Policing History explores historical interactions between police and the policed.
John McDonald’s Thin Red Line
Following a bloody affray during an arrest, the Brisbane Courier described Sergeant McDonald as ‘an old Crimean warrior, having taken part in the three great battles of Alma, Balaclava, Inkermann, and the final assault on Sebastopol. In proof of this he now wears with his ordinary uniform the medals and clasps he received for services in that campaign, and also the Victorian Cross, as a special mark of distinction commemorative of his bravery in an incidental collision with the Russians’
Billy Elsdale, Queensland Police Indigenous Tracker and Anzac
Today is the National Police Remembrance Day. Each year, on September 29, vigils, services and marches are held nationally to commemorate National Police Remembrance Day to remember and honour all police officers who have been killed in the line of duty, and also remember and honour officers whose death did not occur as a consequence of their duty. Last month, August 2023, the Queensland Police Museum applied for the name of Billy Esldale to be added to the Queensland Police Honour Roll, based on this research.
Royal Historical Society Fellowship
Recently, I received a long awaited letter notifying me that I was elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (UK). The Council elected me a Fellow in recognition of my contribution to historical scholarship. Founded in 1868, the Royal Historical Society (RHS) is a successful learned society, membership organisation and charity with a 150 year history. Today, the RHS is the UK’s foremost society working for historians and history.
Books on History of Policing, Crime and Society in Ireland
I have been asked to share some thoughts on ‘The Best Books On’ and I chose to recommend a few titles on history of policing, crime and society in Ireland.
I recommended a few of my personal favourites which are shown below and are discussed in detail on Shepherd.com - Best Books on the History Policing, Crime and Society in Ireland.
Queensland Police Museum Treasures: Helmets, Hats and Caps
For nearly two hundred years, helmets, hats and caps offered head protection for police, be it from the climactic or criminal elements, enabling safer duty. In this Queensland Police Museum Treasures post, I will be looking at police headwear. Colonial policemen were helmets, hats, or high caps. Mounted men, ordinary duty police and bush police each had their own headgear.
Queensland Police Museum Treasures: Police Batons
This is the first entry in, hopefully, regular series showcasing the treasures held at the Queensland Police Museum, located in the Queensland Police Service Headquarters, Brisbane. The physical requirements for entry into the force were meant to compensate for the lack of armaments. An eligible applicant must have measured a clear 5’8 inches without their boots (which I do not), have been of strong constitution, and free from any bodily complaint.2 Apart from fulfilling the physical requirement, the applicants had to possess basic literacy skills. Candidates for the Force had to be under the age of 30, unless they had previously been engaged in Police duty, in which case they may be admitted up to the age of 35 years. Stout uniformed men standing at near or over six feet in height with their batons at the ready were judged to present an imposing enough sight to discourage potential depredators without the additional aid of a pistol. Prevention of crime was the primary objective of Brisbane City Police.