Highest award for Cowes policeman

First Constable Hodgson, in charge at the Cowes Police Station, was presented with the highest award issued in the Victorian Police Force for outstanding courage and devotion to duty in the arrest of three desperate criminals back in 1949.

Constable Hodgson’s first hand account of the happenings on Christmas morning 1949, which resulted in presentation of the highest award medal for valour, is reproduced here.

"At 5.5 a.m. on Christmas morning of 1949 I received a telephone message from Mr Jones, proprietor of the Continental Guest House, Cowes, that three men in a late model sedan car had just stolen his office safe containing approximately three thousand pound in money and valuables.

I said: Drive your new car to the police station and we will look for the offenders. I then telephoned particulars to D24 headquarters and asked for assistance, saying that I would make for the Phillip Island Bridge.

It is well known that an experienced safe blower requires ten minutes to blow a safe. Also he will not usually carry a safe any distance as he does not like to be caught with one.

"Mr Jones arrived in night attire with his car. I had just completed my telephone message to D24 and was also in night attire.

There was no time to change. I packed a .45 calibre revolver and ammunition and proceeded to the bridge in company with Mr Jones. The road from Forrest Caves to Newhaven was not then sealed and was very dusty. I was sure that no vehicle had preceded us as there was no dust hanging over the road.

Phillip Island was crowded with thousands of campers and holiday makers. There was a possibility that the offenders might camp on the Island and mingle with the crowds until things quietened down about the robbery.

I would stop all traffic on the-bridge until police assistance arrived from headquarters, when a search would be made of the Island.

"I asked Mr. Jones to go back to Cowes and obtain my police uniform from my wife, as I did not want to be seen guarding the bridge in pyjamas. Some fishermen were going across to their boats and, seeing me so dressed, thought it a great joke. However, when informed of what had occurred they were all for stopping and assisting. Presently I heard the engine of a car which was travelling very fast. I was then just on the approach of the bridge on Phillip Island, and had a clear view of the road for about 300 yards. Suddenly the car appeared, dark in colour, and speeding dangerously in the centre of the road. I had my revolver in my hand. I waved both hands in the air and attempted to stop the driver of the vehicle.

I could only see one man and sensed that he did not intend to stop.

I was not going to let this vehicle pass: either this driver was going to run me down or I was going to stop him. I fired two shots in the sand in front of the car. He did not appear to be stopping. I then fired again, the car reared into the air, the driver lost control, and the car stopped in the sand at the roadside. To my relief I then saw another car, which I knew belonged to SW Davie, of "Erehwon" Guest House, Cowes. He had been notified about the robbery, he was armed, and had assisted in locating the offenders.

As soon as the stranger stopped he abused me for shooting and said he would "go further into the matter about shooting at a civilian driving along the road". At that moment two men's heads appeared from the floor of the rear seat of the car. I had the men covered with my revolver and ordered them not to move. I was now confident that I had the offenders concerned in the robbery. Mr Davie covered the men with his revolver, while I searched them for firearms.

When this was completed the car was searched, and the men placed under guard until the arrival of the Wireless Patrol.

The men had not been hit, but a bullet had ripped along the side of the driver's door, and had torn a large hole in it. No doubt this impact had caused him to swing into the sand at the roadside.

The robbers had failed to blow the safe, but had hidden it at Gentle Annie Corner, with the intention of obtaining more explosives and completing the operation on Christmas night. The safe and contents were returned to Mr. Jones complete, but damaged by several explosions.

The three offenders were later charged with this robbery, and imprisoned.