The third child Thomas Frederick Walters Elworthy 27 May 1887 was born at Prospect. According to the birth certificate his father Francis was a Station Stock Manager aged 38, born in Exeter, England, and his mother Mary was 40. However, just four years later when Francis Henry died on 24 May 1891 at Western Road, Prospect from malignant disease of the mouth - he suddenly became 59!
When Thomas joined the NSW Police Force as a probationary constable on 28 ApI 1911, he was described as 6'0-1/2" tall, 12 stone, grey eyes, brown hair, fair complexion; previously dairy farmer. From Redfern Depot he went to Bathurst, to Lithgow and Condobolin. There were stringent rules in the force in those days and poor Tom was in dire trouble when he "engaged in foot racing on Sunday 8th and 15th February with a person of bad repute in the presence of about 100 people". Even though good prevailed over evil, he was considered very naughty and was
transferred back to Bathurst - at his own expense!
In October 1914 at Bathurst Tom was fined a day's pay for being absent from barracks without leave and for being disinterested, which was not to be wondered at as World War I had just begun. Seven months later Tom was in the army, served 5 years with the Provost Corps and gained the rank of Sergeant Major.
Discharged in May 1920, he rejoined the Police Force and was serving at Philip Street Police Station near Circular Quay in Sydney in 1921. After that he appears to have stayed in the Metropolitan Division, including a stint with the C.I.B.
At the church of St. Francis, Paddington on 24 May 1923, Thomas married Mary Maud KELLY born at Upper Run near Hampton (Lithgow) in 1890. In 1935 he became orderly for Commissioner Mackay, a job he held until his discharge in 1947. Torn became a Constable 1st Class in July 1936 then Acting Sergeant two weeks later. In Jul1943 he was made Acting Sergeant 2nd Class.
When he retired on 30 June 1947 Torn had been in the Force for 36 years and 29 days. The Commissioner wrote a personal reference recording the appreciation of the Police authorities as well as his own thanks for very efficient and loyal service.
Tom was then living in Addison Road, Manly. He died at Burwood in 1968 and was buried in Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland. Mary died at a Retirement Village in Rooty Hill in 1981. |