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.

Ian Donald WARD

late of Padstow, NSW

New South Wales Police Force

Joined via NSW Police Cadets on 21 February 1966

Cadet # 2109

Redfern Police Academy Class 114

Regd. # 13174

Rank:  NSW Police Cadet – commenced 21 February 1966 ( aged 16 years, 10 months, 9 days )

Probationary Constable – 12 April 1968 ( aged 19 years, 0 months, 0 days )

Constable – appointed 12 April 1969

Constable 1st Class  ( Acting Sergeant in Cyprus )

Stations:  ? & Cyprus as part of the 11th Australian Contingent of UN Peacekeeping Mission

UNFICYP AUSCIVPOL

Service:  From 21 February 1966  to  12 November 1974 = 8 years, 8 months, 22 days Service

Age at Retirement:  25 years, 7 months, 0 days

Time in Retirement:  0

[blockquote]

NASHOS

Service name:              Military Police, National Service  ( Army )

Service number:          ?

Rank:                               Corporal

Date of birth:                12 April 1949

Place of birth:               Ryde, NSW

Date of intake:              ?

NS Training:                  ?

Follow Up Training:   ?

Basic Training:             ?

Next of Kin:                   ?

Medals:                           ?

[/blockquote]

Police Awards:  Police Overseas Service Medal with Cyprus clasp – granted 19 October 1992

Dag Hammarskjold Medal – awarded

Awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal. The U.N. Secretary-General established the Dag Hammarskjöld medal for posthumous award to members of peacekeeping operations who lost their lives during service with a peacekeeping operation under the operational control and authority of the United Nations.

Born: Tuesday 12 April 1949 at Ryde, NSW

Died:  Tuesday  12 November 1974

Cause of death:  Murdered – Land Mine Explosion

Event location:  near Lefka, Cyprus ( 5 days after arriving in the country )

Age:  25 years, 7 months, 0 days

Funeral date:  26 November 1974

Funeral location:  ???

Grave location:  Rookwood Cemetery, Rookwood

On 12 November, 1974 Constable Ward was serving with the Eleventh Australian Police Element in Cyprus. Whilst travelling in a Land Rover near Lefka the vehicle hit a landmine in the buffer zone. As a result Constable Ward was killed and Constable 1st Class John Woolcott ( # 11976 ) was seriously injured.

Constable Ward is the 3rd and last Australian to die in Cyprus.

The constable was born in 1949 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 12 April, 1968. At the time of his death he was stationed in Cyprus and an Acting Sergeant.

John Woolcott ( # 11976 ) recovered from his injuries and ” Wooly ” later retired from NSW Police Force either as an Sergeant at Manly Police Station or an Inspector at North Sydney / Mosman.  This, is yet, to be confirmed.  ( 10 August 2017 ).

 

 

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IAN IS mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra

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FURTHER:

Cst 1st Class Ian Donald WARD – NSWPF – Killed in Cyprus – 12 November 1974 – further info

Cst 1st Class Ian Donald WARD – NSWPF – Killed in Cyprus – 12 November 1974 – further info 2

 

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the Eleventh Contingent

p 105

The closure of Nicosia Airport meant a circuitous route to Cyprus for the second half of the eleventh contingent led by Merv Beck.

Although it was not known at the time, conditions on the Island and consequent reduction in UNFICYP strength would make this the

last November rotation.

The group left Sydney on 6 November and were welcomed some days later at Akrotiri after flying with Qantas to London then busing to

the Brize Norton RAF Base near Oxford and thence via Malta to Cyprus.

RAF flights were ‘dry’ and the seats faced the rear, so the Australians appreciated the traditional welcome at Limassol Headquarters.

The newcomers ‘pumped’ the old hands for news of the war while they themselves were pressed for information about events in Australia.

The new arrivals were soon split up.  Ray Leister was assigned Control Room duties while others went to Ktima and Polis.

After only five days on the Island the unthinkable happened near a road-block approaching Lefka.

Ian Ward, a replacement from New South Wales, was killed and John Woolcott injured when their Land Rover detonated a land-mine in an unmarked field.

The Australians were conveying a Turkish Cypriot family from Ayios Nicolaos to the Turkish Cypriot controlled area at Lefka and one of the four passengers was killed and the other three seriously injured.

The fatality cast a pall over the contingent.

A number of moving ceremonies were held before his body was flown home to Australia.

Twelve months later a cairn was erected to commemorate the tragedy and each twelve months a short service is held near the memorial.

Geoff Baker was a member of the Board of Inquiry convened under British military regulations to investigate the incident.

Land-mines were the major component of fortifications along the confrontation zone.  UNFICYP had lodged a number of protests about mine-laying procedures and the fact that many fields were neither marked nor adequately recorded.  UNFICYP began a special programme to remedy the deficiencies, but two UNFICYP soldiers were killed in similar circumstances during the following twelve months.

https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Photocopy/94431NCJRS.pdf

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Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),

Wednesday 20 November 1974, page 3

Service

LONDON, Tuesday (AAP). – Representatives of all United Nations peace keeping forces in Cyprus will take part in a memorial service today for Sergeant Ian Ward, 25, a Commonwealth policeman of Sydney, who was killed in landmine explosion last week. His body will later be flown to Sydney for burial.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110788766

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Also:

 

Honour

Located within the Honour Precinct is an original ornate marble tablet featuring early losses of New South Wales Police Officers. The tablet is flanked by the New South Wales state flag and the New South Wales Police Force flag.

The Peacekeeping Display honours all members of the NSW Police Force who have served in peacekeeping operations throughout the world and houses the Dag Hammerskjold medal belonging to the late SGT Ian Donald Ward who died in UNFICYP. This was donated to the NSW Police College on the 29th May, 2010 from Mr Ken Ward, OAM, father of SGT Ward.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_Police_Academy

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On the 12th November, 1974, a member of this Force, Constable 1st Class I. D. Ward, who had arrived in Cyprus a few days before, and Constable 1st Class J. Woolcott, also of this Force, were carrying out humanitarian work transporting refugees. The United Nation’s land rover in which they were travelling struck a land mine on a road between Limassol and Lefka resulting in the death of Constable 1st Class Ward and severe injuries to Constable 1st Class Woolcott, Constable 1st Class Ward was posthumously awarded the United Nations Medal, Cyprus Division.

https://www.opengov.nsw.gov.au/viewer/517e982c7fa2d2c5b8c06d530ab240e7.pdf

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Peacekeeping Veteran Honoured at the NSW Police College:

PEACEKEEPING VETERAN HONOURED AT THE NSW POLICE COLLEGE

– Author,

Mr Denis Percy – National President – UNPAA.

INTRODUCTION:

On the 14th November, 1974 Sergeant Ian Ward, a member of the New South Wales

Police Force, who had been seconded to the then named Australian Commonwealth

Police, (later named the AFP), for 12 months service with the United Nations Force in

Cyprus, (UNFICYP). Ian died as a result of a land-mind explosion whilst travelling in a

Land Rover.

He and Sergeant John Wolcott, the vehicle observer, also on attachment from the NSW

Police, were conveying four Turkish refugees from the Greek Cypriot sector village of Ayios

Nicolaos to the Turkish sector in Lefka District. One of the Turkish refugees was killed and

three were seriously injured in the explosion. The Land Rover was completely demolished

by the anti- tank mine. Sergeant John Wolcott survived the explosion; however, he

received serious facial and other injuries.

Sergeant Ward had been in Cyprus for only five days on his 12 month secondment to the

United Nations Police Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Ironically, Ian had previously served

and survived as a Military Policeman, whilst performing his National Service during the

Vietnam War.

Lieutenant-General Bedrettin Demirel, Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in

Cyprus, in a heart felt expression of sympathy wrote to Sergeant Ward’s Family and stated, “

Your son, who was making every effort to assist in the humanitarian activities indiscriminate of

race, religion and language, is a martyr of duty.

His memory and service live in the hearts of all personnel of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus ”

.

HANDOVER AND BLESSING OF THE DAG HAMMARSKJOLD MEDAL.

On the 29th May, 2009 in Goulburn at the NSW Police College, 35 years after his death on

a lonely village road and a world away from Cyprus, we remembered our Police colleague.

The service held at the NSW Police College demonstrates that Australian Police do not

forget those who die in the line of duty, either in Australia or whilst serving overseas.

In a highly symbolic ceremony, the Australian Federal Police officially handed-over“

on-loan” for a five year period, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal awarded to the late Sergeant

Ian Donald Ward.

That medal had been in the custody of the Australian Federal Police as

Ian died as a Federal Police Officer on attachment from the NSW Police for his UN Service.

That medal is awarded by the United Nations to those of its members who are

killed whilst performing duty with the United Nations. It is named after the now deceased

and former Scandinavian leader of the United Nations at its headquarters in New York.

The day’s proceedings commenced in Goulburn with a moving march of a group of United

Nations Police veterans who had served in Cyprus, the Middle East, East Timor, the

Solomon Islands and other multinational peacekeeping operations.

The veterans march was preceded by combined ceremonial support elements of the NSW Police Force and the

Australian Federal Police the marching band of the NSW Police Force, a combined NSW

Police Force Mounted Unit and the Australian Federal Police Ceremonial Mounted Cadre

and a combined New South Wales Police Force and Australian Federal Police flag party.

The Parade Commander UNPAA President Denis Percy instructed the parade to an “eyes

left” towards the NSW Police Eternal Flame, which honours all those members of the NSW

Police Force who have died in the service of their state and their country.

POLICE COLLEGE CHAPEL CEREMONY:

Upon arrival at the NSW Police College Chapel, the flags of the United Nations and the

Australian Federal Police were laid up by the Senior Police Chaplain, Reverend Peter

Robinson.

Gathered in the Chapel were a number of representatives of the Australian Defence Force,

the Untied Nations Information Centre, the Senate, the Parliaments of the Commonwealth

of Australia and New South Wales. The Mayor of Goulburn mingled there with senior AFP,

NSW Police Force and Victoria Police officials and members of the United Nations Police

Association of Australia, (UNPAA), the Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers

Association, the Australian Bravery Association, the National Executive of the RSL and the

NSW Police Force Sub Branch of the RSL.

Sergeant Jeff Little, NSW Police and a peacekeeping veteran from East Timor and Cyprus

read the invocation.  Guests in the Police Memorial Chapel joined in singing the United

Nations Anthem, ‘The song of All Nations”, followed by another peacekeeping veteran,

NSWPF Sergeant Dave McCann, OAM reading the Beatitudes.

Police Chaplain read a prayer and then came the official handover, which involved the signing of the temporary

loan agreement by AFP Commander and former peacekeeping veteran Shane Connelly –

performing the duties of National Manager, International Deployment Group and Chief

Superintendent Gregory Moore, APM the Principal of the NSW Police College.

Due to its’ national significance, the AFP Museum are the current custodians of the late Sergeant

Ward’s medal and have entrusted its’ safekeeping with the NSW Police College for the

next five years.

From the rear of the Chapel and carrying the Dag Hammarskjöld medal belonging to the

late Sergeant Ian Ward AFP Sergeant Dale Cooper, RFD a former UN Cyprus

peacekeeper slow marched towards the front of the chapel, and from the left side of the

chapel NSWPF Senior Sergeant Mark Elm a former UN East Timor peacekeeper slow

marched to the front of the Chapel where the physical handover took place between the

two guardians of the medal.

This symbolic gesture, of respect to a fallen Sergeant indicated the deep regard both forces

have to their departed colleague and fellow peacekeeper.

Chief Superintendent Gregory Moore, APM has indicated that he is honoured for the NSW

Police College to be entrusted by the AFP to be guardians of the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal

belonging to the late Sergeant Ian Donald Ward. He went on to state: “Sergeant Ian Ward

and Sergeant Patrick Hackett who were killed while on international policing service with

the United Nations are role models for NSW Police recruits passing through this college

and the great tradition of service that we given an ongoing basis to the people of NSW.”

DEDICATION OF THE PEACEKEEPING DISPLAY

The display is designed to honour those members of the NSW Police Force who have

contributed to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations as United Nations Police Officers.

As such it fits well within the ‘Honour Precinct’ of the NSW Police College.

Visitors to the NSW Police College are invited by the Principal; to inspect the newly

dedicated display located in the hallway areas of the College building next to the College

Library Out of ten Australians who have died whilst on UN peacekeeping operations, the

NSWPF has lost two members with the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP),

namely Inspector Patrick Hackett in a motor vehicle accident (29.8.71) and Sergeant Ian

Donald Ward (land mine explosion). A third Australian Police Officer from the South

Australia Police Sergeant Lew Thomas has also been killed in Cyprus (26.7.69) also in a

motor vehicle accident.

The Peacekeeping display was made possible with a grant from the Australian

Government, Department of Veterans Affairs ‘Saluting Their Service’ upon a submission

made to them by the UNPAA .That grant is a Government initiative which honours the

contribution of Australia’s servicemen and women in war, conflicts and peace operations.

Senior Sergeant Mark Elm was the Project Manager for the display which was funded by

contributions from the Australian Federal Police; the NSW Police Force; United Nations

Police Association of Australia and its NSW Branch, the Police Federation of Australia; and

the Police Credit Union.

Ceremonial arrangements were made possible with assistance of the AFP Recognition and

Ceremonial team and the Professional Standards Unit of the Office of the Principal, NSW

Police College.

UNITED NATIONS ARTEFACTS DONATED TO DISPLAY:

In putting the exhibition together, Snr Sgt Elm collected historic artefacts donated by

Australian police peacekeepers who served in Cyprus, the Middle East and East Timor

Said Sergeant Elm: “

Police officers by their very nature are peacekeepers in their home towns, cities here in

Australia, and it is a natural progression to take these skills to war torn areas, to build the

capacity of local authorities to act against a humanitarian backdrop.” Said Snr Sgt Elm.

“This day has been on the cards since I arrived at the College in February of 2007.

Much like all the other proud traditions displays, most of the work undertaken on this display has

been conducted on days off so it is really gratifying to see the final results, which I think all

peacekeepers will feel proud.

I think we got the symbolism right and I think our future members of the force will come to

know of the service and the sacrifice of our members who contributed.”

In a fitting tribute to Australia’s police peacekeepers whether they hail from the AFP, state

or territory police force, the Minister for Home Affairs, The Hon. Bob Debus, and MP kindly

donated the Australian Coat of Arms, which was presented by Senator the Hon. Ursula

Stephens and dedicated by Reverend Peter Robinson at the ceremony.

SNRSGT Elm summed up the magnitude of this when he said.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Assistance was provided to Senior Sergeant Elm in this project from the Australian Federal

Police; the NSW Police Force; United Nations Police Association of Australia and its NSW

Branch, the Police Federation of Australia; and the Police Credit Union.

This ceremony was made possible through the assistance of the AFP Recognition and Ceremonial team

and the Professional Standards Unit of the Office of the Principal, NSW Police College.

Cst-1st-Class-Ian-Donald-WARD-NSWPF-Killed-in-Cyprus-12-November-1974-further-info

 

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First published on 14 November 2013.

Updated 3 August 2025 with photo of Cst Woolcott and Registered number of Ward.

Bernard Alfred ORROCK

( late of Alpha Rd, Willoughby )

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ????

Rank:  Constable

Stations:  ?, Sydney Water Police – Death

Service:   From  22 January 1951  to  26 February 1955 = 4+ years Service

Awards:  Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry

Bronze Medal from the Royal Shipwreck and Humane Society for his actions in the floods

Born:  ? ? 1930 in Hornsby

Died on:  26 February 1955

Cause:  Electrocuted

Event location:  Maitland

Age:  24

Funeral date:  ?

Funeral location:  ? “possibly”  Macquarie Park Cemetery, Plassey Rd, Macquarie Pk

Buried at:  ?”possibly”  Roman Catholic Portion, Row U11, Plot 0041

Memorial at: 

BERNARD IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On 26 February, 1955 Constable Orrock of the Sydney Water Police was performing flood rescue duties in the Maitland area during the horrendous 1955 floods. While travelling with Army and Air Force personnel in an Army Duck toward the Louth Park area, the wireless aerial on the Duck struck live high tension power lines. As a result, Constable Orrock and two Army Signallers, Sergeant William McGrath and Signaller Eric Chard, were killed. The cause of death was asphyxiation caused by electrocution.

He was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry and a Bronze Medal from the Royal Shipwreck and Humane Society for his actions in the floods that ultimately led to his death.

The constable was born in 1930 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 22 January, 1951. At the time of his death he was attached to the Sydney Water Police.

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),

Tuesday 22 November 1955, page 5

They Sydney Morning Herald

22 November 1955      p3

Inspector Peter McLachlan, of Newcastle, who was awarded the British Empire Medal, personally took part in more than 100 rescues in the Singleton district.

He was without sleep for four days and nights directing dozens of other rescue operations, including the organisation of an aerial flood lift into Singleton, and emergency accommodation for hundreds of homeless people.

Constable Bernard Alfred Orrock, 24, of Alpha Rd, Willoughby, who was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry ( posthumous award ) was attached to the Water Police when he was electrocuted on an Army duck at Maitland on February 26.

The duck on which Orrock was travelling hit a 66,000 volt high tension wire near the Maitland railway bridge while trying to reach 100 people who were stranded there.

Before he was killed he assisted in the rescue and evacuation of about 70 people.

Constable Marius Joseph William John Bourke, Rudolph Luvaine Munns and Svend Aage Ivarsson, awarded the Queen’s Commendation for brave conduct, are all of the Sydney Water Police.

Washed Over Dam In Boats

There were in two police flood boats, which were washed over a dam, near Singleton, while trying to get Inspector McLachlan into Singleton at night.

Constables Bourke and Ivarsson later in Singleton, took part in scored of rescues under Inspector McLachlan.

Constable Munns worked with Constable Orrock at Maitland and took part in more than 100 rescues.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19551122&id=XfljAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B-UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6173%2C5029386&hl=en

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954),

Saturday 14 August 1954, page 6

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article18430246.txt

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954),

Monday 24 May 1954, page 4

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article18435779.txt

“Possibly” lived in:

1954 – North Sydney

1977 – Barton, NSW

Constable Henry Stanley LEES

New South Wales Police Force

Horse Accident

Jerry’s Plains

22 August, 1941

In 1941 Constable Lees was the Officer-in-Charge of Jerry’s Plains Police Station. On the day of his death he was patrolling the district on horseback, calling in at local properties. Later in the day the constable’s riderless horse was found by a farmer near Hobden’s Hill. He searched the area and eventually located the body of the constable lying in a roadside ditch beside the Jerry’s Plains, Singleton Road. It appeared that the roadway had collapsed underneath Constable Lees’ horse, causing the animal to stumble and fall into the ditch, crushing the rider.

The constable was born in 1914 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 January, 1937. At the time of his death he was stationed at Jerry’s Plains.

George Thomas WHITELEY

AKA ?

Late of ?

NSW Penrith Police Academy Class # ? ? ?

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ‘Q‘ 9081

For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )

Rank:  Constable ( Mounted Police Trooper ) – appointed 15 March 1910

Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 January 1929

Final Rank = Sergeant 3rd Class

Stations: ?, Hill End ( Constable – 1913 ), Fifield ( SenCon 1920 ), Berrigan ( 2 years ) – Death

Service: From 15 March 1910 to 25 March 1931 = 21 years, 0 months, 10 days Service

[blockquote]

World War I

Australian Imperial Force       1914 – 1919  ( completed 4 years & 235 days in the A.I.F. with 4 years & 72 days of that overseas )

Regiment:                                     Army / Flying Corps – 4th Battalion ( 1914 ), 1st Australians ( 1915 ), 1st Div HQ ( ? – 231016 ), AIF Depot in U.K. ( ? – 160419 – Retired from Duty – Ulcerated stomach ),

Enlisted:                                       25 August 1914 at Kensington, NSW  ( 51 pages of records )

Service #                                       88

Rank:                                             Private ( 250814 ), Corporal  ( 101115 ), – Acting Sgt ( 090417 ), Corporal ( 030318 ), ER Sgt ( 040318 – 230818 )

Embarkation:                              201014 at Sydney on H.M.A.T. A14 ‘Euripides”

Age at embarkation:                  25 yrs 10 mths

Occupation:                                 Mounted Police Trooper

Address:                                       Bega

Next of kin:                                  Father:  George Edward WHITELEY – A farmer

Religion:                                       Roman Catholic

Single / Married:                       Single

Returned to Australia:            191018 from Plymouth, England on D24, “Sardinia”

Awards:                                         1914 /15 Star,  Returned Solider badge # 87105

Injuries:                                        gunshot ( shrapnel ) wound to lower lip – 130515. 9 days under treatment.  Gunshot wound to left leg, left foot & right side of head.  He stated that while serving in Gallipoli, he suffered from indigestion for the first time and has suffered on and off whit it ever since.  In the past twelve ( months ) the attacks of pain with occasional vomiting have been more frequent….  Twelve days before admission and on the 5th July, he vomited about a couple of pints of blood.

Attributable to service during war and active service conditions in Gallipoli.

Discharge #:                                56009

Previously Served in the Colonial Force.

Description:  5’ 8″ tall, fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.  Chest = 34.5 – 40″.  11 stone 12 lbs. No marks on body.

[/blockquote]

Sgt George Thomas WHITELEY ( 29 old ) of 1st Division H.Q., ( The Hutment Camp, Abbotsbury Rd, Wyke Regis, U.K. married Kate HARPER ( 22 old ), Spinster of 2 Block A, The Flats, Tidworth, England ( occupation: Clerk ) at St. Augustine’s Chapel, Dorchester Rd, Melcombe Regis, Weymount, England by Roman Catholic Priest Thomas Sheehan on the 3 October 1918.  Registrar’s Reference # 80.

In 1936 – after the explosion, his wife was living at 134 Railway Pde, Carlton, NSW.  This address ( 2019 ) is / was the Westpac Bank, Kogarah.

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour

Born:  Saturday 20 October 1888 – Bega, NSW

Died on:  Wednesday 25 March 1931

Age:  42 years, 5 months, 8 days

Cause:  Gas Cylinder Explosion

Event location:  outside Momalong Hotel, Berrigan, NSW

Event date:   Wednesday 25 March 1931

Funeral date: ? ? ?

Funeral location: ?

Wake location: ?

Funeral Parlour: ?

Buried at:  Berrigan Cemetery, Momalong St, Berrigan, NSW

Memorial located at: Photo hanging inside of Berrigan Police Station

GEORGE IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

Funeral location: TBA

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

About 4am on 25 March, 1931 Sergeant Whiteley and Constable McRae attended a fire at the Momalong Hotel, Berrigan.

During the fire both police officers were standing on the roadway outside the hotel when a gas cylinder exploded and a piece of flying metal struck the sergeant in the face, causing “injuries of a terrible nature” and killing him instantly.

Three bystanders (of an estimated two thousand who were watching the blaze) were also badly injured in the blast and another five were hit by flying steel, however all others recovered.

The sergeants faithful dog, which was standing beside his master, was also struck by flying debris and killed instantly.

The Canberra Times of 26 March, 1931 carried the following account of the incident.

FATAL EXPLOSION IN FIRE AT BERRIGAN. Police officer killed by flying steel.

Sydney, Wednesday.

The explosion of a gas cylinder occurred during a fire at the Momalong Hotel, Berrigan. Within a few minutes the entire population had turned out. The flames spread with great rapidity. The occupants of the hotel made a speedy exit. When the cylinder exploded with a terrific roar, Sergeant Whiteley and Constable McRae were standing in the centre of the roadway. A piece of steel became embedded in Whiteley’s head. He was quickly conveyed to a local surgery where life was pronounced extinct.

Michael Hurood, Elsie McGee, and Elaine Dawson were struck by flying steel and badly injured about the body. They are expected to recover.

A bucket brigade did splendid work.

More than two thousand persons turned out to watch the fire, but when the explosion occurred there was a wild dash for safety.

Whiteley, who was 41, suffered injuries of a terrible nature, while a dog standing beside him was killed instantly.

Five other men were hurt by flying steel.

Whiteley was married with five children.

The sergeant was born in Bega in 1886 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 March, 1910.

At the time of his death he was stationed at Berrigan.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/514697128544865/permalink/2058376927510203/

 Western Argus ( W.A. ) 

Tuesday  31 March 1931  page 13 of 36

GAS CYLINDER EXPLODES POLICE SERGEANT KILLED. DISASTROUS FIRE AT BERRIGAN. Sydney, March 25.

A police sergeant was killed, three people were hurt and nearly 1000 others scattered in terror when, during a fire at the Momolong Hotel, Berrigan, a gas cylinder exploded. The dead man is Sergeant C. George Whitley (41) married, with five children.

Whitley saw service at the war, and was at the Gallipoli landing. Mick Hurwood, Miss McGee and Miss Elaine Dawson ( was a former Echuca girl, living in High Street ) were injured by flying fragments of steel and wood. The two girls were taken to hospital.

The entire population of 2000 turned out when a fire engine rushed up the main street at 4.30 a.m. Hundreds of people assisted the firemen in trying to quell the outbreak, but the hotel was burned to the ground. In the hotel was a 40 lb. gas cylinder, which exploded during the height of the blaze. With a terrific roar it burst into flames, and sparks shot high in the air. The crowd scattered in terror. Whitley and Constable McRae were standing in the middle of the roadway assisting the fire fighters when there was a yell from the crowd. “Look out,” shouted a number of men, and they and the police ran for safety. McRae tried to catch hold of Sergeant Whitley and threw himself flat on the ground. A piece of steel, became embedded in Whitley’s head. McRae was not injured. Pieces of steel and wood cut their way into Hurwood’s leg, and the two girls were hurt about the body. They are expected to recover. The cause of the fire is unknown. Residents of the hotel hurriedly left the building, which was a single storied one, when the outbreak occurred.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/34579561

Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 – 1936),

Thursday 26 March 1931, page 9

trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/180982752

NSW Government Gazette – issue 108, page 3292.

Friday  4 June 1920

Electoral Appointments

Second Class Constable George Thomas WHITELEY, Fifield ( near Trundle ). – Electoral District: Murrumbidgee – Polling place: Fifield   In lieu of McLean – on leave. To take effect on 22 March 1920

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222081648/15452524

Bathurst Times (NSW : 1909 – 1925),

Wednesday 8 January 1913, page 4

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111211867

John Charles DONOVAN

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

Hit by Lightning

Brewarrina, NSW

Died  12 January, 1922

28 old

Funeral  13 January 1922 at Brewarrina

Re-interned pre 27 January 1922

to Yackandanda Cemetery, Victoria

About 4pm on 12 January, 1922 Constable Donovan left the Brewarrina Police Station to carry out some enquiries. About 45 minutes later he was hurrying back to the police station to avoid an approaching thunderstorm when he was hit by lightning in Bathurst Street, about 150 metres from the station. A subsequent inquest heard that the cap badge and metal buttons had been blown off the constable’s uniform with some buttons being found up to 50 metres from the body.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 13 January, 1922 included the following brief paragraph.

CONSTABLE KILLED BY LIGHTNING.

A telegram was received last evening by the Inspector-General of Police (Mr. Mitchell) from Sergeant Brandon at Brewarrina, stating that Constable Donovan of that station had been struck dead by lightning at 4.15 p.m.

The constable was aged 28 years at the time of his death and was stationed at Brewarrina.

Amazingly, the only two recorded NSW police deaths by lightning strike occurred on the same date, sixty years – to the day, apart.  The other being Constable James QUINN who was struck at Cockatoo Island, Sydney, NSW, on the 12 January 1862.

From Ken Medway on 5 April 2014 on Beyond Courage Facebook page:

A thorough search of the cemetery at Brewarrina, NSW, failed to locate the grave of John Charles DONOVAN aka DONAVON who is also recorded as being buried there. Inquiries with Brewarrina Shire revealed that all records were destroyed some years ago so his precise whereabouts will probably never be known. 

From Cal: “See Yackandandah Times story in this article.  Body re-interred in Yackandandah Cemetery, Victoria, pre 27 January 1922.”

The Tragic End of Constable J. C. Donovan.
A Yackandandah Native.
The township of Brewarrina is situated in the western portion of New South Wales on the Barwon River, a tributary of the Darling. In April last year Constable J. C. Donovan, son of Mr John Donovan, of Yackandandah, was transferred from Cobar. On Thursday afternoon Constable Donovan went on duty at 4.30 p.m., and immediately left the police station to make some official inquiries and was hurrying back to the station to avoid an approaching storm when he was struck down in the street by lightning, within 150 yards of the station. From the medical examination, it was apparent that the lightning struck him on the forehead over the left eye, which corresponded with the position of the metal button on the peak of the cap. The body was also scorched and burnt just where the buttons would be on the police uniform. The buttons and metal numbers were found blown off the uniform, several buttons being found in the street 50 yards away. The right heel and left sole of the boots were also blown off. Two men named Hutchinson and Smith were also in the street at the time and felt the shock the lightning. At the inquest the Coroner paid a tribute to deceased, and stated the whole town and district would mourn the loss of such an efficient and promising officer.

Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church by the Rev. Father Behan, P.P., for the repose of the soul of the departed officer on Friday morning. Sergeant Brandon and Constable Korn, his brother officers, were the very esence of kindness throughout the lamentable affair and were deeply affected by the tragedy. The funeral left the Court House at 4 o’clock on Friday afternoon and was largely attended. The handsome silver mounted casket containing the remains was completely smothered in floral tributes. The last sacred rites at the grave-side were performed by the Rev. Father Behan (says the Brewarrina Times). When the body was lowered to the grave (which is beside that of the Late Constable B. J. J. Dowling, who was killed in 1822) the large concourse of people returned to the town, and thus has passed away one to whom the words of Mark Antony referring to the death of Brutus, can well be applied : —
His life was gentle and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world ” This was a man. ”

Prayers were read on Sunday in St. Patrick’s Church by the Rev. Father Behan for the repose of the soul of Constable Donovan, after which Chopin’s funeral march was impressively played by Mrs Butler.

Sergeant Brandon in the course of a lengthy letter of condolence to the bereaved relatives said : — ” Mass was said for him this morning at 7 a.m. and the good Priest attended at the Police Station and performed the last sad rites at the bed side. Candles were burned, which I am preserving and am forwarding some floral tributes and cards of sympathy, which I have been requested to convey to you. You will see by them that your dear boy was held in the highest esteem both by rich and poor. His sudden death has cast quite a gloom over the little township. I intend to arrange for a paragraph of ” Return Thanks’ ” to appear in the local paper on your behalf. You will quite understand that the cards of sympathy are addressed to me because his friends here did not know where to send them. I do hope that it will be consoling to you to know and see the respect and esteem shown ; when you take into consideration the short period he has resided here. He arrived at Brewarrina on transfer from Cobar on the 5th. April, 1921, and has been a credit to his Parents, the Police Department and himself. I can assure you no one will miss him more than I will. It is very difficult to replace men of his character and ability, strictly sober, no day too long when there was work to do, confidential, scrupulously clean and tidy in his person and room, and most reliable in the performance of his duty. I mourn with you in the loss you and the Department have sustained by his death ”

The relatives decided to have the body re-interred in Yackandandah Cemetery.
The coffin was railed to Albury from Brewarrina and conveyed to Yackandanduh cemetery on Saturday afternoon by motor. A large attendance of mourners waited at the gate of the cemetery and several others drove along Albury road and formed a cortege to accompany the motor hearse.

Father Griffin read the service at the grave-side. The late Mr John Donovan, who was born in Yackandandah, resided in this township during his young days, and was well known and highly respected. Within the last few months he paid a visit to the district and renewed old friendships. His untimely end is regretted throughout the district and the deepest sympathy is felt for his relatives.

The Yackandandah Times ( Victoria ) Friday 27 January 1922 page 1 of 4
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/144784201#pstart17205036

From the Yackandandah Times, Victoria, dated Friday 20 January 1922, page 1 of 4, states ” Some difficulty occurred at Brewarina, New South Wales, where John Donovan died, owing to no lead coffin being available, so that the corpse could be transported to Yackandandah for burial.  This difficulty has now been overcome and the body will be re-interred in Yackandand cemetery on Saturday afternoon. ( indicating Saturday 21 January 1922 and the reason why he was originally buried at Brewarrina ).
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Cal:

Due to the fact that all of the newspaper articles and other documentation state that DONOVAN died on the 12 January 1922, I would say, with a fair deal of certainty, that the date on this grave stone of 12 January 1921 is INCORRECT.

John DONOVAN was originally buried at Brewarrina, NSW, the day after his death but re-interred at Yackandandah Cemetery, Victoria, pre 27 January 1921.

Donovan was buried at Brewarrina close to these co-ordinates:

GPS Location 29 58′ 10S / 146 50′ 46E
Old Catholic Section right over on western fence

Constable 1st Class William JUSTIN

New South Wales Police Force

Horse Accident

Thuddungra

8 March, 1905

On the day of his death Constable Justin was patrolling about ten miles from Thuddungra (Young district) when his horse became skittish and began to buck. The constable was driven into a wire fence by the animal, where he sustained severe injuries to his face and hands. He was found some three hours after the incident by some girls going home from school, and was quickly taken to the home of a Mr Webb. He was taken to Young Hospital the next day however he unfortunately passed away.

The constable was born in 1859 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 19 November, 1881. At the time of his death he was stationed at Young.

William Francis GRUNDY

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

35 old

Horse Accident

Holbrook

20 March, 1898

Inscription reads:

[blockquote]

[/blockquote]

The constable was critically injured when he fell from his horse about 18 miles from Holbrook on the 15 March, 1898. He was later found by the Tarcutta mailman and taken to Holbrook in an unconscious condition, where he passed away on the 20 March 1898.   The Argus newspaper of 1 April, 1898 carried the following brief story. ALBURY, Thursday. An inquest was held yesterday at Germanton into the circumstances attending the death of Constable Grundy, who succumbed to injuries received by a fall from his horse. Allegations were made that the Deceased was compelled to ride a horse which had fallen with him on other occasions. The evidence of the officer in charge of the Germanton Station to a great extent bore out the allegations. He stated that the horse was notoriously unsafe, and that Grundy had complained that it would break his neck some day. When advised to report the animal he said that it was no use doing so as he would only get another just as bad. Deceased was thrown off the horse while proceeding at night along a road beyond Germanton, he then being in search of sheep stealers. The superintendent of police gave evidence denying that the horse was unsafe. He admitted that the horse was timid and required careful handling. A verdict was recorded that Deceased met his death by injuries received by being thrown from his horse.   At the time of his death the constable was stationed at Germanton (now Holbrook).

Sergeant John McGUFFIE

New South Wales Police

Horse Accident

Adelong

30 January, 1897

The sergeant died on 30 January, 1897 as a result of being thrown from his horse on 2 January, 1897. It is not known whether this incident was an on-duty death or not. The Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal of 1 February, 1897 briefly described the incident.

A POLICE SERGEANT KILLED. ” A wire from Adelong says: Sergeant M’Guffie, who had been in charge of the police station here for the past twelve months, died early on Saturday morning from the effects of being thrown from his horse whilst returning from the racecourse on the 2nd instant.

At the time of his death the sergeant was stationed at Adelong, where he had been for some years. In 1896 he had replaced Sergeant Thomas Cassin (who had passed away) as the Officer-in-Charge and Gold Receiver.

Bernard Joseph John DOWLING

New South Wales Police Force

Constable

Horse Accident

Brewarrina

22 old

Death:  Reported as 11 January, 1882 but grave stone indicates he died on 19 January 1882.

On 11 January, 1882 the constable was riding near Milroy Station, Brewarrina, when his horse bolted and threw him against a tree. He landed across the saddle and was then dragged some distance. Unfortunately Constable Dowling had received severe injuries and despite being treated by a doctor, he passed away the following day.

The Maitland Mercury reported on 14 January, 1882 that “Yesterday evening while mounted Constable Bernard Dowling was riding near Mrs. Whitmarsh’s on Milroy Station, his horse bolted with him and ran him against a tree. He was thrown across the saddle and dragged some distance. A messenger came in for the police and doctor. Dowling was still insensible when the messenger left which was about an hour after the accident. Senior Constable Steele and the doctor left here about midnight.”

The constable was born in Ireland about 1860 and was a single man. At the time of his death he was stationed at Brewarrina.

[blockquote]

Launceston Examiner newspaper, Thursday 2 February 1882, page 1 of 4

DEATHS

DOWLING – Near Brewarrina, N.S.W., Bernard J., son of the late W. P. Dowling, of Launceston, aged 22 years.

[/blockquote]
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5 April 2014:  From Ken Medway, Beyond Courage Facebook page:

We recently visited Brewarrina and located the grave of Bernard Joseph John DOWLING who died in January 1882 as a result of a horse accident.
*
According to his headstone he died on 19 January and was 22 years old being born on 17 July 1859 at Launceston.
*
GPS Location 29 58′ 10S / 146 50′ 46E
Old Catholic Section right over on western fence
Beyond Courage Page 69.
*
A thorough search of the cemetery failed to locate the grave of John Charles DONOVAN aka DONAVON who is also recorded as being buried there. Inquiries with Brewarrina Shire revealed that all records were destroyed some years ago so his precise whereabouts will probably never be known.

NOTE:

From Cal: “See Yackandandah Times story article attached to the death of John Charles DONOVAN.  Body re-interred in Yackandandah Cemetery, Victoria, pre 27 January 1922.”