Rhoderic Francis

DETAILS OF DEATH

On the afternoon of the 20 February 1984 Sergeant Lindsay and Senior Constable Calman both off duty were fishing in the Sergeant’s boat off Swansea. About 6.10pm the yacht ”Melody” radioed for assistance after running aground on the bar at Swansea Channel. Sergeant Lindsay and Senior Constable Calman then set out to assist the stricken vessel. Securing a line to the ”Melody” they attempted to tow the vessel to safety but as their efforts were hampered by a heavy sea the Sergeant released the line from the yacht. Constable Calman then noticed that Sergeant Lindsay was missing from his boat and seeing blood in the water dived into the sea to rescue his friend. Having located him Constable Calman assisted by surf club members conveyed the injured Sergeant to shore. It was found then that he had died of his injuries. It appears that Sergeant Lindsay was either knocked or washed overboard shortly after releasing the towline to the yacht and suffered extensive head injuries when struck by his boat’s propeller. He was posthumously awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal and the Police Commissioner’s Commendation for Outstanding Courage and Devotion to Duty. The Sergeant was born in 1935 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 12 April 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Newcastle.