Ernest James Dawson was sworn as a Constable on May 11, 1927. Initially stationed at Roma Street and Woolloongabba Police Stations in Brisbane, Constable Dawson was seconded to the Main Roads Commission in the Cairns District in December 1929. Ernest married Ellen Moriarty in Coraki, New South Wales on May 15, 1928 and they had one son John James who was born on June 24, 1929.
From the collection of images taken by Constable Harold Sjostedt (see him in FROM the VAULT – Motorcycles, Main Roads and Mosquitoes), there are fortunately a few confirmed to be of Constable Dawson. This photograph of Constable Dawson looking relaxed amongst their camp near Ayr was taken c1930, whilst he enjoyed his pipe and the company of a cat.
“Snap of [Constable Ernest] Dawson and a cat at our camp near Ayr.” c1930.
Image No. PM0714 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
On August 6, 1930 Constable Dawson was conducting traffic duty on the Yungaburra Road near Lake Barrine when he lost control of his motorcycle and careered off the road. The 29-year-old Constable was transported to the Atherton Hospital for an emergency operation to treat internal injuries. Although the operation was initially successful, Ernest developed pneumonia and further surgery, conducted in Brisbane in January 1931, resulted in the Constable’s death from a haemorrhage.
On January 19, 1931 a large funeral procession commenced in Ann Street, Brisbane, with mounted police, uniformed officers and plain clothed detectives marching solemnly infront of and behind the Constable’s flower laden hearse whilst pedestrians watched on respectfully. Constable Dawson was laid to rest in the Toowong Cemetery. Although illustrating a sad event, these images give us a wonderful insight into Brisbane’s past.
The funeral procession for Constable Ernest Dawson passes Anzac Memorial in Ann Street, Brisbane, January 19, 1931.
Image No. PM0616a courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
The hearse is followed by vehicles transporting family members in the funeral procession. Ann Street, Brisbane, January 19, 1931.
Image No. PM0616b courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
Detectives and uniformed Officers march at Constable Dawson’s funeral procession, Ann Street, Brisbane, January 19, 1931
Image PM0616c courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
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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 – A Fitting Farewell” 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