The series ‘Plucky Courage’ features the heroics of policeman in the early 20th century when they captured runaway horses pulling conveyances through city streets… but more importantly, it also gives us a snapshot into their lives, during a time of change, when innovative, mechanically powered contraptions using electric, steam and internal combustion engines, started appearing on Queensland roads and thoroughfares. Records do not show why the horses bolted, but one can only imagine the potential for havoc as horses contended with these noisy contraptions in traffic.
A dashing constable’s meritorious act
The evening peak hour traffic on Stanley Street, South Brisbane, was described as ‘very heavy’ from Victoria Bridge to Woolloongabba, on Thursday, 22July 1909, as two young draught horses pulled a lorry from the docks. As they neared the Farmers Arms Hotel, the team suddenly shied, then swerved violently throwing the passenger, a youth named ‘Ryan’, forward and over the dashboard.
The driver, Mr Eneas McKay, wrote in his statement to the police: ‘… he was holding on to the edge of the lorry. I seized him by the collar of his coat but was unable to lift him into the lorry. He fell on the ground, the wheels of the lorry passed over him.’
The already dire scenario escalated as the horses swerved again. This time the reins slipped from the driver’s hands, and he too fell from the lorry. The frightened horses, now with free reign, galloped away down Stanley Street.
An accident averted
Into the fray dashed 24-year-old Constable Smith from nearby South Brisbane Police Station. He’d witnessed the event and gave chase. As reported in The Telegraph, the constable intercepted the conveyance, by ‘gradually working his way along the lorry, caught the horses’ bridles, and was dragged along the street for 300 yards before he succeeded in bringing them to a standstill.’
Witness, Mr NW Luya, an employee of the Brisbane Milling Co. Ltd., contacted the police and eloquently described the constable’s actions in his correspondence: ‘The action was splendidly performed and called for great admiration from those who witnessed it. There was a considerable amount of danger to the constable himself and I am sure that his action was the means of saving property and possible life.’ He further wrote, ‘I was so struck with the action myself that I congratulated the constable and ascertained that his was H.P. Smith and his Number 223.’
Why did the horses bolt?
Clydesdales, known as ‘gentle giants,’ weigh in around 800 to 850 kilograms, and were extensively used for farming and pulling heavy loads prior to motorised trucks. They were also used during the thick of battle in World War One, hauling cannon and armaments to the front line. There is no mention of why the team bolted that day on Stanley Street, but stopping them would have taken an extraordinary effort, athleticism, and a great deal of ‘plucky courage’. The breed is shown yearly at the ‘Clydesdale Spectacular’ at the Boonah Showgrounds.
A well-earned reward
Newspapers articles and witness statements aptly describes Constable Smith’s ‘great pluck’… a term seldom used today, meaning spirited and determined courage.
Constable Henry Lockwood Smith was awarded the Queensland Police Medal for Merit bravery award for stopping the two massive horses and fully loaded lorry from causing mayhem in the streets of South Brisbane. The dashing hero also received the sum of £5.00 for his efforts, and later earned further monetary rewards whilst stationed at South Brisbane in 1909. He was awarded £2 for assisting in the capture of deserters from the S.S. Apolda, and then another £1.10 for arresting ship deserters from the S.S. Oberhansen.
Senior Sergeant Smith served the community for 27 years. His first transfer was to South Brisbane, followed by Albion, New Farm, Rosalie, Albion, Rosalie, Coorparoo, Stephens, Tambo, Jericho, Roma Street, Cairns, Roma Street and Maryborough. He retired from the Police Force in 1934 because of ill-health, but later enlisted in the army during World War Two, where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Henry Lockwood Smith passed away on 18 May 1950 aged 65.
Henry’s brother Jack, the Commissioner of Police
Henry’s brother, John Smith, served as Police Commissioner from 1949 to 1954. His legacy included the formation of the Police Citizen’s Welfare Club, where he served as the first Chairman. John Smith, also known as ‘Jack’, served as President for the Police Welfare Club.
Six months after Henry’s death, ‘Uncle Jack,’ the Commissioner of Police, took upon the honour of walking Henry’s youngest daughter, Muriel May Smith, down the aisle for her wedding in November 1950. John ‘Jack’ Smith passed away on 7 September 1961.
Next week – FROM the VAULT- Plucky Courage Part 2: Thomas Guthrie
This story was researched and written by Museum Assistant Debra Austin using the best archival 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 – Plucky Courage Part 1: Henry Lockwood Smith” 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