The northern territory police magazine $4 c tat

BILL CONDON REMEMBERED AT KATH.

Just after dark on the last evening of Katherine's Annual Racing Carnival in 1952, Constable William Bryan Condon, unarmed, was faced with the job of tackling a dangerous man armed with a heavy Mauser rifle, similar in calibre to our Army .303. Apart from his Police experience, Bill Condon was an old 7th Division (A.I.F.) man, and knew exactly what his chances were in such a situation. He did not falter. He approached the gunman with hands open, clearly showing that he was not carrying a weapon. He was fatally shot before he could achieve his purpose.

His murderer escaped in the darkness and an unsuccessful search was carried out throughout the night, with some fifty to sixty civilians joining willingly with the Police. Early next morning Constable Tom Hollow located and arrested the killer, still armed with the rifle and, as it transpired, with a revolver stuck in his belt under his shirt.

Constable Condon was posthumously awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry and the Citation for ^.the award tells the whole cruel story in a few short words. It reads:—

" In recognition of Constable Condon's courage, gallantry and outstanding devotion

to duty at Katherine, Northern Territory,

on 9th June, 1952.

Being fully aware of the personal risk

involved, this Officer fearlessly and without hesitation approached an armed and dangerous man with a view to arresting him and thus preserving the peace and safeguarding the lives of citizens.

He was shot down at close quarters, endeavoured to rise to close with his assailant and was shot again. He died shortly afterwards ".

This is the only occasion on which this high award has been made to a Northern Territory Policeman, and that it was justly earned there can be no doubt. Bill Condon was only 29, his Police career was increasingly promising, and he had been married only fifteen months. - He had everything to lose — but took the deadly chance without hesitation.

This is a wedding day snap eJ Constable and Mrs. Bill Condon. A memorial plaque at Katherine Police Station reror‘h heroic but fatal attenim ---,men man in Katherine's main street in June, 1952.

Marie Condors at the unveiled plaque.

Perhaps one of the most pleasing features in this sad story is that his widow had the honour and pleasure of having Bill's medal presented to her by the young Queen Elizabeth herself, on her first visit to Australia. We know, from her description of the event, how much Marie Condon appreciated that neat little ceremony.

The tragedy, and the heroism of Constable Condon, were recalled at this year's Katherine Race Carnival, with the unveiling of a plaque to his memory. The Northern Territory Police Association is to be commended for its fine gesture in erecting this Memorial Plaque, and for making it possible for Mrs. Condon to fly from Sydney to be present at the unveiling. We are grateful to T.A.A. for a generous helping hand in this, too, and to the Cilli Bros. of Katherine for their voluntary work on the erection of the column to support the Plaque.

The unveiling took place in front of the Katherine Police Station at 1t a.m. on Sunday, 13th June. Sergeant Tim Tisdc11, Officer-in-Charge at Katherine, introduced the speakers, and apologised on behalf of the Commissioner, Mr. Graham, who had been prevented from attending by having to depart a few days earlier to attend the Interpol Conference at Rio de Janeiro. One of Katherine's best known citizens, Bill Roper — who was himself threatened on the fatal night in 1952 spoke on behalf of the townspeople, and Sergeant Roger Textor, of Darwin, on behalf of the Northern Territory Police Association. Sergeant Grant then introduced Inspector J. J. Mannion, who was Sergeant in Charge at Katherine at the tin.° of the shooting. The Inspector gave a _sh„,, address

coverine tbegeneral story — vpn. As related here —

then unveiled the impressive little memorial by folding

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Jack Stokes on Police Horse "Midnight " in his Maranboy days.