Whilst serving as a police officer I received a copy of a letter and a marriage certificate from a second cousin of mine. She was formerly named Connolly and although a little strange in her ways she knew a lot about and has records of the Connolly clan who originated from Ireland.
She gave me the letter and certificates because my great grandfather, named Matthew Connolly was, like me, a police officer. The wedding certificate concerned the marriage of his son also named Matthew to a Mary Conroy, who were married on 17th June 1875 at Ipswich.
Matthew and Mary had ten children, the eighth one being my paternal grandmother, Anna Connolly. She later married Ernest Olsen, hence the Olsen name.
The letter given to me, written by my great, great grandfather was to his sister in Ireland as is dated 15th October 1860. It contains family news but also a few things police-wise at the time which might be of interest.
He apologised to his sister being late in writing and says, “I would have done so earlier but I have been a good deal tossed of late and so has the entire Police Force both in Brisbane and Ipswich, particularly the older members of the establishment. It has originated from the fact of having a Governor, and this part being proclaimed ‘Queensland’.
He complains of losing his best and dearest friend, a Colonel Gray, who resigned his commission as Police Magistrate. Nevertheless prior to resigning, Colonel GRAY appointed Constable Matthew Connolly the watchhouse keeper at Gatton. This was an easier job than being in the mounted Police, particularly as the Governor had proclaimed Gatton as a General Receiving Gaol and all prisoners committed either to Brisbane or Ipswich had to come by there and be quartered prior to continuing.
Matthew Connolly received ₤18 to ₤20 to receive rations, wood, water and candles etc. He mentioned that a Sgt. Harris at Ipswich (Connolly’s previous station) and that there were 20 constables at Ipswich at the time.
He told his sister that Gatton was a healthy spot with splendid fresh water fish and abundance of wild turkey’s and the most fertile soil in all of Queensland. An acre of land in the town area could be bought for ₤8.
Quite a few years ago an article appeared in the Sunday Mail in relation to Constable Matthew Connolly.
“On 30th August 1861, Constable Matthew Connolly left Gatton with a prisoner to take to Ipswich. After delivering his prisoner he was given a small phial of medicine by a Dr. Rowlands for a Mrs Joshua Bell who was desperately ill at Grantham. He also had a phial of medicine for a Mrs Garry.
Returning along the way the constable got to Sandy Creek, near Laidley, and found it to be flooded. A person camped nearby informed him it was too high to cross. However, because of the need for medicine the constable decided to cross the creek. He put his horse to the creek, but the animal was swept away and the constable was dislodged and drowned.
His body was later found some 300 yards downstream and in his pockets were the two small phials of medicine he had given his life to deliver.”
To my knowledge my great great grandfather was never honoured in any way for giving his life. His wife, at considerable expense, had his body brought from Laidley to Ipswich hoping to have a fitting burial.
The Ipswich Priests would not officiate and also forbade him to be buried in consecrated ground as he was “Not exemplary in his attention to his religious duties.”
He was buried at Ipswich with his wife and a few off-duty constables from that station where the only people present.
Even though I write of a distant relative, I conclude that history wasn’t kind to Constable Matthew Connolly, however I will always remember his as a Police hero of the past.
Matthew Connolly is the earliest officer on the Queensland Police Memorial List as he served prior to the commencement of the Queensland Police Force in 1864. Matthew’s name was added to the Memorial List 2006.
