Harold William STURGISS

( late of Emu Plains )

New South Wales Police Force

Regd #.  1943

Uniform #  I690

Rank:  Constable 1st Class

Stations:  George St North Police Station, Granville, Penrith ( since 11 December 1928 ) – Death

Service:  From  29 October 1924  to  2 February 1939 = 14+ years Service

Awards:  No Find on It’s An Honour

Born:  ? ? 1902 in Tarago in the Goulburn District

Died on:  Thursday  2 February 1939

Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – Police motor cycle rider

Location:  High Street, Penrith approaching ( Victoria Bridge ) Nepean River bridge

Age:  36

Funeral date:  Friday  3 February 1939

Funeral location:  C of E portion of Penrith general cemetery

Buried at:  Plot 14, Row AB, Anglican 1 Section ( unmarked grave ),

Cox Ave, Kingswood

Grave updated:  On Tuesday,  11 July 2017, the UNMARKED grave of Cst Sturgiss was suitably MARKED.

The unmarked grave of Harold is the dirt to the left of the well kept grave in the foreground

HAROLD IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

On the afternoon of 2 February, 1939, Constable Sturgiss was riding a police motorcycle outfit along High Street, Penrith. As he was negotiating a bend approaching the bridge over the Nepean River, the wheel of the sidecar struck the kerbing of the roadway. The cycle veered across the roadway and collided with a truck travelling in the opposite direction. Constable Sturgiss was thrown heavily to the roadway, sustaining severe injuries. He died in hospital a short time later.

The West Australian dated 3 February, 1939 contained the following brief paragraph relating to the constable’s death.

CONSTABLE’S FATAL INJURIES. SYDNEY, Feb. 2 –

Constable Harold William Sturgiss (37) died in the Nepean District Hospital today from injuries he received when his police motor cycle collided with a motor lorry on the eastern end of the bridge over the Nepean River at Penrith.

The constable was born in 1902 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 29 October, 1924. At the time of his death he was stationed at Penrith.

NSW Birth, Deaths & Marriages

Birth:    12276/1902  to David J & Margaret E STURGISS

Death:  3196/1939

The Sydney Morning Herald    Friday  3 February 1939  p 9 of 26

STURGISS.- The Relatives and Friends of Mrs.

H. W. STURGISS and FAMILY, of Emu Plains, are invited to attend the Funeral of her dearly beloved HUSBAND and their dear FATHER, Harold William Sturgiss; to leave his late residence, Emu Plains, This Day, at 3.30 p.m.. for the Church of England Cemetery, Kingswood.

T. J. ANDREWS, A.F.D.A..

23-25 Enmore Road, Newtown.

Phones, L2873-4.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17559160?searchTerm=harold%20william%20sturgiss&searchLimits=#pstart1173406

Nepean Times ( Penrith )    Thursday  9 February 1929  p 1 of 8

Fatality at River Bridge

DEATH OF CONSTABLE STURGISS

As briefly mentioned in the second edition of last issue, Constable Harold William Sturgiss  (36), of Penrith Police Force, died in Nepean District Hospital last Thursday afternoon from injuries received shortly before when a motor cycle and sidecar he was riding got out of control at the eastern end of the Victoria Bridge, over the Nepean River, and ran into a motor lorry. The accident happened shortly after 1 p.m., when the constable was returning to his home at Emu Plains.

Approaching the bridge the constable was travelling on his correct side of the roadway, when the wheel of the sidecar struck the kerbing along the footpath. The wheel, it seemed, travelled hard on to the kerb and then suddenly swung across the roadway to the right hand side, striking the off front corner of a heavy motor truck carrying five tons of sand and travelling east.

Apparently the constable’s chest came in contact with the off corner of the lorry and then slid along the side, striking the off rear wheel. This threw him off the machine on to the roadway.

INQUEST

The district coroner, Mr E. F. Rule, held an inquiry into the fatality at Penrith Court House yesterday.

Sergeant Sheridan stated that approaching the bridge from the eastern end there was a very sharp curve to the left, and eyewitnesses stated that as the motor cycle was being driven around the curve the wheel of the sidecar struck the kerbing on the left hand side going west, and then suddenly the cycle swung to the left with the sidecar up in the air. Deceased appeared to make every effort to right the cycle, but failed to do so, with the result that it struck the motor truck with great force.

The Ambulance was soon on the scene and he was taken to Penrith Hospital.

Deceased was regarded as a very careful motor cycle rider, stated the Sergeant, and had been riding departmental bikes for ten years. The bike   used on this occasion was in good repair, added the Sergeant.

Cedric Russell Neville, contractor, residing at Merrylands, stated that he was at present employed carting gravely sand, and blue stone from the Emu   Plains Gravel Coy’s. works to the Water Board’s construction works at Eastern Creek. At the eastern end of the river bridge his lorry was doing about 10 – 15 miles an hour. The motor cycle ridden by the constable came round the bend on its correct side. Witness was on his correct side. The sidecar wheel bumped the kerb, and the car immediately jumped into the air. Then the cycle swerved across to witness’s lorry, striking the off rear wheel. Witness stopped immediately Some lady in the vicinity immediately rang for the Ambulance.

Dr. Barrow, who examined deceased at the Hospital, stated that his injuries were a fractured right arm, a   double fracture of the right forearm, extensive fractures to the ribs on the right side of the back, pelvis bone fracture, and extensive shock. The cause of death was shock and visceral

injuries.

The coroner extended sympathy to the bereaved widow, and stated that deceased’s record as a police officer was of the highest, and it was a tragedy that the career of a man so young   should be cut off in this way.

A verdict of accidental death was returned.

DECEASED’S CAREER

The late Constable Sturgiss was born at Tarrago 36 years ago and was the son of Mr and Mrs D. Sturgiss, of that town. Deceased joined the New South Wales police force in Sydney on 29th October, 1924. He was attached to George Street North and Granville stations before coming to Penrith on 11th December, 1928, and had carried on duties here as a motor cyclist of the force. He had been residing   at Emu Plains since 18th March, 1929.

Constable Sturgiss was a very efficient officer of the force and both in   his official and private capacity enjoyed the esteem of many who knew   him. He was obliging, courteous, and conscientious, and his tragic passing is a great sorrow to many friends.

He is survived by Mrs Sturgiss, a son (Ramond) and daughter (Norma).

THE FUNERAL

The funeral, on Friday afternoon, was one of the most largely attended in Penrith for some time, the force and the civilian population being well represented. It was Impressive evidence of the esteem in which the deceased was held as an officer and as a citizen.

The cortege left deceased’s residence at Emu Plains at 3.30 p.m., escorted by four police motor cyclists, who acted as pall-bearers.

At Riley Street the procession was joined by the Police Band and a contingent of police of Penrith and surrounding stations, as well as some from the city.

Inspector Cannell, of Parramatta, represented the Commissioner of Police.

The Police Band and police unit escorted the cortege as far as the police station, after which the members proceeded to the cemetery by cars.

The interment was in the C. of E. portion of Penrith general cemetery, the service being conducted by the Rector. Rev. R. S. Capple.

Numerous wreaths were forwarded including wreaths from Penrith and Parramatta police and the Police Officer’s Association, Sydney.

It was an official funeral and the casket was draped with a Union Jack.

The P.A.F.S. and L.O.L. Orders were largely represented, deceased being secretary of the local lodges in each ease.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/101057355?searchTerm=harold%20william%20sturgiss&searchLimits=#pstart10719157

Constable Edward Thomas MARTIN

Motor Vehicle Accident

Arncliffe

1 April, 1937

The West Australian newspaper dated 2 April, 1937 carried the following brief article relating to the death of Constable Martin. Nothing else is known as yet.

PIERCED BY SHAFT – Death in Collision with Cart.

SYDNEY, April 1 – Constable Edward Thomas Martin (25), of Station Street, Arncliffe was killed this afternoon when his motor cycle and a cart collided in Wollongong Road, Arncliffe. Constable Martin was shockingly injured.  A shaft pierced his chest, severing arteries of the right lung. Constable Martin was on his way home after collecting his pay when he met his death.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 3 April 1937 carried a death notice for Constable Martin, as follows: MARTIN – April 1 1937 (accidentally killed at Arncliffe) Constable Edward Thomas (Eddy) Martin dearly loved son of Sergeant John and Mary Martin of 77 Station Street, Arncliffe and dear brother of Bernie and Ray, aged 25 years. Requiescat in peace.

At the time of his death the constable was 25 years old and was stationed at North Sydney. He was buried at Woronora Catholic Cemetery (Sutherland).

Thomas SMITH

Senior Constable

Horse Accident

Euston

19 April, 1910

On the 18 April, 1910 the mounted constable made a patrol to the police paddock, and while he was returning his troop horse began to buck. The horse then bolted and Senior Constable Smith was thrown violently against a tree, sustaining severe internal injuries. Knowing he would not be found before it became dark, he began to walk towards town. When he had travelled a short distance he was found by some men who helped him into Euston in a barrow. A doctor arrived from Balranald that night and after examining the injured man made arrangements to have him taken to hospital. Unfortunately the vehicle conveying the injured constable to hospital broke down and he passed away.

The Register newspaper of 25 April, 1910 reported that ” Regret is expressed at Wentworth ” at the sudden death of Senior Constable Smith, officer in charge of the police at Euston, 80 miles from Wentworth. The constable, it appears was thrown from his horse, which had stumbled and rolled on his chest. At first his symptoms were not considered serious but as the day advanced and while the constable was being driven to Balranald for medical treatment, he expired. He has left a widow and six children. The late constable was highly esteemed in the district, and was a general favourite.

The senior constable was born in 1871 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 February, 1897. At the time of his death he was stationed at Euston.