Equipment issued to police officers has changed and developed over the years, with some items, although still useful, no longer supplied. One such object is the footlocker, a mostly timber box with hinged lid for storing uniforms, boots and accoutrements. The box was issued to new recruits, to be placed at the foot of their allocated bed in a large dormitory, during training. Often the timber boxes were reinforced with metal corners, or other metal straps to ensure sturdiness when being moved. They had handles, made from leather or rope, were lockable, with the Constable’s initial and surname stencilled on the front.
Barracks ready for inspection at the Petrie Terrace Police Depot, c1920. Men lined up by their beds with footlockers stored underneath.
Image No. PM1977 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
Footlockers are no longer issued, as sleeping quarters are more generous, with built-in wardrobes as standard.
Timber footlocker with metal reinforcement, front lock and leather side handles.
Image courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
The Police Museum has gratefully received a couple of footlockers, donated by retired police officers. The one pictured was provided by John Murray and June Andrews in 2007. It is the Police issued footlocker of John’s Grandfather Patrick T. Murray. The leather handles and lock are clearly visible, with name ‘P.T.Murray’ painted on the front. Patrick Murray was born in 1909 and sworn into the Queensland Police Force on 31st May 1935. He commenced as a Constable in Roma Street, Brisbane, transferring to Rockhampton, North Rockhampton, Townsville, West End (Townsville), South Townsville and Nambour during his 34 year career. Senior Sergeant Murray retired in 1969. His footlocker had certainly clocked up some miles!
Constable Patrick T. Murray on the day he was inducted in Brisbane, 1935.
Image No. PM2535 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 article was written by Museum Assistant Georgia Grier.
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
“FROM the VAULT – Footlockers” 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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