An old illustration published in “The Sun” shows the coach from Malcolm, with Jimmy Nicholas and Sergeant O’Donovan on the box, a mounted trooper behind and £30,000 worth of gold under the driving seat. – Photo SLWA
I was recently sent a wonderful family story by Brian Kelly who has done an amazing job of researching the life and times of his ancestor Patrick Donovan. He has given me permission, with thanks, to reproduce an extract from the story of Patrick’s time in Western Australia.
Patrick ‘Paddy’ Donovan (AKA O’Donovan) was born on 26 March 1865 in Kealties, Durrus, County Cork, Ireland to Mortimer (Morty) Donovan and Mary nee Brien. Patrick was the fifth child of nine born to the couple.
Shipping records show that Patrick Donovan was a passenger on the steamship SS Waroonga which departed from London, England on 5 April 1887 and arrived in Brisbane, Queensland on 1 June 1887. The shipping records it show he could read and write and was a Roman Catholic. Patrick was joined in Australia by his brother James and his wife Bridget, Patrick was the informant when they had their first child Mary Anne on the 16 Jun 1888. At this time Patrick was about to travel to Western Australia.
In 1890 the colony of Western Australia was better positioned and more prosperous than at any time in its previous sixty years, but it was still a distant colonial outpost with little to commend it to potential immigrants. The discovery of gold in 1892 and the spectacular boom which followed was to change all that. There was little to connect the colony with the rest of Australia apart from the Overland Telegraph which had been in operation since 1877. The only form of travel from the eastern colonies to Western Australia at that time was by steamship service which braved the Southern Ocean and took at least five days to make the journey. At that time, it contained less than 50,000 colonists and an unknown number of Aboriginal inhabitants. By 1901 Western Australia’s population had soared to nearly 200,000 in just a decade.
The SS Albany from Melbourne, Victoria shows a passenger P Donovan who was headed to Hamelin to be a labourer for M. C. Davies, in the South West of Western Australia. Patrick then joined the Western Australian Police Force and was appointed a Probationary Constable on 4 March 1892. He was also appointed a Constable 2nd Class on this day (as quoted on the Police Staff Registers). He was initially stationed in Perth. His police record describes him as follows:
Name: Patrick O’Donovan, Height: 5′-7½, Appearance: Ordinary, Registration No: 85, Eyes: Grey, Status: Single, then married, Born: 17 March 1870, Hair: Brown, Religion: Roman Catholic, Complexion: Sallow, Calling: Labourer. Patrick’s name appeared in numerous newspaper articles relating to his police work during his 22-year career. All these articles referred to him with either the surname Donovan or O’Donovan.
Patrick was transferred to Coolgardie on 16 April 1894 and was put on gold escort duty. He was promoted to Constable 1st Class on 1 October 1894 and around the beginning of 1896 was put in charge of the gold escorts.
Coolgardie Police Station (circa 1894). – Photo SLWA
Coolgardie Police Camp (circa 1895) – Photo SLWA
Escort loading gold in Coolgardie from the ‘Wealth of Nations’ Mine (circa 1894).
Cobb & Co. Coach at Coolgardie (1890’s) – Photo SLWA
Most likely a gold escort with a policeman on the box with a rifle in hand and another police officer (circled – possibly Patrick Donovan) at the rear of the coach. Photo: SLWA
Arrival of a Gold Escort in Coolgardie – Cobb & Co Coach. Police officer next to driver in front is possibly Patrick Donovan. Photo SLWA
Gold Escort about to leave the Western Australian Bank, Kalgoorlie in 1896. Note how the front of the coach is sagging due to the weight of the gold, and the mounted trooper with his back towards the camera. The Western Australian Bank was the first bank to open in the Eastern Goldfields at Coolgardie in 1894. The Manager and Teller went by rail to Northam, by construction train to Burracoppin then by Cobb’s coach to Southern Cross. From here they went by double seater buggy and pair horses in a temperature of 110 degrees, arriving in Coolgardie after six days travelling, taking with them $10,000 in assorted notes and coin with only a six-shooter to protect themselves and the money. The Western Australian Bank amalgamated with the Bank of New South Wales in 1927.
The Southern Cross Times on Saturday, 17 May 1913
PERSONAL. Sergeant O’Donovan, who piloted Governor Jerry Smith through the back blocks, when their tracks were denoted for some time afterwards by empty bottles, is at present in charge of the York police district, and with him “Fitz” should get on well—the latter being, as his name indicates, a true Irishman, at least, by name.
Governor Greard ‘Jerry’ Smith
An Afghan guard of honour at Hampton Bungalow, Coolgardie, welcoming the Governor Sir Gerard Smith at the opening of the railway, 24 March 1896
Coolgardie Miner on Wednesday, 30 November 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL
Patrick O’Donovan, police constable stationed at Coolgardie, received a telegram from the Commissioner of Police (Colonel Phillips) yesterday to say that he had been promoted to the rank of corporal. The honour is well deserved, and the new corporal received many congratulations from his comrades upon receiving this recognition of his services. Amongst others who felicitated him was Sergeant Sellenger, his old chief, who wired his congratulations from Perth last evening. O’Donovan has been in the police force of this colony for seven years. Almost five years ago he was transferred to Coolgardie, and during the whole of that time, he has been on escort duty. For the last three years, he has been in charge of all gold escorts from Norseman to Coolgardie and from Coolgardie to Perth, and the promotion of which he received word yesterday was made as a reward for the very creditable way in which he has carried out his arduous duties.
The Coolgardie Police Force in 1898 – Patrick Donovan circled.
Front Row—Sergt., (now Insp.) Sellenger. Insp. Newland (dead), Sergt. Smythe (dead) and Det-Sergt. Kavanagh (dead).
Second row—Const. Love (dead), Const. Cahill, Const. Bird (left), Const. Carroll (left), Const. O’Loughlin, Corp. Brown, Const. D’Alton, Sergt. O’Donovan, Const. Jones (left), Const. Carroll, Const. McLernon (now Detective), Const. Malone, Corp. Sullivan (left), Const. Duggan (left), Const. Hooper, Const. Poyser (left).
Back row—Const. Marinon, Const. Sayers, Const. M’Lernon (left), Const. O’Brien, Const. Kulkhiu, Const. Twohy, Const. Hoy (left), Const. Carroll (left), Const. Muller (now Detective).
Patrick Donovan (number 85 on cap) is circled. The photograph was published in the Sunday Times on Sunday, 1 March 1914 and in The Sun on Sunday, 8 March 1914 (refer to page 20). The framed photograph is hanging in the meeting room of the Western Australian Police Historical Society located at 57 Lincoln Street, Highgate, Western Australia.
Patrick was in the Coolgardie Police Force from 16 April 1894 to 1 December 1898. Based on this and the photograph of the Coolgardie Police Force in 1898, it is likely the police officer circled is Patrick Donovan.
Coolgardie Miner on Tuesday, 14 March 1899 -LOCAL AND GENERAL.
By yesterday afternoon’s express train, one of the largest consignments of gold that ever left these fields was taken to Perth in charge of an escort under Corporal O’Donovan. The amount of gold in the ‘swag’ was 11,993 ounces, and came from Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie, Norseman, Menzies, Mt Malcolm and Leonora. The various banks were represented as follows:—West Australian Bank, 9006oz ; Bank of New South Wales, 1,256oz; National Bank, 883oz; Bank of Australasia, 499oz; Commercial Bank, 349oz. On 24 April 1899 Patrick received a £3 reward for his 1898 service.
While still stationed at Coolgardie and in charge of the gold escort, Patrick was promoted to the rank of Acting Sergeant on 1 April 1900. He was transferred from Coolgardie to Kalgoorlie on 17 April 1900 where he continued to be in charge of the gold escort. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 1 January 1901.
The Evening Star (Boulder), 21 November 1901:
A Promotion.
PIONEER SERGEANT GOES NORTH
Sergeant Donovan, who arrived on Hannans in April, ’94, and may be called a pioneer, has been appointed to take charge of the Lawlers police district, which includes all the now important Mount Margaret goldfield. The sergeant is perhaps one of the best-known men on the eastern railway, having for some years past been an officer in charge of the gold escort, and as Hannans is nearly the largest gold producer in the world, it is probable that he has had charge of as much or more gold than any escort officer in the world. The genial sergeant will be missed in and about Kalgoorlie, where naturally he has many friends, who all wish him prosperity in his new sphere. It is understood that Corporal Chisholm, who has just resumed duty after a honeymoon, is to be the new escort officer, and will take charge of the next escort.
The Malcolm Chronicle and Leonora Advertiser, 24 July 1903:
On the morning of Wednesday 9 September 1903, Patrick’s fiancé, Bridget (Bridie) Leahy, left her home in Kalgoorlie around 10am in company with two lady friends to go downtown. After crossing the railway line, she recollected that she had forgotten a parcel she had meant to bring down the street. She started back to get it and was run over by a train at the railway crossing and had both legs amputated, one above the ankle and the other above the knee. She was not expected to survive. It was reported that she was a 24-year-old native of County Limerick, Ireland and had worked for a considerable time as a barmaid in Kalgoorlie, but was unemployed at the time. She had a sister living in Kalgoorlie and a brother living in Laverton. Patrick and Bridget were due to be married in a few months. She had last visited Patrick a few weeks before the accident.
The accident was widely covered in the media and a fund was set up for her assistance. On 30 June 1904 Bridget commenced an action in the Kalgoorlie Circuit Court to recover £2,000 from the Commissioner of Railways for damages for personal injuries sustained. The Judge found in the Commissioner’s favour, ruling that it was an act of negligence for Bridget to cross the line in the circumstances set out by her. Bridget applied to the Full Court to have a retrial and this was granted. An appeal by the defendant against this order was heard by the High Court and dismissed. On 14 December the Kalgoorlie Circuit Court jury found for the defendant Commissioner on all points, and judgment was given accordingly. During proceedings it was stated that Bridget had travelled to Melbourne and had had mechanical legs fitted, but she would never be able to follow her former profession—that of a barmaid. The court cases and hearings were also widely covered in the media.
The Malcolm Chronicle and Leonora Advertiser on 11 September 1903:
News of the Week – A distressing accident occurred on the railway between Kalgoorlie and Hannan Street Stations on Wednesday morning, whereby Miss Bridget (Birdie) Leahy met with such dreadful injuries that it was found necessary to amputate both legs—one above the knee, and the other above the ankle. It appears that the unfortunate young lady, who was 24 years of age, was going into Kalgoorlie in company with two lady friends, and when reaching the crossing over the Broad Arrow road, waiting for a train to part. She then attempted to cross the line, not noticing another train coming in the opposite direction, which ran over her, causing the injuries described. Miss Leahy, who was known to many in Malcolm, was engaged to be married to Sergeant O’Donovan, of this town, and regret is on all sides expressed at the sad accident.
The following article was published in The Sun, 19 March 1905:
NORTH COUNTRY NOTES – LEONORA LINES.
One is not long in Leonora before he realises that the town is living in a condition of uncertainty. The fact is no one knows what sort of a man the new boss of police is going to turn out, whether, he will follow in the leisurely footsteps of the “corpirrel”, Peter Hills “inimy,” or carry out the strict letter of the law. Will he limit pub privileges on Sunday and compel drunks to sleep off the footpaths? Will he go poking his nose into the “school”? Will he, as his predecessor did, go about making a noise over that lack of Hotel accommodation which is often responsible for travellers, men and women, dossing for the night, in some obscure shed, or away out in the bush until daylight comes? These are some of the questions asked by a troubled populace, and until it is known definitely what Sergeant Donovan’s intentions are, there will be no calm contentment at Leonora.
The Sun on Sunday, 14 May 1905:
LEONORA LINES – Donovan’s Doings.
Since the advent of Sergeant Donovan, a great improvement is noticeable in more than one respect in Leonora. The gambling schools have been minimised; hotels are conducted more in the spirit of the laws, and the yelling and language of Sunday drunks has been completely stopped, whilst the Sergeant has cautioned all football clubs that a repetition of anything like the disgraceful conduct of last season will mean the passing out of Sunday football, and the passing out of individual of offenders.
Kalgoorlie Miner 22 May 1905 and the Kalgoorlie Western Argus 23 May 1905
LEONORA, May 19 – Whilst out driving this afternoon Mr. Peter Hill and Sergeant Donovan met with an accident, which fortunately did not prove so serious as it might have. It appears that Mr Hill, who was driving, turned his head to speak to the occupants of a passing vehicle. As he did so the wheel of the sulky struck a stump, and they were both thrown out. The horse stopped at once Mr Hill was unhurt, but the sergeant received a nasty cut under the left eye and a slight abrasion on the nose.
Tower Street, Leonora (early 1900s).- Photo SLWA
The Sun on Sunday, 9 July 1905: Unregistered Dogs.
Sergeant Donovan declines to discriminate, and when it came to issuing information against the owners of unregistered dogs, he took the first 20 he could find. The result was that they came along in this fashion: The Mayor, a French “lydy,” a Justice of the Peace, Dr, Wills (the motor fiend) Jimmy Maifre, Hobart of the hammer, and several other leaders of the aristocracy. The registration and fines amounted to just on £10, and there wasn’t a cur in the whole bunch worth five bob. As a job lot the 20 might have been worth a £1 to Dave Willis, but to no one else.
Patrick married Ann (Annie) Teahan on 19 January 1906 in Guildford, Perth, Western Australia. They were both living in Leonora at the time. Patrick was 40 years old and Ann was about 23 years old. They travelled to Bunbury for their honeymoon.
Ann (Annie) Teahan – Photo Brian Kelly.
Morgans Courier, Kookynie Press and The North Coolgardie Herald, 20 January 1906:
The marriage of Sergeant O’Donovan and Miss Teahan, of Leonora, was celebrated at Guildford on Friday last. After the marriage ceremony, the happy couple left on their honeymoon trip to Bunbury. Sergeant O’Donovan is well and popularly known throughout the goldfields of WA, having been for a number of years in charge of the gold escort, and latterly has been in control of Malcolm and Leonora police stations. The happy couple are the recipients of numerous congratulations and good wishes throughout the fields.
Ann Teahan was born in 1882 in Sydney, New South Wales to Patrick Gerald Teahan and Ann (Annie) Egan
The Sun on Sunday, 18 February 1906:
NORTH COUNTRY NOTES – LEONORA LINES.
Movements of the Aristocracy.—Sergeant and Mrs. Donovan have returned and received a warm welcome and hearty, congratulations from their many friends. It is rumoured that the “handsome man” of the local force, intends to follow in his chief’s footsteps at an early date.
Patrick and Ann’s son James Henry Donovan was born on 13 May 1906 in Northam, Western Australia, which is situated about 106 kilometres from Perth, on the railway line to Coolgardie.
Morgans Courier 4 September 1907:
Whilst driving home with his family from a picnic last week, Sergeant Donovan, of Leonora, was thrown out of the trap by his horse stumbling. The horse then galloped homewards, and had gone five miles pursued by Frank Povab, on horseback, who caught the runaway by the head and averted any further danger. Naturally, Mrs O’Donovan and her child received a nasty fright. The townspeople intend to present Povah with a gold medal in recognition of his prompt action.
Patrick was put in charge of Gwalia police district in November 1907 as well as the Leonora police district. Due to this, it was stated the appointment of a mining registrar and clerk of courts had become imperative.
Patrick left Leonora on 21 May 1909 for Perth to meet Ann and James who had been visiting Sydney since early March of that year. Patrick and Ann’s son Gerald Patrick Donovan was born on 13 May 1910 in Perth, Western Australia.
After 11 years in charge of the Leonora and Malcolm police districts, Patrick transferred to Perth on 1 August 1910 owing to months of ill health that had made it imperative for a change. His health required time in Leonora Hospital suffering from yellow jaundice and he had an operation.
Patrick was described as “one of the best known and most esteemed police officers on the goldfields. By his genial disposition and sound tact, he made many friends at all centres. He always carried out the duties of his office without fear or favour, and officiousness was no part of composition. The districts which have been under the supervision of Sergeant O’Donovan would compare favourably with any other in the State as regards law and order, and it is to be hoped that his successor will be as fortunate in this respect. During his sojourn in Leonora, he made many friends, who will regret his departure.” The mood of the community had changed since they learnt of the imminent departure of his predecessor.
On 25 August 1910, Patrick was given a tremendous send-off. It was stated that since he had been in charge of the Leonora police district he had won the esteem and respect of all classes of the community. Whilst carrying out his duties as a police officer he displayed tact and ability which is reflected in the orderliness of the district under his control. There is no better-known police officer on the goldfields than Sergeant O’Donovan. He was in charge of the gold escort from the northern goldfields to Perth, and it is safe to assert that no other officer in the police department, as far as the fields are concerned, has been the custodian of a greater amount of the precious metal than the departing guest”.
Daily News on Friday, 2 January 1914:
MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.
Sergeant O’Donovan, of York, who has seen 22 years’ service in the police force of this State, has entered on three months leave of absence, at the conclusion of which he proposes retiring from the service. After retiring from the Western Australian Police Force on 21 March 1914, Patrick moved to Brisbane, Queensland in 1915. Ann, James and Gerald moved to Sydney, New South Wales.
After moving to Sydney Ann worked as a dressmaker and milliner and she had a shop in the Rocks area. Ann applied for a divorce from Patrick in late 1923 on the ground of desertion. The divorce was made final in July 1924.
In the 1925 to 1928 electoral rolls Patrick was living at 231 North Quay, Brisbane. Around this time, he was a night watchman on several wharves in Brisbane. He was an inmate of Goodna Mental Hospital from 8 July 1929 to 21 June 1930. In early 1934 he was living in Markland Villa on the corner of Eagle Terrace and North Quay, Brisbane and had been a newspaper vendor for the past five years. By this time Patrick was suffering from heart affliction and was destitute.
Dunwich Benevolent Asylum (circa 1935).
Patrick’s Dunwich Benevolent Asylum Record includes the following history: Since 1915 in Queensland – 23 years in West Australia, served 22 years in W.A. Police – last 5 years selling newspapers – has been night watchman on several wharves in Brisbane. An inmate of Goodna Mental Hospital from 8/7/1929 to 21/6/1930. No money, no property.
Patrick Donovan died on 8 February 1944 at Dunwich, Redland City, Queensland from senility and was buried in an unmarked grave (D 957) in the Dunwich Benevolent Asylum Cemetery, Dunwich, Redland City, Queensland. He was 78 years old. A sad end to a life dedicated to service.
Gerald Patrick Donovan, Ann (Annie) Teahan and James Henry (Jim) Donovan – Photo Brian Kelly
Moya Sharp
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Wonderful research which has given so much history in that region. Wonderful photos. What a very sad ending.
Hi Gil It was a very sad ending, no pensions in those days. Its a pity he didn’t die in WA because at least her would have had a plaque on his grave from the Police Historical soc. Bye for now Moya