On 5 February, 1949 Constable Patch was riding a police motor cycle from Parramatta to Sutton Forest where he was to perform special Vice Squad duty. About ten kilometres north of Mittagong, on the Hume Highway, the cycle left the roadway, throwing the constable onto a rock heap. As a result he sustained a fractured skull and died a short time later in the Berrima District Hospital.
The constable was born in 1922 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 11 November, 1946. At the time of his death he was stationed at Rose Bay.
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John Lindsay MARSH
26/10/2012
John Lindsay MARSH
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Constable 1st Class
Stations: ?, Glenn Innes ( 5 – 6 years ), Gloucester ( 10 months ) – death
Service: From 8 January 1930 to 9 November 1943 = 13+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1909
Died on: Monday 9 November 1942 about 2pm
Event location: southern end of Church St, Gloucester
Death location: at MVA scene
Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident, Police bike & sidecar – Rider
Age: 33
Funeral date: Wednesday 11 November 1942 @ 2pm
Funeral location: St James Church of England, Maclean
Buried : Maclean General (Anglican).
Cameron Street, Maclean.
Anglican, Section C, Row CC, Lot 13
GPS: -29.466111, 153.201944
Memorial at:
Touch plate at National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
John Lindsay MARSH Maclean General (Anglican). Cameron Street, Maclean.
[alert_green]JOHN is included in the NSW Police Honour Roll.[/alert_green]
On 9 November, 1942 Constable Marsh was riding a police motor cycle outfit in Church Street, Gloucester. The cycle collided with a post, overturned and threw the constable to the roadway. As a result Constable Marsh suffered a fractured skull and despite being taken to hospital, died the same day.
The constable was born in 1909 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 8 January, 1930. At the time of his death he was stationed at Gloucester.
The Dungog Chronicle Friday, 13 November, 1942page 3 of 4
“SHOCKING ACCIDENT. CONSTABLE MARSH KILLED.
A distressing fatality occurred in the southern end of Church Street, Gloucester, on Monday afternoon, when Constable John Lindsay Marsh was thrown from his motor cycle and received severe head injuries from which he died within a few minutes. The occurrence happened about 2 p.m., just at a small culvert almost in front of the home of Mrs. J. West, Sen. The constable left town and was on his way to Ward’s River on official duty. A few minutes before he was at the motor garage of Mr. A. Grahame and in excellent spirits. Mr. Jack West, who saw the happening from his home, said Mr. Marsh seemed to be doing something to the gears of the cycle. It suddenly veered to the left-hand side of the road way and the wheel of the sidecar struck the guide post of the culvert. The rider was thrown into the air and in falling his head appeared to come in contact with the hard road. The machine overturned, also, and skidded partly under the injured man. Constable Marsh was unconscious when help arrived, within a short space of time, but passed away without regaining consciousness, some fifteen or twenty minutes later. In addition to his parents, widow and son, the deceased is survived by four sisters: Mrs. Boon and Mrs. Moses, of Kogarah; Mrs. William S. Friar, 19 Boyce Street, Taree; and Mrs. Farlow, of Maclean.”
NSWBDM
Born – 5214/1909 Father = Walter Mother = Barbara A MacLean District
Married 1932 to Sheila Daphne MARSH nee THOMAS in Narrabri, NSW – born 1912
Death – 26323/1942 Father = Walter Mother = Barbara Ann
Lower River Native To Be Given Police Funeral AT MACLEAN TO-DAY.
First-class Constable John Lindsay Marsh, who was killed while on duty at Gloucester on Monday afternoon, will be accorded a police funeral at Maclean this afternoon.
This will be the first police funeral held in the Grafton district for many years. Fifteen police in charge of Inspector B. H. Baxter, of Grafton, will attend the funeral.
Constable Marsh, who was a native of the Lower Clarence, had been stationed at Gloucester for nearly a year. On Monday afternoon he was riding a motor cycle along the main road on the outskirts of the town when the machine skidded on some rough road and crashed into a post, throwing Constable Marsh heavily to the ground. He received severe head injuries from which he died about half an hour later before he could be removed to hospital.
The body was taken to Taree and put on the train for Grafton. It was taken from Grafton to Maclean yesterday afternoon for the funeral at Maclean at 2 o’clock this afternoon.
Constable Marsh, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Marsh, of Palmer’s Island, are well-known residents of the Lower River, was born at Maclean 33 years ago, and joined the New South Wales police force about 13 years ago. He was stationed al places in the north-west of the State and at Glen Innes, and went to Gloucester about a year ago. During the time that he was stationed at Gloucester he proved a most efficient officer and won the esteem and affection of a very large circle of friends, who were deeply grieved to learn of his tragic death.
As Constable Marsh had been killed on duty it has been decided that he be given a police funeral, and Inspector Baxter, whose district the funeral will take place, has been instructed to arrange for this. Police from Grafton, South Grafton, Ulmarra. Maclean. Brushgrove, Lawrence; and Harwood Island, will be in Maclean for the funeral this afternoon. They will march ahead of the hearse, and at the cemetery will form a guard of honor. Some of them will also act as pall-bearers.
A distressing fatality occurred in the southern end of Church Street, Gloucester yesterday afternoon, when Constable John Lindsay Marsh was thrown from his motor cycle and received severe head injuries from which he died within a few minutes.
The occurrence happened about 2 p.m., just at a small culvert almost in front of the home of Mrs. J. West, Sen. The Constable left town and was on his way to Ward’s River on official duty. A few minutes before he was at the motor garage of Mr. A. Grahame and in excellent spirits.
Mr. Jack West, who saw the happening from his home, said Mr. Marsh seemed to be doing something to the gears of the cycle. It suddenly veered to the left-hand side of the road and the wheel of the side-car struck the guide post of the culvert. The rider was thrown into the air and in falling his head appeared to come in contact with the hard road. The machine overturned, also, and skidded partly under the injured man.
Constable Marsh was unconscious when help arrived, within a short space of time, but passed away with out regaining consciousness some fifteen or twenty minutes later. The Ambulance, from Taree, was sent for immediately after the happening and on its arrival the body was conveyed from Mrs. West’s residence to Howard’s funeral parlour.
An inquest into the cause of the accident and death will be held.
Constable Marsh had been stationed in Gloucester for the past eleven months. He succeeded Constable Jack Casey when this officer was transferred to Glen Innes. He was an extremely likeable officer and had gained the goodwill of all sections of the community. He was of a happy disposition and displayed same in the course of his duty, and in the spending of his leisure hours.- To us he seemed the type that might genuinely be termed a good sport, and gave evidence of the trait in a man’s make-up that makes for this quality on a number of occasions, both in and out of Court.
During the past few months, whenever Constable Marsh had an hour or two away from the more serious duties of his job, he spent same in the garden and grounds at the Police Station. The trim and well-kept appearance there tell more plainly than words of his gardening ability and the. pride and pleasure shown in’ its doing.
Genuine regret will be general at this popular officer’s sad and sudden passing.
Mr. W. T. Howard . took the body to Taree by, hearse, last evening to be conveyed, later to Maclean, where Constable Marsh’s parents live.
Grave updated: On Tuesday, 11 July 2017, the UNMARKED grave of Cst Sturgiss was suitably MARKED.
Constable Harold Sturgiss ( 1939 )
Touch plate at the National Police Wall of Remembrance – Canberra
The burial site of the late Harold William Sturgiss, unfortunately his burial site of Plot 14 is unmarked, the monument next to his burial site is Elizabeth and Frederick Lock, Plot 13, Row AB, Anglican 1 Section. In the photo, his burial site is to the left of the Lock Monument.
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
Another graves project completed today ( Tuesday 11 July 2017 ). Constable First Class Harold William Sturgiss died on the 2nd February 1939 as a result of a motor cycle accident on Victoria bridge Penrith, whilst on duty. It is with great satisfaction that today a 78 year old oversight has been remedied, and we are able to advise Cst 1/c Sturgiss’ elderly daughter that the work ( a properly marked grave ) has been completed.
As seen, by Col Colman on Friday 28 August 2020.
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.
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.
IN MEMORIUM STURGISS – In loving memory of my beloved husband and our dear father, Harold William, who was accidentally killed on February 2, 1939. Always remembered and sadly missed by his loving wife and children, Norma and Raymond.
Constable Edward Thomas MARTIN
26/10/2012
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).
Arthur Charles HUMPHRIES
26/10/2012
Arthur Charles HUMPHRIES
New South Wales Police Force
Constable
Motor Vehicle Accident
Darlinghurst
7 April, 1925
Cst Arthur Charles HUMPHRIES. Grave is located at Collector cemetery next door to the Police Station. When you walk in facing the back of the cemetery, it is around the middle and to the left.
Cst Arthur Charles HUMPHRIES
On Sunday 5 April, 1925 the constable was riding his motor cycle in Darlinghurst when the cycle collided with a brick wall at the intersection of Bourke and William Streets. He sustained a fractured skull and broken collar bone and was conveyed to the Sydney Hospital in a ( as reported in The Sydney Morning Herald ) critical condition but another newspaper article in the Singleton Argus, dated 11 April, states that he was treated and allowed to leave hospital to return home and that he was talking to a friend at 6pm when he collapsed and upon his second admission to hospital, it was discovered that he had a fractured skull.
He died on Monday, 6 April, 1925. It is not known if this death occurred on duty.
The Sydney Morning Herald dated 6 April, 1925 reported that “Severe injuries were sustained by Arthur Charles Humphries aged 23 years, a police constable stationed at Darlinghurst, who resides at 20 Hoddle Street, Paddington, when he lost control of his motor cycle yesterday and was thrown against a brick wall. The injured constable was riding the cycle in Bourke Street, East Sydney. He was thrown with great force against the wall, and suffered a fractured skull and a fractured collarbone. He was taken to Sydney Hospital where his condition last night was reported to be extremely critical.”
The NSW Register of Coroners Inquests and Magisterial Inquiries, 1834-1942 indicates that an inquest was held into the constable’s death at the Sydney City Coroner’s Court on 14 April, 1925 where it was found that the death was caused from “injuries accidentally received through being thrown from his motorcycle.”
The constable was born in Goulburn in 1903 and at the time of his death was stationed at Darlinghurst.
The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 6 April 1925 page 12 of 20
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 7 April 1925 page 11 of 20
Singleton Argus Saturday 11 April 1925 page 6 of 8
