SERGEANT John Everett Lumley has finally been laid to rest and a celebration of his life held.
On May 21, Sgt Lumley was celebrated in his final resting place.
This celebration was a culmination of work from a group dedicated to the Barrier Police Command who are working to identify unmarked graves of fallen police officers and local history groups.
The Back to Barrier group is made up of former police officers who seek to recognise the effort of the New South Wales Barrier police region.
Spokesman for the group and former police officer Ray Gardoll said in March that they are currently trying to locate officers who were buried in unmarked graves.
Mr Gardoll said they had been working on a reburial and a grave upgrade.
They were able to have that in place on the 106th anniversary of Sgt Lumley’s death.
“It was the 106th anniversary of the death of Sergeant John Everett Lumley,” Mr Gardoll said.
“The ceremony was attended by many people, and we thank them for their attendance.
“Our local Member, Roy Butler, and Broken Hill’s Mayor Tom Kennedy also attended and spoke to those attending.
“They also laid a wreath as did Reverend Helen Ferguson on behalf of Back To Barrier and Broken Hill RSL’s John Bacich.”
Mr Gardoll said there were many people to thank for the reburial.
“We would like to thank Broken Hill City Council Cemetery staff; they helped every time we have asked,” he said.
“Nigel and Jenny from Lawrence Engineering, along with their manager Brent, Kyle and his team who created the metal framework.
“Drew and his team at Mawson’s Quarry who supplied the rock.
“The Broken Hill Family History Group who located the sergeant’s final resting place. They went above and beyond to confirm this gravesite.”
Mr Gardoll also thanked the Broken Hill Homebrew Club who all chipped in labour, alongside other groups.
“I would like to thank the Office of Australian War Graves and the Barrier District Police Command for the donation of the two brass plaques that now adorn the framework,” he said.
“It is projects like this that brings out the best of the people and businesses of Broken Hill. People love getting aboard our projects.
“Also a very big thank you to retired Senior Sergeant Rodney O’Regan who travelled from Hillsville near Taree.
“Also a special thank you to the Rev Helen Ferguson who officiated the ceremony.”
Mr Gardoll said it was possible that Sgt Lumley was the first officer to man the Tibooburra Police Station.
He left his family in Orange but in 1919 tragedy struck when he suffered from paralysis.
Mr Gardoll said during their research they were able to find the cause of it.
“He was transported to Broken Hill and had been talking to a nurse but then passed away on May 21,” he said.
“They got word to his wife, who gets as far as Wilcannia but couldn’t get across the river and had to turn around.
“We believe they never saw each other again.”
