The facts, briefly, associated with acts of bravery performed by Police during the year 1967 are as set out hereunder.
10. On 14th June, 1967, at North Richmond, Constable 1st Class William Andrew Shute, whilst seated in a Departmental motor car, was confronted by a man whom he had followed.
The man held a loaded sawn-off rifle at the Constable’s head. Whilst this was happening the Constable endeavoured to draw his pistol. The man directed the Constable to surrender his pistol. The Constable refused and removed the ignition keys from the Police car. He then alighted from the car and when he did so the man shot him on a number of occasions in the leg.
The man was later arrested and charged with maliciously wounding the Constable and other offences.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
THOMAS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
BARTLETT – BRADFORD. — The Engagement is announced of Beverly Ann Bradford, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Bradford, of Nowra, to Thomas Charles Bartlett, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Bartlett, of Clovelly.
The facts, briefly, associated with acts of bravery performed by Police during the year 1967 are as set out hereunder.
2. On 13th January, 1967, Sergeant 3rd Class Malcolm Anthony Taper ( NSWPF # 5762 ), Senior-Constable Thomas Charles Bartlett ( NSWPF # 6990 ), and Constable 1st Class Ronald Frederick Dening ( NSWPF # 8988 ) arrested a man at Rydalmere who was armed with a rifle with which he fired upon the Police.
SYDNEY, Wednesday. — A man who was sentenced to seven years’ gaol today for shooting at police was told by Mr Justice Nagle that he was lucky he was not in the dock for murder.
Alan John Skinner, 25, of Rydalmere, pleaded guilty to a charge of shooting at Constable Thomas Charles Bartlett on January 30 with intent to prevent lawful apprehension.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 4 July 1975 (No.92), page 2670
(1534) Sydney, 4th July, 1975.
Land District — Metropolitan; Shire — Hornsby
Thomas Charles Bartlett and Beverley Anne Bartlett. Part of the non-public reserved road within portion 59, being also the road within lot B of Transfer No. G. 653095, Parish North Colah, County Cumberland. Rds 75-1020.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 8 August 1975 (No.105), page 3195
(2319) Sydney, 8th August, 1975.
Land District — Metropolitan; Shire — Hornsby
Thomas Charles Bartlett and Beverley Anne Bartlett. 2 150 square metres, being lot 1 in Deposited Plan 250326, Parish North Colah, County Cumberland. Rds 75-1020.
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.
In loving Memory Of Our Parents Michael R Hennessy Died 21st March 1930 and Catherine Hennessy Died 9th March 1942 Also Mary Weslan Died 3rd May 1923 Also Mary Hennessy Died 2nd March 1906
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
MICHAEL is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
William Kline alias McGrath, charged in company with inflicting grievous bodily harm on Michael R. Hennessy, has been arrested by Senior-constable Young and Constables Spencer and Hennessy, Sydney Police.
Committed for trial at Quarter Sessions.
Further charged in company with Arthur Turner with assaulting Constable James C. Farley.
Sentenced to three months and Turner to two months gaol.
Constable Michael R. Hennessy was proceeded against at the Central Summons Court on an information alleging that, on the 10th Inst., he, without lawful excuse, entered the enclosed lands of Charlie Young, 58 Campbell-street, without the consent of the occupier, Charlie Young, or of the person in charge, Ah Chong. Defendant pleaded not guilty.
Mr. J. J. Carroll ( Messrs. Crick and Carroll ) appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Mant ( Crown Law Office ) for the defence. Charlie Young, a Chinese, who spoke English fluently, said he lived at 58 Campbell-street, and was a commission agent for market gardeners. He was the owner of the premises. He did not give the defendant permission to enter the premises on the 10th Inst. On that day witness went out at about five minutes to 1, leaving Ah Chong in charge, and returned about ten minutes later. Ah Chong then “told him something, ” and witness laid the information. Cross-examined, witness said that he used to sell pak-a-pu tickets, but had not done so since the passage of the new Act. There were a lot of pak-u-pu tickets under the counter, but witness did not use them. There was a result of an old pak-a-pu drawing on the wall when the police entered the premises. Defendant had not cautioned witness about selling pak-a-pu tickets. Ah Chong, a cook, stated through an interpreter that when the defendant entered witness was standing at the end of the counter. Defendant opened a drawer, | took out some papers, and tore them up, and said ” These are old pak-a-pu tickets. ” Defendant said that he went to the premises on special duty in connection with pak-a-pu shops. The
place was open to the public, and he believed he had a right to enter. Witness had been there before and no objection had been made to his entering. On entering witness said to Ah Chong, ” I see you are playing pak-a-pu. I saw a white man leaving the shop. ” There were pak-a-pu tickets on the counter, and Ah Chong, on seeing witness, tried to put them into a drawer. Witness said ” You had better tear them up. They are pak-a-pu tickets, ” and Ah Chong said ” All li, me tearem up,” and did so. There was also pak-a-pu results posted on the wall, and Ah Chong tore these. witness destroyed nothing in the shop. The complainant, called in reply, said that certain tickets produced were torn up by the defendant. The backs of these tickets were used by witness for making business memoranda. . At this stage it was agreed that the evidence in this case should be taken as evidence in a case wherein the defendant was proceeded against by Charlie Young on a charge of having maliciously damaged, to the extent of £4 10s certain personal property of the complainant, namely, several sheets of paper containing memoranda of accounts and business transactions. Charlie Young, re-called, gave particulars of certain items written on the backs of tire tickets. He did not give instructions to Ah Chong or anyone else to tear up valuables belonging to him. Evidence was given for the defence by Senior constable Orr and Constable McGannon.
Michael HENNESSY Snr was part of the contingent that were transferred to Broken Hiss during the Miner’s Strike in 1910.
Forbes Advocate (NSW : 1911 – 1954),
Friday 9 April 1937, page 1
GROWN WITNESS DENIES POLICE EVIDENCE
Assault and Robbery Charge CONFLICTING STATEMENTS IN MATTER OF DRINKS
THERE was an excessive conflict of evidence presented to the Police Magistrate, Mr. M. J. Ryan, at the Forbes Petty Sessions on Tuesday when an assault and robbery case was heard. The defendant was one, John Clement Hay, aged 21, who was charged with the assault and robbery of his friend, Thomas Henry Roberts, in a lavatory in the backyard of the Club House Hotel, Forbes, on the afternoon of Saturday, March 20. Hay pleaded not guilty to the charge. At the conclusion of the Crown case, Mr. Meillon, who appeared for Hay, submitted to the P.M. that no case had been made out against his client, and asked that he be discharged. Mr. Ryan maintained that a prima facie case of assault had been submitted by the police, and amended the charge to one of common assault. Later he convicted Hay and imposed a fine of £2, with £4/11/8 costs.
Mr. R. Meillon appeared for the defendant, and the Crown case was in | the hands of Inspector D. O’Connell.
CROWN CASE
John Keith McLean, constable of police stationed at Forbes, stated that at about 3.30 o’clock on the afternoon of March 20, as a result of something he was told, he proceeded to Johnson Street, Forbes, accompanied by Constable Reeves. He saw the accused, Hay sitting in a motor lorry in front of his home. He told the defendant he wanted to see him. Hay got out of the lorry and walked a few yards away. He then informed defendant that he was making enquiries concerning a man named Roberts, who said he had been assaulted and robbed by him in the backyard of the Club House Hotel that afternoon. Roberts claimed that he had been relieved of £2/10/ from the fob pocket of his trousers. In reply the defendant denied that he had either assaulted or robbed Roberts. Continuing, the witness stated that he asked Hay if he had seen Roberts that afternoon, and the former replied that he had seen Roberts that morning when they had had a few drinks together, later going to Hay’s home for dinner. Asked if he would go to the Police Station and see Roberts, the defendant said he would. They did so, and on being confronted with Hay, Roberts said, “That is the man who assaulted and robbed me this afternoon.” The defendant made no reply. Prior to going to the Police Station, said McLean, he had asked the defendant if he had gone to the Club House Hotel that afternoon, and if he had gone into the lavatory with Roberts. Hay said he had done so and that they had had a bit of an argument concerning some money Roberts owed a man named Gage. They were alone in the lavatory, Hay told him. After Hay arrived at the Police Station he was warned in the usual way and asked if he wished to make a statement, which he did ( produced ).
SHOWED SIGNS OF DRINK
At the time of his arrest, said witness, Hay showed definite signs of having had strong drink, but was not drunk. The trousers he was wearing bore stains which appeared to be blood. His underpants were similarly marked and there was blood on his left hand. Hay said he could not account for the stains. The trousers and shirt worn by Roberts were also stained with what appeared to be blood. The four articles of clothing were removed from both Roberts and Hay and taken to Sydney for analysis by Constable Hennessy. A certificate had been returned stating that the stains were made by human blood. Cross-questioned by Mr. Meillon, witness stated he first saw Roberts at the Police Station about 2.45. He came to the station alone and was not under arrest. He would not say that Roberts was drunk. He was not bleeding at the time he came to the station, but had a bruise and a scratch about half an inch long under the left eye. In his opinion the cut could account for the blood on his clothes. Further questioned by Mr. Meillon, McLean said he had made certain enquiries about Hay before he saw him in the lorry. The latter informed him that he was told the police were looking for him and he had gone home. Hay had definitely been drinking. In reply to a question by Inspector O’Connell, witness stated that defendant had no money in his pockets when arrested. Leslie Reeves, police constable, deposed that about 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, from something he was told, he accompanied a man named Roberts to the Police Station. Accompanied by Constable McLean, he later proceeded to Johnson Street and saw a man named Hay sitting in a motor lorry in front of his residence. McLean told Hay they were making enquiries concerning a man named Roberts who alleged that he (Hay) had assaulted and robbed him of 50/ that afternoon in the backyard of the Club House Hotel. Defendant denied the allegations. Witness then corroborated the evidence of Constable McLean regarding the conversation that took place with Hay. He, too, was of the opinion that the defendant had been drinking, but was not in what could be termed; a drunken state. In reply to questions by Mr. Meillon, Reeves stated he had first seen Roberts in Templar Street. He was not bleeding at the time, but there was blood on his nose and eye and his shirt was wet with blood. There were no marks on his face except the cut near the left eye. He did not tell Roberts he looked as if he had been fighting and had better come to the Police Station. Roberts did not have a coat and appeared as if he had been fighting. He did not arrest Roberts, but asked him to go to the station with him. Constable Michael R. Hennessy gave formal evidence of having taken the clothing removed from Hay and Roberts to Sydney for analysis.
INFORMANT’S STORY
Thomas Henry Roberts, a laborer, living at Sheriff Street, Forbes, stated he was a relief worker. On March 20 he went to the Town Hall to collect his pay (£3/0/2). He met Hay and William Gage there and after getting their pay the three of them went to the P.O. Hotel, where they had three which he owed him. Gage then left them and he accepted an invitation from Hay to go to his place for dinner. Hay had a bottle of whisky at his home and they had a couple of drinks from it. After dinner, Hay and he went to Jack Hanley’s place. Hanley was not at home, and they talked to Mrs. Hanley. Later, they went down the town and to the Club House Hotel, where they both proceeded to the lavatory in the back yard. While standing in the lavatory, continued Roberts, Hay punched him on the nose and mouth, and he was knocked against the wall. He put up his hands to protect his face when he felt something tugging at his trousers. He said, “Benny, what is the matter with you?” Hay did not reply. He then walked out of the lavatory to the back of the hotel, where the proprietor gave him rag and water to wash his face. In reply to questions by Inspector O’Connell, witness said he noticed his trousers were torn at the fob pocket. He had had 50/ in notes in the pocket. He did not see the defendant after leaving the lavatory. Later he walked into Templar Street, where he met Constable Reeves. He had a conversation with the constable and went to the Police Station. He made a statement to the police. The shirt produced was the one he was wearing at the time of the assault. There was 50/ in notes in the fob pocket of his trousers when he went into the Club House Hotel. He and the defendant were alone in the lavatory. To the PM., Roberts said that he and Hay had had four beers and two whiskies during the day. Cross-questioned by Mr. Meillon, Roberts stated that he and Hay had known each other practically all their lives. They had gone to school together and had always been on very friendly terms. He had only shouted once in the P.O. Hotel and had spent 1/6 there. He had no silver in his pocket when he went to the Police Station. He should have had 3/6 In silver, but did not know what had happened to it. Neither Hay or himself had had any drinks at the Club House. When he and Hay went to Hanley’s Mrs. Hanley did not tell them they were too drunk to go down the town.
GROWN WITNESS DENIES POLICE EVIDENCE
Assault and Robbery Charge CONFLICTING STATEMENTS IN MATTER OF DRINKS
THERE was an excessive conflict of evidence presented to the Police Magistrate, Mr. M. J. Ryan, at the Forbes Petty Sessions on Tuesday when an assault and robbery case was heard. The defendant was one, John Clement Hay, aged 21, who was charged with the assault and robbery of his friend,
Thomas Henry Roberts, in a lavatory in the backyard of the Club House Hotel, Forbes, on the afternoon of Saturday, March 20. Hay pleaded not guilty to the charge. At the conclusion of the Crown case, Mr. Meillon, who appeared for Hay, submitted to the P.M. that no case had been made out against his client, and asked that he be discharged. Mr. Ryan maintained that a prima facie case of assault had been submitted by the police, and amended the charge to one of common assault. Later he convicted Hay and imposed a fine of £2, with £4/11/8 costs.
Mr. R. Meillon appeared for the defendant, and the Crown case was in | the hands of Inspector D. O’Connell. CROWN CASE John Keith McLean, constable of police stationed at Forbes, stated that at about 3.30 o’clock on the afternoon of March 20, as a result of something he was told, he proceeded to Johnson Street, Forbes, accompanied by Constable Reeves. He saw the accused, Hay sitting in a motor lorry in front of his home. He told the defendant
he wanted to see him. Hay got out of the lorry and walked a few yards away. He then informed defendant that he was making enquiries concerning a man named Roberts, who said he had been assaulted and robbed by him in the backyard of the Club House Hotel that afternoon. Roberts claimed that he had been relieved of £2/10/ from the fob pocket of his trousers. In reply the defendant denied that he had either assaulted or robbed Roberts. Continuing, the witness stated that he asked Hay if he had seen Roberts that afternoon, and the former replied that he had seen Roberts that morning when they had had a few drinks together, later going to Hay’s home for dinner. Asked if he would go to the Police Station and see Roberts, the defendant said he would. They did so, and on being confronted
with Hay, Roberts said, “That is the man who assaulted and robbed me this afternoon.” The defendant made no reply. Prior to going to the Police Station, said McLean, he had asked the defendant if he had gone to the Club House Hotel that afternoon, and if he had gone into the lavatory with Roberts. Hay said he had done so and that they had had a bit of an argument concerning some money Roberts owed a man named Gage. They were alone in the lavatory, Hay told him. After Hay arrived at the Police Station he was warned in the usual way and asked if he wished to make a statement, which he did ( produced ). SHOWED SIGNS OF DRINK At the time of his arrest, said witness, Hay showed definite signs of having had strong drink, but was not drunk. The trousers he was wearing bore stains which appeared to be blood. His underpants were similarly marked and there was blood on his left hand. Hay said he could not account for the stains. The trousers and shirt worn by Roberts were also stained with what appeared to be blood. The four articles of clothing were removed from both Roberts and Hay and taken to Sydney for analysis by Constable Hennessy. A certificate had been returned stating that the stains were made by human blood. Cross-questioned by Mr. Meillon, witness stated he first saw Roberts at the Police Station about 2.45. He came to the station alone and was not under arrest. He would not say that Roberts was drunk. He was not bleeding at the time he came to the station, but had a bruise and a scratch about half an inch long under the left eye. In his opinion the cut could account for the blood on his clothes. Further questioned by Mr. Meillon, McLean said he had made certain
enquiries about Hay before he saw him in the lorry. The latter informed him that he was told the police were looking for him and he had gone home. Hay had definitely been drinking. In reply to a question by Inspector O’Connell, witness stated that defendant had no money in his pockets when arrested. Leslie Reeves, police constable, deposed that about 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, from something he was told, he accompanied a man named Roberts to the Police Station. Accompanied by Constable McLean, he later proceeded to Johnson Street and saw a man named Hay sitting in a motor lorry in front of his residence. McLean told Hay they were making enquiries concerning a man named Roberts who alleged that he (Hay) had assaulted and robbed him of 50/ that afternoon in
the backyard of the Club House Hotel. Defendant denied the allegations. Witness then corroborated the evidence of Constable McLean regarding the conversation that took place with Hay. He, too, was of the opinion that the defendant had been drinking, but was not in what could be termed; a drunken state. In reply to questions by Mr. Meillon, Reeves stated he had first seen Roberts in Templar Street. He was not bleeding at the time, but there was
blood on his nose and eye and his shirt was wet with blood. There were no marks on his face except the cut near the left eye. He did not tell Roberts he looked as if he had been fighting and had better come to the Police Station. Roberts did not have a coat and appeared as if he had been fighting. He did not arrest Roberts, but asked him to go to the station with him. Constable Michael R. Hennessy gave formal evidence of having taken the clothing removed from Hay and Roberts to Sydney for analysis. INFORMANT’S STORY Thomas Henry Roberts, a laborer, living at Sheriff Street, Forbes, stated he was a relief worker. On March 20 he went to the Town Hall to collect his pay (£3/0/2). He met Hay and William Gage there and after getting their pay the three of them went to the P.O. Hotel, where they had three
which he owed him. Gage then left them and he accepted an invitation from Hay to go to his place for dinner. Hay had a bottle of whisky at his home and they had a couple of drinks from it. After dinner, Hay and he went to Jack Hanley’s place. Hanley was not at home, and they talked to Mrs. Hanley. Later, they went down the town and to the Club House Hotel, where they both proceeded to the lavatory in the back yard. While standing in the lavatory, continued Roberts, Hay punched him on the nose and mouth, and he was knocked against the wall. He put up his hands to protect his face when he felt something tugging at his trousers. He said, “Benny, what is the matter with you?” Hay did not reply. He then walked out of the lavatory to the back of the hotel, where the proprietor gave him rag and water to wash his face. In reply to questions by Inspector O’Connell, witness said he noticed his trousers were torn at the fob pocket. He had had 50/ in notes in the pocket. He did not see the defendant after leaving the lavatory. Later he walked into Templar Street, where he met Constable Reeves. He had a conversation with the constable and went to the Police Station. He made a statement to the police. The shirt produced was the one he was wearing at the time of the assault. There was 50/ in notes in the fob pocket of his trousers when he went into the Club House Hotel. He and the defendant were alone in the lavatory. To the PM., Roberts said that he and Hay had had four beers and two whiskies during the day. Cross-questioned by Mr. Meillon, Roberts stated that he and Hay had known each other practically all their lives. They had gone to school together
and had always been on very friendly terms. He had only shouted once in the P.O. Hotel and had spent 1/6 there. He had no silver in his pocket when he went to the Police Station. He should have had 3/6 In silver, but did not know what had happened to it. Neither Hay or himself had had any drinks at the Club House. When he and Hay went to Hanley’s Mrs. Hanley did not tell them they were too drunk to go down the town.
ASSAULT AND ROBBERY CASE
NO STRUGGLE
Questioned about the assault, Roberts said he did not have an argument with Hay, and he did not tell the police there had been an argument about money. When Hay hit him he made no attempt to resist; he was too dazed. His mouth was cut on the inside, his nose was cut and there was a bruise above his right ear. Blood came from his mouth and nose. There was no struggling between he and Hay. About two minutes after leaving the lavatory he noticed the pocket was torn and the money gone. ‘He did not search the ground or go and look in the lavatory for it. He did not look for Hay. Continuing, Roberts informed Mr. Meillon that he was on his way home when he met Constable Reeves. He had no intention of laying a charge against Hay. Reeves asked him what was the matter and he told him what had happened. He never saw Hay at the Police Station and did not say to the police, “That is the man who assaulted and robbed me.” He was not drunk and had never had an argument with Hay in his life. He could not account for the attack. The last he saw of the 50/ was when he put it in his pocket at the P.O. Hotel. To the P.M., Roberts said he did not see Hay at the Police Station. Mr. Meillon then submitted to the Magistrate that there was no case to answer, and asked him to discharge the information. Throughout the case for the prosecution there had been a great conflict of evidence. Roberts was a very reliable witness. The police said Roberts was not drunk and that he had accused Hay of the assault and robbery when he saw him at the station. Roberts had denied that he ever saw Hay at the station. If Roberts’ evidence was reliable, then the police evidence was not, or vice versa. The P.M. said he was satisfied that an assault had been committed, but there was no evidence to show that robbery had taken place. He would amend the charge to one of common assault.
DEFENDANT IN BOX
John Clement Hay, laborer, a married man, said he had lived all his life in Forbes, and had known Roberts since their school days. He had always been friendly with him and they worked together. They had never had any arguments. He then corroborated the evidence given by Roberts up to the stage when they returned to the Club House Hotel. Here, Hay said, they had had some drink, he did not know how much, but it was more than one. It was not correct that they did not have drinks there. From the bar the two of them went to the lavatory and were there for some time, as he was pretty drunk. They had some hot words and a fight ensued. He did not know who started it, but they got into holts. He did not take any money from Roberts and had no intention of doing so. After the fight he went out the back gate and down to the Royal Hotel, where a chap named Turner came in and told him the police were looking for him and were up at his place. He went home in a motor lorry, and just after he got there the police arrived. He went to the station with them and did not see Roberts. It was not correct that he heard Roberts accuse him of assault and robbery. He had an idea the argument with Roberts was about fighting, he was not sure.
NOT “KING HITTER”
In reply to Inspector O’Connell, witness said on March 20 he had had a good number of drinks and was pretty “full.” When he and Roberts first went to the lavatory he did not see any blood on the latter, but there was some after the fight. He was not very good with his hands, and was not known in Forbes as “The King Hitter.” There were no marks of fight on him the morning after the fight. He could not remember how many drinks they had had at the Club House Hotel, but all the money he had (5/) was gone. Pearl Thelma Hay, wife of the defendant, supported the evidence of Roberts and Hay with regard to their going to her home for dinner. While there, she said, they consumed a little over half a bottle of whisky. Her husband gave her £2/13/ when he arrived home, and she gave him 5/ when he left home after dinner. When the two men arrived at the house they were under the influence of drink, and on leaving were decidedly drunk. They were quite friendly. Her husband had given her no more money. Alice Jane Hanley gave evidence to the effect that the two men went to her home on the afternoon of March 20. They were both drunk and she advised them to go home and have a sleep. Neither of the pair could walk straight. That concluded the evidence, and in his address, Mr. Meillon pointed out to the P.M. the improbability of the bloodstains on Hay’s clothes unless there had been a struggle and the men got into holts, which Roberts denied that they did. It was therefore safe to assume, continued Mr. Meillon, that Hay’s story was correct, and that while under the influence of drink the men had had a brawl, and during the struggle Roberts’ pocket got torn and the money lost. It was also probable, said the solicitor, that when Roberts met the police he was fearful of being arrested and concocted the story to save himself. The whole affair was shadowed in doubt, and his client was entitled to the benefit of that doubt. Mr. Ryan, however, thought otherwise, and convicted the defendant. He imposed a fine of £2.
UNFAIR COSTS
When Inspector O’Connell asked for £4/11/6 costs, Mr. Meillon strongly objected. He said it was grossly unfair to his client that a policeman was sent to Sydney to take the clothes for examination. They could have been sent by registered post for a shilling or two. It was most unnecessary. The P.M. explained that the first charge preferred, that of assault and robbery, was a serious one, and the police had to take all precautions with regard to the exhibits. The costs asked for were allowed, and three months were granted the defendant in which to pay.
HENNESSY.— The friends of Mrs CATHERINE HENNESSY of Verona, 46 Corunna road Stanmore, and Mr. and Mrs. J. BENHAM, Mr MICHAEL HENNESSY and Misses MARY, TESS and KITTYHENNESSY are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved HUSBAND and FATHER Michael Richard Hennessy ( retired Sergeant Police ) to leave St Michael’s Church Stanmore THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON at 2.30 for Rookwood Cemetery by road Motor Funeral
W. N. BULL
Funeral Director
HENNESSY. – The friends of Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAM HENNESSY, Mr and Mrs. JOHN HENNESSY, Mr and Mrs JAMES HENNESSY and FAMILIES, Mr and Mrs J HORON and Mr PATRICK HENNESSY are kindly invited to attend the funeral of their beloved BROTHER and UNCLE Michael Richard Hennessy to leave St Michael’s Church, Stanmore, THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON at 2.30 for Rookwood Cemetery
W N BULL,
Funeral Director.
HENNESSY. – The Friends of Mr and Mrs. JAMES WESLAN, Mr and Mrs MICHAEL WESLAN, Mr and Mrs WILLIAM WESLAN and FAMILIES are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved BROTHER IN LAW and UNCLE Michael Richard Hennessy to leave St Michael’s Church, Stanmore THIS SATURDAY at 2.30 for Rookwood Cemetery.
W. N. BULL
Funeral Director.
HENNESSY – The Friends of Mrs. ELLEN STAUNTON and FAMILY are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved NEPHEW and COUSIN, Michael Richard Hennessy to leave St. Michael’s Church Stanmore THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON at 2.30 for Rookwood Cemetery
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.
Cal
Martin Patrick WELLFARE
25/03/2021
Martin Patrick WELLFARE
AKA Marty
Late of ?
“possibly” related to C. J. WELLFARE, NSWPF # 17528
NSW Goulburn Police Academy – Class # 213
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 22251
Service: From24 June 1985 to 4 March 2021 = 35 years, 8 months, 8 days Service
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Academy on Monday 24 June 1985 ( aged 21 years, 5 months, 15 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed Friday 6 September 1985 ( aged 21 years, 7 months, 28 days )
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
MARTY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
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.
Cal
23 March 2021
Brian Cecil MELENE
25/03/2021
Brian Cecil MELENE
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 093
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 10438
Service: From? ? pre Oct 1962? to? ? ? = ? years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on ? ? ?
Probationary Constable- appointed 29 October 1962
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed 29 October 1967
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed 20 October 1971
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 December 1978
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 31 March 1985
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?,
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 6 November 1980 ( Sgt 3/c )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 17 March 1989 ( Sgt )
2nd Clasp to National Medal – granted 17 March 1989 ( Sgt )
Born: Tuesday 28 September 1937
Died on: Saturday 13 March 2021
Age: 83 years, 5 months, 13 days
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Thursday 18 March 2021 @ 1pm
Funeral location: Hogbin Dve Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
BRIAN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Police Academy Class 093 Redfern Police Academy Class 93 Sworn In on Monday 29 October 1962
Police Academy Class 093 Redfern Police Academy Class 93 Sworn In on Monday 29 October 1962
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.
Cal
17 March 2021
Donna Michelle HARDY ( MADDEN )
25/03/2021
Donna Michelle HARDY nee MADDEN
AKA Donna HARDY, Donna MADDEN
Late of Evans Head, NSW
NSW Goulburn Police Academy – Class # 233
Last of the Pre ’88ers in relation to Police Superannuation changing on 1 April 1988
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 25055
Service: From 4 January 1988 to? ? ? = ? years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Monday 4 January 1988 ( aged 24 years, 9 months, 14 days )( 2 months, 21 days spent at Academy )
Probationary Constable- appointed Friday 25 March 1988 ( aged 25 years, 10 days
Constable – appointed 25 March 1989
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Senior Constable ?
Stations: ?, Lismore ( GDs )( 2003 ), ?
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: No Find on the Australian Honours system
Born: Friday 15 March 1963
Died on: Saturday 6 March 2021
Age: 57 years, 11 months, 19 days
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Wednesday 17 March 2021 @ 10.30am
Funeral location: Graveside, Evans Head Lawn Cemetery, Evans Head, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: Binney Family Funerals, Lismore, NSW 02 6622 2420
Donna Passed away suddenly, late of Evans Head, aged 57 years.
Much loved daughter of Christine & Edwin (bub).
Loving twin sister of Melissa, and Mark (Dec’d).
Loved by her family and friends.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Donna’s graveside funeral service, to be held at the Evans Head Lawn Cemetery, Wednesday 17th March 2021 commencing at 10:30 AM.
All guests will be required to comply with NSW government Covid legislation and Covid plan requirements. Please remain seated and ensure social distance standards are maintained during the service.
Attendees are also required to self-check in by mandatory QR Code. Please attend with a suitable mobile phone and ability or support to comply with this requirement.
Seating preferences will be given to family and their invited guests.
EVANS HEAD FUNERALS
JANET PAYNE
0412 955 574
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.
Time in Retirement from Police: 32 years, 7 months, 25 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 21 August 1989 ( Former Chief Insp. )
Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal – granted
Commendations: 1/ Commended for his role in the search for Kevin John SIMMONS & Leslie Allen NEWCOMBE who escaped from Long Bay Gaol in October 1959.
2/ Commended for his role in the search under arduous conditions for William LITTLE, who was wanted for the murder of Sergeant 3/c C. E. HOWE ( # 8663 ) and Reginald HUNTER.
3/ Commended for his leadership, courage and devotion to duty at Bombala on the 25th and 26th May, 1978, when he took control of a Police operation designed to obtain the surrender of Wayne WHITE who was armed with a rifle and was defying all attempts to capture him. During this operation Constable 1/c L.T.D. BODDY ( # 14387 ) & M.W. CASEY ( # 15288 ) were wounded by shots fired by the offender, who eventually surrendered to Police.
Born: Sunday 4 June 1933
Died on: Monday 1 March 2021
Age: 87 years, 8 months, 25 days
Cause: ?
Event location: Karinya Palliative Care Unit, Berry, NSW
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Thursday 11 March 2021 @ 11am
Funeral location: The Chapel, Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens, Worrigee Road, Worrigee, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
Eric EDGECOMBE with Sgt Sean PHILLIPS outside of Nowra Police Stn – 22 July 2020 INSPIRATION: Retiring Sergeant Sean Phillips with his first “boss”, former Chief Inspector Eric Edgecombe, who worked together in Cootamundra in 1987.
ERIC is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
My first memories are of living in Bombala across the road from Eric and Marie.
Like Anthony, I too remember milking the cow ( Clarabel ).
A lovely, ornery old thing that would repeatedly kick the bucket over.
As a very small child however, I also remember being allowed to ride her around the paddock.
Eric (as well as Marie) was a constant and reassuring presence in my early years.
Gruff, cheeky, but with a heart of gold, I would usually find him tending to the garden (when I wasn’t in the kitchen trying to cadge baked goods from Marie).
I’d like to think those early years of being outside with him have helped fuel my enjoyment of getting out into the garden now. I’m fairly sure he was responsible for my entire family’s obsession with Backgammon, a game that always comes out whenever we get together. He was fiendishly good at it though. I always revelled in those rare occasions where I managed to take a game from him. I also like to think he was at least partly responsible for my love of old soul, jazz and blues music. Nina Simone was a particular favourite if I remember correctly.
Eric was always a strong and steady presence in our lives when we were growing up. He was like a grandfather to my siblings and I, at a time when we lived a long way from our actual grandparents.
Thanks for all the great times, strange pastimes I’ve picked up, and enduring life lessons.
I remember Eric very well, having worked with him as a young Constable at Bombala.
He introduced me to milking his cow whilst he was away, he told me it was a police cow and milking it was part of my duties, ha ha. I loved it so much I have never been near a cow since, I can’t recall how many times the #$+** thing kicked me.
He also introduced me to his bees, I recall driving out to their location with Eric one day and him telling me it was all good as they wouldn’t attack, several bees stings later I hid in the car. Needless to say I stay away from them as well.
He was a strict Sergeant with no middle ground, however he was a fair man, as I recall.
As a young Constable on my own in a new town I was often invited to join Eric, Marie and family at their home for a roast dinner.
Bombala was surrounded by many gravel roads in those days and accidents were common place, I know he and Marie offered accommodations to many a stranded traveller following a vehicle accident.
That was how they were and that is how I found Eric strict, but loyal and a concerned member of his community.
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.
Cal
2 March 2021
Vincent FALLINS
25/03/2021
Vincent FALLINS
AKA Vince FALLINS
Late of Sunshine Coast, Qld – previously of Newcastle area, NSW
You have to draw a line in the sand
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 134
New South Wales Police Force
Uniform # 4849
Regd. # 15664
Service: From 26 February 1973 to? ? ? = ? years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 26 February 1973 ( aged 25 years, 5 months, 16 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed 2 April 1973 ( aged 25 years, 6 months, 23 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed 2 April 1982
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
National Service: Yes – Royal Australian Infantry Corps. 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
Follow Up Training:?
Basic Training: ?
Next of Kin: ?
Medals: None for display
Vince served with 2 Section, 1 Platoon, A Company as a rifleman. He deployed to South Vietnam with the Battalion, aboard HMAS Sydney, on 8 February 1969. He completed the tour with that section and returned to Australia, again aboard HMAS Sydney, on 5 March 1970.
In 1973 he joined the NSW Police Force, serving with them for many years, and reaching the rank of Detective Senior Sergeant.
https://www.5rar.asn.au/gallery/thompson-2.htm LOGAN’S HEROES NUI DAT 1969 Members of 2 Section, 2 Platoon, A Company 5RAR, posing for a group photo during a break in patrols and operations. ( Standing L to R ): Merv Tuckett, Terry Bateman, Vince Fallins, Michael Boulton, Greg Knight and Michael Skelly. ( Front ): Neville Thompson, John Riley, Norm Carrington and John Logan.
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 21 August 1989 ( Det Sgt )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 25 June 1999 ( Det SenSgt )
Vincent FALLINS AKA Vince FALLINS
Born: Wednesday 10 September 1947 at Charlestown, NSW
Died on: 1 February? 2021?
Age: 73 years,
Cause: Cancer ( Leukaemia or similar ? ) possibly from Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
VINCE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
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.
Cal
2 March 2021
Updated 21 April 2026.
George Henry BLAKE
25/03/2021
George Henry BLAKE
AKA ?
Late of Banora Point, NSW
NSW Police Training College – Penrith Class # 035
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 6567
Service: From Monday 5 December 1949 to? ? 1986? = ? years Service ? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Penrith Police Training College on Monday 5 December 1949 ( aged 21 years, 6 months, 6 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed Monday 16 January 1950 ( aged 21 years, 7 months, 18 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 20 February 1967 ( South District )
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 10 March 1974
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 22 January 1980 ( appears in 1985 Stud Book )
Does NOT appear in 1988 Stud Book
Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?, Central Police Station Cells ( 1 Division )( Cst )( May 1954 ), ?, Gilgandra? ( early 1960s ), South District ( Sgt 3/c )( 1967 ), ?, Menindee ( Sgt 3/c )( Mar 1972, Apr 1972 ), Wilcannia ( Sgt 3/c )( Aug 1972, Sept 1972 ), Mitchell ( Sgt 3/c )( Sept 1972 ), Broken Hill ( Sgt 2/c )( 1983 )( lived in the old South Broken Hill Police Station ), “possibly” Casino then Pennant Hills,Tweed Heads – Retirement
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 8 June 1988 ( Former SenSgt )
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
GEORGE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Photograph of Senior Sergeant George Blake (Tweed Heads) taken at Terranora Country Club skeet shooting facility in 1985-86. George joined us for a BBQ and refreshments after training.
It was only two weeks ago ( 10 February 2021 ) that people were talking about George, and others, on FaceBook when he was out at Gilgandra, NSW, in the 1960s..
“Sgt George Blake, legendary ‘hard arse’ copper, got us kids into boxing at the old horse stables in the sixties, at the back of the Golden West Hotel (I was 14 and didn’t last long at boxing, we also had some rough old mats for a bit of ‘judo throwing’ as I recall! I went to school with his daughters and knew the Blake family personally!
Noel Howell (Sgt was also big on sport and youth development (encouraging organised sport and avoiding crime) like George Blake, a typical hard arse country copper and from memory, one of my (and many others) footy coaches in the seventies, he took over as lock up Sgt replacing George Blake (I think)
Lindsay Wilson was a painter and lived just down the road from us, I went to school with his oldest daughter Kay, I am still in touch with her, she is a retired nurse mother and grand mother and lives in SA! An absolutely wonderful women!
Her Dad Lindsay was a very respected man and did a lot of community work too, including being one of the work horses in developing the ‘ new’ Youth Club.
I recall it from 14 years of age up, I can add without doubt though that all three gentlemen mentioned and their families were held in high regard by myself, my family and most of the other families in Gilgandra, for their services and involvement within the community“.
Bradley Howell NSW Police Historical Society FB Group Bradley Howell 10 Feb 2021 @ 5.11pm As we know police officers quite often become involved with their community in local projects. These photos are from the early 1960s in Gilgandra, NSW. My father, Arthur Noel Howell ( # 5001 )( in middle ), known as Noel Howell, with George Blake ( # 6567 )( on right ) and Mr. Lindsay Wilson ( on left ) – local painter, during the construction of the Gilgandra Youth Club.
during the construction of the Gilgandra Youth Club ( 1960s ).
Bradley Howell NSW Police Historical Society FB Group Bradley Howell 10 Feb 2021 @ 5.11pm As we know police officers quite often become involved with their community in local projects. These photos are from the early 1960s in Gilgandra, NSW. My father, Arthur Noel Howell ( # 5001 )( Sgt 3/c on right ), known as Noel Howell, with George Blake ( # 6567 )( SenCon on left ) during the construction of the Gilgandra Youth Club.
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954),
Friday 28 May 1954, page 5
Mr. Justice Dovey
Says Evidence
” A Lot of Poppycock ”
Royal Commissioner Mr. Justice Dovey yesterday described evidence by David Edward Studley-Ruxton on the alleged pawning of a stolen overcoat as ” a lot of poppycock. ”
His Honor warned Studley-Ruxton that if he did not behave himself he would spend the night ” in less comfortable quarters than Marton Hall. ”
Yesterday was the 39th day of the inquiry by the Royal Commission into allegations by David Edward Studley-Ruxton, 32, that he had been assaulted by police officers at Darlinghurst, police station on the night of February 25.
When the hearing resumed yesterday Mr. Justice Dovey said he had considered questions asked of Studley-Ruxton late on Wednesday. Studley-Ruxton had indicated that he had not sought protection.
His Honor said: ” It seems to me that, by his answers Studley-Ruxton has indicated that he is not willing to answer the questions.
” The answers given by him should not be admissible against him in subsequent proceedings. ”
” An Ill-Advised Attitude! “
Mr. J. W. Shand, Q.C., for
Inspector J. H. Aldridge, said it was clear that Studley-Ruxton had adopted an ” advised attitude. ”
His Honor: It is an ill advised attitude!
Mr. Shand: He adopted the
same attitude when he had counsel appearing for him. His answers have been given voluntarily, although nothing said here can bind another tribunal.
His Honor: He has been asked certain questions which if answered in a particular way, may amount to a voluntary confession of his guilt of a serious criminal offence. I should indicate that, in my view, by his demeanour and his answers, Studley-Ruxton is unwilling to answer questions.
To his Honor, Studley-Ruxton said, “I wish to answer these questions.”
His Honor: Are you adopting this attitude as a result of advice from somebody else?
Studley-Ruxton: No. It is what I have done all along.
His Honor: But you were represented earlier by counsel. Have you, at present, any solicitor or counsel advising you?
Studley-Ruxton: No. I see Mr. J. Poole and Mr. A. Larkins (barrister) occasionally but they do not advise me.
Mr. Shand: You were asked to consider why you could forget forging and uttering a cheque?
” Cannot Recall The Cheque At All “
Studley-Ruxton: I have thought about it. I cannot recall the cheque at all.
His Honor: Do you think you could have done it when you were drinking heavily?
Studley-Ruxton: It could be so. I can’t remember it.
Mr. Justice Dovey: How could you forget that you had wrongfully and illegally taken possession of a cheque which was not yours – signed it and cashed it?
Studley-Ruxton: If I had done that, I would remember it.
Do you deny that you did it? – I really do not think I did it.
Mr. Shand: Did you take a letter, containing the cheque from the letter rack at the Tiranna guest house?
Studley-Ruxton: I have no recollection of it.
You were hard up then?
Yes.
Did you pawn anything in February this year? – No.
On February 15 this year, will you deny that you pawned an article in William Street? – I don’t know if I did.
His Honor: I don’t believe you! Did you or didn’t you?
Studley-Ruxton: I will swear I did not.
Mr. Justice Dovey: A witness may adopt such an attitude which would compel the Tribunal to conclude that he is deliberately refusing to answer questions. If I draw that inference, and I am reluctant to do so, I will have to take action.
” If Did Wrong Will Admit It “
Studley-Ruxton: If I have done anything I will face up to it. If I did anything wrong I will admit it. I don’t know if I did or not.
His Honor: We want the truth.
Studley-Ruxton: I don’t know whether I did it or not.
His Honor: I don’t believe you are telling the truth when you say that you don’t know whether you pawned an article or not. You must remember.
Studley-Ruxton: I don’t think I pawned anything. I might have done; I don’t remember.
Mr. Shand: You received £2 for the article you pawned?
Studley-Ruxton: No, I don’t think so. I don’t remember pawning anything.
Showing Studley-Ruxton an overcoat, Mr. Shand asked: “Will you swear that you did not pawn this coat in February this year?”
Studley-Ruxton: I would not pawn that; I would keep it.
His Honor: Is that a serious answer?
Studley-Ruxton: I did not pawn it.
His Honor: Could you have forgotten it?
Studley-Ruxton: I could have.
His Honor: Nonsense!
Studley-Ruxton: I might have done it and forgotten it.
Mr. Shand: What about pawning the stolen overcoat?
Studley-Ruxton: If it was stolen and I pawned it, well, I pawned it.
” Formed Opinion You Are Lying “
His Honor: Do you really, in your fondest dreams, think that anybody could believe such a lot of poppycock! I have formed the opinion that you are lying when you say that you did not know whether you pawned an article or not.
Studley-Ruxton: It is not poppycock, your Honor.
Mr. Shand: Will you admit that you did it?
Studley-Ruxton: If it will make you content, Mr. Shand I will admit it.
Mr. Shand: Don’t worry about my contentment. Did you do it?
Studley-Ruxton: I cannot remember.
Will you admit it?- I can’t remember. If I did it, I did it; that is all.
Will you deny that you had this overcoat in your possession? I cannot recollect.
His Honor: Is it your coat? Studley-Ruxton: It is not my coat.
Mr. Shand: Will you admit that you got £2 from Henry Davidson at a pawn shop in William Street on February 15?
Studley-Ruxton: I might have.
Police ” Said They Would Get Me “
His Honor: From that answer I take it that, very reluctantly, you are admitting that you did?
Not reluctantly. The way I was in February I could have done it.
Does that mean that you might have committed any form of crime and not remember it?- Yes.
Studley-Ruxton added: “This is just what the police said they would do. They said they would get me. I will admit anything at all.”
Mr. Shand: Will you admit that you pawned the coat?
Studley-Ruxton: Yes.
Where did you get the coat?
– I don’t know.
His Honor: I don’t believe you.
Mr. Shand: Where did you get it?
Studley-Ruxton: I don’t know. It is your story you are making up, Mr. Shand not mine.
His Honor: If you do not behave yourself, witness, you will find yourself in less comfortable quarters to-night than in Marton Hall!
[ Evidence was given earlier that Studley-Ruxton was staying in a flat in Marton Hall. ]
Mr. Shand: Will you agree that you got £2 for the coat? Studley-Ruxton: No.
His Honor: But you admit that you pawned it?
Studley-Ruxton: I admit it because Mr. Shand kept at it.
Was it a truthful answer? – If I pawned it, yes.
His Honor: I am getting sick and tired of the way you are humbugging these proceedings. I will not put up with it much longer.
Studley-Ruxton: I think the story fits in very well with what the police said they would do. They told me that if I hit back at them they would get witnesses to make any story stick. They have certainly gone to a lot of trouble.
Mr. Shand: You know that the overcoat and the piece of material came from a stolen car?
” Other Charges ” Mentioned
Studley-Ruxton: Yes.
Early this year you were engaged in every kind of dishonesty you could lay your hands to?- I must have been very busy.
That is what I am suggesting? – Well, I was on the scoot.
His Honor: You have denied that you feared other charges might be preferred against you by the police. That is the only reason this evidence has been allowed.
Studley-Ruxton: If I go to prison I don’t mind. This Commission’s inquiry is entirely different from what Mr. Shand is putting. If I committed crime I must pay for it.
Mr. Shand: There is no doubt that will be attended to !
Coat Identified By Witness
Charles Phillip Coventry, in evidence, identified an overcoat before the Commission as his property which was in his car, stolen in February.
Henry Davidson, pawn-broker, of William Street, East Sydney, said he lent £2 to a David Edwards, of Springwood Avenue, Potts Point. Edwards was a well dressed, well-spoken, gentlemanly person similar to Studley-Ruxton.
Lancelot Roy Conn, of the Ezi-way Laundry, King’s Cross, said Studley-Ruxton offered him a taxation rebate cheque in the name of another person. He cashed the cheque because he assumed it was in order.
Maxwell John Jarvis, hotel broker, of Castlereagh Street, Sydney, identified Studley-Ruxton as the man who asked him, on February 17, if he wanted to buy a car which was “hot.”
Mr. Justice Dovey, to Studley-Ruxton: Do you still say that on February 25 when you were arrested you had no belief or suspicion that you had committed other offences which might be brought home to you?
Studley-Ruxton: Yes, your Honor.
Constable George Henry Blake, attached to Central police station cells, said he was on duty on February 27 when a man named Gilbert came to see Studley-Ruxton in the cells about bail. Gilbert did not ask Studley-Ruxton anything about his injuries.
As they left the cell after seeing Studley-Ruxton Gilbert said to him, “I don’t know whether I should go bail for him or not. He is not a bad chap. He used to work for me, but I don’t know whether I can trust him.”
The hearing will be resumed at 10.15 a.m. on Monday.
Judge Nield in Quarter Sessions Appeals yesterday called police evidence in a drunken driving charge ” highly colored. ”
He rebuked three policemen for smiling as they left the court when the case ended.
Judge Nield upheld an appeal by Ronald Charles Hobson, 36, engineer, of Minnebah Road, Northbridge, against his conviction and fine on a change of having driven under the influence of liquor.
He set aside the conviction and fine.
Mr. H . Harris, S.M., convicted Hobson on April 2 in Central Court and fined him £50.
Sergeant William Claude Gidders, Sergeant Raymond William McLean, and Constable George Henry Blake gave evidence, in the appeal.
Missing witness
Sergeant Gidders said that on November 24 last Hobson’s car struck a rockery in Strathallen Avenue, Northbridge, careered across the road, and demolished a telephone booth.
When police went to Hobson’s home soon afterwards, Hobson came to the door, leaned against the wall, and munched a raw onion, said Gidders.
Police accused him of eating the onion to disguise his breath, the sergeant added.
Judge Nield said the practice was to put all available evidence before the tribunal, but if for some reason the Crown did not propose to call a witness who might be able to give material evidence, it should place the defence in the position of being able to do so.
He said that in the present case the police had obtained from a person a statement which might have been material in assisting the tribunal reach a decision. The police had not produced the statement, called the person as a witness, or made his name and address available to the defence. “That, to my mind, clouds the whole case with suspicion,” he said.
“The case for the prosecution presented for the magistrate and repeated here is so highly colored that the suspicion is not removed.”
Judge Nield added that two witnesses who gave the starting and finishing point of Hobson’s driving on November 24 — which he said gave the complete answer to the charge — had not been cross-examined about the “highly colored evidence” by the three police that Hobson had been drunk at the time.
[ Yesterday Hobson said that on November 24 he had driven from Alexandria to Northbridge, through the city, during peak-hour traffic. ]
As the police were leaving the court, Judge Nield said: “Would you police refrain from those smiles and comport yourselves properly and decently?”
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.
Cal
John Kevin BOURKE
25/03/2021
John Kevin BOURKE APM
AKA ?
Late of Crescent Head, NSW & Cedar Place Aged Care, Kempsey, NSW
NSW Police Training College – Penrith Class # 039
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 6837
Service: From 4 September 1950 to18 February 1989 = 38 years, 5 months, 14 days Service
Rank: Commenced Training as Trainee at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 4 September 1950
Probationary Constable- appointed 23 October 1950 ( aged 21 years, 8 months, 3 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 July 1967
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 1 May 1974
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 1 December 1977
Inspector – appointed 6 November 1982
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Inspector
Competed in the Commonwealth Games – Wrestling, Diving 10mtr Platform ( 1950 )( 5th position ), Water Polo – Mens – ( 1950 )( Gold )
Stations: ?, Traffic Branch – Redfern, Darlinghurst, North Sydney, Katoomba, CIB – North Sydney, Penrith Training College, Redfern Police Academy – Training Detectives & Cadets, Internal Affairs ( Secondment ), Senior NCO – Taree, Police Academy – Goulburn – Retirement
Retirement / Leaving age: = 59 years, 11 months, 29 days
Time in Retirement from Police: 31 years, 11 months, 29 days
Awards: Police Service & Good Conduct Medal – granted 7 November 1974
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ROBERT B WALKER FUNERALS Kempsey,
South West Rocks & Districts
Ph 6562 4329
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2021 )
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.
Constable John BOURKE NSW Police Motor cycle BG-723
Inspector John BOURKE – Goulburn Police Academy
BOURKE, John Kevin
JOHN KEVIN BOURKE APM
Passed away 16th February 2021
Aged 91 years
Late of Crescent Head.
Beloved husband of Lorna.
Loving father and father in law of Robert and Lee, Glenn, Michael (deceased).
Adored Pop of Daniel, Kate, Scott, Hannah, Misheal and to his
great grandchildren Nate and Isobelle.
Relatives and friends of John are invited to his funeral service at the chapel of Walkers Crematorium & Memorial Gardens Frederickton on Monday 22nd February 2021 commencing at 10.00am, then for cremation.
ROBERT B WALKER FUNERALS Kempsey,
South West Rocks & Districts
Ph 6562 4329
This was published 7 years ago
Bent police officer’s pre-emptive strike
The NSW Ombudsman’s investigation into the likely illegal bugging of more than 100 police officers faces one very substantial challenge.
It was called Operation Mascot and it started in January 1999. The ”white knights” of the NSW Police special crime and internal affairs unit (SCIA), along with the NSW Crime Commission, were chasing corrupt NSW police officers.
The ace up their sleeve was a corrupt detective, code named M5.
Worried about being confronted with his own corruption, M5 had made a pre-emptive strike. He voluntarily went to the crime commission in December 1998 and confessed his misdeeds. Early the next year, with SCIA and the commission working hand in glove, he was sent ”under cover” to covertly record his workmates, some of whom were close friends.
Judging by documents obtained by Fairfax Media, Mascot – which ran for more than two years – was not an investigation that built slowly.
Within a few weeks of M5 going to work, Justice Graham Barr of the NSW Supreme Court had approved a listening device warrant that allowed M5 to bug 119 people, almost all of them serving and former police.
An affidavit was presented to Justice Barr giving the reasons the 119 deserved to have their private conversations covertly recorded.
That affidavit has never been made public so what the judge was told is not known.
But one Operation Mascot affidavit has surfaced. It was granted on September 14, 2000, the day before the start of the Sydney Olympics. Justice Virginia Bell of the NSW Supreme Court – who is now a High Court judge – approved a listening device warrant that allowed M5 to bug 114 people. She approved the use of seven listening devices, some to be worn by M5, others to be placed in his house, car and briefcase.
Among those who were to be recorded were some who were corrupt. But dozens of others who M5 was legally allowed to record were honest police such as then Superintendent Nick Kaldas and Superintendent Bob Inkster. Kaldas is now a NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner. Inkster is now, somewhat ironically, a senior member of the NSW Crime Commission which was a key player in trying to bug him more than a decade ago.
According to the warrant approved by Justice Bell, Kaldas and Inkster and the other 112 were suspected of a range of offences – money laundering, conspiracy, tampering with evidence.
Essentially, the accusation was that they were corrupt. The Herald makes no suggestion that either man was, or is, corrupt.
Justice Bell approved the bugging on the basis of a 57-page affidavit from the crime commission.
The Herald has seen a copy of the affidavit. It contains allegations of corruption against many police and is, in parts, quite detailed.
Justice Bell, who had been counsel assisting at the Wood royal commission into the NSW Police five years earlier, was told the affidavit was truthful and accurate.
But an investigation by the Herald has uncovered evidence that parts of the affidavit were either fabricated or wrong.
The documents and the evidence gathered by the Herald suggest that from 1997 to 2001 more than 20 NSW Supreme Court judges were lied to or seriously misled by some officers working within SCIA, which was set up in the 1990s by then commissioner Peter Ryan.
Which brings us to the affidavit of September 14, 2000, specifically paragraph 5.33, which comprises only 13 lines.
Much of the affidavit is taken up with details of conversations between M5 and some corrupt colleagues secretly recorded in police stations such as Manly and at pubs, clubs and farewell functions – often while M5 and his mates were engaged in marathon drinking sessions.
The paragraph reads: “On 10 December, 1999, [M5] unexpectedly met with former NSW Police inspector John Kevin Bourke in The Corso, at Manly. Bourke engaged [M5] in conversation regarding assistant commissioner Clive Small. Bourke used words to the effect, ‘I have the best brief on him’.”
The affidavit says Bourke went on to describe Small’s involvement in the corrupt “release of information” to another police officer which resulted in a drug trafficker escaping conviction.
The affidavit continues: “I suspect Bourke has information or evidence which he believes incriminates assistant commissioner Small.
”I suspect Bourke meant to indicate that he would use that information or evidence to protect himself, if necessary, from investigation or prosecution, or both.”
The Herald has tracked down and spoken with Bourke, who was for many years involved in detective training. He retired in 1989. After being read the allegation about his ”meeting” with the detective known as M5 on The Corso, as detailed in the sworn affidavit, Bourke said: “It is very simple for me to answer, that is all nonsense, poppycock, because it never ever occurred.”
In a subsequent email, Bourke said: “The name [M5] is not significant to me. I can confirm with absolute confidence I have never met any such named person on the Manly Corso at any time in my lifetime.”
He added: “I didn’t like Clive’s haircut and I thought he was a bit self-important. But I admired Clive Small for many reasons. I always found Clive a very trustworthy person in my dealings with him.”
He said the claim in the affidavit that he had the conversation was ”based on a fabrication”.
He said he was prepared to give evidence on oath that this was the case.
Bourke said he had no idea how his name could have been put in an affidavit or on a listening device warrant. He had never been contacted by anyone about the alleged meeting on The Corso or the ”allegations” against Small.
Small had a distinguished career in law enforcement. In the late 1970s, he worked on the Woodward royal commission into drug trafficking and then on a long inquiry into the collapse of the Nugan Hand Bank.
As an inspector, and despite considerable pressure from his superiors, he cleared former NSW Police superintendent Harry Blackburn who had been wrongfully charged with multiple rapes in an inept investigation by NSW Police. A subsequent royal commission into the Blackburn case proved him correct.
In the 1990s he was the commander of the taskforce that led to the conviction of backpacker murderer Ivan Milat. After the Wood royal commission into police corruption in the mid-1990s, he was appointed the head of crime agencies and, as such, was the boss of the major squads such as homicide. He was later chief investigator for the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
When the Herald first showed the affidavit to Small he said there was “something clearly wrong” with the document.
Late last week he told the Herald that to the best of his knowledge he had not seen Bourke since the early 1970s. He said he had never been interviewed or spoken to by anyone about the ”allegation” in the affidavit and had no idea which drug case was being referred to.
He said given Bourke’s categorical denial of the affidavit, “it would appear to me a criminal offence has been committed by one of more people or at a minimum, a serious misconduct”.
He said the allegations about misconduct within SCIA had ”been known to both the government and the opposition for about 10 years”.
“I would seek for the matter to be fully investigated immediately. I don’t want this buried for another two years while the ombudsman investigates.”
The Herald has also obtained NSW Police documents which cast doubt on another claim in the same affidavit presented to Justice Bell: that M5 and other officers ”verballed” or made up admissions by a career criminal, Craig Cant, one of three men charged in 1994 with a violent attempted armed robbery.
On page 7 of the affidavit, it says M5 and another police officer “fabricated an unsigned record of interview with Cant”.
The Herald has obtained a copy of M5’s own record of interview with Cant and the brief of evidence in the case. Cant makes no admission to the crime and, in fact, repeatedly denies knowing anything about it.
When M5 puts a number of allegations to Cant and asks if he has anything to say, Cant repeatedly answers “nothing”.
Asked what he wants to say about phone records which showed a call from a co-offender at 4am at the time and date of the offence, Cant replies: “Nothing. Look I don’t want to be rude but how much longer is this going to take?”
In a second interview, he repeatedly answers “no comment”.
The Herald showed a number of the documents to Small. He said it appeared the police, including M5, had evidence against Cant based on phone and motel records, his credit card and driver’s licence which were all admissible in court.
“In the interviews, Cant’s answers are neutral or denials. I don’t see what the ‘verbal’ could be.”
Charges against all three men eventually fell through because of the alleged police fabrications. One of Cant’s co-accused later went to work for SCIA. He told officers within the unit he and Cant and the other man had indeed committed the crime, which involved breaking into a home at 4am and putting pistols to the heads of a young couple.
How it unfolded
On December 16, 1998, an experienced but troubled NSW detective walked into the offices of the NSW Crime Commission in Kent Street and voluntarily admitted to numerous acts of corruption.
According to documents leaked to Fairfax Media, he was under intense pressure. Some colleagues had come under suspicion and the detective, who became known as M5, feared he was in the firing line.
Drinking heavily, “depressed and anxious”, the documents reveal he said he wanted to “unload”. He admitted to corruption going back to the late 1980s and named other serving and former detectives as bent.
But the confession didn’t have the cathartic effect M5 might have hoped for. In fact it made things worse.
M5’s psychiatrist, Michael Diamond, would later write: “It placed extra pressure on him because he had to keep ‘disappearing’ (from his normal police duties) in order to attend these interviews … he felt suicidal”.
According to Mr Diamond, M5 was in intense distress. A concerned relative had him admitted to a psychiatric unit at Manly, where he stayed for 10 days.
What happened next is remarkable. He was sent to work under cover by the ”white knights” in the NSW Police special crime and internal affairs unit (SCIA). They wanted scalps and M5 was ideally placed to produce them.
The documents reveal M5 was debriefed by SCIA in January 1999 – within days of leaving the psychiatric ward – and transferred to Manly detectives. An SCIA officer, Cath Burn, now a deputy commissioner, said M5 “volunteered” to go under cover and record his fellow detectives, some of whom were undoubtedly involved in corruption and later jailed.
But in advice to the human resources branch on September 16, 2003, a solicitor from the NSW Police legal services branch, Alan Bloomfield, recommended M5 be granted a ”hurt on duty” pension because he had been “forced” to co-operate.
Mr Bloomfield said: ”A memo from Supt [Cath] Burn states that he ‘voluntarily’ offered to assist, but in a practical sense, he did not have much choice.”
M5 kept working as a detective from early 1999 until mid-2001. He was also covertly recording his workmates.
The documents reveal that SCIA bugged M5’s house, car and briefcase, and had listening devices on M5.
Much of the recording was done in pubs, clubs and at functions – and during marathon drinking sessions.
When M5 couldn’t take it any longer, he sued for compensation in the form of a ”hurt on duty” pension.
In 2002 Mr Diamond, advising on M5’s claim for compensation, criticised SCIA’s decision to employ him under cover just after he had left a psychiatric institution.
M5 won his claim and it is understood he was also given an ex gratia payment. His payments are believed to total hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He told Mr Diamond he had been used by someone in SCIA to “settle old scores”. One of the “old scores” appears to have been then Superintendent Nick Kaldas. M5 was sent to see him five or six times. Mr Kaldas had had a serious disagreement with a senior SCIA officer, Superintendent John Dolan. Even police within SCIA were seriously concerned at the targeting of Mr Kaldas.
“I smelt a rat,” M5 told his psychiatrist. “I’ve done stuff you wouldn’t do to your worst enemy … I’ve been used.”
Operation Mascot
1350 boxes of documents (handed over by the NSW Police/Police Integrity Commission/NSW Crime Commission)
20 NSW Supreme Court judges (involved in approving the listening device warrants)
7 investigators (working for Operation Prospect)
$3.5m (extra money given to Ombudsman for inquiry)
114 serving and former police officers and civilians named in controversial listening device warrants approved by Justice Virginia Bell
1984 applications for telephone taps by NSW Police, PIC, Crime Commission in 2011-12
(source: Commonwealth Attorney-General’s report)
