Mark

DETAILS OF DEATH

Marcus de la Poer Beresford (his name was anglicised to Mark Beresford on joining the Queensland Police Force) was in charge of the Native Troopers in Cloncurry. On the 13 January 1883 Aboriginals fatally speared a local stockman on a property south of Cloncurry. Beresford and five Native Troopers left on patrol to capture the offenders. On the afternoon of the 23 January 1883 the patrol came across a group of Aboriginals camped on the banks of a creek. The party camped nearby. Just before daylight the tribesman attacked the police party. Beresford received a spear to the right thigh and fatal blows to the head crushing his skull. The offenders were never brought to justice. Cadet Sub-Inspector Beresford is buried where he was murdered in the rough mountainous terrain in the Selwyn Ranges.