Liverpool ( 22 Division )( HWP )( Sept. 1976 – Aug. 1977 ),
Bankstown ( 19 Division )( GDs )( Aug. 1977 – June 1978 ),
21 Division ( Plain Cloths )( Gaming & Betting )( Sly Grog selling )( C.I. training )( June 1978 – March 1979 ),
Burwood ( 9 Division )( Dets Office )( March 1979 – Sept. 1979 ),
Fairfield ( 34 Division )( Det )(Sept. 1979 – April 1983 ),
Cobar ( Dets )( April 1983 – ? ),
Homicide Squad, ?,
Criminal Research Bureau ( C.R.B. ) – Resignation
After his resignation, he was a Newsagent in the Moorebank area for a short time before being head-hunted by the Federal Govt. working in a number of highly secured positions with the A.P.S. for 12 years and as Director of Protective Security for 3 years.
Source: Liverpool ( NSW ) Police Time Line by Joe Stanioch.
Service ( From Training Date ) period: From 26 February 1973 to 30 June 1988 = 15 years, 4 months, 4 days Service
Time employed ( Paid ) with NSW Police: From: 26 February 1973 to 30 June 1988 = 15 years, 4 months, 4 days Service
Time in Retirement from Police: 37 years, 7 months, 10 days
Age at Retirement / Leaving: = 34 years, 11 months, 4 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 21 August 1989 ( Det Sgt )
Peter Charles LONG
Born: Sunday 26 July 1953 in Waverley, NSW
Died on: Monday 9 February 2026
Age: 72 years, 6 months, 14 days
Organ Donor: Y / N / ?
Cause: Heart attack and had also been battling Cancer for some time.
Grave Location: Section: Family Estate Row: 6 Plot: 25
Grave GPS: ?, ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2026 )
PETER is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
If you have anything further to add to what is recorded here, please get in touch.
Class 134 – Group B. 1973 Front row – 3rd from the left is Allan RICKWOOD, 9th from the left is Peter LONG # 15688.
NSW Police Academy
Detectives’ Course 1 of 1981
2 February – 24 April 1981Back Row ( L – R ):
G. KIPPAX, G. GREEN, B. RITCHIE, A. LONGSON, T. GRIFFITHS, Colin ILES # 15334, K. FITZGERALD, Stephen LEACH # 15543, G. DUCKER, B. REID,
Third Row:
Barry PASSLOW # 14109, J. GARVEY, K. O’BRYAN, E. FREEMAN, G. DISKIN, G. SMART, B. PECK, S. ST JOHN, J. KHALIFEH, A. PEARMAN, J. INNES, D. CHAPMAN.
Second Row:
D. LINDSAY, R. BOWLES, G. MARTIN, B. DICKSON, I. CAMERON, G. ACTON, F. VENTURI, P. DUNN, Michael McGANN # 16758, J. RAND, Peter LONG, Steve PACKER, A. THOMAS
Front Row:
I. MURRAY, G. THOMPSON, R. JENKINS ( Inst. ), R. CLAMP ( Inst. ), P. MEEHAN ( Inst. ), N. GOULD ( Director ), L. BAKER, ( Inst. ), R. MYATT ( Inst. ), P. WALTER ( Inst. ), C. McDONALD, I. McDONALD
Peter Charles LONG AKA Peter LONG, Pete LONG, Longy, Longie
* Story behind any Nickname:
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2026 )
TEX is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
If you have anything further to add to what is recorded here, please get in touch.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Sunday 3 August 1958 ( aged 26 years, 3 months, 7 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Monday 8 September 1958 ( aged 26 years, 4 months, 12 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Secondary Training commenced on 6 April 1959 and concluded on 15 May 1959.
In the Class 060 ( Secondary Training photo of 1959 ) J. CHAPMAN is mentioned on the list of attendees but F.B. CHAPMAN appears not to be mentioned. There was no J. CHAPMAN in this Class.
Final Rank: = ?
Stations: ?, Mittagong – Resignation
Service ( From Training Date ) period: From 3 August 1958 to ? ? ? = ? years, ? months, ? days Service
Time employed ( Paid ) with NSW Police: From: 3 August 1958 to ? ? ? = ? years, ? months, ? days Service
Time in Retirement from Police: ? years, ? months, ? days
Age at Retirement / Leaving: = ? years, ? months, ? days
Awards: No Find on the Australian Honours system
Francis Bede CHAPMAN AKA Francis CHAPMAN, Frank CHAPMAN, Chappo
Grave Location: Section: Garden Lawn 1 Row: K Plot: 17
Grave GPS: ?, ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2026 )
FRANK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
If you have anything further to add to what is recorded here, please get in touch.
B. MARTIN, M. TUMETH, B. JARRATT, P. SLETTEN, D. SMITH, M. McDONALD, G. IVANOFF, J. ELSWORTHY, C. SWALES, V. RIDDOCH, J. CHAPMAN, J. McDONALD, Roy James SECKOLD, B. MILWARD = 14
2nd ROW:
E. WHITE, S. ELVINS, D. MacDONALD, R. HILL, W. CULLEN, R. SMITH, F. DELAMARE, W. PEARCE, N. HUNTER, Warren SKINNER, S. MERTON, C. TREMBATH = 13 but only 12 being named.
1st ROW:
Sgt HALL, A. MILLBANK, B. LYONS, V. DAVIS, B. SHOOBERT, J. JENSON, N. HOBART ( P/W ), Sgt BARKER, Sgt STIGOR, Sgt Ernie PORCH, J HARRISON ( P/W ), G. YOUNG, B. PETERSON, E. HOPTON, R. GIBSON = 16 but only 15 being named.
Absent: B.H. OAKLEY # 9104
It was noticed, on 11 Feb 2025, that Alfred John EDWARDS # 9112 is not in this photo for some reason. He also did not appear in the Class list for Class 060. It has been further noticed that there is no J. CHAPMAN ( 3rd row ) on the Stud Book list but there is a Francis Bede CHAPMAN # 9089 who is NOT mentioned in the photo.
F.B. CHAPMAN # 9089 appears in the Secondary Class list but not on the photo.
Francis Bede CHAPMAN AKA Francis CHAPMAN, Frank CHAPMAN, Chappo
* Story behind any Nickname:
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2026 )
IAN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
If you have anything further to add to what is recorded here, please get in touch.
Back Row ( L – R ) ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
Middle Row ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
Front Row ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
* Story behind any Nickname:
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Service ( From Training Date ) period: From 21 February 1966 to 7 February 2001 = 34 years, 11 months, 17 days Service
Time employed ( Paid ) with NSW Police: From: 21 February 1966 to 7 February 2001 = 34 years, 11 months, 17 days Service
Time in Retirement from Police: 24 years, 11 months, 17 days
Age at Retirement / Leaving: = 55 years, 0 months, 0 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 18 November 1982 ( SenCon )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 28 May 1992 ( Sgt )
Born: Saturday 7 February 1946 in Nundle ( Tamworth ), NSW
Died on: Friday 24 January 2026
Age: 79 years, 11 months, 17 days
Organ Donor: Y / N / ?
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event / Diagnosis date: ?
Funeral date: Thursday 29 January 2026 @ 11am
Funeral location: the Chapel, Alan Harris McDonald Funerals, 76 Copland St, Wagga Wagga, NSW
Wake location: ?
Wake date: ???
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Grave Location: Section: Row: ?Plot: ?
Grave GPS: ?, ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2026 )
BOB is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
If you have anything further to add to what is recorded here, please get in touch.
Class 106 – Redfern Police Academy. Sworn in on 4 June 1966. This group of nine went to 10 Division ( Waverley ) as Probationary Constables. Rear ( L – R ): ?, ?, ?, ?, ? Front: Robert Sydney HOGNO # 11857, ?, ?, ?
* Story behind any Nickname:
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2026 )
BARRY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
If you have anything further to add to what is recorded here, please get in touch.
Family and friends of Barry are invited to attend his funeral service to be held at 12:30pm, Friday 30 January 2026 in the South Chapel, Rookwood Crematorium, Memorial Avenue, Rookwood.
those who are unable to attend may view the livestream by clicking the link below. Please enter PIN 2451
Pastoral Times (South Deniliquin, NSW : 1866 – 1962),
Friday 20 January 1956, page 3
Bonded for Driving Under the Influence
Found guilty of driving a motor vehicle whilst under the influence of intoxicating liquor, Frederick George Huggard, of Heathcote (Vic.) was ordered to enter into a £30 good behaviour bond at the Court of Petty Sessions on Wednesday. Period of the bond is 12 months.
A second charge, of negligent driving, was withdrawn upon Hugget undertaking not to appeal against the conviction. Mr. L. R. Mathieson, Stipendiary Magistrate, presided on the Bench.
Barry John Hocking, constable of police stationed at Deniliquin, stated that at about 8 p.m. on December 27 he went to the scene of an accident near the Post Office where he saw defendant and asked him if he were the driver of a truck involved in a collision, and defendant admitted he was, adding he did not see the taxi behind him.
Defendant was swaying slightly on his feet, the constable continued, his breath smelt of intoxicating liquor, he had great difficulty with his words, his face was flushed and his eyes half closed.
Replying to a question by Constable Hocking, defendant had said he had three beers at the Globe Hotel a while previously.
Later, at the lock-up, defendant was told he was entitled to have the services of a doctor, but had replied that he did not want one. To Mr. Colin Shanks ( for Huggard ):
Witness had about three minutes conservation with defendant, and decided after one minute that he was under the influence of liquor. During his 18 months as a police constable he had arrested hundreds of persons for being drunk, but defendant was the second he had arrested for driving under the influence.
Defendant’s eyes were not more closed at the time of his arrest than they were in court, but he was blinking a lot.
Leslie Graham Jenkins gave evidence that on December 27 about 7.50 p.m. he was driving a taxi owned by Mr. C. Hussey down Cressy Street.
A Chevrolet truck was parked almost parallel with the kerbing in front of the Post Office.
Jenkins said that he had just finished parking his vehicle about five feet away from the back of the truck when it started reversing towards him. The truck, driven by Huggard, struck the back of the taxi at a low speed, causing damage estimated at about £5.
Mr. Hussey arrived on the scene, Jenkins said, and told Huggard that he was going to contact the police.
Huggard told the court that he had been on a four day fishing trip with two friends out beyond Old Morago. They had arrived in Deniliquin about two hours before the accident and parked in front of the Post Office. Before going to the Broadway Cafe for a meal, they had gone to the Globe Hotel and had three seven oz. glasses of beer each.
Immediately after their meal they had returned directly to their truck, he said.
Under cross examination by the Police Prosecutor, Huggard denied having told Constable Hocking that he had been at the hotel before returning to the truck, and denied having any other liquor that day.
They had taken 14 bottles of beer with them for the four day trip. Huggard said that, after arriving on the scene, Constable Hocking had talked for several minutes with Jenkins and the owner of the truck, Ron Tranter and walked over to him and said “I think you are under the influence.” He was then taken to the Police Station, Huggard said.
Ron Tranter gave evidence that he had known Huggard for a considerable period and was with him on the fishing trip. “During the whole day,” he said, ” I only left Huggard and the other member of the fishing trip for about ten minutes and the only liquor consumed in my company during the day was three glasses of beer in the Globe Hotel.”
Under cross examination Tranter said that Huggard was perfectly normal and he had been quite happy about letting Huggard drive his truck. He claimed that Huggard was walking in his usual gait. “He walks with a slight roll.” Tranter added, A reference regarding- Huggard’s personal conduct from a Justice of the Peace in Heathcote was tendered to the Court.
At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. Colin Shanks, appearing for Huggard, submitted that Constable Hocking had put the wrong interpretation, on several of Huggard’s physical characteristics. “Huggard habitually walks with a roll, his eyes are naturally half closed all the time and his face was flushed from spending four days out in the open air,” Mr. Shanks stated.
Summing up His Worship said that he did not accept defendant’s story that he only had three glasses of beer. “I have no doubt that the defendant was slightly under the influence of liquor, ” he added.
Pastoral Times (South Deniliquin, NSW : 1866 – 1962),
Tuesday 14 February 1956, page 1
Serious Police Shortage
Hard pressed Deniliquin Police are facing a serious shortage, and Sergeant F. Dawson says that from Thursday only one officer will be available to patrol the streets.
New Year we have had ? and with the limited available we can’t possibly ? the work,” ‘Sergeant Dawson said this morning. ? one hectic week. Constable Ryder, who ? relieving Detective ? was on duty continuously for four days, during ? that time he escorted a prisoner to Sydney and returned, all ? and with no sleeper ?. ? have expressed ? with the fact that only ? will be available to patrol the streets.
Recently a business office was inadvertently left open over the weekend and if this occurred again thieves could make off with the contents of the office without any fear of police intervention.
At present there are two police constables and Sergeant Dawson available for duty. However, Constable B. Hocking will be going on leave next Thursday and Constable ( A.B. ) Schiemer # 7643 and Sergeant Dawson will be the only two officers available.
Detective Ryder will return to Wagga on Thursday and Detective D. N. Knight will resume duty.
Sergeant Dawson said that he is still waiting on a lock-up keeper, and another officer to be transferred from Sydney to Deniliquin.
Pastoral Times (South Deniliquin, NSW : 1866 – 1962),
Friday 11 May 1956, page 9
Caught Red-handed By Civilian!
Caught red-handed with a stolen carton of potato chips in the early hours of Sunday morning, a man appeared at the Deniliquin Court of Petty sessions last Tuesday.
He was Anzac Lee Box, who was apprehended by a civilian at 12.30 a.m. on Sunday in front of the Exchange Hotel.
Messrs Dawson Boyd and J. Fleming, J.’sP., presided at Tuesday’s Court.
Mr K. Murray, secretary of the R.S.L. Club, told the court that he went to the club premises last Sunday morning and found two cartons of potato chips were missing. The value of the missing cartons was £3/10/, Mr. Murray said.
In a statement to the court Detective Knight said that when he questioned defendant on the Sunday morning he admitted taking the two cartons. Defendant had told him that he recalled dropping one carton when apprehended by the civilian, and thought he had hidden the other one in the lane, beside the club.
This carton was recovered by Constable Hocking.
Box was convicted and sentenced to 14 days’ hard labour.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2026 )
JOHN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
If you have anything further to add to what is recorded here, please get in touch.
Class 161C Back Row: ( L – R ) M.J. LEGGE, Steve K. HODDER, C.J. HALL, S.J. HUBBARD, P.J. JARVIS, Mark Alan JONES # 18446, John Kenneth HALL # 18407, T.F. LINDSELL Middle Row: A. HOARE, G.G. JONES, B.L. LEE, M.H. KENNEDY, John S. KERLATEC Front Row: David Andrew HANCOCK # 18369, P.J. JUDD, D.C. KEITH, J.J. KING, D.M. KELLOWAY, Garry R. HESKETT, P.J. HUXLEY, K.J. GRIFFIN
* Story behind any Nickname: Whistling Jack: He got that nickname because every time we saw him walking around the Academy, he was always whistling a tune
Grand Dad: No doubt he was the oldest student in the Class at the Academy.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Don’t call me Sarge. I am not a meat pie. And Get Off MY Parade Ground !
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 106
NSW Police Cadet # 1911
New South Wales Police Force
Uniform # 5419
Regd. # 11784
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy, as a Police Cadet, on Monday 24 February 1964 ( aged 16 years, 11 months, 21 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Thursday 3 March 1966 ( aged 19 years, 0 months, 0 days )
Constable – appointed 3 March 1967
Constable 1st Class – appointed 3 March 1971
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed 3 March 1975
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 20 May 1983
( had been an ‘Acting Sgt’ since 21 Aug 1975 )
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Inspector – appointed ? April 1994
Final Rank: = Inspector
Stations: As a Cadet: C.I.B. Modus Operandi Section ( M.O. )( Surry Hills )( ? – Aug 1964 ), Merrylands ( 26 Division )( Station Duties )( Aug 1964 – Feb 1965 ), Liverpool ( 22 Division )( Plains Cloths room duties )( Feb 1965 – Aug 1965 ), Liverpool ( 22 Division )( Traffic room )( Aug 1965 – Nov 1965 ), Fairfield ( 34 Division )( Station duties )( Nov 1965 – Feb 1966 )
As a Cadet: Redfern Police Academy ( Feb 1966 – ? ) for Initial Training as part of Class 106.
As a Sworn member: Parramatta ( 18 Division )( GDs )( ProCst )( ? – Dec 1966 ), Burwood ( 9 Division )( Arterial Road Solo Cyclist on Parramatta Rd )( Dec 1966 – July 1967 )
During this time, Maurie was ‘ Called Up ‘ for National Service Training between 12 July 1967 – 14 July 1969 and Served in Vietnam.
During September 1969 he resumed his Police Duties as a Solo Motorcyclist patrolling the Hume Hwy.
NSW Police Academy ( Shorthand Section as an Instructor )( Sept 1969 – June 1971 ), Parramatta ( 18 Division )( GDs )( June 1971 – April 1974 ), Regent St ( 2 Division )( GDs )( April 1974 – April 1975 ), NSW Police Academy ( Drill Instructor )( April 1975 – cApril 1994 ), Leader, Protocol Unit, Protocol Officer ( Inspector )( cApril 1994 – Retirement ( Medical ))
Service ( From Training Date ) period: From 24 February 1964 to 31 July 2002 ( Retired H.O.D. ) = 38 years, 5 months, 7 days Service
Time employed ( Paid ) with NSW Police: From: 24 February 1964 to 31 July 2002 ( Retired H.O.D. ) = 38 years, 5 months, 7 days Service
Time in Retirement from Police: 23 years, 4 months, 20 days
Age at Retirement / Leaving: = 55 years, 4 months, 28 days
Our deepest of condolences to his wife, Margaret, son Damien, family and friends.
He was a bloody good bloke.
May he Rest In Peace.
Maurice APM
GREEN APM, Maurice Lewis
03.03.1947 – 21.12.2025
Passed away peacefully aged 78
Late of Constitution Hill
Dearly beloved husband of Margaret,
proud Father of Damien, Daniel & Joshua, loving father-in-law of Lee-Mei, Melanie & Luana, cherished Poppy of Lucien, Lia, Sienna & Maddalyn.
He will be missed greatly by his family and friends. A life well lived, dedicated to his family and full of pride and love for those around him,
a Great and Genuine Man.
Maurice’s funeral service will be held at the North Chapel, Pinegrove Memorial Park, Kington St Minchinbury on Friday, 9th January 2026 at 1.30pm and will be live streamed.
As per Maurice’s wishes the family kindly request all in attendance wear their full-size medals.
Published by The Sydney Morning Herald on Jan. 3, 2026.
Class 106 – Redfern Police Academy – Sworn In 4 April 1966. This Group are the Cadets from that Class. Rear ( L – R ): Alan CHAMPION ( R.I.P. ) # 11922, Tony ANTUNAK # 11920, H.M. ‘ Max ‘ McKINNON # 11919, Ray ADAMS # 11785, Maurie GREEN # 11784, Mal BRAMMER # 11921, Mick JONES # 11783 Front ( L- R ): Phil MARTIN # 11788, Keith BYRNES # 11787, Mick BAMENT # 11917, Robert TAIT # 11786, Jim WOODEN ( R.I.P. ) # 11918, Lee RANKIN # 11924
Maurice Lewis GREEN APM AKA Maurie GREEN, Maurice GREEN, Morrie GREEN
Maurice Lewis GREEN & Len HARRIS outside of the Staff Office at Redfern Police Academy.
Maurice GREEN & Merv MORGAN
Maurice GREEN & Merv MORGAN
Maurice GREEN & Merv MORGAN
Maurice Lewis GREEN APM
Maurice Lewis GREEN
Maurice Lewis GREEN APM
Maurice Lewis GREEN APM AKA Maurie GREEN, Maurice GREEN, Morrie GREEN
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),
Tuesday 15 August 1972, page 9
Fan fined $25 for throwing firework
SYDNEY, Monday. — A football fan who threw a “bunger” at football spectators at yesterday’s St George -Parramatta rugby league match was fined $25 today.
Mr Robert Allen, 43, labourer, of Harris Park, pleaded guilty in Parramatta Court to letting off a firework at Cumberland Oval, Parramatta, in circumstances likely to cause damage to another person.
Constable M. Green told Mr R. J. Bartley, SM. that he had seen Mr Allen light the cracker. It had been thrown and exploded among football fans. No one had been injured “but they were startled”, he said.
The ‘Biz’ extends its sincere congratulations to all pupils who were successful in the Intermediate Certificate Examination – the best of luck for the future!
THE following are Intermediate Certificate results released last week to the “Biz” by the Department of Education. The results cover State and denominational secondary schools in the Southern Districts from Merrylands to Liverpool. Special provision has also been made for results from schools in other districts which accommodate local pupils. Inquiries about the results may be forwarded to the Education Department — the ‘Biz’ accepts no responsibility for errors.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
S.M. HAS DOUBT IN TRAFFIC CHARGE: DEFENDANT DISCHARGED
A charge of failing to keep to the left, brought against an Inverell baker in the Court of Petty Sessions on Monday, was dismissed by the Stipendiary Magistrate, Mr. N. E. Fegan.
At the conclusion of evidence, Mr. Fegan told the baker, Robert Ross Cracknell, of Raglan Street, that he had a doubt and would give him the benefit of it. ( The hearing was begun at an earlier Court, August 25, Kevin McGregor, driver of the car, which collided with Cracknell’s and Geoffrey Crossley gave evidence that a collision had occurred in front of the Inverell Court House on May 1 this year. The hearing was adjourned. Cracknell was represented by Mr. Guy Smith ( Borthwick and Butler ). Sgt. J. M. Dwyer prosecuted. He told Mr. Fegan that the police case, consisting of evidence from Constable C. M. McHardy and the three people in McGregor’s car had been completed at the previous hearing. Cracknell, in the witness box told Mr, Smith that on Saturday, February 28, he had been to a dance at Beaulieu and had returned to Inverell some time after midnight. When he came to Inverell, he dropped a man named Reg Adams at the Imperial Hotel corner and continued up Otho Street. He said he had seen the other vehicle’s lights coming but had taken no notice. Cracknell said just as he got past the Court House, the other car swerved into him without any notice.
‘ON CORRECT SIDE’
He told Mr. Smith that he was on the correct side of the road until the other car struck him. After the collision he had his driver’s side wheels over the yellow line.
He had been travelling about 15 or 20 miles per hour just prior to the collision. When he saw the other vehicle turning into him, he applied his brakes but it was too late as the other one came into him too quickly. After the impact, the vehicles had hardly moved at all. Defendant said his vehicle had been struck between the radiator and the driver’s side front mud guard. After the collision. McGregor’s car was at an angle of about 45 degrees to his. Defendant told Mr. Smith that he had known McGregor from schooldays. ” I asked him what had happened to make him swerve into me I don’t remember what he said. I think he said he would get the police. ” Cracknell said he had been badly cut about in the accident. He had been on his ? side coming past the monument ( at the intersection of O? and Evans Street. Mr. Smith: ” How long had you been driving “? Cracknell: ” Four years, have never had an accident or collision. Mr. Smith: ” Did you hear the constable., ask McGregor how long he had been driving? – Yes. He said three months. Replying to Sgt. Dwyer. Cracknell said he had shared a bottle of beer at the dance as soon as he got there — about 9 p.m. on the Saturday night. He said it would be right to say that the Constable could have smelt liquor on his breath, Cracknell said just before he left the ball to come home, he had not been advised by anyone not to drive his vehicle. When he had a conversation with McGregor just after the accident, the police had not arrived.
PLACE OF ACCIDENT
Defendant told Sgt. Dwyer that the accident had happened about 200 yards from, the monument on the ambulance station side, but about 20 yards from the Rivers Street intersection. He agreed that it could not have been 200 yards from the monument as the collision occurred in front of the Catholic Church gate.
” NOT ON INCORRECT SIDE “
Cracknell said Const. McHardy did not arrive at the scene of the accident until about twenty minutes after it had happened.
People of ? ? ? those in the ? ? at the accident before the Police, and others, had come along after the Constable arrived. Sgt. Dwyer: Where did they come from? Cracknell: The bus had come in from Beaulieu and people were walking up the street. Did you hear the Constable ask if there was anyone present who had witnessed the accident, apart from the drivers? NO. Would it be correct if McGregor said you drove your vehicle on the incorrect side past the monument? I am certain I did not do that. To Mr. Smith, defendant said he rarely drank wine. Keith O’Connell was the first to arrive at the scene of the accident which had happened about the second yellow line back from the Rivers Street intersection and right in from of the Catholic Church.
Ronald Keith O’Connell, of Gilgai, a truck driver for the MacIntyre Shire, said he had gone to school with both McGregor and Cracknell. On February 28 he had been at the dance at Beaulieu and had seen Cracknell there. He said he did not have anything to drink with Cracknell and he did not see the defendant have any drink.
FOLLOWED DEFENDANT TO INVERELL
O’Connell said he had met Cracknell just as the dance ended. Defendant was quite alright then, he said, and left to come home in front of him ( Witness ). He did not hear any one tell Cracknell not to drive. O’Connell told Mr. Smith he had followed Cracknell into town as they came past Campbell Street. He would be about 50 or 60 yards behind defendant. Cracknell let a man out at the Imperial Hotel corner and continued up Otho Street passing the monument on the correct side. Witness said he had seen the other car’s lights coming down the street, and just as it went to pass Cracknell, the other vehicle seemed to swerve in and collided with Cracknell’s vehicle. When he went over, Cracknell was standing by his car talking to McGregor. O’Connell said he heard the conversation between the two and both said they were on their correct side. ” Cracknell’s car was parallel to the yellow line and McGregor’s was at an angle of 45 degrees. I told Cracknell that if he wanted a witness, I would be one as I saw the whole thing. ” Cracknell was on his correct side of the road all the way up Otho Street.’
To Sgt. Dwyer O’Connell said when he told the defendant he would be a witness. Const. McHardy was not present and he had not heard the Constable ask for any witnesses to come forward. Cracknell ? ? he was in a position to tell if the vehicles had been on their correct sides.
O’Connell stated that when ? ? ? happened. McGregor’s wheels were over the ? ? and would not have come over the line because of the collision.
” VEHICLE SWUNG IN “
” As they went to pass, McGregor’s vehicle just swung in. ” At the time of the accident, he ( Witness ), had been on the ambulance station side of the monument. He told Sgt. Dwyer he could see the yellow line between the two cars just before the collision. O’Connell said he had gone to school at the same time as both McGregor and Cracknell. Since school, he had not been associated with McGregor and only occasionally with Cracknell. O’Connell said he only saw Cracknell at week-ends and not every week-end. ‘I have seen him at dances but I am not a close personal friend.’
Barry Wentworth Dunne, 16, of Gilgai said he had been at the dance at Beaulieu and had come back with Keith O’Connell. They left the dance at about 12 30 a.m. but he had not taken much notice of the drive in as he had dozed off to sleep. He had seen Cracknell’s car when they pulled up behind him as Cracknell let a man out at the Imperial Hotel corner. Cracknell had continued up the street, with O’Connell following about 25 or 30 yards behind him, Dunne said.
Cracknell was doing about 20 m.p.h. Defendant had passed the monument on the correct side, and just in front of the church, another car swung into him as if it was going to turn the corner and the two vehicles collided. After they had collided, Cracknell’s vehicle was on the correct side and McGregor’s car at an angle of about 45 degrees Dunne continued.
To Sgt. Dwyer. Dunne said he had told Cracknell that if he wanted any evidence given to call on him. He had been at the scene of the accident for about five minutes before he went to the show? ? a message for O’Connor ? ? McGregor was not ? ? where he left to go away.
” OTHERS PRESENT AT SCENE “
Dunne said he had not seen anyone walking along the street, but there had been others present at the scene of the accident. Const. McHardy was there when he returned. Witness said he had not heard the Constable ask if there were any people who had seen the accident. Dunne said he had discussed the matter of the car being at a 45 degree angle with defendant and O’Connell. Replying to Sgt. Dwyer, Dunne said he often dozed in a car but on the night in question he had wakened up when O’Connell’s car was near the Imperial Hotel.
Sgt. Dwyer: Were you wide awake when the accident happened ? Dunne: Yes. Where were you sitting? In the from seat beside the driver. Prior to the collision, how far behind Cracknell’s car were you ? About 25 at 30 yards. We had pasted the monument on the correct side. At the time of the collision, Dunne said he could not see the yellow line near the two vehicles, but he knew that O’Connell’s vehicle was on the correct side.
Dunne told Mr. Fe? that when he came from the show-ground, he had not spoken to Const McHardy about the accident as he had not been asked.
” A GRAVE DOUBT “
Summing up Mr. Smith submitted that there was a very grave doubt as the end of the police case as to how the accident happened. He said two perfectly independent witnesses had shown there was a further doubt. ” They are both witnesses of truth. If Cracknell was driving at from 15 to 20 m.p.h. on the correct side, there is nothing to say that he must keep well away from the yellow line ” Mr. smith said both Crossley and McGregor had said if Cracknell was parallel to the centre line at the time of the accident the accident could not have happened as it did. ” In order to make their story possible, this light car ( Cracknell’s ) had to get underneath McGregor’s and lift it round to an angle of e5 degrees without leaving any marks on the road. ” I submit that that is utterly impossible without leaving any marks on the road ; but the Constable could find no indication of marks. ” Mr. Smith said. He said the two witnesses had said that McGregor’s car turned in and that would put the cars how they finished on the road. Mr. Smith pointed out that the Constable even doubted that McGregor’s story of how the accident happened was feasible. Mr. Fegan said the evidence appeared to be diametrically opposed. Crossley and McGregor said the other car was coming straight at them. The Defendant has now produced two witnesses and their story had not been broken down. Mr. Fagan said he had a doubt and must give the defendant benefit of it and dismissed the information.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
