HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Member Index
House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-02-19 Daily Xml
Contents
Pdf Xml

HYDE, CONSTABLE W.

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (12:29): I move:

That this house congratulates the South Australian Police Association on the re-dedication of the grave of Constable William Hyde on the centenary of his murder while in the execution of his duty.

In speaking to this motion, I recall an occasion several years ago when I visited the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, United States, and, waiting to be briefed on identity theft and fraud, I observed a whole wall featuring commemoration and recognising members of the FBI who had died in the course of undertaking their duties. Quite often, they had been shot in the course of their services and had died usually in very traumatic circumstances. The FBI took significant and, I think, appropriate and respectful measures to ensure that those who had given their life—the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duty—were commemorated with a suitable photograph and particulars of dedication to service. So, it is in that spirit that I congratulate the South Australian Police Association and call upon the house to support the motion.

Constable William Hyde had been a member of the police force who was murdered in circumstances on which I will elaborate shortly. He is buried at the West Terrace Cemetery. On 4 January this year, I attended a memorial service marking the centenary of Constable Hyde's death with members of his family, including Ms Annie Sharrock (his niece), Mrs Maureen Pengilly (who, in fact, is the mother of the member for Finniss in this chamber), a number of other family members, representatives of the police force and members of the public. The Police Association went to considerable effort to restore the graveside of Constable Hyde and re-dedicate the grave to his service and sacrifice.

Constable Hyde died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital on 4 January 1909 (100 years ago), after one of three suspects he chased on foot in Kensington two days earlier shot him three times. Possibly the reason I received an invitation (which I was honoured to receive) to attend this occasion is that this incident had occurred in my electorate, near the Marryatville Hotel. I understand that it was opposite what used to be a tram depot which, of course, as one would expect these days, has become a shopping centre.

In any event, the story continues. The gunman and his accomplices were reportedly loitering around the Marryatville Hotel and were thought to be about to rob the offices of the Municipal Tramways Trust on Shipsters Road. Constable Hyde, who responded at about 9:30pm on 2 January, chased the suspects into Eastry Street (now Tusmore Avenue) where he caught and grappled with one of them. But another fired three shots, one of which struck the lone young policeman in the head. The three offenders then fled south across the park and passed by Coopers Brewery before entering a private property, where one fired a shot at a resident who tried to stop the trio.

Meanwhile, Constable Hyde was taken by horse-drawn ambulance to the Royal Adelaide Hospital (then the Adelaide Hospital), where he died of his injuries two days later. He was 36 years of age. A £250 reward was posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killers, but none was ever caught. Constable Hyde was interred at the West Terrace Cemetery following his funeral, which 15,000 Adelaide citizens and officials attended.

I wish to particularly acknowledge Mr Mark Carroll, the current President of the South Australian Police Association, and Mr Peter Alexander, the former president, both of whom attended the service. Mr Carroll spoke of the dangers faced by police officers on a daily basis and said that they are to expect the unexpected and that the police oath of office is unique, in that it requires those who take it to put themselves in harm's way to protect the community.

I think that it was a celebration which should be acknowledged and respected, and that is why I bring this recognition to the parliament today. I thank the Police Association for doing that. It is an important reminder of the necessity to recognise the sacrifices made by members of the police force. It is also a timely reminder that we need to acknowledge those serving police officers who have sacrificed their life in the course of their duties.

I acknowledge those who have given up their life in the course of their duties since Constable Hyde and the families that have suffered, often without the resolution of someone being found responsible for the crime. Whether they are a victim of gunshot wound, bombing, car hijacking or stabbing during the course of arrest, sadly, in a number of incidences serving police officers have lost their life or were severely injured and became unfit to continue their duties. I acknowledge them by moving this motion.

I am sorry for Constable William Hyde's family that no-one was ever brought to justice for this crime, but there is now a continuing memorial at the West Terrace Cemetery to the sacrifices made by our serving police officers.

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (12:36): I also want to make a brief contribution to this motion and recognise the efforts of the member for Bragg to ensure that the sacrifices that are made by all those who serve the interests of our state are recognised. On this occasion, I particularly want to congratulate the South Australian Police Association on its efforts to ensure that the gravesite where the earthly remains of Constable William Hyde now rest has been rededicated on the centenary of his murder.

As is no doubt the case for all members in this house, I receive a copy of the Police Association's magazine. I try to make sure that I find the time to read it, because it contains a wealth of historical knowledge, such as the ongoing series of interviews with older officers. I found one interview with one particular officer who had worked in regional South Australia interesting to read—

Mrs Geraghty interjecting:

Mr GRIFFITHS: Yes? The member for Torrens reflects upon that also—because it makes us understand that the challenges facing officers in those times must have been immense. There was no instant communication; these people responded on horseback most of the time. It is hard for the current generation to reflect on what their way of life must have been. True, there was more of a sense of a recognition of the important role that police played in their community and respect for the role that they undertook than exists now.

There is no doubt that there has always been an element in our society that has chosen to flout or break the laws, and it was therefore often the sole responsibility of a single officer in very remote stations (also in metropolitan areas, because the make-up of the city was very different from today) to respond and protect law and order for the good constituents and the people who lived within our great state.

The Police Association's recognition of the important role that Constable William Hyde played in the protection of law and order in this state and its putting in the effort to ensure that his gravesite was rededicated is a great step forward, and it is an indication by the Police Association that it truly respects not only those serving officers who form part of its membership but also the sacrifices made by the previous generations of officers who have served this state since our state was first settled.

I think the motion moved by the member for Bragg is a good one. It is an opportunity for us in one small way as a chamber to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by police officers in the past, and it is important that we do that. It is important that we understand the history of our state to be able to make decisions for the future. This is an example of a sacrifice, certainly not made willingly but made in the course of a police officer's duties, that we should all be proud of.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT