( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: M. J. Ford Funerals, 79 Euroka St, Walgett, NSW
Four gentlemen, ACLO’s Buddy Parsons (dec 2015), Les Doole and Trever Demmery with Chief Inspector Roger David Smith (Rtd).
Djo. It’s
OK.
@djo_aus
VALE : Leslie Raymond Doole, 78 yrs of Brewarrina. A NSW Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer for many years in that community. Les was a big man with a big heart & worked tirelessly in his role to improve outcomes for his community.
Police loved & respected Les for his compassion, big heart, common sense & ability to teach young Police of the history, challenges, difficulties & risks to Aboriginal communities, & the ‘art’ of Policing & serving in Aboriginal Communities.
Djo. It’s
OK.
@djo_aus
·
As a consequence of Les’ long service & role he played in that community, he was viewed in awe by Police Commissioners. Innumerable members of his community, young & old, were the benefactors of positive outcomes after interaction with Police.
Djo. It’s
OK.
@djo_aus
·
Importantly, the positive outcomes facilitated by Les in his role, often led to many life journeys by young Aboriginals, fulfilling their potential & dreams. Les, R.I.P., & be assured you made an amazing difference for your community, particularly the young.
Djo. It’s
OK.
@djo_aus
·
You also made a significant contribution to NSW Police & the 100’s of young officers you nurtured, educated & worked side by side with. You were an amazing man, an amazing Aboriginal leader & will not be forgotten.
Djo. It’s
OK.
@djo_aus
·
There are many who could & need to learn from you, even now Les, perhaps, EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY NOW ! #Austpol
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.
Cal
Robert John BUSBRIDGE
11/05/2021
Robert John BUSBRIDGE
AKA BUZZA
Late of ?
Brother to Jim Walker, NSWPF # ?????
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 110
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 12419
Service: From 20 February 1967 to? ? ? = 20+? years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 20 February 1967 ( aged 19 years, 2 months, 1 day )
Probationary Constable- appointed 3 April 1967 ( aged 19 years, 3 months, 15 days )
Constable – appointed 3 April 1968
Constable 1st Class – appointed 3 April 1972
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed 3 April 1976
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 January 1983 ( appears in the 1985 Stud Book but not the 1988 issue )
Prior to joining the NSWPF, Robert was “possibly” employed by the Department of Customs and Excise and a Clerical Assistant, Grade 1, Fourth Division in February 1965.
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.
Cal
9 May 2021
Barry Clyde NELSON
11/05/2021
Barry Clyde NELSON OAM
AKA PUNCHY, PORTLY
Late of Punchbowl, NSW
Brother to Bill ( Mumbles ) NELSON, NSWPF # 11376
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – “Possibly“ Class # 072
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 8911
Service: From “probably” Monday, 7 October 1957 to? ? 1989? = 32? years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on “probably” Monday, 7 October 1957 ( aged 25 years, 9 months, 11 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed 25 November 1957 ( aged 25 years, 10 months, 30 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed 25 November 1963
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed 1 July 1968 ( appointed 4 months early? )
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 4 February 1974
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 31 March 1983
Inspector – appointed 17 December 1986 ( 1988 Stud Book but doesn’t appear in 1989 issue )
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Inspector
Stations: ?, Armed Holdup Squad ( early 1970s ), Burwood ( Det Sgt 1981 )( 9 Division ), ?
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted – No Find on Australian Honours system
Medal of the Order of Australia ( OAM ) – Granted 10 June 2002 ( to Mr. Barry Clyde NELSON of Punchbowl, NSW, for Service to Rugby League football, particularly through the Bulldogs League Club. )
Police Protocol have arranged Police presence at the funeral and request that Unsworn Members attending should wear suitable day dress with full-size medals and lapel badge insignia of any long service awards held.
any Future Wake location: ??? TBA
any Future Wake date: ??? TBA
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: Stan Crapp Funerals, Kiama, NSW
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( May 2021 )
BARRY 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.
Dearly loved father and father in law of Kerrie and Steve, Craig, and Scott.
Cherished Pop of Daniel, Matthew, David, Joel, Georgia, Oliver and
Great Pop to his great grandchildren.
Barry will be sadly missed by his loving family and many dear friends.
Aged 89 Years Forever in our Hearts
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Barry’s funeral service to be held at The Pavilion, Kiama Showground, Bong Bong Street Kiama on Wednesday, 12 May 2021 at 11:30 am.
Former Canterbury player and Club President Barry Nelson has passed away.
Barry joined Canterbury in 1950 as a second rower.
In 1950, Barry was a regular member of the third grade team before securing a regular reserve grade spot in 1951.
Barry played for Wollongong in 1952 before returning to Canterbury in 1953.
In 1954, Barry started the season playing first grade and became a regular member of the team. In 1955, Barry began the season in the second row but by the end of the season had progressed to the front row.
In 1956, Barry played for Gilgandra before returning to Canterbury in 1958 to play reserve grade.
In 1959, Barry secured a regular spot in first grade and in 1960, played one game for NSW in which he suffered a broken jaw.
Missing most of the 1960 season, Barry missed the semi-final series. After having his 1961 season cut short by injury, Barry joined Newtown in 1962 and 1963 to play 33 games.
Barry played one more season with Wollongong in 1964 before retiring.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Nelson was club president of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
He and secretary Peter Moore, oversaw a very successful 1980s, yielding 4 premierships and as a stable committee, oversaw the Bulldogs success into the 1990s.
He was club president from 1982-2002.
He is a Life Member of the Club and in 2004, he was nominated for the Berries to Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions.
Nelson was a long standing member of the police force during his playing career.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 29 August 1986 (No.136), page 4180
APPOINTMENT
Parole Board of New South Wales.
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has, pursuant to the provisions of the Probation and Parole Act 1983, approved the appointment of Detective Sergeant First Class Barry Clyde Nelson as an acting member of the Parole Board from 11th to 29th August, 1986.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 19 September 1986 (No.146), page 4581
APPOINTMENTS.
Parole Board of New South Wales
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has, pursuant to the provisions of the Probation and Parole Act 1983, approved the appointment of Sergeant First Class Barry Clyde Nelson as an acting member of the Parole Board from 30th August to 30th September, 1986.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 17 October 1986 (No.165), page 5084
Parole Board of New South Wales.
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council has, pursuant to the provisions of the Probation and Parole Act 1983, approved the appointment of Sergeant First Class Barry Clyde Nelson as an acting member of the Parole Board from 1st October to 30th November, 1986.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 12 December 1986 (No.192), page 6086
Parole Board of New South Wales.
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council has, pursuant to the provisions of the Probation and Parole Act 1983, approved the appointment of Detective Inspector Barry Clyde Nelson, as a member of the Parole Board for a period of three years from 1st December, 1986.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 2 January 1987 (No.2), page 14
NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE FORCE
Commissioned Officer Appointments
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the undermentioned Commissioned Officer appointments, effective from the dates indicated:
……
Inspector, Liaison Officer, Parole Board, Criminal Investigation
Branch
Detective Sergeant First Class Barry Clyde Nelson, date of entry
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.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( April 2021 )
JOHN 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.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 21 April 1972 (No.42), page 1374
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the following appointments:
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing District preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Holbrook.— Senior Constable John Edward Dowsett, stationed at Holbrook, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 2nd Class William Kevin Heyman, from 13th February, 1972.
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.
Cal
25 April 2021
Frederick Keith WHITTON
11/05/2021
Frederick Keith WHITTON
AKA ?
Late of Fairfield, NSW
” possibly ” related to M.E. WHITTON, NSWPF # 16157 ?
W.K. WHITTON, NSWPF # 23970 ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 101A
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 11266
Service: From Monday 2 November 1964 to 7 A pril 1994 ( Optional Retirement ) = 29 years, 5 months, 5 days Service
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 2 November 1964 ( aged 25 years, 6 months, 26 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed Friday 4 December 1964 ( aged 25 years, 7 months, 27 days )
Constable – appointed 2 November 1965
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed 2 November 1973
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 December 1980
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 3 June 1987 ( Seniority date = 24 December 1986 )
Final Rank = Sergeant 2nd Class – Optional Retirement
Stations: ?, Mounted Unit – Redfern Police Academy?, Green Valley – Call Box ( 22 Division )( 1971 – 1985 ), Liverpool ( 22 Division ), ?, City of Sydney – Optional Retirement
Retirement / Leaving age: = 55 years, 0 months, 0 days
Time in Retirement from Police: 27 years, 8 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 2 March 1981 ( SenCon )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 7 October 1991 ( SenCon )
Commendation for Good Team work and tenacity during a high speed chase in the Liverpool area resulting in the arrest of an offender charged with robbery whilst armed in July 1969.
Commended with Inspector 1/c Alfred ‘Tom’ RANGOTT, SenCon L. HUNTINGTON, Cst 1/c B. BANISTER, Cst F. K. WHITTON & ProCst G. WHITE.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( April 2021 )
From Stephen Reeves 20 April 2021 The funeral of Bulls Life Member, Player and Coach Sgt 2nd Class Fred Whitton was very well attended this morning. Family, friends, colleagues and Macarthur Bulls gathered at the Chapel. Such was the large crowd many had to sit outside as all paid their respects to Mrs Joyce Whitton and their daughter Robyn. Mourners travelled from far and wide to be there. Fred enjoyed a good life. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who worked hard within the community as a dedicated Police Officer. Local Police formed a guard of honour as his family entered the Chapel. I was given the privilege to say a few words on behalf of Freds Colleagues and the Macarthur Bulls. I read from a letter written by Bulls Life Member Alan Stephens who was unable to attend due to a severe chest infection. I also spoke about Fred’s positive influence on many young officers who worked under his supervision. I recorded the names of those who could not make it to the ceremony. Afterwards we met at Freds former watering hole for refreshments and a bite to eat. I am sure stories about the life and times of Frederick Keith Whitton will ring out late into the night. RIP our brother.
FRED 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.
Thank you Rod Sheraton for passing on my message. As you know I have been chatting with Freds wife Joyce.
Fred won the Best and Fairest with the Bulls in the early years.
Sadly both of his sons Warwick and Perry passed away many years ago.
His daughter Robyn has been a rock in their family.
Fred joined the Cops as a Mounted Police Officer at the Redfern Academy before being transferred to GDs at 22 Division, settling in at Green Valley.
He was a keen fisherman and loved taking mates outside on his boat.
I remember in the 70s we went fishing down south. We saw a buoy and I pulled up a trap that felt like it was full of cement. I finally got it on board and it contained the biggest lobster known to man.
We made a deal that he would have Joyce cook it and we would share the bounty.
Not long after this we went to Fred’s for Robyns 21st birthday. I asked about the lobster he said he would go inside and get it.
I was looking forward to a good feed.
Well he came back with the bleached shell!! and said it was the best lobster he had ever eaten.
At least I had the chance to see its red shell.
Yes it was a great 21st with all the Valley boys present. We drank the place dry.
I think I played a game with Fred in 1972. Tough man.
Plenty of good times with Fred and the boys at the Valley when there were 7 of us stationed there just across from the Valley Pub..
God bless you mate.
RIP.
Wok.
PS If anyone had Roger Fords, Neil Foremans or Errol Montefiores details please let them know.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( April 2021 )
ADRIAN 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.
A CONSULTANT company, now known as Halliburton KBR Pty Ltd was commissioned by Shoalhaven City Council in June 2001 to examine options for a Bomaderry/North Nowra link road.
The initial study in 1995 examined five options, two of which were east of the existing West Cambewarra Road, and one utilising the existing West Cambewarra Road alignment.
That study found the West Cambewarra options would not measurably ease the traffic on Illaroo Road.
Councillor Jane Bange has been lobbying for council to develop the existing road reserve, or adopt an option which would be west of the existing West Cambewarra Road.
The main stumbling block against using the existing road reserve, is that the RTA has indicated it would not approve another road feeding into the roundabout at Glendon Motors.
The current study is on hold, waiting for traffic modelling in connection with council’s Nowra/Bomaderry structure plan to be completed.
Bolong road overpass
WHILE the debate raged over where a link should be established between Bomaderry and North Nowra, a traffic policeman came up with a scheme in 1999 to relieve traffic congestion at the Shoalhaven River bridge.
Sergeant Adrian Danslow‘s idea involved an overpass link between Bolong Road and Illaroo Road.
“This would allow the complete removal of traffic lights at the Princes Highway and Illaroo Road intersection, and alleviate the constant stopping and queuing problem” he said.
“Such a construction would mean all pylon supports would be on dry land and not on the river bed, reducing the cost.
However, Shoalhaven City Council’s city services manager, Barry Russell said the suggestion would not solve the problem of increased traffic on Illaroo Road.
“The original link road was aimed at reducing traffic at the Illaroo Road/Princes Highway intersection, and along Illaroo Road,” he said.
Third River crossing
SHOALHAVEN City Mayor Greg Watson believes the RTA should urgently look at constructing a third crossing of the Shoalhaven River.
“The plans the RTA have at the moment are for a complete bypass of Nowra, and that’s 40 years away, and you would be looking at spending $60 to $100 million,” Cr Watson said.
“And a bypass of the town would not solve the traffic problems in North Nowra.
“What we need to be looking at is a bridge to the west of the new bridge.
“That way the two pavements could be merged, and it would be easy to dedicate two lanes to Illaroo Road traffic, removing it from the highway traffic.
“That way you could remove the traffic lights at Illaroo Road.
“The existing bridges carry 46,000 vehicles a day, and capacity is fast running out.
“I wouldn’t suggest placing the additional bridge to the east of the existing structures.
“The acquisition cost of land in the area would be horrendous.”
Illaroo Road’s 15,300 cars a day
STATISTICALLY speaking, Illaroo Road has been carrying far in excess of the recommended traffic load for a residential street.
At last count, in June this year, 15,300 cars used the road every day.
According to the studies done by Mitchell McCotter back in 1995, by 2011 Illaroo Road is expected to be carrying 25,573 vehicles a day.
Again, according to Mitchell McCotter, this figure would only be reduced by about 5000 vehicles a day if any of the West Cambewarra Road options are adopted.
However, an estimate of accidents per million vehicle kilometres in 2011 shows that the West Cambewarra Road options would significantly reduce accident rates from 10.6 if no link is established down to 7.86.
Back in 1995, it was estimated that the West Cambewarra Road options would cost from $5.8 million to $7.7 million, whereas the Shoalhaven City Council preferred route, Narang Road to Pitt Street, North Nowra, would have cost from $4.8 to $7.7 million.
Former local police officers (from left) Bob Williamson, Ron Akhurst, Adrian Danslow and Steve Jones catch up during Retired Police Officers Day.
Former Shoalhaven police and now retired officers at the local Retired Police Officers Day with Shoalhaven Local Area Command Acting Superintendent Joe Thone (far right) Ron Akhurst, Nev Whalan, Bob Groensten, Jack Thoroughgood, John Rudd, Bryant Smith, Ron Cox, Mick Rigg, Jayne Hewitt, Doug McLeod, Adrian Danslow, Bob Hutchison, Steve Jones, Bob Williamson and John Crockett.
September 8 2017 – 1:54PM
Retired Police Officers Day honours those who have served
Robert Crawford
Shoalhaven Local Area Command Acting Superintendent Joe Thone has paid credit to former officers on Retired Police Officers Day, saying they had set the platform for the future.
Retired officers from across the Shoalhaven were honoured on Thursday as part of the special event.
Fifteen former officers took part in the day, designed to acknowledge and recognise the efforts of former officers.
It is important we recognise the great work each of you have done for our organisation and the contribution and service to the people of NSW, Acting Superintendent Thone said.
We honour your contribution and sacrifice and ongoing legacy of our retired NSW Police officers.
Policing is a dangerous profession, and the risk taken by all our officers as they serve the community daily comes with inherent danger.
Some of our fellow officers have unfortunately paid the ultimate price with significant injury and loss of life.
This loss is a reminder of the sacrifice of all of our officers, both sworn and unsworn.
You set the platform for the future.
Shoalhaven Local Area Command Acting Superintendent Joe Thone.
Acting Superintendent Thone said it didn’t matter what duties officers performed, they had all contributed to making NSW police one of the most progressive and modern law enforcement agencies in the world.
That connection will never leave you, he said. We that remain, and those whom are beginning their police careers are honoured to continue
Family and friends are invited to the celebration of Graeme’s life with a service to be held Tuesday, December 17, 2019, in the Rose Chapel, 22 Toonburra St, commencing at 11am.
In Lieu of flowers donations to the Heart Foundation would be appreciated (envelopes at the service).
Aged 84 Years.
Late of South Kolan, passed away at home December 11, 2019.
Adored Husband to Beverley, loved Father to Larry and Janelle, loving Father in law to John and Grandfather to Tara, Isaac, Lyndall and Sam and Great Grandfather to Quinlan, Casper, Arlen and Ariel.
“Sadly missed”
Posted by:
John Hams
Posted on:
December 16, 2019
Graeme, it was great working with you at Dubbo, in my role as the communications technical officer. The big search around Goodooga comes to mind. It heightened my existing respect for you, your decision making, your concern for the welfare of other police in the search and especially your devilish sense of humour. RIP, mate. John Hams Retired Inspector Registered number 14022
Promotions for constables at Goulburn, Nowra and Tumut were announced yesterday by the NSW Police Commissioner, Mr Allan.
Constables J. B. Goof( # ???? – by 1968 he does not appear in the Stud Book ) and P. J. Madden( # 9294 )( Goulburn ), A. Shaw( # 9326 )( Nowra ) and G. C. Rooskov( # 9293 )( Tumut ), all become Constables First Class.
SYDNEY, Thursday. — Central Criminal Court was told today that a youth had killed his mother by shooting her through the back of her head for no apparent reason.
Robert George McAlister, 17, of Blowering Road, Tumut, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The Crown accepted the plea to the lesser charge.
Detective Sergeant G. C. Rooskov, of Tumut, said McAlister had gone to the Tumut Police Station at 1pm on August 7 last year and said he had shot his mother. Sergeant Rooskov said McAlister, then 16, had shown no emotion while telling his story.
McAlister had said that after he had dug up a rabbit burrow, his mother had told him to return the spade to his aunt. As she was walking away he had shot her through the head.
Sergeant Rooskov said McAlister was a member of the Young Anglicans Fellowship, a member of a tight-knit and happy family, and an average student.
Mr Justice O’Brien remanded McAlister for sentence.
Graeme was a thoroughly decent human being and a friend to all that knew him.
On the day before his passing, he held the esteemed and usual job of being Father Christmas, at our retired police end of year party in Hervey Bay.
As it happened, we had a bit of time up our sleeve before lunch, so he was asked to give a talk on his career and family.
It was one that he spoke fondly of, and justifiably proud of. The next day he sadly passed.
RIP Graeme.
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.
In loving Memory Of Our Parents Michael R Hennessy Died 21st March 1930 and Catherine Hennessy Died 9th March 1942 Also Mary Weslan Died 3rd May 1923 Also Mary Hennessy Died 2nd March 1906
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
MICHAEL 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.
William Kline alias McGrath, charged in company with inflicting grievous bodily harm on Michael R. Hennessy, has been arrested by Senior-constable Young and Constables Spencer and Hennessy, Sydney Police.
Committed for trial at Quarter Sessions.
Further charged in company with Arthur Turner with assaulting Constable James C. Farley.
Sentenced to three months and Turner to two months gaol.
Constable Michael R. Hennessy was proceeded against at the Central Summons Court on an information alleging that, on the 10th Inst., he, without lawful excuse, entered the enclosed lands of Charlie Young, 58 Campbell-street, without the consent of the occupier, Charlie Young, or of the person in charge, Ah Chong. Defendant pleaded not guilty.
Mr. J. J. Carroll ( Messrs. Crick and Carroll ) appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Mant ( Crown Law Office ) for the defence. Charlie Young, a Chinese, who spoke English fluently, said he lived at 58 Campbell-street, and was a commission agent for market gardeners. He was the owner of the premises. He did not give the defendant permission to enter the premises on the 10th Inst. On that day witness went out at about five minutes to 1, leaving Ah Chong in charge, and returned about ten minutes later. Ah Chong then “told him something, ” and witness laid the information. Cross-examined, witness said that he used to sell pak-a-pu tickets, but had not done so since the passage of the new Act. There were a lot of pak-u-pu tickets under the counter, but witness did not use them. There was a result of an old pak-a-pu drawing on the wall when the police entered the premises. Defendant had not cautioned witness about selling pak-a-pu tickets. Ah Chong, a cook, stated through an interpreter that when the defendant entered witness was standing at the end of the counter. Defendant opened a drawer, | took out some papers, and tore them up, and said ” These are old pak-a-pu tickets. ” Defendant said that he went to the premises on special duty in connection with pak-a-pu shops. The
place was open to the public, and he believed he had a right to enter. Witness had been there before and no objection had been made to his entering. On entering witness said to Ah Chong, ” I see you are playing pak-a-pu. I saw a white man leaving the shop. ” There were pak-a-pu tickets on the counter, and Ah Chong, on seeing witness, tried to put them into a drawer. Witness said ” You had better tear them up. They are pak-a-pu tickets, ” and Ah Chong said ” All li, me tearem up,” and did so. There was also pak-a-pu results posted on the wall, and Ah Chong tore these. witness destroyed nothing in the shop. The complainant, called in reply, said that certain tickets produced were torn up by the defendant. The backs of these tickets were used by witness for making business memoranda. . At this stage it was agreed that the evidence in this case should be taken as evidence in a case wherein the defendant was proceeded against by Charlie Young on a charge of having maliciously damaged, to the extent of £4 10s certain personal property of the complainant, namely, several sheets of paper containing memoranda of accounts and business transactions. Charlie Young, re-called, gave particulars of certain items written on the backs of tire tickets. He did not give instructions to Ah Chong or anyone else to tear up valuables belonging to him. Evidence was given for the defence by Senior constable Orr and Constable McGannon.
Michael HENNESSY Snr was part of the contingent that were transferred to Broken Hiss during the Miner’s Strike in 1910.
Forbes Advocate (NSW : 1911 – 1954),
Friday 9 April 1937, page 1
GROWN WITNESS DENIES POLICE EVIDENCE
Assault and Robbery Charge CONFLICTING STATEMENTS IN MATTER OF DRINKS
THERE was an excessive conflict of evidence presented to the Police Magistrate, Mr. M. J. Ryan, at the Forbes Petty Sessions on Tuesday when an assault and robbery case was heard. The defendant was one, John Clement Hay, aged 21, who was charged with the assault and robbery of his friend, Thomas Henry Roberts, in a lavatory in the backyard of the Club House Hotel, Forbes, on the afternoon of Saturday, March 20. Hay pleaded not guilty to the charge. At the conclusion of the Crown case, Mr. Meillon, who appeared for Hay, submitted to the P.M. that no case had been made out against his client, and asked that he be discharged. Mr. Ryan maintained that a prima facie case of assault had been submitted by the police, and amended the charge to one of common assault. Later he convicted Hay and imposed a fine of £2, with £4/11/8 costs.
Mr. R. Meillon appeared for the defendant, and the Crown case was in | the hands of Inspector D. O’Connell.
CROWN CASE
John Keith McLean, constable of police stationed at Forbes, stated that at about 3.30 o’clock on the afternoon of March 20, as a result of something he was told, he proceeded to Johnson Street, Forbes, accompanied by Constable Reeves. He saw the accused, Hay sitting in a motor lorry in front of his home. He told the defendant he wanted to see him. Hay got out of the lorry and walked a few yards away. He then informed defendant that he was making enquiries concerning a man named Roberts, who said he had been assaulted and robbed by him in the backyard of the Club House Hotel that afternoon. Roberts claimed that he had been relieved of £2/10/ from the fob pocket of his trousers. In reply the defendant denied that he had either assaulted or robbed Roberts. Continuing, the witness stated that he asked Hay if he had seen Roberts that afternoon, and the former replied that he had seen Roberts that morning when they had had a few drinks together, later going to Hay’s home for dinner. Asked if he would go to the Police Station and see Roberts, the defendant said he would. They did so, and on being confronted with Hay, Roberts said, “That is the man who assaulted and robbed me this afternoon.” The defendant made no reply. Prior to going to the Police Station, said McLean, he had asked the defendant if he had gone to the Club House Hotel that afternoon, and if he had gone into the lavatory with Roberts. Hay said he had done so and that they had had a bit of an argument concerning some money Roberts owed a man named Gage. They were alone in the lavatory, Hay told him. After Hay arrived at the Police Station he was warned in the usual way and asked if he wished to make a statement, which he did ( produced ).
SHOWED SIGNS OF DRINK
At the time of his arrest, said witness, Hay showed definite signs of having had strong drink, but was not drunk. The trousers he was wearing bore stains which appeared to be blood. His underpants were similarly marked and there was blood on his left hand. Hay said he could not account for the stains. The trousers and shirt worn by Roberts were also stained with what appeared to be blood. The four articles of clothing were removed from both Roberts and Hay and taken to Sydney for analysis by Constable Hennessy. A certificate had been returned stating that the stains were made by human blood. Cross-questioned by Mr. Meillon, witness stated he first saw Roberts at the Police Station about 2.45. He came to the station alone and was not under arrest. He would not say that Roberts was drunk. He was not bleeding at the time he came to the station, but had a bruise and a scratch about half an inch long under the left eye. In his opinion the cut could account for the blood on his clothes. Further questioned by Mr. Meillon, McLean said he had made certain enquiries about Hay before he saw him in the lorry. The latter informed him that he was told the police were looking for him and he had gone home. Hay had definitely been drinking. In reply to a question by Inspector O’Connell, witness stated that defendant had no money in his pockets when arrested. Leslie Reeves, police constable, deposed that about 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, from something he was told, he accompanied a man named Roberts to the Police Station. Accompanied by Constable McLean, he later proceeded to Johnson Street and saw a man named Hay sitting in a motor lorry in front of his residence. McLean told Hay they were making enquiries concerning a man named Roberts who alleged that he (Hay) had assaulted and robbed him of 50/ that afternoon in the backyard of the Club House Hotel. Defendant denied the allegations. Witness then corroborated the evidence of Constable McLean regarding the conversation that took place with Hay. He, too, was of the opinion that the defendant had been drinking, but was not in what could be termed; a drunken state. In reply to questions by Mr. Meillon, Reeves stated he had first seen Roberts in Templar Street. He was not bleeding at the time, but there was blood on his nose and eye and his shirt was wet with blood. There were no marks on his face except the cut near the left eye. He did not tell Roberts he looked as if he had been fighting and had better come to the Police Station. Roberts did not have a coat and appeared as if he had been fighting. He did not arrest Roberts, but asked him to go to the station with him. Constable Michael R. Hennessy gave formal evidence of having taken the clothing removed from Hay and Roberts to Sydney for analysis.
INFORMANT’S STORY
Thomas Henry Roberts, a laborer, living at Sheriff Street, Forbes, stated he was a relief worker. On March 20 he went to the Town Hall to collect his pay (£3/0/2). He met Hay and William Gage there and after getting their pay the three of them went to the P.O. Hotel, where they had three which he owed him. Gage then left them and he accepted an invitation from Hay to go to his place for dinner. Hay had a bottle of whisky at his home and they had a couple of drinks from it. After dinner, Hay and he went to Jack Hanley’s place. Hanley was not at home, and they talked to Mrs. Hanley. Later, they went down the town and to the Club House Hotel, where they both proceeded to the lavatory in the back yard. While standing in the lavatory, continued Roberts, Hay punched him on the nose and mouth, and he was knocked against the wall. He put up his hands to protect his face when he felt something tugging at his trousers. He said, “Benny, what is the matter with you?” Hay did not reply. He then walked out of the lavatory to the back of the hotel, where the proprietor gave him rag and water to wash his face. In reply to questions by Inspector O’Connell, witness said he noticed his trousers were torn at the fob pocket. He had had 50/ in notes in the pocket. He did not see the defendant after leaving the lavatory. Later he walked into Templar Street, where he met Constable Reeves. He had a conversation with the constable and went to the Police Station. He made a statement to the police. The shirt produced was the one he was wearing at the time of the assault. There was 50/ in notes in the fob pocket of his trousers when he went into the Club House Hotel. He and the defendant were alone in the lavatory. To the PM., Roberts said that he and Hay had had four beers and two whiskies during the day. Cross-questioned by Mr. Meillon, Roberts stated that he and Hay had known each other practically all their lives. They had gone to school together and had always been on very friendly terms. He had only shouted once in the P.O. Hotel and had spent 1/6 there. He had no silver in his pocket when he went to the Police Station. He should have had 3/6 In silver, but did not know what had happened to it. Neither Hay or himself had had any drinks at the Club House. When he and Hay went to Hanley’s Mrs. Hanley did not tell them they were too drunk to go down the town.
GROWN WITNESS DENIES POLICE EVIDENCE
Assault and Robbery Charge CONFLICTING STATEMENTS IN MATTER OF DRINKS
THERE was an excessive conflict of evidence presented to the Police Magistrate, Mr. M. J. Ryan, at the Forbes Petty Sessions on Tuesday when an assault and robbery case was heard. The defendant was one, John Clement Hay, aged 21, who was charged with the assault and robbery of his friend,
Thomas Henry Roberts, in a lavatory in the backyard of the Club House Hotel, Forbes, on the afternoon of Saturday, March 20. Hay pleaded not guilty to the charge. At the conclusion of the Crown case, Mr. Meillon, who appeared for Hay, submitted to the P.M. that no case had been made out against his client, and asked that he be discharged. Mr. Ryan maintained that a prima facie case of assault had been submitted by the police, and amended the charge to one of common assault. Later he convicted Hay and imposed a fine of £2, with £4/11/8 costs.
Mr. R. Meillon appeared for the defendant, and the Crown case was in | the hands of Inspector D. O’Connell. CROWN CASE John Keith McLean, constable of police stationed at Forbes, stated that at about 3.30 o’clock on the afternoon of March 20, as a result of something he was told, he proceeded to Johnson Street, Forbes, accompanied by Constable Reeves. He saw the accused, Hay sitting in a motor lorry in front of his home. He told the defendant
he wanted to see him. Hay got out of the lorry and walked a few yards away. He then informed defendant that he was making enquiries concerning a man named Roberts, who said he had been assaulted and robbed by him in the backyard of the Club House Hotel that afternoon. Roberts claimed that he had been relieved of £2/10/ from the fob pocket of his trousers. In reply the defendant denied that he had either assaulted or robbed Roberts. Continuing, the witness stated that he asked Hay if he had seen Roberts that afternoon, and the former replied that he had seen Roberts that morning when they had had a few drinks together, later going to Hay’s home for dinner. Asked if he would go to the Police Station and see Roberts, the defendant said he would. They did so, and on being confronted
with Hay, Roberts said, “That is the man who assaulted and robbed me this afternoon.” The defendant made no reply. Prior to going to the Police Station, said McLean, he had asked the defendant if he had gone to the Club House Hotel that afternoon, and if he had gone into the lavatory with Roberts. Hay said he had done so and that they had had a bit of an argument concerning some money Roberts owed a man named Gage. They were alone in the lavatory, Hay told him. After Hay arrived at the Police Station he was warned in the usual way and asked if he wished to make a statement, which he did ( produced ). SHOWED SIGNS OF DRINK At the time of his arrest, said witness, Hay showed definite signs of having had strong drink, but was not drunk. The trousers he was wearing bore stains which appeared to be blood. His underpants were similarly marked and there was blood on his left hand. Hay said he could not account for the stains. The trousers and shirt worn by Roberts were also stained with what appeared to be blood. The four articles of clothing were removed from both Roberts and Hay and taken to Sydney for analysis by Constable Hennessy. A certificate had been returned stating that the stains were made by human blood. Cross-questioned by Mr. Meillon, witness stated he first saw Roberts at the Police Station about 2.45. He came to the station alone and was not under arrest. He would not say that Roberts was drunk. He was not bleeding at the time he came to the station, but had a bruise and a scratch about half an inch long under the left eye. In his opinion the cut could account for the blood on his clothes. Further questioned by Mr. Meillon, McLean said he had made certain
enquiries about Hay before he saw him in the lorry. The latter informed him that he was told the police were looking for him and he had gone home. Hay had definitely been drinking. In reply to a question by Inspector O’Connell, witness stated that defendant had no money in his pockets when arrested. Leslie Reeves, police constable, deposed that about 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, from something he was told, he accompanied a man named Roberts to the Police Station. Accompanied by Constable McLean, he later proceeded to Johnson Street and saw a man named Hay sitting in a motor lorry in front of his residence. McLean told Hay they were making enquiries concerning a man named Roberts who alleged that he (Hay) had assaulted and robbed him of 50/ that afternoon in
the backyard of the Club House Hotel. Defendant denied the allegations. Witness then corroborated the evidence of Constable McLean regarding the conversation that took place with Hay. He, too, was of the opinion that the defendant had been drinking, but was not in what could be termed; a drunken state. In reply to questions by Mr. Meillon, Reeves stated he had first seen Roberts in Templar Street. He was not bleeding at the time, but there was
blood on his nose and eye and his shirt was wet with blood. There were no marks on his face except the cut near the left eye. He did not tell Roberts he looked as if he had been fighting and had better come to the Police Station. Roberts did not have a coat and appeared as if he had been fighting. He did not arrest Roberts, but asked him to go to the station with him. Constable Michael R. Hennessy gave formal evidence of having taken the clothing removed from Hay and Roberts to Sydney for analysis. INFORMANT’S STORY Thomas Henry Roberts, a laborer, living at Sheriff Street, Forbes, stated he was a relief worker. On March 20 he went to the Town Hall to collect his pay (£3/0/2). He met Hay and William Gage there and after getting their pay the three of them went to the P.O. Hotel, where they had three
which he owed him. Gage then left them and he accepted an invitation from Hay to go to his place for dinner. Hay had a bottle of whisky at his home and they had a couple of drinks from it. After dinner, Hay and he went to Jack Hanley’s place. Hanley was not at home, and they talked to Mrs. Hanley. Later, they went down the town and to the Club House Hotel, where they both proceeded to the lavatory in the back yard. While standing in the lavatory, continued Roberts, Hay punched him on the nose and mouth, and he was knocked against the wall. He put up his hands to protect his face when he felt something tugging at his trousers. He said, “Benny, what is the matter with you?” Hay did not reply. He then walked out of the lavatory to the back of the hotel, where the proprietor gave him rag and water to wash his face. In reply to questions by Inspector O’Connell, witness said he noticed his trousers were torn at the fob pocket. He had had 50/ in notes in the pocket. He did not see the defendant after leaving the lavatory. Later he walked into Templar Street, where he met Constable Reeves. He had a conversation with the constable and went to the Police Station. He made a statement to the police. The shirt produced was the one he was wearing at the time of the assault. There was 50/ in notes in the fob pocket of his trousers when he went into the Club House Hotel. He and the defendant were alone in the lavatory. To the PM., Roberts said that he and Hay had had four beers and two whiskies during the day. Cross-questioned by Mr. Meillon, Roberts stated that he and Hay had known each other practically all their lives. They had gone to school together
and had always been on very friendly terms. He had only shouted once in the P.O. Hotel and had spent 1/6 there. He had no silver in his pocket when he went to the Police Station. He should have had 3/6 In silver, but did not know what had happened to it. Neither Hay or himself had had any drinks at the Club House. When he and Hay went to Hanley’s Mrs. Hanley did not tell them they were too drunk to go down the town.
ASSAULT AND ROBBERY CASE
NO STRUGGLE
Questioned about the assault, Roberts said he did not have an argument with Hay, and he did not tell the police there had been an argument about money. When Hay hit him he made no attempt to resist; he was too dazed. His mouth was cut on the inside, his nose was cut and there was a bruise above his right ear. Blood came from his mouth and nose. There was no struggling between he and Hay. About two minutes after leaving the lavatory he noticed the pocket was torn and the money gone. ‘He did not search the ground or go and look in the lavatory for it. He did not look for Hay. Continuing, Roberts informed Mr. Meillon that he was on his way home when he met Constable Reeves. He had no intention of laying a charge against Hay. Reeves asked him what was the matter and he told him what had happened. He never saw Hay at the Police Station and did not say to the police, “That is the man who assaulted and robbed me.” He was not drunk and had never had an argument with Hay in his life. He could not account for the attack. The last he saw of the 50/ was when he put it in his pocket at the P.O. Hotel. To the P.M., Roberts said he did not see Hay at the Police Station. Mr. Meillon then submitted to the Magistrate that there was no case to answer, and asked him to discharge the information. Throughout the case for the prosecution there had been a great conflict of evidence. Roberts was a very reliable witness. The police said Roberts was not drunk and that he had accused Hay of the assault and robbery when he saw him at the station. Roberts had denied that he ever saw Hay at the station. If Roberts’ evidence was reliable, then the police evidence was not, or vice versa. The P.M. said he was satisfied that an assault had been committed, but there was no evidence to show that robbery had taken place. He would amend the charge to one of common assault.
DEFENDANT IN BOX
John Clement Hay, laborer, a married man, said he had lived all his life in Forbes, and had known Roberts since their school days. He had always been friendly with him and they worked together. They had never had any arguments. He then corroborated the evidence given by Roberts up to the stage when they returned to the Club House Hotel. Here, Hay said, they had had some drink, he did not know how much, but it was more than one. It was not correct that they did not have drinks there. From the bar the two of them went to the lavatory and were there for some time, as he was pretty drunk. They had some hot words and a fight ensued. He did not know who started it, but they got into holts. He did not take any money from Roberts and had no intention of doing so. After the fight he went out the back gate and down to the Royal Hotel, where a chap named Turner came in and told him the police were looking for him and were up at his place. He went home in a motor lorry, and just after he got there the police arrived. He went to the station with them and did not see Roberts. It was not correct that he heard Roberts accuse him of assault and robbery. He had an idea the argument with Roberts was about fighting, he was not sure.
NOT “KING HITTER”
In reply to Inspector O’Connell, witness said on March 20 he had had a good number of drinks and was pretty “full.” When he and Roberts first went to the lavatory he did not see any blood on the latter, but there was some after the fight. He was not very good with his hands, and was not known in Forbes as “The King Hitter.” There were no marks of fight on him the morning after the fight. He could not remember how many drinks they had had at the Club House Hotel, but all the money he had (5/) was gone. Pearl Thelma Hay, wife of the defendant, supported the evidence of Roberts and Hay with regard to their going to her home for dinner. While there, she said, they consumed a little over half a bottle of whisky. Her husband gave her £2/13/ when he arrived home, and she gave him 5/ when he left home after dinner. When the two men arrived at the house they were under the influence of drink, and on leaving were decidedly drunk. They were quite friendly. Her husband had given her no more money. Alice Jane Hanley gave evidence to the effect that the two men went to her home on the afternoon of March 20. They were both drunk and she advised them to go home and have a sleep. Neither of the pair could walk straight. That concluded the evidence, and in his address, Mr. Meillon pointed out to the P.M. the improbability of the bloodstains on Hay’s clothes unless there had been a struggle and the men got into holts, which Roberts denied that they did. It was therefore safe to assume, continued Mr. Meillon, that Hay’s story was correct, and that while under the influence of drink the men had had a brawl, and during the struggle Roberts’ pocket got torn and the money lost. It was also probable, said the solicitor, that when Roberts met the police he was fearful of being arrested and concocted the story to save himself. The whole affair was shadowed in doubt, and his client was entitled to the benefit of that doubt. Mr. Ryan, however, thought otherwise, and convicted the defendant. He imposed a fine of £2.
UNFAIR COSTS
When Inspector O’Connell asked for £4/11/6 costs, Mr. Meillon strongly objected. He said it was grossly unfair to his client that a policeman was sent to Sydney to take the clothes for examination. They could have been sent by registered post for a shilling or two. It was most unnecessary. The P.M. explained that the first charge preferred, that of assault and robbery, was a serious one, and the police had to take all precautions with regard to the exhibits. The costs asked for were allowed, and three months were granted the defendant in which to pay.
HENNESSY.— The friends of Mrs CATHERINE HENNESSY of Verona, 46 Corunna road Stanmore, and Mr. and Mrs. J. BENHAM, Mr MICHAEL HENNESSY and Misses MARY, TESS and KITTYHENNESSY are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved HUSBAND and FATHER Michael Richard Hennessy ( retired Sergeant Police ) to leave St Michael’s Church Stanmore THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON at 2.30 for Rookwood Cemetery by road Motor Funeral
W. N. BULL
Funeral Director
HENNESSY. – The friends of Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAM HENNESSY, Mr and Mrs. JOHN HENNESSY, Mr and Mrs JAMES HENNESSY and FAMILIES, Mr and Mrs J HORON and Mr PATRICK HENNESSY are kindly invited to attend the funeral of their beloved BROTHER and UNCLE Michael Richard Hennessy to leave St Michael’s Church, Stanmore, THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON at 2.30 for Rookwood Cemetery
W N BULL,
Funeral Director.
HENNESSY. – The Friends of Mr and Mrs. JAMES WESLAN, Mr and Mrs MICHAEL WESLAN, Mr and Mrs WILLIAM WESLAN and FAMILIES are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved BROTHER IN LAW and UNCLE Michael Richard Hennessy to leave St Michael’s Church, Stanmore THIS SATURDAY at 2.30 for Rookwood Cemetery.
W. N. BULL
Funeral Director.
HENNESSY – The Friends of Mrs. ELLEN STAUNTON and FAMILY are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved NEPHEW and COUSIN, Michael Richard Hennessy to leave St. Michael’s Church Stanmore THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON at 2.30 for Rookwood Cemetery
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.
Time in Retirement from Police: 32 years, 7 months, 25 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 21 August 1989 ( Former Chief Insp. )
Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal – granted
Commendations: 1/ Commended for his role in the search for Kevin John SIMMONS & Leslie Allen NEWCOMBE who escaped from Long Bay Gaol in October 1959.
2/ Commended for his role in the search under arduous conditions for William LITTLE, who was wanted for the murder of Sergeant 3/c C. E. HOWE ( # 8663 ) and Reginald HUNTER.
3/ Commended for his leadership, courage and devotion to duty at Bombala on the 25th and 26th May, 1978, when he took control of a Police operation designed to obtain the surrender of Wayne WHITE who was armed with a rifle and was defying all attempts to capture him. During this operation Constable 1/c L.T.D. BODDY ( # 14387 ) & M.W. CASEY ( # 15288 ) were wounded by shots fired by the offender, who eventually surrendered to Police.
Born: Sunday 4 June 1933
Died on: Monday 1 March 2021
Age: 87 years, 8 months, 25 days
Cause: ?
Event location: Karinya Palliative Care Unit, Berry, NSW
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Thursday 11 March 2021 @ 11am
Funeral location: The Chapel, Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens, Worrigee Road, Worrigee, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
Eric EDGECOMBE with Sgt Sean PHILLIPS outside of Nowra Police Stn – 22 July 2020 INSPIRATION: Retiring Sergeant Sean Phillips with his first “boss”, former Chief Inspector Eric Edgecombe, who worked together in Cootamundra in 1987.
ERIC 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.
My first memories are of living in Bombala across the road from Eric and Marie.
Like Anthony, I too remember milking the cow ( Clarabel ).
A lovely, ornery old thing that would repeatedly kick the bucket over.
As a very small child however, I also remember being allowed to ride her around the paddock.
Eric (as well as Marie) was a constant and reassuring presence in my early years.
Gruff, cheeky, but with a heart of gold, I would usually find him tending to the garden (when I wasn’t in the kitchen trying to cadge baked goods from Marie).
I’d like to think those early years of being outside with him have helped fuel my enjoyment of getting out into the garden now. I’m fairly sure he was responsible for my entire family’s obsession with Backgammon, a game that always comes out whenever we get together. He was fiendishly good at it though. I always revelled in those rare occasions where I managed to take a game from him. I also like to think he was at least partly responsible for my love of old soul, jazz and blues music. Nina Simone was a particular favourite if I remember correctly.
Eric was always a strong and steady presence in our lives when we were growing up. He was like a grandfather to my siblings and I, at a time when we lived a long way from our actual grandparents.
Thanks for all the great times, strange pastimes I’ve picked up, and enduring life lessons.
I remember Eric very well, having worked with him as a young Constable at Bombala.
He introduced me to milking his cow whilst he was away, he told me it was a police cow and milking it was part of my duties, ha ha. I loved it so much I have never been near a cow since, I can’t recall how many times the #$+** thing kicked me.
He also introduced me to his bees, I recall driving out to their location with Eric one day and him telling me it was all good as they wouldn’t attack, several bees stings later I hid in the car. Needless to say I stay away from them as well.
He was a strict Sergeant with no middle ground, however he was a fair man, as I recall.
As a young Constable on my own in a new town I was often invited to join Eric, Marie and family at their home for a roast dinner.
Bombala was surrounded by many gravel roads in those days and accidents were common place, I know he and Marie offered accommodations to many a stranded traveller following a vehicle accident.
That was how they were and that is how I found Eric strict, but loyal and a concerned member of his community.
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.
Cal
2 March 2021
John Kevin BOURKE
11/05/2021
John Kevin BOURKE APM
AKA ?
Late of Crescent Head, NSW & Cedar Place Aged Care, Kempsey, NSW
NSW Police Training College – Penrith Class # 039
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 6837
Service: From 4 September 1950 to18 February 1989 = 38 years, 5 months, 14 days Service
Rank: Commenced Training as Trainee at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 4 September 1950
Probationary Constable- appointed 23 October 1950 ( aged 21 years, 8 months, 3 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 July 1967
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 1 May 1974
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 1 December 1977
Inspector – appointed 6 November 1982
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Inspector
Competed in the Commonwealth Games – Wrestling, Diving 10mtr Platform ( 1950 )( 5th position ), Water Polo – Mens – ( 1950 )( Gold )
Stations: ?, Traffic Branch – Redfern, Darlinghurst, North Sydney, Katoomba, CIB – North Sydney, Penrith Training College, Redfern Police Academy – Training Detectives & Cadets, Internal Affairs ( Secondment ), Senior NCO – Taree, Police Academy – Goulburn – Retirement
Retirement / Leaving age: = 59 years, 11 months, 29 days
Time in Retirement from Police: 31 years, 11 months, 29 days
Awards: Police Service & Good Conduct Medal – granted 7 November 1974
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ROBERT B WALKER FUNERALS Kempsey,
South West Rocks & Districts
Ph 6562 4329
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2021 )
JOHN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Constable John BOURKE NSW Police Motor cycle BG-723
Inspector John BOURKE – Goulburn Police Academy
BOURKE, John Kevin
JOHN KEVIN BOURKE APM
Passed away 16th February 2021
Aged 91 years
Late of Crescent Head.
Beloved husband of Lorna.
Loving father and father in law of Robert and Lee, Glenn, Michael (deceased).
Adored Pop of Daniel, Kate, Scott, Hannah, Misheal and to his
great grandchildren Nate and Isobelle.
Relatives and friends of John are invited to his funeral service at the chapel of Walkers Crematorium & Memorial Gardens Frederickton on Monday 22nd February 2021 commencing at 10.00am, then for cremation.
ROBERT B WALKER FUNERALS Kempsey,
South West Rocks & Districts
Ph 6562 4329
This was published 7 years ago
Bent police officer’s pre-emptive strike
The NSW Ombudsman’s investigation into the likely illegal bugging of more than 100 police officers faces one very substantial challenge.
It was called Operation Mascot and it started in January 1999. The ”white knights” of the NSW Police special crime and internal affairs unit (SCIA), along with the NSW Crime Commission, were chasing corrupt NSW police officers.
The ace up their sleeve was a corrupt detective, code named M5.
Worried about being confronted with his own corruption, M5 had made a pre-emptive strike. He voluntarily went to the crime commission in December 1998 and confessed his misdeeds. Early the next year, with SCIA and the commission working hand in glove, he was sent ”under cover” to covertly record his workmates, some of whom were close friends.
Judging by documents obtained by Fairfax Media, Mascot – which ran for more than two years – was not an investigation that built slowly.
Within a few weeks of M5 going to work, Justice Graham Barr of the NSW Supreme Court had approved a listening device warrant that allowed M5 to bug 119 people, almost all of them serving and former police.
An affidavit was presented to Justice Barr giving the reasons the 119 deserved to have their private conversations covertly recorded.
That affidavit has never been made public so what the judge was told is not known.
But one Operation Mascot affidavit has surfaced. It was granted on September 14, 2000, the day before the start of the Sydney Olympics. Justice Virginia Bell of the NSW Supreme Court – who is now a High Court judge – approved a listening device warrant that allowed M5 to bug 114 people. She approved the use of seven listening devices, some to be worn by M5, others to be placed in his house, car and briefcase.
Among those who were to be recorded were some who were corrupt. But dozens of others who M5 was legally allowed to record were honest police such as then Superintendent Nick Kaldas and Superintendent Bob Inkster. Kaldas is now a NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner. Inkster is now, somewhat ironically, a senior member of the NSW Crime Commission which was a key player in trying to bug him more than a decade ago.
According to the warrant approved by Justice Bell, Kaldas and Inkster and the other 112 were suspected of a range of offences – money laundering, conspiracy, tampering with evidence.
Essentially, the accusation was that they were corrupt. The Herald makes no suggestion that either man was, or is, corrupt.
Justice Bell approved the bugging on the basis of a 57-page affidavit from the crime commission.
The Herald has seen a copy of the affidavit. It contains allegations of corruption against many police and is, in parts, quite detailed.
Justice Bell, who had been counsel assisting at the Wood royal commission into the NSW Police five years earlier, was told the affidavit was truthful and accurate.
But an investigation by the Herald has uncovered evidence that parts of the affidavit were either fabricated or wrong.
The documents and the evidence gathered by the Herald suggest that from 1997 to 2001 more than 20 NSW Supreme Court judges were lied to or seriously misled by some officers working within SCIA, which was set up in the 1990s by then commissioner Peter Ryan.
Which brings us to the affidavit of September 14, 2000, specifically paragraph 5.33, which comprises only 13 lines.
Much of the affidavit is taken up with details of conversations between M5 and some corrupt colleagues secretly recorded in police stations such as Manly and at pubs, clubs and farewell functions – often while M5 and his mates were engaged in marathon drinking sessions.
The paragraph reads: “On 10 December, 1999, [M5] unexpectedly met with former NSW Police inspector John Kevin Bourke in The Corso, at Manly. Bourke engaged [M5] in conversation regarding assistant commissioner Clive Small. Bourke used words to the effect, ‘I have the best brief on him’.”
The affidavit says Bourke went on to describe Small’s involvement in the corrupt “release of information” to another police officer which resulted in a drug trafficker escaping conviction.
The affidavit continues: “I suspect Bourke has information or evidence which he believes incriminates assistant commissioner Small.
”I suspect Bourke meant to indicate that he would use that information or evidence to protect himself, if necessary, from investigation or prosecution, or both.”
The Herald has tracked down and spoken with Bourke, who was for many years involved in detective training. He retired in 1989. After being read the allegation about his ”meeting” with the detective known as M5 on The Corso, as detailed in the sworn affidavit, Bourke said: “It is very simple for me to answer, that is all nonsense, poppycock, because it never ever occurred.”
In a subsequent email, Bourke said: “The name [M5] is not significant to me. I can confirm with absolute confidence I have never met any such named person on the Manly Corso at any time in my lifetime.”
He added: “I didn’t like Clive’s haircut and I thought he was a bit self-important. But I admired Clive Small for many reasons. I always found Clive a very trustworthy person in my dealings with him.”
He said the claim in the affidavit that he had the conversation was ”based on a fabrication”.
He said he was prepared to give evidence on oath that this was the case.
Bourke said he had no idea how his name could have been put in an affidavit or on a listening device warrant. He had never been contacted by anyone about the alleged meeting on The Corso or the ”allegations” against Small.
Small had a distinguished career in law enforcement. In the late 1970s, he worked on the Woodward royal commission into drug trafficking and then on a long inquiry into the collapse of the Nugan Hand Bank.
As an inspector, and despite considerable pressure from his superiors, he cleared former NSW Police superintendent Harry Blackburn who had been wrongfully charged with multiple rapes in an inept investigation by NSW Police. A subsequent royal commission into the Blackburn case proved him correct.
In the 1990s he was the commander of the taskforce that led to the conviction of backpacker murderer Ivan Milat. After the Wood royal commission into police corruption in the mid-1990s, he was appointed the head of crime agencies and, as such, was the boss of the major squads such as homicide. He was later chief investigator for the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
When the Herald first showed the affidavit to Small he said there was “something clearly wrong” with the document.
Late last week he told the Herald that to the best of his knowledge he had not seen Bourke since the early 1970s. He said he had never been interviewed or spoken to by anyone about the ”allegation” in the affidavit and had no idea which drug case was being referred to.
He said given Bourke’s categorical denial of the affidavit, “it would appear to me a criminal offence has been committed by one of more people or at a minimum, a serious misconduct”.
He said the allegations about misconduct within SCIA had ”been known to both the government and the opposition for about 10 years”.
“I would seek for the matter to be fully investigated immediately. I don’t want this buried for another two years while the ombudsman investigates.”
The Herald has also obtained NSW Police documents which cast doubt on another claim in the same affidavit presented to Justice Bell: that M5 and other officers ”verballed” or made up admissions by a career criminal, Craig Cant, one of three men charged in 1994 with a violent attempted armed robbery.
On page 7 of the affidavit, it says M5 and another police officer “fabricated an unsigned record of interview with Cant”.
The Herald has obtained a copy of M5’s own record of interview with Cant and the brief of evidence in the case. Cant makes no admission to the crime and, in fact, repeatedly denies knowing anything about it.
When M5 puts a number of allegations to Cant and asks if he has anything to say, Cant repeatedly answers “nothing”.
Asked what he wants to say about phone records which showed a call from a co-offender at 4am at the time and date of the offence, Cant replies: “Nothing. Look I don’t want to be rude but how much longer is this going to take?”
In a second interview, he repeatedly answers “no comment”.
The Herald showed a number of the documents to Small. He said it appeared the police, including M5, had evidence against Cant based on phone and motel records, his credit card and driver’s licence which were all admissible in court.
“In the interviews, Cant’s answers are neutral or denials. I don’t see what the ‘verbal’ could be.”
Charges against all three men eventually fell through because of the alleged police fabrications. One of Cant’s co-accused later went to work for SCIA. He told officers within the unit he and Cant and the other man had indeed committed the crime, which involved breaking into a home at 4am and putting pistols to the heads of a young couple.
How it unfolded
On December 16, 1998, an experienced but troubled NSW detective walked into the offices of the NSW Crime Commission in Kent Street and voluntarily admitted to numerous acts of corruption.
According to documents leaked to Fairfax Media, he was under intense pressure. Some colleagues had come under suspicion and the detective, who became known as M5, feared he was in the firing line.
Drinking heavily, “depressed and anxious”, the documents reveal he said he wanted to “unload”. He admitted to corruption going back to the late 1980s and named other serving and former detectives as bent.
But the confession didn’t have the cathartic effect M5 might have hoped for. In fact it made things worse.
M5’s psychiatrist, Michael Diamond, would later write: “It placed extra pressure on him because he had to keep ‘disappearing’ (from his normal police duties) in order to attend these interviews … he felt suicidal”.
According to Mr Diamond, M5 was in intense distress. A concerned relative had him admitted to a psychiatric unit at Manly, where he stayed for 10 days.
What happened next is remarkable. He was sent to work under cover by the ”white knights” in the NSW Police special crime and internal affairs unit (SCIA). They wanted scalps and M5 was ideally placed to produce them.
The documents reveal M5 was debriefed by SCIA in January 1999 – within days of leaving the psychiatric ward – and transferred to Manly detectives. An SCIA officer, Cath Burn, now a deputy commissioner, said M5 “volunteered” to go under cover and record his fellow detectives, some of whom were undoubtedly involved in corruption and later jailed.
But in advice to the human resources branch on September 16, 2003, a solicitor from the NSW Police legal services branch, Alan Bloomfield, recommended M5 be granted a ”hurt on duty” pension because he had been “forced” to co-operate.
Mr Bloomfield said: ”A memo from Supt [Cath] Burn states that he ‘voluntarily’ offered to assist, but in a practical sense, he did not have much choice.”
M5 kept working as a detective from early 1999 until mid-2001. He was also covertly recording his workmates.
The documents reveal that SCIA bugged M5’s house, car and briefcase, and had listening devices on M5.
Much of the recording was done in pubs, clubs and at functions – and during marathon drinking sessions.
When M5 couldn’t take it any longer, he sued for compensation in the form of a ”hurt on duty” pension.
In 2002 Mr Diamond, advising on M5’s claim for compensation, criticised SCIA’s decision to employ him under cover just after he had left a psychiatric institution.
M5 won his claim and it is understood he was also given an ex gratia payment. His payments are believed to total hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He told Mr Diamond he had been used by someone in SCIA to “settle old scores”. One of the “old scores” appears to have been then Superintendent Nick Kaldas. M5 was sent to see him five or six times. Mr Kaldas had had a serious disagreement with a senior SCIA officer, Superintendent John Dolan. Even police within SCIA were seriously concerned at the targeting of Mr Kaldas.
“I smelt a rat,” M5 told his psychiatrist. “I’ve done stuff you wouldn’t do to your worst enemy … I’ve been used.”
Operation Mascot
1350 boxes of documents (handed over by the NSW Police/Police Integrity Commission/NSW Crime Commission)
20 NSW Supreme Court judges (involved in approving the listening device warrants)
7 investigators (working for Operation Prospect)
$3.5m (extra money given to Ombudsman for inquiry)
114 serving and former police officers and civilians named in controversial listening device warrants approved by Justice Virginia Bell
1984 applications for telephone taps by NSW Police, PIC, Crime Commission in 2011-12
(source: Commonwealth Attorney-General’s report)
