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ArticlesCauseCurrently ServingDeceased PoliceDrownedFuneralGenderIncompleteLocationMaleMonumentNSWOf eventOff DutyPhotosStateUnknownWall of RemembranceYearYes

Francis Laurel BURKE

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Francis Laurel BURKE

Late of  ?

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. #  ????

Rank:  Constable

Stations: ?, Redfern – Death

ServiceFrom  20 June 1955  to  20 January 1961 = 5+ years Service

Awards:  No find on It’s An Honour – however

posthumously awarded the Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit of the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society for Gallantry.

Born? ? 1927 at Condobolin, NSW

Died on:  Friday  20 January 1961

Age:  34 years,

Cause:  Drowned during a “Off Duty” surf rescue

Event location:   Kiama Beach

Event date:   Friday  20 January 1961

Funeral datepossibly  23 January 1961

Funeral location?

Buried at:  possibly Rookwood Catholic – Portion Lawn 1, Plot 59

 Memorial located at?

 

 

 

“There are a number of photos of this man on Ancestry.co.au which I can’t access”  26 July 2017

FRANCIS IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance

 


FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal


May they forever Rest In Peace


 On 20 January, 1961 Constable Burke was holidaying on the South Coast with his family. In the afternoon of that day the family were at Kiama Beach when the constable was informed by his son that two boys were in difficulties in an undertow.
Constable Burke entered the water and swam out through the heavy surf to assist. Unfortunately he collapsed during his efforts and after being seen floating face downwards in the water, was carried onto the beach. He failed to respond to resuscitation and was conveyed to the Kiama District Hospital where life was pronounced extinct.

 

The constable was born in Condobolin in 1927 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 20 June, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Redfern. He is listed in the official New South Wales Police Honour Roll.

 


 

There is a Francis L BURKE buried at Rookwood ( as detailed above ) but no other verifying details via internet search.

There is also a Francis Neil BURKE mentioned in the Kiama Independent on 25 January 1961 having died at Kiama, late of Sydney.

Nothing found on Trove.


 

Acts of Bravery by Police

The late Constable F. L. Burke was posthumously awarded the Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit of the Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society for gallantry in attempting to save the lives of two boys in the surf at Kiama on the 20th January, 1961. The Constable lost his own life on this occasion although the boys were saved.

 

Police Killed in the Execution of Their Duty

Constable Francis Laurel Burke.

Drowned at Kiama on the 20th January, 1961, whilst assisting two boys who were in difficulties in the water. The Constable was On annual leave at the time and holidaying with his family at Kiama.

 

Mentioned twice, on page 29 of 1962 Parliament of NSW – Report of the Police Department for 1961

annual_report_archive_1961 – 1 – document.pdf


 

Police Remembrance Day:

A family member of Constable Francis Laurel Burke, who died in 1961, laid a wreath at the Police Remembrance Day commemorations on Monday. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI<br />
A family member of Constable Francis Laurel Burke, who died in 1961, laid a wreath at the Police Remembrance Day commemorations on Monday. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

Almost 60 years on, Kenneth Nash still misses his uncle Allen.

Sergeant Allen William Nash, aged 40, was killed in the line of duty by a gun-wielding offender at Primbee in 1956.

Sgt Nash was one of eight officers stationed in the Lake Illawarra local area command who were recognised with memorial plaques on a wall of honour outside Lake Illawarra police station on Monday, as part of Police Remembrance Day commemorations.

Dozens of current and retired officers, families, friends, politicians, councillors and members of the public gathered at Oak Flats for a ceremony to unveil the memorial wall, and honour past and present officers.

Lake Illawarra Memorial Wall
THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2014

Since 1862, more than 250 NSW Police officers have died in the line of duty.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2591540/lake-illawarra-officers-honoured-on-police-remembrance-day-photos/


 

The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales …

www.newspapers.com › newspage
Gave Life For Boys
He was Constable Francis Laurel Burke, 34, of Redfern, who gave his life while saving the two boys. He was holidaying with his wife and …

 

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