WA Police Historical Society Inc in Highgate, Western Australia | Community museum

WA Police Historical Society Inc

Locality: Highgate, Western Australia

Phone: +61 8 9328 3691

Address: 57 Lincoln Street 6003 Highgate, WA, Australia

Website: http://policewahistory.org.au

Likes: 873

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24.01.2022 Great stuff. We appreciate your support and have now reached 800 likes. We hope to continue posting interesting stories and pictures from times gone by. All the best

24.01.2022 On May 4, 1919 a bloody confrontation between supporters of the Lumpers’ Union and the Western Australian Police became known as ‘Westralia’s Eureka’, or the ‘Battle of the Barricades’. The unrest was the culmination of two years of a demarcation battle on the Fremantle waterfront, exacerbated by a shortage of food, and fears of a further outbreak of the influenza epidemic that was sweeping the world. At the centre of the uproar was S.S. Dimboola, laden with supplies de...sperately needed by hospital patients and the general community. Because of influenza cases aboard, the Dimboola was quarantined, but officials relaxed the rules to allow her to berth. The Lumpers, already incensed by the government’s support of the rival National Watersiders’ Union, took to the streets when the Premier decided to erect barricades to close the wharves. Although bolstered by officers brought in from the country, the police were vastly outnumbered by the crowd of three to four thousand Lumpers and their supporters, both men and women. The protest became violent when the police were showered with missiles, including stones, bricks, scrap iron and iron railings. Mounted officers tried to push back the protesters, while others on foot used batons, and then fixed bayonets to try and prevent encroachment onto the wharves. In the confusion, one of the protesters, Thomas EDWARDS, fell to the ground injured. EDWARDS later died in hospital. With the injury to EDWARDS, and another man suffering a bayonet wound to the thigh, the situation reached crisis point. When shots were fired from within the crowd, the Commissioner of Police CONNELL sent for a Magistrate to read the Riot Act, and police were issued with ammunition. Fortunately, although the order was given to load their weapons, they were not ordered to fire. Discussions between the Commissioner, the Premier, the Lumpers’ Union, and the Labour Federation led to some semblance of order. The protesters agreed to disperse if the barricades were withdrawn, and the crowds left the wharf. However, sporadic outbursts of violence against the police continued for a few days. 35 police officers were injured in the incident and medical expenses came to over 1,500. 7 Lumpers were injured including EDWARDS who died as the result of a fractured skull. The Coroner’s finding was that he came to his death from a fracture of the skull, caused by a wound on the head, received on the wharf at Fremantle on May 4. We are unable to say who caused the wound. Death was accidental. Inspector SELLENGER had commanded the Police throughout this period of unrest.

23.01.2022 The Bullion Van VY 4999, built in 1898, seen here at Railway Museum of Western Australia, Bassendean

22.01.2022 At the recent AGM, Society President, Dave MacDONALD (regimental numbers 3418 & 5194), was awarded "Life Membership" in recognition of his outstanding contribution and services rendered to the WA Police Historical Society. Well done Dave.

20.01.2022 I was always curious about what the early WA Police Officers used to record details. Pictured here is a Police Officers notebook from 1895. This example is on display at the WA Police Academy.

17.01.2022 The National Rifle Association of Great Britain was formed in 1860’s. In the same year Queen Victoria opened the first of the great rifle shooting competitions held on the old Wimbledon Rifle Range, thus starting the traditional Queen’s Prize Meetings which are still held throughout the Commonwealth countries. The movement soon spread to Australia and associations were formed in the various states culminating with the formation of the National Rifle Association of Australia i...n about 1880’s. Western Australia was last cab off the rank and the National Rifle Association of Western Australia was not formed until July 12, 1901. In 1903, all rifle clubs in Australia became part of the Defence Force Reserve under the Commonwealth Defence Act and rifle clubs are still governed by Commonwealth rifle club regulations. The Police Rifle Club was about the forth to be formed in the metropolitan area. In its early days the club seemed to use Karrakatta Rifle Range. After the Great War the club used the South Perth Rifle Range, traces of which can still be seen off Jarrah Road. One of the Police Club’s best known marksman in its early years was Constable BEARE. He won the Kings’ Prize in 1906 at Kalgoorlie and he won it again at Karrakatta in 1909. Another well known rifleman from the Police Club was J S SIMPSON. He represented Western Australia in 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1920. He also took an interest in the administration of the sport and became Chairman of the National Rifle Association of Western Australia in 1921. Other state representatives from the Police Club were George WOODS (1921) and W CARROLL (1923), while F P MAINGAY and G METCALF frequently featured in the prize list during the twenties. Rifle Clubs went into recess during the Second World War from 1941 and although the Police Club was reformed after the war, though it seemed that there wasn’t the enthusiasm of earlier years, perhaps due to the loss of their range. The Hackett Shield was donated to the rifle club movement by Sir Winthrop HACKETT in1902. It was open to teams of six (in later years four) from any company or battalion or infantry or field artillery, police force or bona fide rifle clubs in the State of Western Australia. It was awarded to the team making the highest aggregate at 200, 500 and 600 yards, seven shots at each distance, and it became the property of the battalion, company, battery or the rifle club winning it twice consecutively or three times altogether. The first time the shield was competed for was at the South Perth Spring Prize Meeting in 1902. Three Police teams participated and finished fourth, twelfth and sixteenth out of a field of eighteen teams.

16.01.2022 I was doing a bit of research on a pistol (held at the WA Police Historical Society) that was owned and used by William REWELL (Jnr) and other members of his family and came across this interesting story. William REWELL (Jnr), Regimental number 119, was with the River Police and later the Water Police.

14.01.2022 A new project for the WAPHS Museum, putting together an officers uniform as worn in the early 1900's.

12.01.2022 Constable Edward Tindall - Grave Tales

11.01.2022 We have now passed 700 likes for our page. Thank you everyone for your interest.

10.01.2022 Who knows where this area is in our city?! Another colourised photo i created, from an original SLWA image. It shows the waterside police station. ca. 1900.

08.01.2022 Today Retired Deputy Police Commissioner Frank ZANETTI received the former WA Police Ferret Scout Car on behalf of the WA Police Historical Society from Danny RYAN. Danny restored the Ferret back to running condition. There were two models of this scout car. The Ferret Mark 1 came without the turret. The Ferret Mark 2 was fitted with a traversal turret, a .30 calibre Browning machinegun, and smoke grenade dischargers. It was also fitted with tyres that could be run flat if d...eflated by enemy fire. When locked down, visibility was by periscope. These vehicles were produced during1952-1971, and in Western Australia were on issue to the 10LH Regiment, Karrakatta, and were replaced by the 113 Armoured Track Carrier. Frank ZANETTI, just before his transfer back to Perth CIB in early 1974, and his being put in charge of the CIB Emergency Squad, was contacted by (the late) Lee TOWNSEND, who was then attached to the Ballistics Section. Lee was a member of the Squad and had also served in the military. Lee had the idea of WA Police obtaining a Ferret Mark 2 Armoured Vehicle for the Squad. Both Frank and Lee were among the first police officers in Australia to attend a bomb explosives demolition course being provided by the Military, at Bandiana, Victoria. Upon Frank's return to Perth, and having further discussions with Lee, put together a report outlining how a Ferret Mark 2 could be used in serious armed siege situations as a cover for officers endeavouring to get close to the scene. It could be fitted with a metal ram on the front to force entry if required. It could also be fitted with a tear gas discharger in place of the former Browning Machine gun, plus it could have steps on either side and stretcher fittings for use in removing any injured to safety. By the end of 1974, WA Police purchased, at a cost of $1,000, a Mark 2 and a Mark 1 from Military Disposals, Midland. The Mark 1 was intended for use as spare parts for the Mark 2. A fellow from Darlington, whose hobby was working on old military vehicles, proved most helpful. The Ferret had Rolls Royce Engines, meaning that some aircraft parts could be used when necessary. Members of the Squad also voluntarily assisted in general maintenance. The Mark 2 was used by the CIB Emergency Squad, later to become the WA Police Emergency Squad (WAPES). This group later became the Tactical Response Group (TRG). The vehicle was used until 1991 when it was replaced by the Saracen Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

07.01.2022 The Police Barracks (or Quarters) were originally constructed in 1905 in James Street, Perth. It was part of a significant collection of justice buildings located in this precinct that also comprised the former Police Lock-up/Gaol (which became part of the WA Museum), the old Perth Court of Petty Sessions Courts (now the AGWA Centenary Gallery) as well as the Swan Barracks (which housed the military) located to the north across the road on Francis Street. The Police Barrack...s were built at a time when the police force was expanding owing to the growing population and wealth being generated in WA by the Gold Boom which began in the 1890s. The two storey Donnybrook stone and tile building was designed by Chief Architect of the Public Works Department, Hillson Beasley. It is a fine and rare example of the Federation Romanesque style, designed by Beasley specifically to harmonise with the Museum building opposite the Barracks. Originally the roof was clad in green Vermont slates and had a row of dormers along the roof to provide ventilation to the dormitories however these were later removed when the roof was retiled. The ground floor housed the residential accommodation for the sub-inspector in charge, the reading rooms/library and a police museum as well as the recreation room, the mess-room and kitchen. On the first floor were the dormitories and bathrooms. Outhouses for washing and other utilities were in the rear yard as well as stables for the police horses. Prior to the Police Barracks being built, there was no accommodation provided for single policemen, instead they were given a lodging allowance. Once the Barracks were completed, the lodging allowance was discontinued and it became compulsory for single constables to live in the Barracks where they were governed by many rules and regulations; having to pay a weekly rent for their room, required to keep the place scrupulously clean, remove all their slops, shop for food and do their own washing. They also paid for a cook, and provided all the equipment in the recreation room by fundraising. Finally, there was a curfew in which they had to be in the Barracks by 11pm. In 1950, the remaining policemen still living in the Barracks were moved out and the building was converted into offices for various departments of the Police force, in particular the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), traffic branch, accounts and district offices. However, in 1975, the new Police headquarters near the causeway in East Perth were completed and police operations moved to there. The former Barracks then became the Art Gallery Administration Building.

04.01.2022 John Larter WALL was born April 4, 1854 to Sarah (nee LARTER) and George WALL at York, Western Australia. His grandfather Thomas WALL (born 1793 in Chatam, Kent, England) was appointed a Constable of the Colony in 1829, believed to be one of the first two appointments. After leaving school, he worked shepherding for his uncle, Charles MASSINGHAM in the Kellerberrin, Milcanning and Minterbuckle Districts. He then learnt the Wheelwright and Blacksmithing trade under his fathe...r at York where he continued until he was twenty five years of age. John married Julia Madge NEWPORT of York in 1879. In January 1880 he applied as a candidate for the Mounted Police, and being accepted was placed on duty in the Metropolitan area and also Fremantle. This enabled him to gain the necessary experience for the responsibilities away from the headquarters. His first station was at Albany, where he continued until 1887, and in July of that year he was transferred to take charge of the Mt Barker Station. Mt Barker at this time consisted of four residences, the Bush Inn (since decayed), Hick’s and Morgan’s Blacksmith, General Store and the Police Station (now restored as a Historical Museum). In the early days the Royal Mail coach was driven in turn by Harry and John CHIPPER, with Constables HOLMS and BONNER as armed guards alternatively. The coach ran between Perth and Albany with Mt Barker being the relay stage. Trooper WALL was reputed a fine bushman, and was always at home in the saddle. One time he and Constable McGLADE were sent out beyond Esperance, to arrest some natives wanted on serious charges, the trip taking several months. Trooper WALL while at Mt Barker was deputed by the Commissioner of Police Colonel PHILLIPS, to proceed to the Nornalup country and secure a quantity of seed nuts from the red flowering gum trees that grew in that locality. The avenue of red flowering gums in Kings Park, Perth, are the result of that trip. In 1897 Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee year, First Class Constable John WALL received the long service silver medal. In 1900 he opened the Police Station at Ravensthorpe, and held the rank of Corporal. During that time as being one of twenty longest servicing policemen formed a special guard of honour to the Duke and Duchess of York on their visit. In April 1908 after twenty eight years of service, Corporal WALL retired to his orchard farm property in Mt Barker. In 1923 he was appointed as Justice of the Peace, where his service was frequently required for duty on the bench. Corporal, regimental number 9, John Larter WALL passed away June 22, 1925 at the age of 71.

04.01.2022 Thought some of your readers might enjoy this short file. Im told by the director that the police uniforms used were the same ones as in the Ned Kelly Film.