Bondi beach.
“He got all the superintendents and all the bosses and they came in (to watch),” Harris recalled with a laugh.
After more than a decade in the drug squad, the then-detective was one day transferred out of the unit and across town to Redfern.
“All of a sudden I was transferred and nobody could tell me why. The superintendent said, ‘You are transferred as of now’ and I said ‘Can I ask why?’ and he said ‘No, you can’t’.”
It was more than 10 years later when Harris got a call from the boss of the unit he had been kicked out of.
That man, who Harris didn’t want to name, came clean with the real motive behind the transfer.
“He said: ‘I was jealous of you and your success and I told the superintendent you were on the take’.”
Harris was stunned.
“It was wrong. I was as clean as a whistle,” he said. “I was found guilty without a chance to talk.”
But he refused to take the man to task and moved on with his career.
“The next thing I had anything to do with him was at his funeral,” Harris said.
However, the move to Redfern led him to head up investigations into one of the most gruesome mysteries of that era — the Mutilator case, which he remembers well.
Harris investigated crimes committed by murderer William McDonald, known as The Mutilator, who died at 90 this month.
William McDonald murdered his first victim, Amos Hurst, in Brisbane in 1961 before he terrorised the streets of Sydney, killing four more men he had plied with alcohol before butchering them and cutting off their genitals.
“Not many people know this but that first penis — the only one we recovered — had a tattoo on it,” he said. “It read: All for a night of love.”
Harris led the task force that investigated the murders but was on leave when McDonald was finally caught in Melbourne in 1963.
“My face hit the dashboard and I had hundreds of pieces of glass over my face and one in the pupil of my left eye.”
While Harris is often referred to as one of the country’s first serial killers, Harris said they just didn’t think like that back then.
“No, we never thought about a serial killer then,” he said. “It was just one of those things that happened.”
Harris didn’t have the chance to speak with McDonald in the years after his imprisonment and had been organising to finally interview him at Long Bay jail this year when he heard the news The Mutilator had died.
With a footballer’s build and the strength of a top athlete, Harris was sometimes called on for some tough tasks.
In 1944, Roy Kable, a 32-year-old married father, killed his wife, Irene, with an axe in front of their children and neighbours in Newtown.
This accident forced Bill Harris out of the police, leaving him needing facial surgery.
When the time came for Kable’s trial, prosecutors believed the killer would lose it when the bloodied axe was presented as evidence.
Harris was called in and told he would be handcuffed to the accused in the dock during the trial.
When the time came for the axe to be shown to the court, Harris — standing alongside Kable with their hands joined in cuffs — prepared for the worst.
But what actually happened left him gobsmacked.
“He turned around to me and said: ‘She was a bloody nagger, what else could I do?’ and that was it!” Harris recounts.
“I couldn’t say anything. I was staggered.”
After a distinguished career, Harrisretired from the police force after an accident in a police car left him seriously injured.
“I’ve had two facial reconstructions because when I was in the car, we hit a fence and a pole came through and hit my ear,” he said.
“My face hit the dashboard and I had hundreds of pieces of glass over my face and one in the pupil of my left eye.”
It was the end of one amazing chapter of his life but Harris has remained a big part of NSW Police since and meets regularly with detectives past and present.
He is particularly fond of current Commissioner Andrew Scipione, who calls him on each of his birthdays and visited him at home after a recent accident.
Harris will be honoured by fellow detectives in October when they come together and celebrate his 100th birthday just a few months early.
“It’s what I’m really looking forward to.” ( Sadly, those celebrations did not happen )
Harris stands next to a marijuana plant grown by the drug squad in an effort to better prosecute against its use.
Bill Harris looks back on memories at his Allawah home.
Spritely Old Bill Harris, NSW oldest detective, never misses a beat
Mark Morri Crime Editor
The Daily Telegraph
June 27, 201112:00AM
Sydney’s oldest retired detective 95 year old Bill Harris. Pic. Nic Gibson – 2011
AMONG the azaleas and roses at the Botanic Gardens grew one of the finest marijuana crops Sydney had ever seen – nurtured by the NSW drug squad with seeds supplied by the FBI.
It is just one of the amazing stories NSW’s oldest living detective – who joined the force in 1938 – has to share.
It was the 1940s and NSW police were incredibly naive about narcotics and drug use.
“We lost our first prosecution for possession of cannabis on a technicality,” retired detective Bill Harris, now 95, said. “The scientists said they needed to grow and test live samples so we wrote to the FBI. A couple of weeks later a package arrived with enough seeds to grow a large crop – which we planted in the Botanic Gardens. They grew pretty well too.”
Despite his age and being retired 40 years, he still inspires and mentors police.
An international acrobat and the oldest surviving NRL first-grade and second-oldest Waratahs rugby player, Bill’s first passion was the police.
He still attends functions as NSW drug squad patron.
“The force is probably as good as it has ever been since I can remember,” he said.
Every day at 8.30am, Bill can be found at City Tattersalls Club – where he has been a member for 50 years – recounting his time catching crooks, playing football or performing with wife Thel as acrobatic duo The Marvettes.
When he was appointed to the drug squad it brought the number in the squad to two.
“Drugs were not a big deal back then. They put me in the drug squad because I had worked in a chemist when I was 14,” he said, smiling.
“Me and Eric Baker. That was the entire drug squad.”
He also recounts how in the ’40s he spotted a car tearing up Pitt St: “We took off after him and finally caught him up around Central.
“He started going off at us, saying, ‘Don’t you know who I am!’. I didn’t and I dragged him down to Central booking and charged him with drive in a manner dangerous.
“That was the first charge ever laid against Lennie McPherson,” Bill adds with a touch of pride. At the time McPherson, unbeknownst to Bill, was the No.1 suspect in the robbery of a payroll at Cockatoo Island the day before. As with most of Bill’s stories there is a sequel.
One night performing his acrobatic show on stage at the Paris Theatre in George St, he peeked out to see the crowd.
“The entire front row was taken up with the commissioner, deputy and other senior police. In the back row was Lennie McPherson and all the crooks in town.” Bill will feature in a book being written by Patrick Lindsay for the NSW Police Force commemorating 150 years of the force. Police have asked anyone with photos or stories to contact www.flickr.com/photos/60610599@N04/
