The Great Unwashed Preserver of the Peace

Constable JOLLY – Coolgardie, Western Australia 1909

Coolgardie Police

Nick-named ‘The Great Unwashed Preserver of the Peace’ Constable Jolly blamed the scarcity of water for his economical use of it which in turn, caused some dissatisfaction among his fellow police officers who finally planned to lure him to Silverthorne’s dam and push him in.

This drastic step was never taken because while he and Constable Bustard were dragging the dam following the disappearance of ‘Sailor Bill’ Partridge, they attracted the attention of a number of small boys who arrived to watch the operation.

During the dragging operations one small boy fell into the dam and Constable Jolly immediately dived in and brought the boy to the bank.

An hour later when news of the rescue spread, Constable Jolly was ‘the hero of the hour’, prompting Harry Pearce to offer him ten gallons of condensed water to rinse off the muck of the dam.

The boy’s father showed his appreciation by giving Jolly an interest in a mine at the Forty-Two Mile which returned Jolly £2000 pounds when it was sold a few months later to an English syndicate.

If you would like to read the full and unedited version of this heroic act, it can be viewed in the Sunday Times 7th November 1909 on ‘TROVE’ at the following address :- Jolly’s Bath in Silverthorne’s Dam

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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