Sergeant 2/c Thomas Doyle was transferred from Toowoomba Police Station to Crow’s Nest with his family in 1949. In November 1950 Sergeant Doyle requested a lawn mower for use on the station grounds: ‘The whole of the Police yard comprises “Kikuya” grass, and on account of the recent beneficial rains it is most difficult to keep it in check, particularly from the lengthy main entrance to the office steps. I am doing all I can, with the implements available, to maintain the surroundings in a satisfactory condition, but with frequent rains and heavy dews this is difficult without the use of a lawn mower, which I respectively (sic) submit is a necessity under existing conditions.’
Upon this request the Police Commissioner wrote to the Under Secretary, Department of Justice, requesting the cost of a lawnmower be shared between the two departments, as the approach to the Police Station also serviced the Court House. The Department of Justice agreed shortly after, allocating Requisition Number 62540 for the supply of a hand lawnmower, and Sergeant 2/c Doyle dutifully acknowledged receipt of one “Qualcast” lawnmower, size 14”, from Intercolonial Boring Co. Ltd, Ann Street, Brisbane on 21st December 1950, just in time for Christmas.
Portrait of Thomas Reginald Doyle when he was a Probationary (training), 1926. Image PM0771 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
In 1987 the now retired Sub-Inspector Doyle was interviewed about his policing career, and provided the following on his time at Crow’s Nest Police Station:
“I moved to Crow’s Nest with my wife and three children in May 1949. It is situated 45 km north of Toowoomba, on the New England Highway, and the centre of a farming, dairying and pastoral area, with State pine forests in the adjoining localities of Pechey and Hampton. When I was there a branch of the Darling Downs Co-Op Association operated a butter factory in the town and it was also the terminus of a branch railway from Toowoomba.
In addition to police duties I again was appointed Acting Clerk of Petty Sessions. I had one married Constable under my supervision. Two civilian Stock Inspectors were also stationed at this centre, under the control of the Department of Agriculture and Stock. My duties of Acting Inspector of Stock were almost negligible.
The Sergeant’s residence, single man’s quarters, Police and Court of Petty Sessions Offices, Court Room and Stock Office were all contained in one building situated on a Police Reserve in the town. A feed room, one horse stable and a lockup were also provided. A troop horse was not provided and any patrols necessary were made by private car for which a monthly allowance of £1-10-0 was made for petrol. Privately owned saddle horses were available on loan, if necessary.
Another one of my duties was that of Chief Fire Warden for the District, also Labour Agent – registering unemployed once a week; if a job came out I would send them to it, but that was not very often.
Residents, generally, were law abiding and the few arrests made were for minor offences only. There were three hotels in my area. One in Crow’s Nest, one at Pechey and the other at Hampton, eight and twelve kilometres out of town.
What was regarded as the ‘big’ day at this centre was pig and calf sale day when all and sundry gathered at the sale yards. Animals sold were later railed to the Darling Downs Assoc. Bacon Factory, Toowoomba, for slaughter.
There was radio, but no T.V. reception. A picture theatre was usually crowded on Saturday nights and dances were held in Public Halls and Schools in outlying areas. Weekend sport consisted of golf, cricket, football, tennis and horse sporting programmes.
Crow’s Nest could be regarded in my time as a prosperous small country town with a well behaved community. A Doctor, Dentist, and Community Hospital were available locally.”
Doyle was promoted to Sergeant Officer in Charge, and transferred to Kangaroo Point Police Station in 1952. During the next 10 years he also policed Bowen, Innisfail, and Brisbane. Doyle was promoted to Sub-Inspector in 1961 and then joined the Brisbane Water Police. He retired from the Queensland Police in 1965.
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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available. The content was supplied by Thomas R. Doyle during his retirement, and compiled by Police 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
“FROM the VAULT – Crow’s Nest Police Station in the 1950’s” 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.
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