Moree journalist Bill Poulos is researching a Narrabri 1934 manslaughter trial and is seeking the help of ancestors of Joseph Henry Tumbers, who was killed in a pub fight in Narrabri in January 1934.
Moree drover George Edward Houlahan was charged with the manslaughter of Mr Tumbers, who was the Narrabri town crier at the time.
Mr Poulos has reached a dead-end when researching the outcome of Houlahan’s trial, or even if the matter got to court.
“I’m hoping descendants of Joe Tumbers might still be around the Narrabri district and might know what the outcome of the trial was,” Mr Poulos said.
“I’ve reached a dead-end. State Archives have a record of Houlahan’s criminal deposition, but no record of a conviction or acquittal.
“A thorough search on NLA’s Trove website only refers to Houlahan’s trial ‘at the next Narrabri quarter sessions’ however there is no mention of the case thereafter.
The saddles cache…
Mr Poulos is also researching a cache of saddles and riding gear found in a cave at the base of Mount Kaputar in the 1980s.
“I believe the riding gear and saddles were possiblly part of the ill-gotten gains of notorious cattle-duffer Jack Timmins, given Mount Kaputar was one of his preferred hideouts, and may have been stashed there in the 1880s,” Mr Poulos said.
“I am hoping someone in Narrabri might remember when the saddles and gear were discovered in the 1980s or even have a photo of them.”
Mr Poulos can be contacted by email at [email protected]. or phone The Courier, 6792 1011 if you can assist.
Richard Barry continues fight for Vietnam National Servicemen’s campaign medal
Richard Barry OAM, of Narrabri, a National Service veteran of the Vietnam War, has for many years campaigned for medal recognition for a cohort of Australia’s National Service soldiers who served in the war. He tabled the following at a Narrabri RSL Sub-branch meeting in April and was unanimously supported by members: This is a complicated issue with a chequered history. I’ll abbreviate it to the best of my ability. In 1996 a group of my mates were discussing the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). They said blokes not entitled were wearing it whereas others who endured heavy battlefield […]