“What we know is that grief never goes away for mourning families, and whilst it has
been almost 100 years since Pitman and Walsh’s passing, family are here to remember
them, police officers are here to remember them, the community is here to remember
them, and we all stand on their shoulders for the sacrifice and legacy they have left
behind.”
Those were the words of WA Police Force Commissioner Col Blach APM, who tributed
the legacy of Inspector John Joseph Walsh and Sergeant Alexander Henry Pitman, who
were tragically killed in the line of duty, 100 years ago.
The original memorial, erected in 2015, marked the spot where their bodies were
discovered in a mine shaft at Miller’s Find, on the outskirts of Kalgoorlie. However, as
the area now lies within a mining lease, public access was limited. To preserve their
memory and ensure better public engagement, the memorial was relocated to a new
site.
The re-dedication ceremony took place on Saturday, 27 April, at the new site, an
accessible location that honors their legacy. The event was a significant occasion,
attended by notable figures including WA Governor the Hon Chris Dawson AC APM, WA
Police Commissioner, and the descendants of the murdered officers.
Among the attendees was Armadale Detective Senior Constable Matt Leitch, the great-
great-grandson of Inspector Walsh. He and his family gathered to pay their respects.
“It’s incredible to see that their story still resonates with the community and the police
force,” Leitch remarked. “I’ve shared this story with my children, and it’s one I hope will
be passed down for generations to come.”
Background
Detective Inspector Walsh and Sergeant Pitman were members of the Gold Stealing
Detection Unit (GSDU), which was established in 1907 to combat widespread gold
stealing across the Western Australian Goldfields. The Gold Stealing Detection Unit
remains the longest-standing specialist unit within the organisation. On 28 April 1926,
the officers departed Kalgoorlie to investigate reports of unlawful gold processing south
of the town. When they failed to return within a week, a large-scale search was
launched involving police, Aboriginal trackers and members of the local community.
On 12 May 1926, the search concluded tragically when the bodies of the officers were
located at a mine shaft about 9.6 kilometres south-west of Kalgoorlie.
On 6 June three local men, Evan Clarke, Phillip Treffene and William Coulter were
arrested. Clarke turned King’s evidence, swearing he had only assisted in disposing of
the corpses.
Treffene and Coulter were found guilty of murder.
A funeral for the two officers was held at St Marys Cathedral Perth on 17 May 1926.