Rosewood History

Police Officers

O.I.C. = Officer In Charge

Senior Constable Patrick Bowen 1878-1880 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 232 Patrick was sworn in 4th May 1867.

August 1881 – Sergeant Bowen was appointed acting clerk of petty sessions at Boguntuugan.
(Bogantungan was once a thriving railway town. When Patrick arrived it had 28 hotels, several churches, many businesses and sporting clubs, and a racecourse. It is just off the Capricorn Highway about an hour’s drive west of Emerald.)

On the 19th October 1881, in St. Mary’s Church, Ipswich, by the Rev. A. Horan, P.P., Patrick Bowen, sergeant of police, married Mary Anne, second daughter of James Mahony, of Ipswich.

February 1882 – Sergeant Patrick Bowen was appointed assistant registrar of births and deaths at Bogantungan.

June 1883 – Sergeant Patrick Bowen was appointed inspector of slaughter-houses, and of cattle intended for slaughter, at Bogantungan and Clermont.

Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld.: 1878 – 1965), Monday 4 June 1900, page 5
SUB-INSPECTOR BOWEN
We are pleased to learn that at the meeting of the Executive on Wednesday the promotion of Senior-sergeant Patrick Bowen to the rank of sub-inspector was approved, says the “Bundaberg Star.” Sub-inspector Bowen has seen a long term of service, and not only at Bundaberg, but in Rockhampton, Cooktown, and other northern and western stations, has borne the reputation of a smart officer in every respect, and, as the. inquiry before the re-cent royal commission showed, during all those years of service had not a single lapse from duty recorded against him. A good bushman and a capable officer in conducting a case in the police court, his promotion is thoroughly deserved, and might well have been considered before. We congratulate Sub-inspector Bowen heartily on his promotion and hope that it is but a stepping stone to a higher grade.

In August 1902 third-class Sub-inspector Patrick Bowen was appointed inspector of brands, sheep and stock for the districts of Cook and Etheridge.

Sub-inspector Patrick Bowen retired at Cooktown in December 1906 on a pension. He had been in the police force since 1867 or thirty nine years.

Patrick died at his home at Abbott Street, Cairns on 4th April 1914.

Constable David Leahy 1879 – November 1895, Police Station, Rosewood
Registered Number: 757 David was sworn in 1st November 1894. (1st time)
Registered Number: 1297 David was sworn in 17th December 1909 (2nd time)

Constable D. Leahy has been transferred from the charge of the police station at Rosewood to Dalby. He had been stationed at Rosewood for nearly seven years, and during the past twelve months had full charge of the police station. He was presented by people of the district with a handsome gold locket, containing on the obverse two diamonds and a sapphire, and on the reverse the words, “Presented to Mounted-constable D: Leahy by his Rosewood friends. November “95.” [The Week, Fri, 22 Nov 1895, page 22]

Senior Constable William Minogue 1880-1888 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 268 William was sworn in 5th August 1868.
Supernumerary William Minogue was prompted to Constable, No 268. (Qld. Govt. Gazette Wednesday 5th August 1868)

William went to Laidley to replace Sergeant Thomas Atkinson, who went to Goodna.

William Minogue was born about 1829 in Co Clare, Ireland. He retired in 1898 and died 23rd May 1905 at Stephen St, South Brisbane.

Senior Constable James Knox 1888-1893 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 403 James was sworn in 15th July 1875.

Went to Pittsworth. Appointed acting Clerk of Petty Sessions. On 5th September 1907, at Pittsworth, ex-Sergeant Knox was presented with the Imperial Service Medal by Mr. Mowbray, Police Magistrate.
(His friends in Ipswich and Rosewood will doubtless read with pleasure of the honour which has just been conferred upon him.— Ed. “Q.T.”)

James Knox joined the police force on July 15th, 1875, and retired on July 1st, 1906. He was stationed for a number of year in the Moreton district and later was for about 11 years in charge of the Pittsworth station. He was for at Warwick for a short time, then Clifton.

Farewell to Senior-Constable Knox, of Rosewood

Constable Edward Johnston 1890, 1891 Commercial Hotel, Rosewood

Senior Constable James Warner 1893-1894 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 248 Sworn in 4th November 1868 (1st) 16th May 1870 (2nd)

Senior Constable James Rafter 1895 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 363 Sworn in 3rd February 1874.

Senior Constable George Perry 1895-1905 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 494 Sworn in 26th July 1881.
Also Acting Clerk of Petty Sessions

(Mounted) Constable George Henry Perkins June1895-Dec 1900 Rosewood
Registered Number: 456 Sworn in 11th December 1889.
Came from Marburg to Rosewood. Went to Laidley after leaving Rosewood.

Acting Sergeant John Quinn 1904-1905 Rosewood (O.I.C.)

Sergeant Michael Joseph Carmody 1906-1910 Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 401 Sworn in 1st May 1885. (1st)
Registered Number: 2050 Sworn in 2nd August 1915. (2nd)

Michael Carmody was born in Ireland. He was the son of Martin Carmody and Bridget Madden. He and came to Queensland as a young man and entered the police force. He was sworn in as a Constable 1st May 1885 and promoted to rank of Acting Sergeant 1st July 1892, then Sergeant in 1902. He was promoted to Senior Sergeant 12th August 1910, Sub Inspector in 1917 and Inspector second class in 1921. He was promoted to Inspector first class 1st July 1923.

Michael retired on superannuation 1st July 1925 and received his long service medal in November 1926. During his active service he was stationed at Brisbane, Blackall, Isisford, Jericho, Barcaldine, Arrilalah, Winton, Bulimba, Rosewood, Rockhampton, Childers, Charters Towers, Townsville, Cloncurry and Charleville. He was very well known in many parts of Queensland as a police officer.

Michael died 11th July 1938 aged 75 years.

Constable John Greer 1906 Rosewood
Registered Number: 431 Sworn in 15th November 1901.

Constable James Johnston 1905, 1906 Matthew Street, Rosewood

Constable William Bond 1909, 1911 Police Station, Rosewood
Registered Number: 1152 Sworn in 1st September 1908.

Sergeant John Patrick Allen 1910-1917 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 276 Sworn in 12th February 1890.

Mr. Allen was sworn in to the force in 1890 and retired having attained the rank of senior sergeant in 1924. In 1910 Acting-sergeant J. P. Allen was appointed inspector of the factories and shops district at Rosewood by the Works Department. He saw service at West End, Roma Street, Valley, Rockhampton. Maryborough, Rosewood and Indooroopilly.

Constable John Frederic Ruthenberg 1912
Registered Number: 851 Sworn in 6th December 1905.

John received notification of his transfer to Tangorin Police Station in the Hughenden district and left immediately in February 1913. He was a boarder at “Argyle House” in Albert Street.

Whilst regretting the departure from our midst of a popular, painstaking, and conscientious officer, his Rosewood friends will congratulate him heartily on his promotion and wish him success in his new sphere. [Rosewood Register & Marburg Mail – 8th February 1913]

Constable Gustave William Taege 1913, Rosewood
Registered Number: 1220 Sworn in 1st March 1909.

(Mounted) Constable William George Nichol 1915, 1917 Rosewood
Registered Number: 1857 Sworn in 28th April 1914 (1st) 28th August 1919 (2nd)

Constable George Edward Sleeth 1917 Rosewood
Registered Number: 2209 Sworn in 1st September 1916.

Constable Edward James Bradfield 1917 Police Station, Rosewood
Registered Number: 2003 Sworn in 3rd March 1915 (1st)
Registered Number: 2429 Sworn in 16th January 1920 (2nd)

Constable William Francis Stone 1917 John Street, Rosewood
Registered Number: 1503 Sworn in 6th October 1911 (1st)
Registered Number: 2129 Sworn in 21st December 1915 (2nd)

Acting Sergeant John French 1917, 1922 John Street, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 586 Sworn in 7th September 1894.

Constable Arthur Bruce Clark 1920-April 1926 Argyle House, Albert Street, Rosewood.
Registered Number: 2366 Sworn in 1st February 1919.

Transferred to Cairns Constable Clark Farewelled

Acting Sergeant Thomas John Regan 1922-1925 Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 794 Sworn in 16th July 1897.

The friends of Sergeant T. J. Regan, who has received notice of transfer to Ipswich, entertained him at a smoke concert. Councillor H. Dutney presided, and presented Sergeant Regan with a case of pipes . [Daily Mail 6 February 1925, page 11]

Acting Sergeant Hugh Tighe 1925-July 1932 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 1546 Sworn in 11th January 1912.

Acting Sergeant Tighe came from Cairns to Rosewood. He was involved in the investigation of the murder of Louisa Bade in 1926.

Six years later he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to Townsville. Mr and Mrs Tighe were given a farewell celebration in the Farmers’ Hall before they left. William Ruhno, in representing the Rosewood townspeople, said he regretted losing a jolly good townsman, yet was pleased that he was going to Townsville on promotion. From a commercial point of view Sergeant Tighe had done his best. As a sergeant, he was a ‘top shelf’. When the Tighes left on the sweeper on 2nd August 1932, they were farewelled with streamers by their friends.

Sergeant Tighe Farewelled

Constable Francis Rodger Nolan 1928, 1933 Rosewood
Registered Number: 2799 Sworn in 23rd December 1924.

Constable Cecil Edgar Risch 1931, Rosewood
Registered Number: 2905 Sworn in 22nd July 1926.

Acting Sergeant Francis Scanlan August 1932-1935 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 1562 Sworn in 29th January 1912.

He came from Quilpie arriving on 28th July 1932. A cordial welcome was afforded to Mr and Mrs Scanlan at morning tea at the Capitol Cafe.

Constable William George Turner 1932, 1935 Rosewood.
Registered Number: 2801 Sworn in 23rd December 1924

Transferred to Leyburn.

Constable Thomas James Appleby 1935, 1936 Rosewood
Registered Number: 2616 Sworn in 25th December 1922.

Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld.), Tuesday 4 June 1935, page 4
FLYING POLICEMAN. Constable Appleby.
BRISBANE, June 8. Not until his plane was damaged in a crash at Rosewood on Sunday did the Queensland public know they possessed a flying policeman. He is Constable T. Appleby, of Rosewood, who is a qualified pilot, and has been using his machine for police work. It is probably the only machine in Australia used for such purpose. The damage done to the plane on Sunday, though not as serious as was at first thought, is a severe setback to the owner, who purchased the machine about eight months ago, and has since spent all his leisure time making alterations to prepare it for police work. Constable Appleby, who collected three years’ membership of the Australian Flying Corps, approached the Commissioner of Police for permission to embark on the project, when he purchased the plane, and was instructed to present a report when the necessary alterations were completed, but the crash came shortly after the work was finished, and before he had time to present the report. Constable Appleby is determined to proceed with his project, however.

Sergeant Francis Norman Aspinall 1937-1941 Police Station, Rosewood
Registered Number: 2085 Sworn in 8th November 1915.

Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.), Saturday, 4 November 1944, page 2
ROSEWOOD FAREWELLS SERGT. ASPINALL November 3. – In the Rosewood School of Arts last night a large and representative gathering assembled to farewell Sergeant F. N. Aspinall, Officer-in-Charge of the Rosewood Police Station, who has been promoted to first-class rank and transferred to Wynnum, for which centre he left to-day. Cr. A. J. Loveday (Chairman of the Rosewood Shire Council) presided. A toast to Sergt. Aspinall was proposed by Cr. Loveday, who congratulated him on his transfer and promotion, and referred to the efflcient and tactful manner in which the Sergeant had carried out his duties at Rosewood. On behalf of the people of Rosewood. Cr. Loveday presented a wallet of notes to Sergt. Aspinall, and wished him success In his new sphere of work. Inspector T. M. Brannelly paid a tribute to Sergeant Aspinall for the thorough way he had done his duties. Senior Sergt. S. H. Patch and Messrs. N. W. Ruhno and J. Potts supported the other speakers. Sergeant Aspinall, responding, expressed appreciation of the gift and good wishes. Mr. A. Sellars welcomed Sergeant Linde, who has arrived from Mount Larcom to take up duty at Rosewood. Mr. H. Goding (Postmaster) supported the welcome to the new police officer.

Constable Clifton Baker 1937, 1938 Rosewood
Registered Number: 3057 Sworn in 1st November 1928.

Constable Donald Chapman 1939, 1941 Police Station, Rosewood
Registered Number: 3378 Sworn in 26th June 1935.

Senior Constable William Thomas Barclay 1941-1943 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 2854 Sworn in 20th October 1925.

Sergeant Ben Nielsen Linde 1944-1945 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 2416 Sworn in 18th July 1919.

Sergeant Harold Wacker 1945-1947 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 4524 Sworn in 28th February 1948

Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.), Friday 10 October 1947, page 5
POLICE OFFICER FAREWELLED ROSEWOOD, Oct 9.
To farewell Sergeant Wacker, who has been transferred to the Toowoomba Police Station on promotion, Rosewood citizens assembled in the Farmers’ Hall on Friday night. Dancing was enjoyed to music supplied by the “Swing Capators” and Miss Monica Flannigan played extras. Adverse weather conditions prevented country people from attending.

As they entered the hall, Sergeant and Mrs. Wacker were presented with a bouquet and spray by Joan Flannigan and Glenys Barram. Referring to Sergeant Wacker’s short stay in Rosewood, the Chairman (Mr. N. Ruhno) said the guest of honour had made himself popular with all sections of the community. The speaker was sorry to see him leaving, but was pleased that it meant a promotion for him.

Rev. J. H. Smith referred to Sergeant Wacker as a most courteous officer who had carried out his duties without fear, and he wished him a very happy future in Toowoomba.

Mr. G. Dale spoke of the high esteem in which Sergeant Wacker was held. He had found him at all times a very obliging officer and congratulated him on his promotion.

Mr. Ruhno asked Mr. H. M. A. Grant to make a presentation to Sergeant Wacker. Mr. Grant said that everyone was sorry to see the guest of honour leave. By fearlessly carrying out his duties, he had endeared himself to all sections. He had never been officious, but had always been willing to co-operate, and his willingness to oblige and the courteous manner in which he had carried out his duties, was an Indication of his ability. He asked Sergeant Wacker to accept a wallet of notes as a token of the high esteem in which he was held by the citizens of the Rosewood district.

Sergeant Wacker, responding, said he was sorry to leave Rosewood as the people were most law abiding. He hoped to visit Rosewood again at some future date and would carry away happy recollections of the very pleasant time spent in the district. He thanked those responsible for the presentation and the function.

Those responsible for the serving of refreshments were Mesdames D. Flannigan, C. O’Sullivan, W. Leeson, Misses Monica Flannigan and Marjorie Embrey. They worked hard to make the function a success and were thanked by Mr. Ruhno. They were assisted by Messrs. D. Flannigan and J. Barram. Mr. W. Embrey was M.C.

Sergeant Wacker collapsed and died in his office at Bulimba police station shortly before 8.30 a.m. on 19th August 1948. Death was due to natural causes. Sergeant Wacker was stationed in Rosewood for about 18 months and was a well-liked and courteous officer. Flags were flown at half-mast at Rosewood as a gesture of sympathy and respect for him.

Sergeant Francis Jimmiseon 1947-1949 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 2986 Sworn in 22nd December 1927.

Sergeant Walter Albert Zillman 1949-1958 Police Station, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 3096 Sworn in 1st July 1929.

Constable Ronald Ernest Nicholson 1952, 1954
Registered Number: 4723 Sworn in 7th February 1949.

Serendipity

Sergeant Harold James Morris 1958-1963 Police Residence, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 3248 Sworn in 4th November 1933.

Constable Leslie Lloyd Schultz 1959 Albert Street, Rosewood
Registered Number: 4721 Sworn in 7th February 1949.

Sergeant Patrick Walter Crotty 1963-1965 Police Residence, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 3772 Sworn in 8th August 1940.

Sergeant Leslie John Long 1966-1976 Police Station, John St., Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 4585 Sworn in 6th September 1948.

Senior Sergeant Leonard Thomas Bales 1966-1983 120 John Street, Rosewood

Registered No: 6360 Tom Bales was sworn in 18th March 1959.

Tom Bales was awarded the National Police Service Medal, for meritorious service to the Queensland Police Service in 2018.

20/10/1930 – 29/06/2018

Probationary Constable Russell James Boland 1969 20 Matthew St., Rosewood

Constable John Robert Burton 1975, 1977 17 Ahearn Street. Rosewood
Registered Number: 8188 Sworn in 22nd April 1971.

Sergeant Kevin Joseph Harvey 1976-1977 Police Residence, Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 5601 Sworn in 8th May 1953.

Sergeant William McGrath 1977-1981 Calvert (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 6082 Sworn in 15th July 1957.

Constable Trevor William Albury 1980 Mt Marrow

Sergeant Colin James Barr 1981-1986 Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 6524 Sworn in 19th October 1960.

Senior Constable Robert Allan Bushman 1986-1987 Rosewood (O.I.C.)

Sergeant John Alfred Edwin Morgan 1988-1994 Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 7930 Sworn in 27th August 1969.

Sergeant Stuart Graham Forsyth 1994-2002 Rosewood (O.I.C.)
Registered Number: 8843 Sworn in 9th August 1974.

Sergeant Lindsay Kuhrt 2003 – 2021 Rosewood (O.I.C.)

In August 2016 Lindsay was awarded the National Medal – 1st Clasp for 25 years of service by the Queensland Police Service. It was presented by Deputy Commissioner Peter Martin and Assistant Commissioner Tony Wright.

Detective Sergeant Travis Ehrich – 14th August 2021. Rosewood (O.I.C.)

Travis worked within the Ipswich CIB for eight years prior to being appointed.