When the First World War broke out, Australian men from all backgrounds and professions were called to serve their country. Members of the Victorian Police force were some of the first to answer the call with twenty men joining the first convoy of soldiers who left Australian shores in October 1914. Over the course of four long years, one hundred and thirty-eight Victorian Police enlisted from stations across the state. Of these, twenty-seven lost their lives. Whilst the fate of each man was different, a deep commitment to protecting and serving the public was common to all. Victoria Police service: Joined: 28/10/1908; Granted leave without pay: 5/05/1917; Re-joined: 1/10/1919; Retired: 8/02/1946; Highest rank: Inspector WW1 service: Enlisted: 10 May 1917; Highest rank: Corporal; Regiment: 38th Battalion; Fate: Returned to Australia 4 July 1919; Medals: 1914-1915 Star, British War and Victory medalsOfficial documentworld war 1, 1914-1918; victoria police; taylor, charles alfred 5429

When the First World War broke out, Australian men from all backgrounds and professions were called to serve their country.  Members of the Victorian Police force were some of the first to answer the call with twenty men joining the first convoy of soldiers who left Australian shores in October 1914. Over the course of four long years, one hundred and thirty-eight Victorian Police enlisted from stations across the state. Of these, twenty-seven lost their lives. Whilst the fate of each man was different, a deep commitment to protecting and serving the public was common to all. Victoria Police service: Joined 2/03/1903; Granted leave without pay 1/09/1916; Resumed duties 6/08/1919; Retired 23/01/1941; Highest rank: Sergeant WW1 service: Enlisted 5 May 1916; Highest rank: Lance Sergeant; Regiment: 3rd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column; Fate: Returned to Australia 8 May 1919; Medals: 1914-1915 Star, British War and Victory MedalsOfficial documentworld war 1, 1914-1918; victoria police; vincent, leslie moore 5080

The photographs are crime scene depictions, taken to assist police and detectives in solving crime. Most scenes are from the 1930s and 1940s which was a time when photographing crime scenes was still a relatively new action. Many of the scenes are without context as the location or crime have not been recorded against the image. Some have been identified. Either way they present an evocative image of Melbourne's past.The archive of over 400 glass plate negatives consists of 1/4 plate, 1/2 plate and full plate glass negatives victoria-police-force, crime-scenes, melbourne, detectives, evidence,

Ah Tune, kicked William Brasslin to death in a drunken brawl following an altercation, Beechworth, November 1914. Death sentence was commuted to 10 years imprisonmentPrison record for Ah Tune, prisoner registered number 33926, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.ah tune, foreign prisoner, beechworth, murder, william brasslin

Myrtle McDonald, in company with Robert Roberts, was accused of passing forged five pound notes in Carlton, August 1916. Prison record for Myrtle McDonald, prisoner registered number 730, giving details of the prisoner, her crimes and the dates and places of her trials.myrtle mcdonald, female prisoner, english speaking prisoner, forgery

Andrew Geoghegan, a bookmaker, was charged with illegally using an instrument on a woman, Louisa Margaret Heavey, in Hawthorn, November 1917. Prison record for Andrew Charles Geoghegan, prisoner registered number 34760, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.geoghegan, andrew charles, english speaking prisoner, abortion

William Coleman stole a cash box from the Woolpack Hotel, Carlton, December 1910. He had a string of various other offences of larceny and stealing under a variety of aliasesPrison record for William Coleman, prisoner registered number 34372, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.william coleman, english speaking prisoner, stealing, larceny

Robert Sinclair, a travelling entertainer, committed a variety of offences including housebreaking, having a skeleton/picklock key in his possession, being an habitual criminal. He had several aliases. Prison record for Robert Sinclair, prisoner registered number 29536, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.robert sinclair, english speaking prisoner, larceny, housebreaking, stealing

James Rouhan, 19 years of age, was accused of murdering his sweetheart, Kate Beachley, with an axe, in Lydiard St., Ballarat in October 1904. Sentenced to death, commuted to life imprisonmentPrison record for James Rouhan, prisoner registered number 30737, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.james rouhan, english speaking prisoner, murder, kate beachley

Albert Hay was charged with the manslaughter of Edward Booth Cox, by hitting then strangling him, in Horsham, July 1909. Cox's wife, was also charged but acquittedPrison record for Albert Hay, prisoner registered number 32092, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.albert hay, english speaking prisoner, edward booth cox, manslaughter

In June 1915 was charged with stealing and unlawfully on premises. He was deemed an habitual criminal with prior offenses including obscene language, offensive behaviour, theft of money, larceny of eight bottles of beer. In September 1916 he was charged with forgery and uttering. His criminal career began in 1907 at the age of 22 years of age.Prison record for Edward Greenwood, prisoner registered number 32050, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.edward greenwood, english speaking prisoner, obscene language, offensive behaviour, perjury, forgery, uttering

In August 1918 was charged with falsely representing himself as a returned soldier. He had previous convictions of housebreaking and stealing. A previous offence in 1916 concerned obtaining a seal mantle under the name of Alfred Barber. He was a recruiting sergeant at Dimboola at the time.Prison record for Alfred Hannah, prisoner registered number 34372, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials. alfred hannah, alfred barber, english speaking prisoner, housebreaking, war precautions act, false representations, stealing, loitering

Alfred Richardson was charged, in company with James Barry, of having stolen gold bearing quartz from the Golden Pyke mine, Bendigo, in November 1901. He had many previous minor convictions for drunkenness, assault, no visible means, etc.Prison record for Albert Richardson, prisoner registered number 28563, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, alfred richardson, golden pyke company, larceny, drunk, assault

Robert Halifax, a young teacher, 25 years old, was charged with bigamy. In December 1905 he married Myrtle Skinner, 17, in Coleraine. He had married Faithful Halifax, nee Trotter, in March 1900.Prison record for Robert Halifax, prisoner registered number 31238, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, robert a. h. halifax, bigamy

Peter O'Shannessy, town clerk of the borough of Coburg, was charged with embezzling 137 pounds between October 1905 and July 1906Prison record for Peter O'shannessy, prisoner registered number 31285, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, peter o'shannessy, embezzlement

Hartwig, a police constable, was charged with shopbreaking and receiving in September 1917, in the company of James Olney, a fellow constable. They stole cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, postage stamps and some money. Hartwig was found guilty of receiving.Prison record for Frederick Hartwig, prisoner registered number 34779, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.frederick hartwig, english speaking prisoner, receiving, police crimes

Olney, a police constable, was charged with shopbreaking and receiving in September 1917, in the company of Frederick Hartwig, a fellow constable. They stole cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, postage stamps and some money. Olney was found guilty of shopbreaking.Prison record for James Olney, prisoner registered number 34778, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.james olney, english speaking prisoner, shopbreaking, police crimes

Muriel Butler stole a black coat and a fox skin fur in Melbourne in January 1918. She was arrested when getting off the train in Ballarat. She was also wanted by the police for circulating valueless cheques. She had committed previous crimes of stealing and false pretences between 1914 and 1918, sometimes under the name of Agnes James.Prison record for Muriel Butler, prisoner registered number 7400, giving details of the prisoner, her crimes and the dates and places of her trials.english speaking prisoner, female prisoner, muriel butler, agnes james, false pretences, stealing, larceny

In August 1917, Fenton, a police constable stationed at Ararat, conspired with Emma Dent and Edward Hewins (both posing as police constables) to defraud Amelia Cole of money. Following the birth of a child by Mrs Cole's daughter, Dent registered the birth improperly and then demanded money to keep it quiet.Prison record for Elcho Ryall Fenton prisoner registered number 34679, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, elcho ryall fenton, conspiracy, police crimes

Henry Holroyd was charged many times over many years with counterfeiting and coining and with having in his possession moulds for making coins. Prison record forHenry Holroyd, prisoner registered number 32136, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, henry holroyd, counterfeiting

In August 1917 Leslie Dunse, a police constable stationed at Brunswick police station, was accused of breaking into shops, particularly a boot store, grocers, butcher's shop and a drapers, and stealing goods. Three other constables were also charged - Arnold Wilson, Sidney Duckmanton and Hermann Johansen. Only Duckmanton was discharged.Prison record for Leslie Dunse, prisoner registered number 34691, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, leslie dunse, shopbreaking, police crimes

In September 1917, Joseph Farrie, labourer, was accused, along with Robert Gardner, of defrauding the Commonwealth Government by creating a fictitious soldier and drawing his pay.Prison record forJoseph Farrie, prisoner registered number 34753, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, joseph frederick farrie, conspiracy to defraud

In September, Robert Gardner, who worked in the pay office of the third military district, was accused, along with Joseph Farrie, of defrauding the Commonwealth Government by creating a fictitious soldier and drawing his pay.Prison record for Robert William Gardner, prisoner registered number 34754, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials. english speaking prisoner, robert william gardner, conspiracy to defraud

Frederick Dunn was an habitual offender. He started offending very young and was first apprehended in January 1903 on a charge of stealing a canary. Subsequent crimes included stealing a gold watch chain, money, a silver watch. In 1913 he was charged with keeping a brothel and in 1914, of receivingPrison record for Frederick Dunn, prisoner registered number 30410, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, frederick dunn, larceny, robbery, receiving

In August 1917, Hewins conspired with Emma Dent (a nurse)and Elcho Fenton (a police constables) to defraud Amelia Cole of money. Following the birth of a child by Mrs Cole's daughter, Dent registered the birth improperly and then demanded money to keep the birth quiet. Hewins had a previous conviction in Perth in June 1907 for false pretencesPrison record for Edward Hewins, prisoner registered number 34680 giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, edward hewins, edward cooper hughes, conspiracy

In December 1915 James McKnight was chased through the back streets of Fitzroy chased by Constables Preece and Phalp. McKnight, who had two American large calibre revolvers, shot repeatedly at the police, who returned fire. McKnight was finally apprehended after a struggle in which both constables were injuredPrison record forJames Joseph McKnight, prisoner registered number 34233, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, james joseph mcknight, shooting with intent

In March 1917, fire services attended a fire in a domestic dwelling in Carlton. When the owners returned they found that some of their clothing was missing. May Hall, 19, was later charged with stealing clothing and then burning those she did not want. Prison record for May Hall, prisoner registered number 7351, giving details of the prisoner, her crimes and the dates and places of her trials.english speaking prisoner, female prisoner, may hall, burglary, stealing, arson

In May 1917 William Gruner, a soldier, was with a group of people drinking at the Prince of Wales hotel in Richmond. After the group left the hotel, Gruner returned and stabbed the licensee, Robert Walker, with a military service knife. Walker was a former policeman. Gruner was charged with manslaughter.Prison record for William Gruner, prisoner registered number 34611, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, william gruner, robert walker, manslaughter

Peter McNamara had committed numerous offences such as stealing, whilst drunk. In April 1914 he was charged with attempting to murder Sarah Bass, a housemaid at the Mount Bute steep station. He was found not guilty due to insanity caused by alcoholismPrison record for Peter McNamara, prisoner registered number 33640, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, peter mcnamara, drunk, larceny, attempted murder

May Foster had many charges over a long period, mainly for passing valueless cheques. She was also know as Caroline RadfordPrison record for May Foster, prisoner registered number 6913, giving details of the prisoner, her crimes and the dates and places of her trials.female prisoner, english speaking prisoner, may foster, caroline radford, false representations, uttering