L-R Policewomen Roslyn Kelleher, Noala Holman, Evelyn Hill and Sandra Paterson, pose in the drab olive winter uniform,1966. Queensland Police Museum Image PM1812.
Evelyn Ivy Hill was born on February 14, 1938 and was sworn in as Constable PW13 on September 9, 1965. Constable Hill was transferred to Roma Street, Fortitude Valley, Townsville Police stations before joining the Criminal Investigation Branch in Brisbane. She was also posted to the Commissioner’s Office and ended here career as Senior Sergeant at the Moorooka Police station in October 1993.
Constables Evelyn Hill (seated in car) and Noala Homan (standing) check out a newly purchased Cortina Coupe, 1966. These cars were used by Traffic Police in Brisbane. Queensland Police Museum Image No PM0126.
Evelyn Hill was an early trailblazer who forged a path for other women to follow. She was the first policewoman:
to be assigned to a country station
to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant 1/c
to be promoted to the rank of Senior Sergeant
to take charge of a police station
to relieve as a commissioned officer (Inspector)
Acting Inspector Evelyn Hill at Moorooka Police Station as the first commissioned female police officer, 1989. Courier-Mail Image PM1992.
Karyn Rosier (left) the most junior and Evelyn Hill, the most senior female police officers cutting the cake at the 50th Anniversary Reunion of Women in the QPS at the Police Academy Refectory, 1981. Queensland Police Museum Image PM2894
This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
“Evelyn Hill” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
Since 1867, there have been over fifty visits by a member of the Royal Family to Australia, though only six of those came before 1954. Elizabeth II is the only reigning monarch of Australia to have set foot on Australian soil; she first did so on 3 February 1954. During her sixteen journeys the Queen visited every Australian state and the two mainland territories.
Queen Elizabeth II spent a total of nine days touring Queensland between the 9th and 18th of March, seven days in Brisbane (in three slots); and two days touring Bundaberg, Oakey, Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton. She was warmly welcomed by loyal supporters across the state. The tour involved a heavy schedule of formal occasions, the hosting of which was described in a letter by Lady Brooks of Victoria, as “a rather terrifying responsibility”.
Brisbane Route of Royal Progress, Day of Arrival 9 March 1954 Royal Visit to Queensland 1954: Working Programme (QPM Collection)
The logistics of a Royal Visit are necessarily complicated and a great deal of time was spent on a the programme, security and transport arrangements. Everything was planned down to the minute. Traffic arrangements for the 1954 Royal Visit to Queensland was the sole responsibility of, and was arranged by, the Commissioner of Police.
At 2.30 p.m. the Royal Progress will leave Eagle Farm Airport on signal from the State Director at 6 m.i.h. for Exhibition Grounds (Route 1, Map 1) via Lamington Avenue, (2.36) Nudgee Road, (2.40) Kingsford Smith Drive, (2.57) Breakfast Creek Road, (3.03) Ann Street, (3.11) Brunswick Street, (3.16) Lower Gregory Terrace where Cars 1 and 2 will accelerate to provide an interval of 75 yards between Car 2 and the Royal Car. A Mounted Escort will take up position in the lead of and to the rear of the Royal Car. Cars 4 to 15 inclusive will reduce speed to enable the rear of the Mounted Escort to take up position. The Motor Cycle Escort will detach itself from the Progress and rejoin the Progress at the corner of Roma and Makerston Streets.[Royal Visit 1954: Transport Arrangements]
Queensland Mounted Police escort Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh along Queen Street during the Royal Tour, 9 March 1954. Queensland Police Museum Image PM3183.
The Queen and her entourage of 38, landed in Brisbane at 2.15pm on March 9, 1954. The Royal Progress took the Royal couple from the Airport to the Exhibition Ground; the Shrine of Remembrance and then onto to Government House. The Queensland Police Motorcycle Unit were top and tail of the procession until it reached Lower Gregory Terrace, at which Police Mounted unit slotted into lead and follow the royal car through the streets of downtown Brisbane. The Motorcycle Unit picked up the tour at Roma Street and lead it out to Government House.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh parade down George Street in a 36hp Tourer, 9 March 1954.
The Police Motorcycle Unit leads the Royal Progress along George Street towards North Quay and Coronation Drive, 1954.
This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
“FROM THE VAULT: Queen Elizabeth visits Queensland 1954” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
In February 1925 Police Commissioner William Ryan purchased the first police motorcycles – three model Harley-Davidson “Indian” motorcycles with attached sidecars. By late 1925 police motorcycles were being used to advantage by Detectives and fingerprint experts to get to places not served by public transport.
Sergeant Francis Scanlan stands with his Harley-Davidson Indian motorcycle outside the Quilpie Police Station, along with the local goat cart, 1931.
Police Museum Image PM2396.
In 1936, as the number of cars and motorcycles increased, the old stables at the Petrie Terrace Police Depot were converted into the police garage (this building still exists and is located on the left as you enter the new Barracks development from Petrie Terrace).
The opening of the first Police Garage, converted from the old stables at the Petrie Terrace Depot, 1936. Police Museum Image PM0123.
By 1938 there were 38 motorcycles in the police fleet, made up of Royal Enfield motorcycles with side cars; English 1000ccs AJS’ and BSA 1000cc V twin bikes. By the 1960s Nortons, Triumphs and a few BSA Lightening bikes were in use. Safety helmets for police motorcyclists were introduced in 1957. In 1975 there were 104 motorcycles patrolling the state.
Constable Imeson works on his Norton motorcycle at Petrie Terrace Depot garage, c1960. Police Museum Image PM0436. Highway Patrol Police Officer on his Honda CB750 motorcycle, c1975. This type of motorbike was used between 1972 and 1978. Police Museum Image PM1758.
As of November 2005 the service maintained a fleet of 87 Honda motorcycles to perform traffic, general, ceremonial and special operations, across the state. In 2006 the Service offered police officers a choice between the new Honda ST1100P or BMW R11500P and the new models that superseded them. Today motorcycle officers ride on either BMW or Yamaha bikes.
Senior Constable Geoff Robson riding his BMW, K100 TIC police motorcycle, 1991. Police Museum Image PM1436.Two motorcycle officers go about their business on their Yamaha FJR 1300 AP police motorcycles on the South East Freeway, 2011. Police Museum Image PM3587.
By April 2013 there were 95 police motorcycles in service: one BMW RT1200RT, 27 Honda ST1300s and 67 Yamaha FJR1300As.
This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
“From the Vault – A short history of police motorcycles” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
31 October 2021 11:00am – 12:30pm Police Headquarters 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 FREE ENTRY – Bookings Essential via Eventbrite
The bushrangers of the gold rush era were a varied lot: from poor stockmen with convict heritage to well-educated, well-connected citizens. Their crimes, motivations and ‘careers’ were equally diverse. Most of these criminals travelled widely, and some had colourful brushes with the law in Queensland.
In Jane’s presentation, she shares the stories of these notorious criminals in brief, and elaborates on the history of the outrageous Frank Pearson: bushranger, killer, forger, artist, serial impostor and accountant, and the subject of her book Captain Starlight: the strange but true story of a bushranger, impostor and murderer. Pearson (aka Gordon, Dr Lamb, Dr Waller and countless other aliases) narrowly escaped the noose after murdering Senior Constable McCabe in an 1868 shoot-out with NSW and QLD police. His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, but he was released after 16 years, having conned the priest at Darlinghurst Gaol into believing that he had reformed. His subsequent exploits in Queensland were audacious and bizarre, and resulted in imprisonment at St Helena Island and Toowoomba.
Jane Smith is a librarian, author and editor with a love of history who writes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. Three of her children’s books have been long- or shortlisted for significant awards. Jane has experience in all aspects of book production, from reading and reviewing to researching, writing and editing.
This one-and-a-half-hour presentation will start at 11am on Sunday, October 31 and will be both informative and educational. The Museum opens its doors to the public on the last Sunday of each month from 10am to 3pm from February to November in addition to the standard Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm opening hours. Monthly Sunday openings feature guest speakers from across the historical and crime-solving spectrums. The Police Museum will open Sunday, October 31 from 10am to 3pm, and is located on the ground floor of Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
On April 13, 1978, Senior Constable Fred Richards had finished his shift and had arrived at the Sandgate RSL to join his off duty police mates for a well earned drink. He did not get very far into the club before he heard the siren of a passing fire engine. Once outside he could see smoke and guessed that the fire was not far from the Sandgate Police Citizens Youth Club, housed within the old Sandgate Beach Theatre. Fred and his mates, ran towards the smoke and flames to discover the PCYC building fully alight.
Richards assisted with the evacuation of residents from the neighbouring flats and after a member of the assembled crowd voiced concern that there were still two children in the burning building, he along with several firemen, tried to enter it. Just as Fred tried to make his way into the building, the theatre roof collapsed pinning him to the ground. Fourteen firemen and police officers were needed to pull him free from the wreckage. Fred’s injuries were very severe: two of his fingers were so badly injured they had to be amputated, his skull was fractured on both sides, many of his ribs were broken, his pelvis fractured, his right arm and right leg severely burnt and broken. Senior Constable Richards spent a considerable amount of time fighting for his life in the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
Senior Constable Fred Richards lies on a stretcher after being pulled from the wreckage of the Sandgate Police Citizens Youth Club housed in the old Sandgate Beach Theatre. He had entered the burning building on April 13, 1978 to search for two children who may have still been in the building when the roof collapsed on him. Police Museum Image PM033.
Two seven year old boys admitted to accidentally starting the fire while playing with matches. Luckily no one else was injured and no one was killed.
Firemen fighting the Sandgate Police Citizens Youth Club building fire on 13 April 13,1978. Police Museum Image PM0301.
Fred was interviewed sometime after the event and told the journalist that he could not remember anything about the incident or the following three weeks spent in hospital. He was most insistent that no one call him a hero and said “It was just part of the job. All the others did the same. Quite a few were off duty, too, and anyone could have been hurt”.
Senior Constable Fred Richards spent 375 days off work recovering from his injuries. He returned in 1979 as a Sergeant within the Police Communications Centre. In July 1981, Sergeant Richards, was presented with a Commissioner’s Favourable Record for dedication to duty, initiative and resource for his actions on the night of April 13, 1978.
Fred Richards returns to work after 375 days of sick leave, as a Sergeant at the Police Communications Centre. Police Museum Image PM0148
Fred retired on March 24, 1986 to try his hand at prospecting and fossicking for gold, sapphires and opals. He passed away in 2006 at the age of 74.
Sergeant Frederick Richards is pictured here with his gold pan and four-wheel drive, ready for his next big adventure. Police Museum Image PM3444.
At the time Fred Richards was injured, police officers received no compensation for injuries sustained on duty. His case was a significant factor in bringing about State Cabinet’s decision of September 1982, to extend provision of the Worker’s Compensation Act to members of the Queensland Police officers.
This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
“FROM THE VAULT: Just part of the job…” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
The stock standard Queensland Police Gazette (QPG) managed to treat readers with a colourful addition on September 24, 1938. A swath of silk fabric in red, yellow, ochre, black and white adorned the front page in attempts to locate the package of stolen material which included ‘a quantity of dress trimmings and green buttons of a total value of £3 12s. 4d., which was stolen from another mail bag in the mail van at same time’. The addressee of this parcel was Eileen Cameron from Mount Isa who had purchased the dress material from David Jones Ltd., Sydney. The brazen theft of £3000 in bank notes from the same mail van suggested a calculated theft; both bags were stolen to ensure the targeted cash was within.
Queensland and New South Wales newspapers including The Armidale Express, New England General Advertiser and Cootamundra Herald reported the missing money a day after the crime. A week later a regular editorial in the Townsville Daily Bulletin headed ‘Mt Isa Notes’, revealed ‘The mail train robbery excitement has simmered somewhat. Two detectives are investigating at the moment, but clues, if any have not been divulged. There were many wild rumours during the first day or two after the discovery of the theft, but there have been so many robberies of a similar nature out this way, that it takes something extraordinary to cause old-timers to raise their eye-brows now’ (Townsville Daily Bulletin, 9 Sept 1938, p. 2).
Unusually colourful image added to this 1938 edition of the Queensland Police Gazette showing the stolen silk fabric, bound for Ms Eileen Cameron of Mount Isa. Image copied from the Queensland Police Gazette, 24.09.1938.
Three weeks prior to the QPG notice above and on September 3, notice of the mail robbery was made, having occurred from a locked train carriage somewhere between Townsville and Mount Isa. The property was considered to be that of the Postmaster General, but the cash was intended to pay the wages of Mount Isa Mine employees. The notes had been properly accounted for, including serial numbers, and within months were being circulated around northern Queensland towns and in Brisbane.
All serial numbers and denominations were recorded before the journey from the Bank of New South Wales by the Postmaster General, destined for Mount Isa Mines. Image taken from the Queensland Police Gazette, 3 September 1938.
A Cloncurry Railway Guard, Francis Walsh, was arrested and brought before the Police Court. String similar to that which bound the mail bags was found in his possession, a mismatched Yale lock was located on the wagon, evidence of the presence of a train jumper was sought, as was the procedure to check mail bags in transit, and all tendered in court with relevant witness testimonies examined. The case was heard by Police Magistrate R. Power over several weeks who found a lack of evidence sufficient to commit the defendant, and discharged the much relieved Francis Walsh. Mr Walsh then alleged Brisbane Detectives, Senior Sergeant Daniel Mahony and Sergeant 1/c Thomas Lloyd ‘maliciously caused him to be arrested and charged with stealing’ (The Courier Mail, 29 June 1939, p. 2), and attempted to sue the policemen for wrongful arrest. A day later that claim was finalised with Justice R.J. Douglas handing down a verdict in favour of the Detectives; although there was insufficient evidence to convict Mr Walsh, that evidence was sufficient for an arrest. The Detectives were awarded costs but this crime remains unsolved.
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This article was written by Museum Assistant Georgia Grier from the best resources available within the Queensland Police Museum. The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“FROM the VAULT- Silk Yards and a Railway Guard” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY-SA 4.0. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence.
There have been twenty-five Queensland Governors. The first, Sir George Bowen was appointed on December 10, 1859. All of whom, across the last 150 years or so have been called on to attend police functions such as swearing-in and medal ceremonies. Governors who wanted to travel around the state, called upon the services of the Queensland police to ensure that their travels were safe.
Mounted police escort the Queensland Governor Baron Lamington to the opening of Parliament in 1897. Police Museum Image PM2322.
These images illustrate both the pomp and ceremony associated with the visit of His Excellency the Governor and the rough travel undertaken and basic accommodation provided by the Governor and the police escort.
Citizens and police escort Lord Chelmsford, His Excellency the Governor, into Cloncurry on 21 July 1908. L-R Inspector McGrath (mounted); Lord Chelmsford (in wagon wearing pith helmet); Constables Howard, Kelly and R.J. Ryan (all with red arrows). Police Museum Image PM0676.Surveyor Weighton stands in front of the “residence” made ready for the visit of the Governor, Lieutenant Colonel Sir Matthew Nathan, for his visit to Mount Isa in 1924. Police Museum Image PM2221c.Queensland Governor Colonel Sir Leslie Wilson inspects officers at the Petrie Terrace Depot with Sub-Inspector Patrick O’Hara following with a sword salute, 1933. Queensland Police Museum Image PM3116.Sub Inspector Charles Perrin escorts the Queensland Governor Colonel Sir Leslie Wilson past a parade of mounted police officers at the Brisbane Exhibition grounds, 1936. Queensland Police Image PM3117.
This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
“FROM the VAULT: Pomp & Ceremony” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
Police patrol horse race meets to oversee the safety of patrons and ensure laws are being upheld, but one fine August day in 1984 laws were about to be broken at Queensland’s Eagle Farm Racecourse. In an elaborate switch, a horse named “Fine Cotton” was secretly replaced by faster performer “Bold Personality”, an illegal undertaking worldwide. The switch was orchestrated to make extra money; Fine Cotton was an average race horse, but the substitute was much quicker so very long odds were bound to pay off when the ring-in easily pulled away from the pack to race it out against one serious contender before winning by a nose.
Fine Cotton with John Gillespie. Image from The Courier Mail, 22nd July 1989.
The dubious paint job used to disguise Bold Personality, plus his sprint performance, instantly tipped off the crowds and the switch was quickly revealed. Police and racing stewards questioned the tight lipped trainer whilst the sweating horse was immediately placed in a stall under police guard. Many punters lost their money, including a few highly ranked police officers according to the gaoled trainer.
Bold Personality under guard after the race. Image from The Courier Mail, 22nd July 1989.
The Mounted Police Unit was situated in Oxley at the time, staffed by 19 police officers (a mix of full and part time members) under the charge of a Senior Sergeant. The complex boasted 26 stables for 24 troop horses and the Stock Squad also used the compound to run their mounts. The Queensland Police Annual Report of 1985 stated ‘During the year, seven head of cattle and eight horses, exhibits in various court cases, were cared for at the Mounted Unit complex. Among the horses was “Bold Personality”, the infamous ring-in for “Fine Cotton” at Eagle Farm Racecourse’.
Bold Personality, whilst being held as an exhibit at the Mounted Police Unit, Oxley, with Senior Constable Ian Johnston. Image PM0588 courtesy the Queensland Police Museum.
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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available. The article was written by Museum Assistant Georgia Grier. The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
On 1 February 1935 a system of recording and classifying crime, and recording the methods used and the particular peculiarities of criminals, such as visible scars or missing limbs came into operation and was managed by the Queensland Police Modus Operandi Section. The MO section existed until 1972 after which, it became part of the Information Bureau.
In a presentation Lisa Jones, Curator of the Queensland Police Museum, will revisit a 1936 lecture given by Inspector Alfred Jessen, head of the Criminal Investigation Branch. The Inspector’s lecture outlines the workings of the branch and the expectations of the system to increase the efficiency of linking reported offences to their perpetrators.
A uniformed policeman calls in at the modus operandi section to check details of a missing person, 1949. Police Museum Image PM1867b
This one and a half hour presentation will be both informative and educational, and is suitable for any audience.
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The Museum opens its doors to the public on the last Sunday of each month from 10am to 3pm in addition to the standard Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm opening hours. Monthly Sunday openings feature guest speakers from across the historical and crime-solving spectrums.
Coen, c1897 – Staged scene of police officers capturing bush rangers: Constable 1/c Charles Batemen of the Coen Township Police, on his horse aims his firearm at a “bush ranger”, Senior Constable George Inkerman Smith of the Coen NMP Camp is on the ground grappling with a “bush ranger”, one unknown “bush ranger” actor is playing dead and the other “bush ranger” actor is being handcuffed by Senior Constable Smith. An indigenous mounted trooper calmly keeps hold of Senior Constable Smith’s horse.
There was obviously a lull in criminal activity in the Coen area around 1897. This fabulous photograph purports to show a staged scene of police officers capturing bush rangers. A quick look in the 1897 Queensland Police Gazette reveals that only six apprehensions were recorded for that year, so there was definitely plenty of time for practicing the techniques for capturing bush rangers!
Coen Native Mounted Police Camp in the Cooktown District opened in October 27, 1885 with Sub-Inspector Frederick Mergetts in charge with a staff of two Constables and nine indigenous troopers and trackers. Coen Township Police Station opened April 20, 1895 with Constable James Kenny in Charge.
There are five people in the photograph Constable 1/c Charles Batemen sits on his horse with his revolver pointed at one of the so called bush rangers; Senior Constable George Inkerman Smith is in the foreground keeping a tight handle on the other so called bush ranger. A mounted indigenous police trooper keeps hold of the horses on the left. Unfortunately we are not sure who was playing the part of the bush rangers.
Charles Bateman was sworn into the Queensland Police on October 24, 1888 and served at Port Douglas, Montalbion, Herberton, Cooktown, Musgrave, Piccaninny Creek and Cooktown before being transferred to Coen Township Police Station in 1895. Charles spent four years at the remote station before moving on to Mount Morgan in 1900.
George Inkerman Smith was sworn into the Queensland Police on September 19, 1884 and served at Glenroy, McIvor and Laura police stations before he was transferred to Coen Native Mounted Police Camp as officer in charge in 1894. George spent four years at the NMP camp before moving on to Cardwell in 1898.
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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing. The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au “How to capture bush rangers: a demonstration, Coen c1897” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
October 1921: Members of Rockhampton Police Staff who were present at the presentation of the Certificate of Merit of the Royal Humane Society of Australia by Justice Jameson to Constable James Tobin for rescuing a 13 year old boy from a well at Kilkivin. Top Row L-R: Constables Willam Tozer, R. Polke, Archibald McSween, Fergus O’Connor, T. Petersen; Middle Row L-R: Constable Albert Thornton, Acting Sergeants John Burke, John Carr, John O’Brien, Constables William Slack, John Carmody, F. Brennan, James Harris; Front Row L-R: A. O’Toole (Evening News), Sergeants Michael Carew, James McCoy, Constable James Lawrence Joseph Tobin (with certificate), Inspector Michael Quinn, Senior Sergeant Michael Bergin, Sergeant David Walsh, Detective Senior Sergeant James Murtha, H. Francis (Morning Bulletin)
James Lawrence Joseph Tobin was sworn in as Constable 1144 on 28 May 1908. During his career he was transferred to 11 police stations around the state – Roma Street, Childers, Cordalba, Childers, Kingaroy, Kilkivan, Rockhampton, Malanda, Cairns, Tully and Texas. While in Childers he met and married Dorothy Kaminski and they had two children. Unfortunately his good career was tarnished in the end when he was found guilty of misconduct and dismissed in 1933 for placing a gaming machine in the licensed premises of the Royal Hotel situated at Texas. Perhaps Acting Sergeant James Tobin felt that his wage was not sufficient to cover his families expenses and that a gaming machine might be a good way to supplement his income.
Even though James Tobin’s police career ended badly, he was none-the-less an efficient and hardworking police officer and during his career was accorded four Favourable Records and a Certificate of Merit from the Royal Humane Society of Australia.
Favourable Records: 1920: Accorded a Favourable Record for good Police work performed in conjunction with Detective Sergeant O’Sullivan, in connection with the case Rex v. James Searle for wilfully setting fire to C. J. Booker’s grass paddock at Woolooga in December 1919
1926: Granted a Favourable Record and reward of £5 for good work performed in connection with the arrest of an insane patient at Malanda in July 1926
1926: Accorded a Favourable Record for bravery displayed in arresting single handed, a dangerous lunatic at Malanda
1928: Accorded a Favourable Record for good work performed in connection with a raid on a gambling school at Tully
Royal Humane Society of Australia Certificate of Merit
In October 1921 Constable James Tobin was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Royal Humane Society of Australia by Justice Jameson, for his heroic action in descending into an old well, 40′ 6” deep to rescue a 13 year boy who fell into the well on 18 August 1921at Kilkivan.
An article from The Brisbane Courier (Wednesday, 26 October 1921) describes the event quite well:
Constable J. L. Tobin has been awarded the certificate of merit of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for bravery in rescuing Bernard French, aged 13 years, from an old, disused well in a yard exploring the Kilkivan Hotel, at Kilkivan. The honorary correspondent of the society in Brisbane (Mr. J. England, Secretary to the Police Commissioner) has been advised of this award. It appears that on August last the lad, who is a son of the licensee of the hotel, was playing with other children, when he fell down the well, which has a depth of 40ft. 6in from the top to the surface of water, which was 5.9in. deep. The boy was chest deep in the water, and it was evident that he could not hold out for long as the water was affecting him. Difficulty was experienced in getting a rope of sufficient length to reach to the bottom, and, in the meantime, Constable Tobin lowered a lighted hurricane lantern to the boy, who was seen to be clinging to the rocky wall of the well. A steel hawser, used at the railway yards, was then fastened to the well windlass; which had not been used for a considerable period, and consequently was frail and unsubstantial. Messrs. Albert Euler and Charles Powell affixed the hawser to the windlass, and Constable Tobin was lowered to the bottom of the well. The constable found the boy clinging to the rocks, tied him to his body, and was hauled up some distance. “When about 20ft. from the top the windlass gave way through the upright on the handle side bending over; the rope dropped a few inches, and the con- stable and the boy swung against the side of the well. Finally, however, they were hauled to safety. Inspector King, in his report, stated that he considered that Constable Tobin performed a brave and heroic action in descending the well depending on an old dilapidated windlass.
Rockhampton citizens and police staff at the presentation of the Certificate of Merit of the Royal Humane Society of Australia by Justice Jameson to Constable James Tobin, October 1921.
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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
“FROM the VAULT: James Lawrence Joseph Tobin” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
Michael Francis Symes joined the Queensland Police as Constable 4570 on October 24, 1980. To date he has served at Broadbeach, Gold Coast, City Station, Brisbane CIB, Woolloongabba, Wynnum Traffic, Tambo, Eromanga, Whitsunday, Cunnamulla, Dalby, Capalaba, Hervey Bay and Thursday Island. Senior Sergeant Symes is currently stationed in Gympie.
The Star of Courage Citation reads: During the night of 18-19 May 1990, Senior Constable Symes controlled an armed man at Tambo while securing the release of two hostages, maintaining psychological pressure to prevent widespread shooting, and eventually overpowering the offender.
A little before midnight a man armed with a rifle shot a motorist, threatened others, and walked the streets of Tambo firing indiscriminately. Senior Constable Symes, who was unarmed for most of the time, engaged the man in conversation and although repeatedly threatened by him remained in his company until just before daybreak.
During this time Senior Constable Symes influenced the offender to desist from shooting a number of other people and to release two hostages he had taken. Despite the danger of his position, Constable Symes maintained a commanding perspective and arranged for the streets to be cleared, the wounded motorist to be evacuated, police support called and civilian assistants deployed. Eventually, disregarding the increased risk to his personal safety, Senior Constable Symes closed in on the gunman and overpowered him.
By his actions Senior Constable Symes displayed conspicuous courage.
Senior Constable Symes was awarded the Star of Courage at a ceremony held on September 9, 1992.
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The Star of Courage is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril. It is the second highest Australian Bravery Decoration. Only four Queensland Police officers have been in receipt of the Star of Courage since the award was established in February 1975.
Australian Bravery Decorations date from the establishment of the Australian honours system in. The Group Bravery Citation was added in 1990.
The decorations recognise acts of bravery by members of the community. There are four levels of decoration:
Cross of Valour (CV)
Star of Courage (SC)
Bravery Medal (BM)
Commendation for Brave Conduct
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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“FROM THE VAULT: Star of Courage: Senior Constable Michael Symes” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
Peter Grahame John Kidd joined the Queensland Police as Constable 3560 on 29 April 1977. He served at the Traffic Branch, Banyo Station; Brisbane Mobile Patrols; as a member of the Brisbane Task Force and the Tactical Response Group.
The Star of Courage Citation reads: At about 5.30 a.m. on 29 July 1987 members of the Tactical Response Team raided a house at Virginia to capture a dangerous offender who was known to have been responsible for several armed hold-ups.
Senior Constable Kidd was the first policeman to enter the House. He lead an assault team through the living area and into the hallway towards the main bedroom.
Shots were fired from the bedroom but knowing that an armed man was in there Constable Kidd pushed the door open and went in rather than taking cover.
He fired at the offender who was in a corner and himself received three gunshot wounds, one to his right wrist and two to his body. He collapsed and later died in hospital.
By his actions Senior Constable Kidd displayed conspicuous courage.
Senior Constable Kidd was awarded the Star of Courage posthumously and it was accepted by his parents at a ceremony held on August 9, 1989. He was also awarded the Queensland Police Valour Medal for putting his duty before his life.
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The Star of Courage is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril. It is the second highest Australian Bravery Decoration. Only four Queensland Police officers have been in receipt of the Star of Courage since the award was established in February 1975.
Australian Bravery Decorations date from the establishment of the Australian honours system in. The Group Bravery Citation was added in 1990.
The decorations recognise acts of bravery by members of the community. There are four levels of decoration:
Cross of Valour (CV)
Star of Courage (SC)
Bravery Medal (BM)
Commendation for Brave Conduct
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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“FROM THE VAULT: Star of Courage: Constable Rodney Edwards” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
The Report of the Commissioner of Police in 1882 mentioned Eton among others as a station to be completed as speedily as possible. Tenders for the erection of police quarters and a lockup were to be submitted by 4pm on Thursday, 22 March 1883. The Brisbane Courier newspaper of 21 May 1883 reported that tenders were accepted for a police station at Eton; indicating these were fresh tenders as those previously received were too high. The newspaper also reported on 2 June 1883 that Archibald McIntyre was the successful contractor to build the new police quarters and lockup. On the 3 November 1883 the contractor was ordered to stop construction work on the police quarters. It became apparent that the land, being Allotment 9, Section 5, upon which the Eton police barracks was being erected had been sold through a Government auction for £100 to a Mr Chataway. The building was disassembled and removed to Allotment 1, Section 10. Inspector Alexander Douglas reported that the Eton police quarters were completed on 12 March 1884. He also proposed to the Commissioner of Police that Constable Donoghue be transferred to take charge of Eton as he was a steady man with a clean defaulter sheet. The police quarters were built for a cost of £895.
Eton Police Reserve 1883
Constable Thomas Donoghue reported to his Sub Inspector about the need to fence the station on 13 March 1885.
‘That this Station would require to be fenced badly. The Const had on four (4) occasions within the last six months to take charge of stolen or illegally branded cattle, and each time he did not know what to do with them as there is not a secure Paddock or yard within three (3) miles of the Station, in fact the Const has at present a stolen cow in his possession and has to keep her a long distance from the Station. Whereas if the Station was fenced he could keep the cow in the yard every night, and not run the risk of having the cow stolen while in the possession of Police’.
On 24 March 1885, Constable Donoghue died after having suffered from fever for a few days. His widow received £39, 12 shillings and 2 pence, from the Police Reward Fund, being an amount equal to one months pay for each year of her husband’s service in the Force. Tenders for fencing around the Eton Police Barracks were called in June 1885. Mr John Temple of Eton was successful in having his tender accepted on 2 September 1885. In February 1888, Constable Michael Griffin found the flooring in one of the bedrooms on the back verandah destroyed by white ants. Some other repairs were required, and Mr. James Wallace successfully tendered for the repair work. On 19 November 1890, Travelling Inspector John Ahern, inspected the Eton Police Station. The strength consisted of two men; Constables Michael Griffin and Michael Cronin. Their two troop horses were named ‘Comet’ and ‘Planet’. A great deal of each constable’s time was taken up with mounted bush patrols, having at the time performed 502 days between them. The inspection also noted the station building required painting which could easily be done by the constables.
A plan and report proposing additions to the Eton Police Station were forwarded to the Commissioner of Police in December 1896. Additional rooms were required to accommodate Constable Griffin’s family, consisting of wife and eight children. Mr. James Wallace gave an estimated price of £54 and 10 shillings, stating it was the cheapest he could do the job for. These additions were not proceeded with, and Constable Griffin was transferred to Toowoomba in October 1897. In January 1912 it was found that the land consisting of an area of 2 acres, 2 roods, and 6 ½ perches on which the Eton Police Station was erected, had not been proclaimed as a Police Reserve. The area was gazetted as a Reserve for Police Purposes on 15 March 1912, and as being on Allotment 1 of Section 10.
Constable Arthur Casey applied for permission to milk a recently purchased cow on police premises on 7 April 1915. The milk was for his family’s use, and the cow would not be kept on police premises, but it would be necessary to pen the calf up at night. No objection was raised provided the premises were kept clean. On 19 August 1916, Constable Casey applied for the erection of a bathroom at the station.
‘For years past an old tank with a door cut in has sufficed for a bathroom here, but it has been useless for some time past and at present there are no means of getting a bath except by using a cell etc which is not satisfactory for ones wife & family, therefore, I would ask for the erection of a bathroom soon as possible’.
On 7 November 1916, the expenditure of £21 and 10 shillings as quoted by Mr. J. Gralow was approved and he was advised to proceed with the work.
A cyclone in February 1918 blew twelve sheets of iron off the main building, and five from the cells. The top was blown off the brick chimney of the kitchen, the stables were unroofed and shifted on their blocks, and the earth closets were blown over and not fit for further use. The bathroom was off its blocks, and the fence around the building was completely damaged. Some saddlery was damaged, and most of the stationery was destroyed. The matter was referred to the Works Department for attention. On 19 April 1929, a month after taking over the police station, Constable Harry West reported on the limited number of rooms, filth, and poor condition of the accommodation. By February 1930, a new stove had been installed, and a new ceiling for the kitchen and back verandah room. Paint had also been supplied to the constable to paint the inside of the quarters in his spare time. On 5 April 1930, tenders were called for the erection of a new cell building. The contractor, Mr. H. Saal completed the building on 8 July 1930. Constable West purchased a motor car in April 1930. He requested permission to keep the vehicle in the spare stall of the stable. The stable building had two stalls with a feed room attached. There was only one troop horse attached to the station. The station records did not indicate whether permission was granted, but as Constable West was prepared to take out a Fire Policy it was high likely he would be able to accommodate his car in the spare horse stall.
On April 1931, Constable West made a further application for the old cells to be converted into a Court House and police office, so that the present room used for the same purpose in the police quarters could be used as a bedroom. Apart from the need for additional bedroom accommodation, privacy for the police quarters from members of the public was also required. The conversion was completed on 19 September 1931. In 1932 the Department of Works prepared plans for a proposed new dining room to be built between the back verandah of the police quarters, and the kitchen and newly instituted police office and courthouse. The construction was completed in June 1933.
A report on the condition of the Eton police buildings was prepared by Constable David McQuaker on 30 June 1939. In the 12 months prior, a spare room on the western side of the building had been converted into a bathroom, apparently being a considerable improvement on the previous old building used for that purpose. Also a lean to, had been erected at the rear of the kitchen as a washhouse. During September 1941, Contractor Speer was engaged in erecting a new larger police office at Eton. The existing office and court house was considered to be too small, and too hot in the summer months. New furniture was required to replace that made out of benzine and kerosene cases.
During March and April 1942, Constable McQuaker, and Constable Flewell-Smith from Mirani, proceeded on a mounted patrol due to sightings being observed of light signals in the mountains west of Eton, situated in the Connors Ranges, extending from Mount Ben Mohr approximately 10 miles north east of Eton, and a further 10 miles south west in the area of Homebush. Although the identity of the operators of the light signals was not established, Constable McQuaker believed subversive activities were being carried out. In September 1945, a report outlined the decrepit and unsafe conditions found in the Eton police quarters. The provision of a new building was strongly recommended. The Department of Works considered that it would be uneconomical to carry out major repairs, and approval was given for the erection of a new police residence.
For a number of years a private horse was on loan at Eton, and foraged by the police department, but in 1952 the Constable there applied for permission to use his private motor vehicle on police duties which was approved, and the services of the loaned horse was dispensed with. In July 1958, construction of the new police residence was commenced. In October the old residence, including the tanks and stands were sold to the contractor building the new dwelling. Senior Constable Athol Reibelt and family occupied the new residence on 22 November 1958.
An inspection report made by Inspector A. McPhail, described Eton as being situated in the centre of a sugarcane farming and grazing area. The sugar mill was situated at North Eton, about three miles from the police station, and it employed about 400 people during the crushing season. There was one hotel at Eton, and another at the top of Eton range, 12 miles away. There was one butcher shop, and two stores each at Eton and North Eton. In October 1964, town water was being laid on to the residents of Eton. Senior Constable Colin Nicholas applied for a hot water system which was installed at the police residence in April 1965.
In June 1970, Senior Constable Walter Plant requested that a storeroom be provided at the police office. He described the police office as a very small building. Stores, old receipt books, and records were kept in parcels or boxes on the tops of cupboards or in the old stables. The stables had been condemned and were full of silverfish making it impossible to satisfactorily keep any necessary records legible for any length of time. The stables were also severely affected with dry rot and white ants, and was also used to store fire fighting equipment, saddles, and petrol for the police vehicle. By October 1973 a fire-resistant petrol storage shed had been built, and the old stable building removed.
On 26 June 1972, Senior Constable Plant requested that consideration be given to the supply of a garage. There was no departmental vehicle stationed at Eton at that time, and the private vehicles of previous officers were housed in the old stables which had recently been earmarked for demolition. By March 1974, the police station had received a departmental Falcon Sedan, and a request was again made for a garage to be provided. In June 1978, a garage to house the departmental vehicle was completed.
In June 1978, work was underway to enclose the police office verandah to provide more office space. Senior Constable John Howie asked that a new public counter be built in the new enclosure while the workmen were there completing the enclosure to the verandah. The counter was installed on 27 June 1979. An illuminated ‘Police’ sign was installed on 17 November 1978.
In March 1984, the Eton Bush Fire Brigade through the Rural Fires Board requested the acquisition of a ¼ acre block facing Barrier Street, and being part of the Police Reserve, to construct a fire station. The police department had no objection to an area of approximately 825 square metres being excised from the police reserve, as enough land was left for future needs. At this time the police reserve was described as encompassing one face of a hill, which was extremely rocky in nature, and of which the south-east and north-east sections were unsuited for construction without major earthworks.
The Eton Police Station buildings comprised the police office, departmental residence, watchhouse, fuel shed and vehicle shed. The police residence occupied the corner of the reserve facing Telegraph and Victoria Street, and the police office was situated to the north-east facing Telegraph Street towards Barrier Street. Today, Eton Police Station is a single person station, and the Officer in Charge is a Senior Constable. Duties include Clerk of Court and traffic work.
Thanks for supporting the Police Museum in 2021. We are hoping that 2022 will be kinder to us.
Here is a bit of cuteness to gladden the heart.
The son of Sergeant Colin Chick writes out a traffic violation for Agro. The image was used for the Commissioner’s Christmas card in 1983. (QPM Image PRNeg1983-SL759)
The Police Museum exhibition space and offices will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period, from COB Wednesday 22 December to reopen on 10 January 2022. All staff are on leave across this period for a well earned rest.
It is 36 years ago today, Deputy Commissioner Thomas Sydney Atkinson retired after a long and truly distinguished career in the Queensland Police Force. Commencing as a Cadet on July 16th, 1945, and preferring to be known as Syd, he progressed to the rank of Constable in 1948 and transferred from the Petrie Terrace Depot to Roma Street Police Station. It was the first of many promotions and moves which took the young policeman to regional and coastal towns, and various city stations.
On April 19th,1952, just 4 years after his official swearing in, Syd was recognised as a promising candidate for the Crime Investigation (CI) Branch and joined the Brisbane contingent as a Plain Clothes Constable. The next two decades brought transfers to various CI Branches including in Warwick, Charleville, Southport and back to Brisbane on May 17th, 1975. During the same period, promotions were granted, finally to the rank of Detective Inspector Grade 4. Many prominent cases were investigated by Syd and the CI Branch crews including the still unsolved murder in Mackay of 14-year-old Marilyn Joy Wallman in March 1972*, and arson and consequent deaths of 15 people attending Fortitude Valley’s Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub in March 1973.
Detective Constable John Kolence (left) and Detective Sergeant Thomas Atkinson travel to Mackay to investigate the murder of Marilyn Wallman, March 1972. Image No PM1931b kindly donated by the Courier Mail.
Promotion to the rank of Superintendent Grade 2 on September 4th, 1978 coincided with taking on the challenging role to lead the entire South Eastern Region. Further promotion to Assistant Commissioner on March 23rd, 1981, also placed Syd in the position as head of security for the XII Commonwealth Games, held between September 30th and October 9th, 1982. Confidential security planning commenced more than 4 years prior to the opening ceremony in Brisbane, with studies of security methodology employed during the Montreal Olympics in 1976 and the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada, in 1978, complementing methods employed to secure Queensland’s delivery of the event. The highly ranked policeman candidly recalled being “ very relieved when I saw the Royal Highnesses jump into the car at the end of the Games.”
Mounted Police Unit during the XII Commonwealth Games QEII procession, Brisbane, September, 1982. Image No PM2546 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
AC Thomas Atkinson was promoted to Deputy Commissioner on October 18th, 1982 and awarded the Order of the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of his work to co-ordinate security at the Games. DC Atkinson retired on January 14th, 1985, notching up almost 40 years employment with the Queensland Police Force since becoming a Cadet, 35 years as a police officer, made Gold Coast Father of the Year in 1980, and enjoyed 20 years retirement prior to his passing in 2005.
*A $500,000 reward is currently offered for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Marilyn Wallman. Further information about the circumstances and who to contact with leads are contained here: Queensland Police Service / Help solve the murder of Wallman
Deputy Commissioner Thomas Sydney Atkinson, 1983.
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Written by Queensland Police Museum Assistant Georgia Grier from the best resources available at the time of writing. The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Email: museum@police.qld.gov.au
At 10am on July 13, 1916, four year old Nicholas Frousheger wandered away from his home about three miles south of Charleville. Nicholas showed most extraordinary stamina for a child of tender years and by July 17 he had walked about 60 miles with police officers, trackers and towns people on his trail. He wandered eastwards through mulga country, over several rabbit proof and railway fences, and also waked through the Authoringa bore drain. It was reported in the media that “the police, and a large party of civilians are trying hard to overtake him, but it is difficult owing to the stony ridges and the light imprint left by the little one. The incident has aroused intense in interest in the district …60 horse men are in pursuit, scouting in all directions. Sub-inspector King is also on the trail”.
Four-year-old Nicholas Frousheger after his 5 day wander through the bush on discharge from the Charleville hospital with members of the nursing staff. His disappearance and apparent stamina to wander 60 miles made headlines and caused quite a stir in the district. Queensland Police Museum Image No PM0624.
Nicolas was found sitting on an ant nest, on Sunday July 17, after 5 days of wandering over nearly 60 miles. He had been without food or water for 120 hours; his legs were swollen and he had been bitten by ants but was otherwise in pretty good condition considering the ordeal. It was reported that “when the searching party secured him, his legs gave way under him and he had to be taken to Alice Downs out-station and put into a tub of warm water to get the clothes off him”.
Nicholas Frousheger spent a week in the Charleville hospital suffering from hunger, dehydration, an upset stomach from eating grass, diarrhoea and ant bites. When he was discharged he was met at the police station by a large crowd of residents. Constables Charles Cott and James Holley, along with the Akers brothers, were commended for their tracking ability in locating the boy.
This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursda yand 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
“FROM the VAULT: Lost & Found 1916” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
January 2022 marks the 110th anniversary of the 1912 Brisbane General Strike.
The strike began when members of the Australian Tramway Employees Association were dismissed when they wore union badges to work on January 18, 1912. They then marched to the Brisbane Trades Hall where a meeting was held. That night a mass protest meeting of 10,000 people was held in Market Square (now King George Square).
The Brisbane tramways were owned by the General Electric Company and managed by Joseph Stillman Badger, an American, who refused to negotiate with the Queensland peak union body, then known as the Australian Labour Federation. After this rebuff a meeting of delegates from 43 Brisbane based Trade Unions formed the Combined Unions Committee and appointed a General Strike Committee. The trade unionists of Brisbane went out on a general strike on January 30, 1912.
Within a few days the Strike Committee became an alternative government. No work could be undertaken in Brisbane without a special permit from the Strike Committee. This Committee organised 500 vigilance officers to keep order among strikers and set up its own Ambulance Brigade. Government departments and private employers needed the Strike Committee’s permission to carry out any work. The Strike Committee issued strike coupons that were honoured by various firms. Red ribbons were generally worn as a mark of solidarity, not only by people but also on pet dogs and horses pulling carts.
Mass rallies and a panicked government saw police numbers bolstered by as many mounted police as can be brought in from within 320 kilometres of the city as well as by the swearing in of 3000 Special Constables.
An application by the Strike Committee for a permit for a march on February, 2 1912 was refused by Police Commissioner Patrick Cahill. Despite the refusal of a permit, a crowd estimated at 15,000 turned up in Market Square and the day came to be called Black Friday for the savagery of the police baton charges on crowds of unionists and supporters. When the Employers Federation agreed on the March 6, 1912 that there would be no victimisation of strikers, the General Strike officially came to an end.
This information was written by Curator Lisa Jones from the best Police Museum resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“Brisbane General Strike, 1912” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
Mounted Special Constables recruited in the country arrive in Brisbane for duty during the 1912 General Strike. They are riding along George Street towards the CIB building in Queens’ Park.
Groups of Special Constables gather outside the temporary tents erected for them behind the CIB building in Queen’s Park, 1912.
Special Constable Ernest Capuano was one of the 3000 special Constables recruited by the Queensland Police to help with expected troubles caused by the 1912 General Strike. Ernest also worked as a Special Constable in Melbourne.
Mounted Police – RNA grounds, Brisbane during 1912 general strike. Officer in Charge is Sergeant McCulkin, 1912
Police mass in Market Square, now King George Square, in preparation for 1912 general strike marchers. Looking south towards Adelaide Street.
Police officers and Special Constables mass in Market Square now King George Square, in preparation for 1912 general strike marchers. Looking north towards Turbot Street, in the far distance you can see the Roma Street Police Station.
On October 10, 1981, the Brisbane Mobile Patrol unit of Constable Dave Ellis and Constable Jock Rankin, was sent to Ethel Street, Chermside, to check out a report that shots were being fired in a flat at a block of units in that street. On arrival, the crew were told that a man had been shot and killed and that the armed offender was still in the area. Soon after their arrival at the units, the Constables noticed a vehicle leave a nearby driveway and, despite being challenged, the driver failed to stop and took off at high speed.
The foyer of the Royal Brisbane Hospital, after the police car crashed through the plate glass windows in pursuit of the suspect’s vehicle. (Issue 49 of the Vedette: Journal of the Queensland Police Department, Nov 1981)
Constable Ellis was quick witted enough to note the registration of the vehicle and then the mobile crew gave chase as they radioed for assistance. The fugitive vehicle was chased at high speeds along Gympie, Lutwyche and Herston Roads to the Royal Brisbane Hospital by several police vehicles. The offender crashed his car through the plate glass wall into the foyer of the administration section of the hospital, and the first pursuing police vehicle followed the car into the hospital foyer to cut off his escape. The gunman leapt from the vehicle and began firing wildly at police officers, ignoring their pleas to surrender. Several officers, particularly Constable Rankin, were in danger of losing their lives because the gunman had superior fire power, but fortunately no police officer or innocent bystander was injured in the shooting. The incident came to a close when the gunman, seeing all his escape routes cut off, shot and killed himself.
Constable Jock Rankin told the story in his own words which was reported in Issue 49 of the Vedette: Journal of the Queensland Police Department (Nov 1981)
“The whole thing hinged on Constable Dave Ellis getting the registration number of the offender’s car,” Constable Rankin explained. “We were on foot in the street when he drove off in the dark, but Dave managed to get his number. By the time we reached our car, he had disappeared. He was out of sight for at least 30 seconds, and when we spotted him he was driving within the speed limit surrounded by a group of other cars. Other police coming to the scene could quite easily have missed him.”
Rankin continued “We have tried to stress all along that we weren’t the only ones involved. If it hadn’t been for the other police there, we might well be dead. It was a combined effort by everyone, in particular Constable 1/c Kev McCrae (Mobile Patrols), Constable 1/c Vic Doe, (Mobile Patrols), Constable 1/c Phil Deakin (Dog Squad), and Detective Sergeant John O’Gorman. John assessed the situation quickly and took control with the approval of all police there. He afforded the gunman every opportunity to surrender. We both cannot praise highly enough the actions of the other police…”
On September 16, 1983, five officers involved in the chase and events at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in November 1981: Constable Jock Rankin, Constable Dave Ellis, Constable 1/c Vic Doe, Constable 1/c Kev McCrae and Detective Sergeant 2/c John O’Gorman were awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.
On 16 September 1983, five officers involved in the chase and events at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in November 1981 were awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct at Government House. L-R: Constable 1/c Vic Doe, Constable 1/c Kev McCrae, Detective Sergeant 2/c John O’Gorman, Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Constable Jock Rankin & Constable Dave Ellis.
This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
“Quick thinking Constables, 1981” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
Font and rear pages of the Traffic Signals leaflet put out for the Brisbane Exhibition in 1926. Issued by the motor accessory house Philip Frankel & Co. Ltd.
The instructional leaflet on Traffic Signals put out during the Brisbane Exhibition in 1926 by the motor accessory house, Philip Frankel & Co Ltd, really speaks for itself and is quite eloquent in its plea for safe driving.
To quote:
DON’T consider the Police Officer at Corners or Cross Roads your enemy. Consider that he is regulating the traffic just as much for your safety as the other approaching drivers.
Be always considerate for the Police Officer. His is a hard job. Don’t try to abuse him when he points out your faults. You have them just the same as everyone else.
Middle pages of the Traffic Signals leaflet put out for the Brisbane Exhibition in 1926. Issued by the motor accessory house Philip Frankel & Co. Ltd.
Traffic direction is still a duty that police officers are quite often called upon to practice, the directions don’t seemed to have changed much but the safety of officers is probably more obvious considering the amount of motorised traffic about these days.
To complement the theme of the leaflet we have included some images from the Police Museum collection showing police officers doing their duty out on the streets of Brisbane between the 1930s and now.
Two police officers wearing white helmets, one with a white flag, in the right hand corner of the photograph, are keeping a watchful eye on the traffic in George Street, Brisbane, c1907
An unknown police officer stands atop his wooden plinth to direct Brisbane traffic, 1933.
We believe this to be Constable Glen Carpenter directing traffic at the city end of the William Jolly Bridge, Brisbane, c1965
A police officer directs traffic at a busy intersection, 2003
This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
“FROM the VAULT: Directing Traffic, 1926” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
