William H. PEARCE
William H. PEARCE
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Constable
Stations: Scone, Coopernook, Merriwa
Service: From ? to 13 December 1898 = ? years Service
Awards: ?
Born: about 1863
Died on: Tuesday 13 December 1898
Cause: Drowned
Age: 35
Funeral date: Wednesday 14 December 1898
Funeral location: ?
Buried at:
Memorial location: ?
[alert_red] William is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * BUT SHOULD BE
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Wednesday 13 December 1899, page 1
In Memoriam.
PEARCE.—- In fond and loving memory of my beloved husband, Constable W. H. Pearce, who was accidentally drowned at Merriwa, December 13th, 1898. Inserted by his loving wife and children.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article14219630.txt
William H. PEARCE
Constable
Drowned
Merriwa
13 December, 1898
The constable was drowned in the Merriwa River, Merriwa after he had jumped into the river to rescue a drowning boy named Thomas Baker. The boy was also drowned.
The Maitland Daily Mercury of 14 December, 1898 went into a little more depth.
“ Sad Drowning Fatality. “
A GALLANT POLICEMAN’S DEATH – MOURNFUL OCCURRENCE AT MERRIWA,
Merriwa, Wednesday – A sad drowning fatality occurred here yesterday evening. Constable W. H. Pearce was returning to town on horseback and after crossing Merriwa Bridge his attention was directed to a boy drowning in the river.
Pearce immediately dismounted and jumped into the river without undressing and attempted to rescue the boy, but being a bad swimmer both were, drowned.
The bodies were recovered after being about an hour under water. The funerals will take place this afternoon, also the magisterial inquiry.
Constable Pearce leaves a wife and six children. The boy was a son of Mr. A. W. Baker, custodian of the School of Arts. “
The Goulburn Evening Post of 15 December, 1898 carried the following very brief account.
Double Drowning Fatality. – A Brave Man Lost.
MERRIWA, Tuesday – Constable Pearce and a boy named Thomas Baker were drowned in Merriwa River this evening. Pearce jumped into the river to rescue the boy. Both bodies were recovered.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/98676053
At the time of his death the constable was stationed at Merriwa.
Scone Advocate (NSW : 1887 – 1954), Friday 16 December 1898, page 2
Constable Pearce Drowned.
BRAVE ATTEMPT TO RESCUE A BOY. BOTH HAVE A WATERY GRAVE.
A sad drowning fatality occurred at Merriwa on Tuesday evening. Constable W. H. Pearce was returning to town on horseback and after crossing Merriwa Bridge his attention was directed to a boy drawing in the river. Pearce immediately dismounted and jumped into the river without undressing and attempted to rescue the boy, but being a bad swimmer both were drowned.
The bodies were recovered after being about an hour under water. Countable Pearce leaves a wife and six children.. The boy was a son of Mr. A. G. Baker, custodian of the School of Arts at Merriwa.
Residents of Scone and district learn with deep sorrow of the sad, though brave end of Constable Pearce, who was stationed here a few years ago.
It is surprising that a man so smart in other respects should be unable to swim from a small pond such as this must have been. Possibly the brave constable got fastened in some way while under the water.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article156266015.txt
The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser.
Tuesday 20 December 1898 page 2 of 4
Double Drowning Fatality.— The sad news reached Yass on Tuesday afternoon that Mr. William Pearce, brother of Mr. E. Pearce of Yass, was drowned at Merriwa that day. It appeals that Mr. Pearce, who was a mounted constable, was returning home from day duty and was crossing the bridge at Merriwa when he saw a boy named Thomas Baker drowning in the river. Pearce jumped off his horse and plunged into the water with his clothes on. The boy appears to have got hold of Pearce, with the result that the unfortunate man who was doing a brave act was drowned. Mr. Pearce, who was a native of Yass, was 35 years of age, and leaves a wife and six children. Great regret was expressed in Yass when the news was received, as Pearce was a very popular and well behaved young man. Deceased is a brother of Mr. A. G. Pearce, of Adelong, who was formerly in the employ of Mr. Newman, of Tumut, and was bandmaster of the Tumut band.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/122743356
Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of New South Wales (Taree, NSW : 1898 – 1954), Wednesday 21 December 1898, page 2
Drowning Fatality at Merriwa,
DEATH OF CONSTABLE PEARCE.
A sad drowning fatality occurred at Merriwa on Tuesday evening, the 13th instant. Constable W. H. Pearce was returning to town on horseback, and after crossing Merriwa Bridge his attention was directed to a boy drowning in the river.
Pearce immediately dismounted, and jumped into the river without undressing, and attempted to rescue the boy, but being a bad swimmer both were drowned. The bodies were recovered after being about an hour under water.
The funerals took place the following afternoon, also the magisterial inquiry.
Constable Pearce leaves a wife and six children.
The boy was a son of Mr. A. W. Baker, custodian of the School of Arts.
[ Constable Pearce will be remembered as having been stationed for some time at Coopernook, in this district, where he made many friends. — Ed. ]
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article171612457.txt
Steve WOODS
Steve ‘ Splinter ‘ WOODS
New South Wales Police Force
Rank: Sergeant ?
Regd. # 18000’s ?
Stations: Forensic Services Group, Fingerprints, Parramatta
Illness – Suicide – drowning at Kyeemagh, near Sydney airport.
Born: ?
Died: ? between 1999 – 2001 before Fingerprints moved from
Fergusson Centre to HQ, Charles St, Parramatta.
Funeral details: ?
Info from Charlie Dag. on 24 November 2014
[alert_red]Steve is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
FURTHER INFORMATION NEEDED.
Alfred Essex BALDOCK
Alfred Essex BALDOCK
New South Wales Police Force
Chief Constable
Stations: Norfolk Island
Born: 1821
Died 12 April 1848
27 old
Funeral 13 April 1848
Norfolk Island cemetery
Kingston, Norfolk Island
INSCRIPTION:
Sacred to the memory of Alfred Essex BALDOCK late Chief Constable of the Island. who was unfortunately drowned by the upsetting of a boat in crossing the bar on the 12th April 1848 aged 27.
Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh Matt. XXIV II.
” ‘Tis His Supreme prerogative Our subject kings to reign. ‘Tis just that He should rule the world Who does the world sustain.
MURDER MYSTERY
One of the activities was a Murder Mystery Dinner, where you become a character in a murder mystery story. You have to ask questions of the other characters and try to find out who is the murderer. At this party the murder mystery was based on a true event that happened in Norfolk Island’s past. We were given a booklet that gave us some background information on the characters and the crime. We had to dress up as the character we were given.
Mark Howard SPEECHLEY
Mark Howard SPEECHLEY
aka Spike
Late of ?
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # 190
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 20668
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 14 January 1983 ( aged 22 years, 2 months, 6 days )
Constable 1st Class – appointed 14 January 1988
Detective Sergeant – death
Final Rank: Detective Sergeant
Stations: ?, Fairfield ( 34 Division ), Ferguson Centre Parramatta – Acting Commander – Latent Print Section ( Forensic Services )
Service: From ? ? pre January 1983 to 15 September 2003 = 20+ years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 24 March 2000
Born: Tuesday 8 November 1960
Died on: Monday 15 September 2003
Cause: HOD – Heart condition
Event location: Parramatta
Age: 42 years, 10 months, 7 days
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Pinegrove Memorial Park, Kington St, Minchinbury, NSW
Plot details: ???
GPS: ?, ?
Memorial at:
MARK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * BUT SHOULD BE
Mark is now mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance – Canberra
On the 15 September 2003 Detective Sergeant Speechley was on duty at the Ferguson Centre, Parramatta.
During his meal break he jogged to a local swimming pool where he was later found unconscious in the water.
Unfortunately, attempts to revive him failed.
The detective sergeant was born in 1960 and was sworn in as a probationary constable on the 14 January 1983.
At the time of his death he was Acting Commander of the Latent Print Section.
Mark Speechley at Fairfield Court .pdf
by Robert Watson – 19 November 2020
Andrew James MURRAY
Andrew James MURRAY
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Constable 1st Class
Stations: ?, Tabulam – Death
Service: From 20 July 1981 to 23 March 1989 = 7+ years Service
Awards: Commissioners Valour Award ( posthumously )
No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1962
Died on: Thursday 23 March 1989
Age: 26
Cause: Drowned during an Off Duty rescue attempt
Event location: Tallows Beach, Byron Bay, NSW
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: St Finbarr’s Catholic Church, Byron Bay, NSW
Memorial at: ?
[alert_green]ANDREW IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
Funeral location: ?
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal
May they forever Rest In Peace
On 23 March, 1989 Constable Murray and his family were holidaying at Byron Bay. About 3.05pm on that day they were at Tallows Beach when the constable saw a young woman in distress in the water. He then took his surf ski and paddled out through a rough, two metre swell to assist. The girl’s boyfriend at this time also entered the water and managed to help her to safety. Constable Murray had at this time unfortunately been tipped off his surf ski and was seen with an arm raised, indicating that he was having difficulties. He was again spotted a short time later floating about fifty metres out, on the surface. Despite an extensive search the constable was not seen again. It is thought that he may have been struck on the head by the ski when tipped off it, or perhaps injured when dumped in the heavy seas.
The constable was born in 1962 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 July, 1981. At the time of his death he was stationed at Tabulam.
Sergeant 1st Class Rhoderic Francis LINDSAY
Sergeant 1st Class Rhoderic Francis LINDSAY
New South Wales Police Force
Boating Accident
Swansea
20 February, 1984
On the afternoon of 20 February, 1984 Sergeant Lindsay and Senior Constable Calman were both off duty and fishing in the sergeant’s boat off Swansea. About 6.10pm the yacht Melody radioed for assistance after running aground on the bar at Swansea Channel. Sergeant Lindsay and Senior Constable Calman then set out to assist the stricken vessel. Securing a line to the Melody they attempted to tow the vessel to safety, but as their efforts were hampered by heavy seas the sergeant released the line from the yacht. Constable Calman then noticed that Sergeant Lindsay was missing from his boat and seeing blood in the water, dived into the sea to rescue his friend. Constable Calman, assisted by surf club members, then conveyed the injured sergeant to shore however it was found then that he had died of his injuries.
It appears that Sergeant Lindsay was either knocked or was washed overboard where he suffered extensive head injuries when struck by his boat’s propeller.
He was posthumously awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal and the Police Commissioner’s Commendation for Outstanding Courage and Devotion to Duty.
The sergeant was born in 1935 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 12 April, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Newcastle.
National Police Remembrance Day ceremony in Lake Macquarie
-
David Stewart
- September 29 2017 – 4:27PM
POLICE from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command have unveiled plans for a memorial wall at Belmont to honour the seven local officers killed in the line of duty since 1863.
Plaques commemorating the seven officers were dedicated to the wall in a ceremony at Belmont police station this afternoon, National Police Remembrance Day.
Chief Inspector Murray Lundberg of Lake Macquarie LAC presided over a private ceremony attended by police, local high school students, and the families of the fallen officers.
“This is a time for reflection on the ultimate sacrifice that police officers can give in the execution of their duty,” Chief Inspector Lundberg said.
The fallen officers honoured were Constable Henry Rucker (who died in 1863), Constable Frederick Martin (1953), Sergeant 2nd Class William McKie (1965), Senior Constable Douglas Eaton (1977), Sergeant 3rd Class Keith Haydon (1980), Sergeant 1st Class Rhoderic Lindsay (1984), and Sergeant 3rd Class Ross Jennings (1986).
Acting Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree, the Northern Region Commander, said the wall of remembrance, to be created on the distinctive blue wall at the entrance to the police station, would be striking.
“It will be a sight to treasure,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Greentree said.
“I want the officers, as they are walking out the front doors of this police station, to stop and reflect on the names, stop and reflect on the sacrifice.”
He said he hoped that the inaugural plaques to be installed on the wall were also the last.
“My dream is that we never, ever, add another name to this wall. I hope and pray that our wall is now complete.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Greentree reached out to the families of the fallen officers.
“No commemoration or recognition can make good the loss that is unfairly carried by family members,” he said.
“I can only offer you my heartfelt condolences. Please know that your loved ones, who are no longer with us, will always be remembered.”
Across NSW, ceremonies were held to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the 269 officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and through injury or illness, since the formation of the NSW Police Force in 1862.
Francis Laurel BURKE
Francis Laurel BURKE
Late of ?
New South Wales Police Force
Uniform # 2495
Regd. # 8115
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy, “possibly” with Class 041 on ? ? 1955 ( aged ? )
Probationary Constable – appointed Monday 20 June 1955 ( aged28 years, 5 months, 13 days )
Constable
Stations: ?, Redfern – Death
Service: From 20 June 1955 to 20 January 1961 = 5 years, 7 months, 0 days Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour – however
posthumously awarded the Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit of the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society for Gallantry.
Born: Friday 7 January 1927 at Condobolin, NSW
Died on: Friday 20 January 1961
Age: 34 years, 0 months, 13 days
Cause: Drowned during a “Off Duty” surf rescue
Event location: Kiama Beach, Kiama, NSW
Event date: Friday 20 January 1961
Funeral date: possibly 23 January 1961
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Rookwood Catholic Cemeteries & Crematoria, ?, Lidcombe, NSW
Grave:- Portion Lawn 1, Plot 59
Memorial located at: ?
Memorial Touch Plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
RETIRED POLICE DAY HELD AT LAKE ILLAWARRA POLICE STATION, OAK FLATS.
Francis Laurel BURKE
Dedication Memorial on the front wall of Oak Flats Police Station ( part of Kiama Police area )
RETIRED POLICE DAY HELD AT LAKE ILLAWARRA POLICE STATION, OAK FLATS.
Francis Laurel BURKE
Frame hanging inside of Lake Illawarra Police Station.
“There are a number of photos of this man on Ancestry.co.au which I can’t access” 26 July 2017
FRANCIS IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal
May they forever Rest In Peace
The constable was born in Condobolin in 1927 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 June, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Redfern. He is listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll.
Source: Beyond Courage by Retired Sgt Danny WEBSTER, NSWPF.
There is a Francis L BURKE buried at Rookwood ( as detailed above ) but no other verifying details via internet search.
There is also a Francis Neil BURKE mentioned in the Kiama Independent on 25 January 1961 having died at Kiama, late of Sydney.
Nothing found on Trove.
Acts of Bravery by Police
The late Constable F. L. Burke was posthumously awarded the Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit of the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society for gallantry in attempting to save the lives of two boys in the surf at Kiama on the 20th January, 1961. The Constable lost his own life on this occasion although the boys were saved.
Police Killed in the Execution of Their Duty
Constable Francis Laurel Burke.
Drowned at Kiama on the 20th January, 1961, whilst assisting two boys who were in difficulties in the water. The Constable was On annual leave at the time and holidaying with his family at Kiama.
Mentioned twice, on page 29 of 1962 Parliament of NSW – Report of the Police Department for 1961
annual_report_archive_1961 – 1 – document.pdf
Police Remembrance Day:
Almost 60 years on, Kenneth Nash still misses his uncle Allen.
Sergeant Allen William Nash, aged 40, was killed in the line of duty by a gun-wielding offender at Primbee in 1956.
Sgt Nash was one of eight officers stationed in the Lake Illawarra local area command who were recognised with memorial plaques on a wall of honour outside Lake Illawarra police station on Monday, as part of Police Remembrance Day commemorations.
Dozens of current and retired officers, families, friends, politicians, councillors and members of the public gathered at Oak Flats for a ceremony to unveil the memorial wall, and honour past and present officers.
Since 1862, more than 250 NSW Police officers have died in the line of duty.
The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales …
Trevelyn Cuthbert NOWLAND
Trevelyn Cuthbert NOWLAND
New South Wales Police Force
Constable
Drowned
31 years
Bendemeer
6 October, 1931
In 1931 Constable Nowland was the lone policeman attached to the Bendemeer Police Station. On the night of Sunday 4 October, 1931 a man came to the station to complain that he had been camped under the bridge at the river and had been accosted by a “madman” who had threatened to kill him. He requested that the constable come down to the bridge, which was at the McDonald River, a distance of less than 300 metres to look for the madman. The constable obliged, however after a brief search under and around the bridge, the alleged “madman” could not be found. The following night the man again came to the police station with the same complaint. (It was believed to have been the same man both nights as Mrs Nowland heard his voice on both visits, although she never actually saw him). The constable took his revolver and set out to search the bridge area again. When he failed to return home by the morning Mrs Nowland telephoned the police at Tamworth.
Police from Tamworth quickly travelled to Bendemeer and, with the assistance of an Aboriginal tracker, began to search for the missing man. Later that afternoon Constable Nowland’s body was found and recovered from the McDonald River. He was still fully clothed, except for his cap, and the body had no apparent signs of violence, although apparently the constable’s nose had been bleeding before he fell or was thrown into the water. At the spot where the body was found the water was only three to four feet (about 1 metre) deep.
The Brisbane Courier dated 7 October, 1931 reported that “The police believe that Nowland was insensible or dead before he entered the water. It is thought that Constable Nowland did not reach the bridge last night. His way would have taken him past a hotel, and beneath brilliant lights, and it is considered that he would certainly have been seen had he gone direct to the bridge from the police station. It is thought probable that he was attacked almost as soon as he left the police station, and was then taken to the river and thrown into the water insensible. The police are handicapped by the absence of any description of the man who twice called at the police station and spoke of the lunatic. Constable Nowland was the only one who saw him.”
The Sydney Morning Herald of 10 November, 1931 reported the open finding of the inquest into the constable’s death, as follows.
“BENDEMEER MYSTERY – CORONER’S OPEN VERDICT.
TAMWORTH. Monday.
The inquest into the death of Constable Nowland, whose body was found in the McDonald River on October 5, came to an end to-day, when the coroner (Mr. Geikie, P.M.) returned an open verdict. Six sessions of the inquest have been held, and 24 witnesses have been examined. In delivering his finding, Mr. Glekie said that the case was marked by many conflicting and mysterious statements. If it was suicide, then the deceased must either have been sane or insane. If he was sane, the first thing was to look for the motive, and the evidence adduced no such motive. If he was insane, no motive need be looked for. There was not a tittle of direct evidence of mental derangement in the constable up to the time of his death. His finding would be that Nowland was found dead in the McDonald River without any marks on the body; further, that death was due to drowning, but how or by what means drowning came about the evidence did not say.”
The mystery of what exactly happened to the unfortunate Constable Nowland has apparently never been solved, although theories ranging from suicide to poisoning to murder have long been put forward. A coroner’s inquest into the death gave the cause of death as drowning, however the surrounding circumstances remain unknown.
The constable was born in 1901 and was aged 31 years when he died. He joined the New South Wales Police Force on 25 August, 1922. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bendemeer. He is not listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll.
Joseph LEES
Trooper Joseph LEES
New South Wales Police Force
Drowned
Grafton
7 January, 1867
On 7 January, 1867 the trooper was on duty collecting the electoral roll and agricultural returns near Grafton. Shortly after 1pm on that day he was attempting to cross First Falls on the Upper Clarence River when his horse reared, throwing him into the water, where he drowned. Trooper Lees was a married man with two children and a wife then expecting their third child.
The Maitland Mercury dated 15 January, 1867 contained the following brief notice, indicating that “We regret to learn that Trooper Leece [sic] of the Grafton Police Force, in attempting to cross the First Falls, at the Upper Clarence, yesterday, shortly after noon, in the execution of his duty, was carried down by the current and drowned. Information of the sad event reached Grafton last evening when the police boat was immediately dispatched with grapnels to drag for the body, which had not been recovered up to the time our informant left.â€
At the time of his death the trooper was stationed at Grafton.
Constable Jeremiah O’HORRIGAN
Constable Jeremiah O’HORRIGAN
Drowned
Forbes
25 February, 1863
On Wednesday 25 February, 1863 the constable was away from his station patrolling the Weddin Mountains. On his return journey to Forbes he was required to cross the flooded Lachlan River. As he did so the strong current began to carry his horse along. Constable O’Horrigan attempted to check the horse however it rolled over, throwing him into the water. As he was unable to swim, the constable was drowned. His body was recovered downstream some hours later.
The constable was born in 1831 and joined the police force on 1 May, 1860. In 1862 he became a member of the newly-formed New South Wales Police Force. At the time of his death he was stationed at Forbes.