James Phillip

DETAILS OF DEATH

On the 9 March 1924 Constable Flynn went to a construction site at Cordeaux Dam (where a temporary police station had been established) south of Appin where he arrested the offender Simpson who had broken into an office to steal two pistols. While the offender was being conveyed to Campbelltown Police Station in the victim Mr Clift’s car the offender suddenly produced a pistol and shot Constable Flynn in the side of the body. Mr Clift stopped the vehicle and took hold of the offender however after a furious struggle he too was shot in the groin and Simpson escaped. Mr Clift then drove his vehicle to Appin however it was found that Constable Flynn had succumbed to his wounds. Mr Clift also died the following day. The Constable was born in 1897 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 4 July 1921. At the time of his death he was stationed at Cordeaux Dam.