Patrick Francis CURTIN
Patrick Francis CURTIN
Late of
Victoria Police Force
Regd. # 1564
Rank: Trooper / Mounted Constable
Stations: ?, Euroa Police Station
Service: From 17 June 1859 to 28 May 1872 = 12+ years Service
Previous member of the Irish Constabulary
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Victoria Police Star – awarded 22 March 2017
Born: 17 March 1836 in Faithlegg, Waterford, Ireland
Died on: 28 May 1872 near Violet Town, Victoria
Age: 36
Cause: Horse riding incident – whilst in a wagonette – see article below
Event location: Violet Town to Euroa Rd, Victoria
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Euroa Public Cemetery, Hume Fwy
Roman Catholic – Section A
Memorial located at: ?
[alert_green]PATRICK is mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
Funeral location: TBA
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May they forever Rest In Peace
Policeman honoured
by
Former Euroa public cemetery caretaker Max Burnside never expected to discover the grave of a police officer who died in the line of duty almost 150 years ago.
He was busy mowing the lawn at the cemetery about 10 years ago when he spotted some white marble sticking out of the ground.
‘‘I thought it was just a stone that would hit the mower and do some damage one day, but it turned out to be a headstone completely under the ground,’’ Mr Burnside said.
The headstone belonged to Victoria Police Mounted Trooper Constable Patrick Francis Curtin, who was born in Ireland on March 17, 1836, and died near Violet Town on May 28, 1872.
Mr Burnside managed to uncover Const Curtin’s headstone and cleaned it up.
Having an active interest in history, Mr Burnside then went home and started researching the police officer’s death.
It was believed Const Curtin was the first police officer to serve at the Euroa police station and died when he was travelling back from Violet Town by wagonette after obtaining a warrant.
While attempting to avoid a rough area on the road the horse stopped, causing Const Curtin to be thrown from the wagon.
The incident caused Const Curtin’s pistol to perforate his bowel and his neck was broken during the incident.
He died a short time later, aged 36, and was buried at the Euroa public cemetery, where he quietly rested until his grave was brought to the attention of police in 2009 when a break-in happened at the cemetery’s storage shed.
During this event Mr Burnside met Leading Senior Constable Simon Hutchings, who was stationed at Euroa police station and showed a keen interest in the discovery.
Leading Sen Const Hutchings obtained a range of records about Const Curtin’s service and brought the grave to the attention of the Victoria Police Graves Committee.
The committee was known to restore graves of police officers who died in the line of duty and hold ceremonies to honour the sacrifice they made in the line of duty.
Const Curtin was honoured during a grave re-dedication ceremony on Wednesday at the Euroa public cemetery.
The service was attended by Victoria Police Chief Commission Graham Ashton, who spoke about the importance of these ceremonies in showing police that their service would never be forgotten.
Const Curtin’s great-great-granddaughter Dawn De Vond accepted a Victoria Police Star from Chief Comm Ashton.
Ms De Vond said it was wonderful for her great-great-grandfather to receive recognition.
‘‘When I got the initially phone call I was just blown out of the world, I just thought this is incredible,’’ Ms De Vond said.
‘‘I’m proud to be here, it’s just really lovely and I didn’t expect such an occasion.’’
Before Victoria Police contacted Ms De Vond she did not know a lot about Const Curtin.
She said the Victoria Police Star she accepted on her great-great-grandfather’s behalf would be donated to the historic society.
Benalla Ensign and Farmer’s and Squatter’s Journal (Vic. : 1869 – 1872), Saturday 29 April 1871, page 2
SHOCKING DEATH AT EUROA. Dr. Henry, M.B., deputy coroner for the Benalla district, held an inquest on Wednesday, the 26th inst., at the Pilgrim Inn, Euroa, on the body of Fritz Bohlmann, a waggoner.
The jury consisted of Messrs. Joseph Freeman, foreman ; James Fraser, David Cree, John Morgan, Charles Pratt, William Hewish, William Hogg, William Beaton, Andrew McGee, Charles Clusky, Thomas Lake, and John Gordon.
The jury having viewed the body, Daniel Kelly, carrier, residing at Benalla, deposed on oath.- I know the deceased Fritz Bohlmann. Have been acquainted with him seven or eight years. He was about 40 years of age. He was born in Holstein-Schleswig. He was, I believe, a single man. I saw him last alive at the Duck Ponds about 12 o’clock noon yesterday. He was a little the worse for drink when I first saw him; and I advised him to go into his waggon and have a sleep, and I promised to drive his team till we came to Euroa, which I did. When I went to awaken him I found he was dead. He was lying with his face downwards on his blankets. His head was lower than his feet, which were resting on some sheep. skins. I reported the matter to the police immediately.
By the Foreman. – It is five miles from the Duck Ponds to Euroa. I saw him several times during the journey, and he had not altered his position. He never spoke to me after he got into the waggon. I did not disturb him thinking him to be asleep.
By the Police. – He has a brother in Melbourne. He has a waggon and seven horses. On the waggon were some sheepskins and a hide. The harness was complete all but one set.
John Nicholson, M.D., deposed.- I am a legally.qualified medical practitioner, residing at Benalla. I have this day made a post-mortem examination of the body of deceased Fritz Bohlmann, now lying dead at the Pilgrim Inn. The body is of a stout, muscular build, height about 5 feet 7 1/2 inches, and aged I should say about 40. The head,, neck, and upper part of the chest were very much congested and black. There were no marks of violence externally, nor any old scars. Internally the lungs were gorged with blood; all the other organs were healthy. It appears to me that deceased died from suffocation. Lying on his face in the manner described by last witness, during a state of intoxication, would be sufficient to account for the suffocation. There was no blood in the pleural cavity. I did not examine the stomach.
Patrick. Francis Curtin, police constable stationed at Euroa, deposed.- From Information I received yesterday I proceeded to a waggon in the main street of Euroa. nearly opposite the Pilgrim Inn. – I found the deceased Fritz Bohlmann, and had him removed to the Pilgrim Inn. I searched him in company with several others. and found 17s. in one pocket and 6d. in another, also a knife. I and two others searched the waggon by candlelight to see if we could find any money, as the deceased was supposed to have some. Not finding any last night I tried again to-day in company with others, and found three £5 notes and two half-crowns. The total amount in my possession is £16 2s 6d., together with seven horses, a waggon and harness, a hide, and some sheepskins When I went first to the waggon he was partly sitting, one leg being bent under him.
The jury brought in the following verdict:- ” That Fritz Bohlmann did, on the 25th day of April, 1871, on his journey from the Duck Ponds to Euroa, die of suffocation, and that there were no marks of external injury on the body of deceased.”
Benalla Ensign and Farmer’s and Squatter’s Journal (Vic. : 1869 – 1872), Saturday 15 April 1871, page 2
FATAL ACCIDENT AT EUROA.
A magisterial inquiry was held by Mr Gall, on Friday evening, the 8th instant, at the Seven Creeks Hotel, Euroa, touching the death of Henry Bond, who had been run over that morning.
John Wakenshaw, residing at Model Farm, near Violet Town, deposed — I have seen the deceased, Henry Bond. He was in my employment about seven weeks. He was assisting me to break in a young horse to harness for Alexander Munroe, and to see him safely on the road. Henry Bond took charge of the break at the incline on the bridge where the floods washed it away. I was in charge of the body horse when going up the incline, and I looked back and saw the wheel go over the deceased’s body. I called to Mr Munroe to stop the team, but seeing that the wheel was likely to come back on the body I called to him to go on to level ground. I then assisted deceased to the nearest hotel. He then said he thought he was dying. Deceased was perfectly sober at the time.
Alexander Munroe deposed — The deceased, Henry Bond, was helping me with a young horse to break it into harness. When we came to the Euroa bridge I asked him to take charge of the break. Next saw him lying on the road. I stopped the horses and came back to his assistance. Deceased said that the wheel of the dray had gone over him. Assisted to carry him to the nearest hotel. The weight on the dray was about 35cwt. There were three horses in the dray at the time of the accident. We started this morning from Mr Garrett’s, Euroa. The accident happened about half-past 11 this day (Friday).
John De Boos deposed — At about half-past 11 o’clock to-day I saw the deceased Henry Bond, and assisted him into my hotel and placed him on a bed, having heard he had been run over. I assisted to undress him. A doctor who was in the township arrived 10 minutes after the accident. In answer to the doctor, deceased said that the wheel of the dray had gone over his body. The doctor examined deceased and said that he could not do anything for him at the present, that the injuries were internal, and deceased was bleeding internally. Remained with deceased until he expired, which was at 12 o’clock at noon. The doctor, being under engagement to attend a patient at the Broken River was unable to be present at this inquiry.
Thomas Bond, son of John Bond, farmer, residing at the Bald hills, near Violet Town, deposed — At about half-past 12 o’clock to-day (Friday) I received information that my brother Henry Bond was hurt at Euroa. Arrived at Euroa at about 1 o’clock, and then saw my brother dead. He was about 22 years of age, and in the employment of John Wakenshaw.
Patrick Francis Curtin, police constable stationed at Euroa, deposed — At about half-past 11 o’clock to-day from information received I ran from the tollhouse on to the road. I saw Mr Wakenshaw assist Henry Bond off the road. Mr Munroe came up nearly at the same time. I spoke to deceased and asked him what had happened to him. He told me that the wheel of the dray had gone over his loins. He then walked about 70 yards with the assistance of two men to the Seven Creeks Hotel, at which place he was supplied with a bed and other necessaries. His clothing and boots were taken off. Mr Clarke was sent for. The doctor was in attendance in about 12 minutes after he was placed on the bed. From the time of the accident up to his death was about half an hour.
The finding was that the deceased, Henry Bond, was accidentally killed by a loaded dray going over him on the bridge at Euroa.
Benalla Ensign and Farmer’s and Squatter’s Journal (Vic. : 1869 – 1872), Friday 1 April 1870, page 2
Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), Saturday 5 June 1869, page 5
THE GAZETTE.
The Gazette of Friday evening contains the following announcements –
Appointments: –
Patrick Francis Curtin, constable to be clerk of petty sessions (acting) at Violettown,
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article5819343.txt
Andrew SUTHERLAND
Andrew SUTHERLAND
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ‘Q‘ 1099
For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
Rank: Constable – appointed 7 January 1863
Senior Sergeant – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: Senior Sergeant
Stations: ?, Cowra – Death ?
Service: From 7 January 1863 to 1 May 1872 = 9+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1840, Wick, Scotland
Died on: 1 May 1872
Cause: Shot – Murdered
Event location: Binni Creek, Cowra, NSW
Age: 31
Funeral date:
Funeral location:
Buried at: Anglican section of the Young General cemetery
Memorial at: Cowra Police Station, 88 Brisbane St, Cowra, NSW
Sacred to the Memory of
Andrew SUTHERLAND
Sergt. ( Sergeant ) of Police
Native of Wick,
Scotland.
Aged 31 years
Who was shot
on the 1st May 1872
whilst in the
discharge of his Duty
at Binnie Creek
near Cowra.
” Thou carriest them away as with a flood ; they are as a sleep ; in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.
In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up ; in the evening it is cut down and withereth.”
ANDREW IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
On 1 May, 1872 the sergeant was returning to Cowra from Bathurst Court.
During his journey he was told that two men who were wanted for robbery, George Gray and William Bristow, were at Daniel Horan‘s hut at Binnie Creek, twelve miles from Cowra.
The sergeant rode over to investigate and as he neared the door of the dwelling the offenders suddenly emerged and shot him to death.
The Clarence and Richmond Examiner dated 7 May, 1872 provided a brief account of the tragedy, which tends to suggest that the offenders were known to the sergeant.
SERGEANT SUTHERLAND SHOT DEAD BY BUSHRANGERS –
CARCOAR ” Thursday – I regret to have to announce that Sergeant Sutherland, of the Cowra police force, was shot dead last evening, by bushrangers, at a place about five miles from Cowra.
It appears that two armed men called on a settler named Daniel Oram, whose house is distant about two miles from Cowra and demanded food, which he placed on the table for them.
Sergeant Sutherland, who was going home from the Bathurst Assizes, rode up to the door during the meal, and was dismounting, when one of the men stopped to the door, gun in hand, and said, “I have been looking for you, you wretch,” and then shot him through the heart, causing instant death.
The men then went off and Oram started to Cowra, and upon arriving there, informed the police, who are now in pursuit of the murderers.
The fate of the unfortunate but brave officer is universally regretted. He leaves a wife, and had only been married a few months.
The sergeant was born in 1839 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 5 January, 1863.
At the time of his death he was stationed at Cowra.
The Queenslander
Sat. 9 Aug 1873 p 10
ST. GEORGE.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 31.
We have also to record the arrest of a man named Frank Riley alias George Gray by Sergeant Cranney, on the charge of murdering Senior-sergeant Andrew Sutherland, of the New South Wales force, at Hordern’s hut, Beni Creek, on the 1st of May, 1872.
The prisoner had been staying in town for some few weeks, and left accompanied by another man with the avowed intention of going to the Surat races, but parted with his comrade about three miles from Weribone, his comrade going on into Surat, while he went out into the bush to camp.
Sergeant Cranney, in the meantime, appearing to have some clue to his identity, followed the pair, and finding that only one had reached Surat, returned on his tracks, and camped in the bush for two nights endeavouring to ascertain the whereabouts of the prisoner.
Becoming faint from fasting, he went to Weribone Station for food, and just dropped on to the man he was looking for, and who had also been there on the same errand. The officer arrested him at once, and prisoner was taken to Surat and remanded to Roma, and we believe by this time is on his way to Brisbane.
This is the second arrest of New South Wales offenders made by Sergeant Cranney during the past few months, the other being that of James Madgwick, whose capture and exploits were narrated in your columns a short time since. Sergeant Cranney was also the officer who arrested the notorious Patrick Collins.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27277108
Sergeant Second Class Andrew Sutherland
Address: 88 Brisbane Street, Cowra Police Station, Cowra, 2794
State: NSW
Area: AUS
Please Note: GPS Co-ordinates are approximate.
| Latitude: | –33.834062 |
| Longitude: | +148.691187 |
Monument Type: Garden
Theme: People
Sub-Theme: Crime
Description:
A plaque commemorates Sergeant Andrew Sutherland who was fatally shot in the line of duty as a New South Wales Police officer.
Sergeant Second Class Andrew Sutherland was shot whilst on duty at Binni Creek near Cowra on May 1, 1872. On May 1, 1872 he was returning to Cowra from Bathurst Court. En route he was told two offenders wanted for robbery, George Gray and William Bristow, were at Daniel Horan’s hut at Binni Creek, 12 miles from Cowra.
The Sergeant rode over to investigate and as he approached the door of the dwelling, two offenders emerged and shot and killed him. Gray and Bristow were subsequently arrested but both were later released without charge. No-one was ever convicted of the crime.
Actual Event Start Date: 01-May-1872
Actual Event End Date: 01-May-1872
Actual Monument Dedication Date: 01-March-2012
Front Inscription:
In memory of
Senior Sergeant Andrew SUTHERLAND
who was fatally shot whilst on police duty
at Binni Creek near Cowra
on the 1st May 1872.
http://monumentaustralia.org.au/australian_monument/display/97891?image=1