‘Warrants’ Mustow as Phil Clay called him. Every time I stuffed up the Warrant Books he quietly fixed them up. Sad news as he was a really nice fella.
‘ Matey Bob ‘:
?
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
‘Is this a joke by my mates?’: The retired detective wrongly accused by NSW police
By Malcolm Brown
HARRY BLACKBURN: 1930–2023
“What is this that is happening?” Harry Blackburn remembers thinking on the day a team of police came to arrest him at his workplace. “Is this a joke by my mates? It’s not my birthday!”
Indeed, it was not his birthday, and it was not a joke. The NSW police were there to arrest the 59-year-old retired detective superintendent and charge him with 25 serious offences, including rape, robbery and kidnapping over a period from 1969 to 1985.
Without the slightest idea of what they were on about, Blackburn found himself paraded in front of the media – the reports with his picture going nationally and even overseas. Without so much as a court appearance, he was branded a serial offender who had hidden for years behind his police badge. Now he was being undone by fearless police, unafraid to deal with their own.
On the day of the arrest – July 24, 1989 – the then Assistant Police Commissioner, Tony Lauer, said: “This operation has demonstrated that the NSW Police Service is more than capable of handling an extensive and highly sensitive inquiry.”
Blackburn found himself in a cell at the NSW Police Centre. Elsewhere, a police officer reportedly said: “We should slip a gun into his cell and let him blow his brains out and save the government a great deal of time and money.”
The prospective prosecution of Harry (“Harry the Hat”) Blackburn did not in fact last long. Following a change in personnel in charge of the case, diligent police officers Detective Inspector Clive Small and Detective Sergeant Ron Shaw reviewed the evidence and realised it was full of holes.
Small, against trenchant opposition from the police hierarchy, recommended the charges be dropped. They were abandoned on October 6 that year, but not before Blackburn’s wife, Lyn, devastated by the turn of events, had suffered a miscarriage.
The resulting royal commission, conducted by Justice Jack Lee, found the investigation and gathering of evidence was so clumsy and slipshod that Harry Blackburn should never have been considered a suspect. “It destroyed his life at the time,” said Clive Steirn SC, who was to represent Blackburn.
Harry James Blackburn was born in Lithgow on April 21, 1930, one of three children of a coal miner, James Blackburn, and Eileen (nee Hovey). He went to school in Lithgow and in 1947, as soon as he had turned 17, he joined the NSW Police Force, taking advantage of the fact the police commissioner was a Catholic, this being a time of reported conflict in the force between Catholics and Masons.
Blackburn began duties as a superintendent’s clerk in Goulburn, then joined the Scientific Investigation Service, where he worked for 19 years, playing rugby union for the Goulburn Waratahs. He married Norma, with whom he had children, Tracy and John. In 1970, he moved to Rockdale as a detective sergeant, followed by postings to Parramatta and Katoomba.
His marriage ended in divorce, and he married Ada. This marriage also ended in divorce. He moved on professionally and went back to police scientific work as an inspector. In 1982 he met Lyn Foster, 22 years his junior, who was a civilian employee in the NSW Police Department.
In 1985, he was promoted to superintendent and put in charge of the Physical Evidence Section, requiring him among other things to handle gun amnesties announced by the government. He was also awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. In 1987 he married Lyn.
But unknown to Blackburn, there were storm clouds gathering. There had been some savage rapes and robberies over the years, the offender usually wearing a mask and sneaking up to couples cuddling up in cars at night in lover’s lane trysts.
The first series had started in October 1969 and continued until August 1970. The second, known as the “Sutherland” series, lasted from August to December 1985. Police had obtained descriptions of one of the assailants. One happened to vaguely represent Blackburn, who then became the subject of covert police attention.
On July 14, 1988, the couple were blessed by a daughter, Holly. Blackburn retired in November that year and went to work with the War Crimes Commission. On July 24, 1989, when Lyn was three months pregnant with their second child, police swooped, and the family’s whole world was turned upside down.
The charges were laid, and Blackburn was granted bail. On August 6, Lyn had her miscarriage. On October 6, he and his wife were informed that all charges had been withdrawn. Blackburn decided not to resume with the War Crimes Commission. “The wind had been knocked out of his sails,” Lyn said.
The royal commission was held under Justice Lee, Chester Porter QC as counsel assisting, and Blackburn being ably represented by Kevin Murray QC, with Steirn as his junior. The deficiencies in the investigation soon came to light.
In December that year, Maureen, wife of Blackburn’s son, John, suffered a miscarriage. The family decided not to tell Harry just then. In April 1990, Blackburn complained that four departmental charges had been laid against him, including such things as misuse of petrol and an incident where he had thrown a jug of water over somebody, Blackburn being known to be occasionally temperamental.
He said the charges were just an attempt to discredit him, and they went nowhere. On June 29, 1990, Justice Lee handed down his report. In July, Blackburn launched proceedings against the NSW government for wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution and defamation, seeking unspecified damages.
His experience had given him a new perspective on justice, how prone the system was to misbehaviour. He was to give evidence that while sitting in his cell at the police centre on July 25, 1989, he had overheard a detective telling a prisoner that if he did not plead guilty to nine charges, he would charge him with another four.
Blackburn with his wife and child retired to Robina on the Gold Coast, and in November 1990 Blackburn got his licence as a private inquiry agent, putting a picture of a hat as his motif on his business card.
His litigation continued, a psychiatrist diagnosing him with “reactive depression”. The position of Inspector-General of the NSW Police Force was created and filled by a Canadian, Don Wilson, whose task was to “clean-up” management of the NSW Police Force, which Justice Lee had described as “lamentable”.
There would never be another bungle like Blackburn, Wilson said. The NSW government settled with Blackburn in November 1991; the agreement ratified in the Supreme Court. Blackburn, with substantial damages in his favour, did do some minor investigate work. Otherwise, he contented himself with golf, normally six days a week, looked after his wife and daughter Holly, and jogged along the beach.
Lyn went back to study and became a child psychologist. Holly did a Bachelor of International Business degree and went to work in the tertiary sector. Harry Blackburn celebrated his 93rd birthday in April, and was in good spirits’, his wife said, but then there was a sudden downturn over the following two weeks.
He died on May 9. He is survived by his widow; his three children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service is to be held on the Gold Coast at a time to be fixed.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – “possibly” Class # 046
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 8455
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 9 July 1956 ( aged 24 years, 7 months, 24 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed ? ? ?
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed 9 July 1967
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Appears in the 1979 ‘Stud Book’ but not the 1987 issue.
Final Rank: = ?
Stations: ?,
Service: From 9 July 1956to? ? C1980s? = ? years, Service
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: Public Service Medal – granted 26 January 2001 ( Mr ) For outstanding public service to the Shoalhaven City 9 NSW ) in the field of development ( Not sure if this Medal was Awarded to ‘our’ Mr. Kenneth Edward MURRAY )
Born: Sunday 15 November 1931
Died on: Sunday 1 January 2023
Age: 91 years, 1 month, 17 day
Organ Donor: No – age prohibitive
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event / Diagnosis date: ?
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
LIVE STREAM?
Memorial Service: to be held on the Gold Coast, Qld, at a time to be fixed.
Wake location: ???
Wake date: ???
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Grave Location: Plot: ? Section: ?
Grave GPS: ?, ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( May 2023 )
KEN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
SYDNEY, Friday. — Two Sydney detectives were bashed and kicked after finding evidence possibly linking four men with Victorian bank robberies, a prosecutor alleged in Sydney’s Central Court today.
Sgt E. Short ( # 4325 ) told the court both officers had received severe facial injuries and one might lose part of an ear.
Before the court were Mr Donald James Marshall, 24, labourer, and Mr Peter John Freeman, 24, labourer, both of Cronulla.
Each was charged with having assaulted Detective Kenneth Edward Murray ( # 8455 ) and Detective William Erickson ( # 11355 ), occasioning them actual bodily harm, at Ashfield yesterday.
They were charged also with having had in their possession two .22 calibre sawn-off rifles and two 12 gauge sawn-off shotguns.
Mr Fowler, SM, remanded them to appear on January 22 and refused bail.
Sergeant Short said it was hoped to proceed with the presentation of evidence by eight witnesses on the next occasion.
Asking Mr Fowler to refuse bail, he said it was alleged that the two defendants and two other men were driving in Ashfield yesterday afternoon. As a result of the driver’s conduct they were followed by two detectives into a motel.
Sergeant Short said that after questioning the men, Detective Murray obtained the car keys and opened the boot.
” We allege he found masks, shotgun ammunition, .22 calibre ammunition and other evidence possibly linking the occupants of the car to recent bank robberies in Victoria”, he said.
Sergeant Short said that while the detectives were questioning the men they were attacked by at least three and possibly four men.
” They were severely beaten and kicked and Detective Murray may lose portion of an ear “, he said. Both officers had received severe facial injuries.
He said Mr Freeman was arrested near the area of the assault and Mr Marshall later at Cronulla.
At Cronulla, police had found firearms which it was alleged had been used in bank robberies in Victoria.
” The two other men not yet arrested have been identified as dangerous escapees from Pentridge Jail “, he said.
Sergeant Short said the two men before the court undoubtedly would be wanted by the Victorian authorities when NSW was finished with them.
Mr Fowler, said it was an appropriate case for the refusal of bail.
SYDNEY, Monday. — Two men were committed for trial today for allegedly attacking two detectives.
Central Court was told that the officers were beaten and kicked after they stopped a car with Victorian number plates containing four men.
Before the court were Mr Peter John Freeman, 24, labourer, and Mr Donald James Marshall, 24, labourer, both of Allison Road, Cronulla.
Each pleaded not guilty to assaulting Detectives Kenneth Edward Murray and William Erickson, occasioning them actual bodily harm on January 11.
Mr W. Ewer. SM. committed both for trial at Darlinghurst Quarter Sessions on March 5 and refused bail.
Detective Sgt Murray said he and Detective Erickson ( # 11355 ) stopped the car at Ashfield and when he inspected the boot he found shotgun ammunition and the sleeve of a woollen jumper with eye holes cut in it, apparently to form a mask.
He asked one of the men about the boot’s contents, and was struck a heavy blow. He saw Detective Erickson grappling with the driver. He went to Detective Erickson‘s assistance, but was attacked from behind.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
There was a Constable P. Miller, attached to Regent St Detectives but I am unsure if this is one in the same person.
Mascot Detectives – 1995 Back L to R: Murray Wilson # 25674[RIP], Terry O’Neill, Ken Yardy, Graham Maranda & Dave Laidlaw # 17809. Front L to R: Mark Braybrook, Peter Miller # 17160 – Chief Of Dets [RIP], Deb O’Reilly, Scott Bingham, Natalie Salter & Peter Whalan.
1996 – Waverley Detectives Office staff. Front Row ( L – R ) ?, Peter MILLER # 17160, ?, ?, ? Rear Row: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 053
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 8615
Uniform # 1111
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 1 April 1957 ( aged 28 years, 2 months, 2 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Monday 29 April 1957 ( aged 28 years, 2 months, 30 days )
Constable – appointed 1 April 1958
Constable 1st Class – appointed 1 April 1963
Detective – appointed 23 October 1963
Senior Constable – appointed 1 April 1968
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 June 1973
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 7 June 1980
Final Rank: = Sergeant 2nd Class
Stations: Bankstown GDs ( 19 Division )( 30 April 1957 – 26 May 1959 ), South Coast District – Wollongong ( 82 Division )( Vice Squad – Probation )( 27 May 1959 – 16 May 1960 ), Wollongong ( Vice Squad – Permanent )( 17 May 1960 – 1 February 1963 ), Wollongong Detectives ( 2 February 1963 – 12 November 1963 ), Pt Kembla Detectives ( 79 Division )( 13 November 1963 – 31 October 1965 ), Wollongong Detectives ( 1 November 1965 – 14 April 1968 ), Pt Kembla Detectives ( 15 April 1968 – 30 April 1970 ), Wollongong Detectives ( 1 May 1970 – 30 July 1973 ), Sutherland ( back to Uniform & GDs )( 24 Division )( 31 July 1973 – 30 March 1974 ), Engadine ( GDs )( 31 March 1974 – 22 November 1975 ), Sutherland ( GDs )( 23 November 1975 – 31 July 1976, Bankstown ( 19 Division )( GDs )( 1 August 1976 – 6 April 1982 )
– Retirement ( due to illness )
Service: From 1 April 1957to 6 April 1982 ( H.O.D. ) = 25 years, 0 months, 5 days Service
Retirement / Leaving age: = 53 years, 2 months, 7 days
Time in Retirement from Police: 41 years, 1 month, 17 days
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system – however:
Commended for his role in the search and arrest of three offenders involved in the shooting of Constable 1/c L. J. BROWNING at Nowra on 23 November 1964. Signed: N.T.W. Allen, Commissioner of Police.
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.
Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal – Awarded on 21 January 1980
Born: Wednesday 30 January 1929 in Magyarhomorog, Hungary
Died on: Friday 23 May 2023
Age: 94 years, 3 months, 23 days
Organ Donor: No – Age prohibitive
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Monday 29 May 2023 @ 1pm
Funeral location: North Chapel, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Camden Valley Way, Leppington, NSW
Liverpool PAC will provide a Guard of Honour at the funeral
LIVE STREAM?
Wake location: ???
Wake date: ???
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Forest Lawn Memorial Park Grounds Camden Valley Way, Leppington, NSW ( FLM 1 Burials )?
On many occasions he attended Liverpool ( 22 Division ) Police Station and other Police Stations, assisting in the interpreting for police who were conducting serious criminal investigations and placing offenders before the Courts.
He worked as a Detective between 1958 and 1972 during his active career.
After retiring, George became an actor starring in about 10 movies such as Phar Lap, Travelling North, Now and Forever, A Street to Die, and others.
He also starred in a number of TV dramas such as A Country Practice, Sons and Daughters, and many others.
George was also the Associate Secretary for the ‘International Police Association’.
During his police career he was Commended for his role in the search and arrest of three offenders involved in the shooting of Constable 1/c L. J. BROWNING at Nowra in November 1964.
He was also Commended, with other police, 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 army disposal experts refused to touch the device because of the dangers. Signed F. J. Hanson, Commissioner of Police.
Source: Joe Stanioch #14194 – Liverpool Police History 1788 – 1988
Service Records:
‘George’ was 5′ 10″ tall, 12st 7 lbs in weight.
He had blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fair complexion at the time of joining ” the job “.
He is a native of Magyarhomorog, Hungary.
He was single at the time but later married on the 26 March 1960.
His previous Callings were: Farm Hand – 3 years, Tractor Driver – 1 year, Factory Worker – 5 years, Labourer – 15 months, Porter with NSWGR ( Government Railway ) – 3.5 years.
‘George’ failed his Constable 1/c qualifications 3 times ( 1959 – 1961 ). He qualified on 26 September 1962.
‘George’ failed his Sgt 3/c qualifications twice ( 1966 – 1967 ) but passed on 17 May 1968.
He failed his Detective qualification once in 1962 but qualified on 22 – 23 October 1963.
He was qualified to drive GD’s cars, Utes ( 14 January 1958 ) & LW trucks under 2 tons ( 2 July 1980 ).
He passed his typing test on 21 March 1958 at 31 wpm.
He was a Competent Interpreter & Translator in Hungarian.
He obtained a mark of 69% at the completion of Training Class 053.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
It is unknown, by this author, if the Det SenCon INKSTER ( 1st on left – Front Row ) is Grahame INKSTER or G. R. INKSTER who was also a Det SenCon.
Newcastle District Detectives:
Back Row ( L – R ) P.C. Cst 1/c WARFIELD, P.C. SenCon GUYATT, Det Sgt 3/c TRACEY, Det Sgt 3/c Merv SQUIRES, Det SenCon SCOTT, Det SenCon MOORE, Det SenCon FLANNERY, Det Sgt 1/c LAMOND
Centre Row: Cst 1/c WILSON P.C. SenCon HOGUE, Det SenCon HODGSON, Det SenCon DALEY, Det Insp SHEATHER, Det SenCon Brian MOONEY, Det Sgt 3/c NEWHAM, Det SenCon DOYLE, Det SenCon CLARK.
Front Row: Det SenCon INKSTER, Det Sgt MURRAY, P.C. SenCst DOUGHAN, Policewoman SenCon Sue BUCKLEE, P.C. SenCst PHILP, Det Sgt 3/c McDONALD, Det SenCon VINCENT.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family.
Loved husband of Gloria (dec).
Wonderful and loved father of Neil & Rob, and Judith & Barry.
Fond brother of Marj.
Sadly missed by all.
Aged 89 Years
Gone fishing, reunited with Gloria.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ernest’s farewell service to be held Friday, 26th May 2023 at 1.30pm in the Chapel of the Coffs Harbour Crematorium, Coramba Road, Karangi.
The below article mentions Cst E. Mercer. It is unknown if it is Ernest Mercer or not.
Policemen chase ‘ flying saucer ‘ over Grafton
SYDNEY, Monday. — Two police constables in a car “chased” a flying saucer which dozens of people sighted over Grafton last night.
The saucer — the second reported in the district in the past week — was in sight for about two hours.
Last week an unidentified flying object was reported from Harwood Island, about 30 miles north-east of Grafton.
Two constables —E. Mercer and P. Woodman — chased last night’s saucer for about two hours before it disappeared to the south of Grafton.
The saucer moved slowly at about 1,500ft above the ground and it changed colour every few minutes. The colour alternated between white and red.
Watched with binoculars
The constables were at Grafton Police Station when a caller told them that an unidentified object was over the city.
When the two sceptical constables went out to look they saw a bright circular disc high in the sky.
Constable Mercer trained binoculars on the object, which “did not seem to have a centre”.
When they returned to the station for a car to follow the object, the police switchboard was jammed with calls from people who reported that they also had sighted the object.
Constables Mercer and Woodman set off by car and followed the object which moved off slowly towards the south of the city.
After about two hours it picked up speed and disappeared.
Constable K. Crossingham, who spoke to the two constables, said: “When we first got this report we were very sceptical. Flying saucers usually are attributed to having had ‘one too many’, but after last night’s experience, it appears there might be something in the report.”
The two police officers will make a report to senior officers in the area.
Police at Lismore also reported seeing the object
last night.
Constable Doug Coughlan said today the object had been seen “five or six times” in the past fortnight.
He saw the object himself last night, with Sgt P. Hobson.
Sgt Hobson had seen it ‘three or four times” before.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
