NSW – rubbish

Constable John CHAMBERS Illness Sydney May, 1866   From sketchy contemporary newspaper accounts, it is believed that Constable Chambers was “wounded in the head by a villain in the discharge of his duty”. He was then “unfit for duty so discharged about 6 months” but was then “attacked by a lingering disease after moving his…

Sergeant John WALSH Horse Accident Araluen 29 May, 1865   The sergeant died as a result of injuries sustained when he was thrown from his horse at Araluen. The Sydney Morning Herald dated 31 May, 1865 announced that “Sergeant Walsh, in charge of the police at Araluen, was found dead about 6 o’clock last night,…

Constable James MOFFATT Exposure Sydney 8 October, 1864   Constable Moffatt of the Murray Police Patrol died at the Sydney Infirmary from “rheumatism caused by exposure“. This was the cumulative effect of many cold and wet nights spent camping in the bush while carrying out his police duties.     The constable was born in…

Senior Constable James JOHNSTON Horse Accident Cowra 8 May, 1864   James Johnston was a mounted senior constable stationed at Cowra and sadlydied on 8 May, 1864 after being thrown from his horse four days earlier.The initial accident was reported in the Empireof 11 May, 1864.   POLICE – Sad Accident – Yesterday afternoon intelligence…

Constable Michael KINSELLA Drowned Perry (Menindee) 8 April, 1864   About 8am on 8 April, 1864 Constable Kinsella was drowned in the Boothingbee Creek, about four miles from Perry (now Menindee). At the time he had been returning on horseback from Tatiol, with a Mr. Walter Merry, and coming to the creek in question found…

Constable Michael QUINLIVAN Drowned Sofala 3 September, 1863   On the morning of 3 September, 1863 the constable was drowned while attempting to cross the Turon River at Sofala, north of Bathurst. He had been assisting Sergeant Hardy in pursuit of offenders who had earlier committed an armed holdup on Smith’s Public House. The two…

Constable Michael FARRELLY Drowned Newcastle 13 July, 1863   The constable was drowned while attempting to cross Salisbury Creek, near Newcastle. The Sydney Morning Herald dated 28 July, 1863 carried the following brief account of the death of the constable.   FATAL ACCIDENT – As Constable Farley [sic] was returning from a visit to Walcha…

Constable Thomas CAVANAGH Drowned Western District 2 March, 1863   The constable died by drowning in the Western District. No further details are known as yet.   The constable was born in 1840 and joined the police force on 19 October, 1861. In 1862 he became a member of the newly-formed New South Wales Police…

Senior Constable John FOY Drowned Tabulam 23 February, 1863   Senior Constable Foy was the lockup-keeper at Tabulam in the Northern Police District, west of Casino. On Saturday 23 February, 1863 the Clarence River flooded and the constable evacuated his wife and family to safety. This accomplished, he returned to the lockup-keeper’s residence to salvage…