Across Australia, National Police Remembrance Day (NPRD) is marked as an important time to pause, reflect and honour the officers who have paid the ultimate price while serving their community. Among those remembered this NPRD is Senior Constable Henry James Featherston whose name has been etched alongside his comrades in blue for 140 years after he was tragically killed on 23 February 1885 in Maryborough, Queensland.
Born in Ireland in 1859, Senior Constable Fetherston's dreams of becoming a police officer were realised after he immigrated to Australia, after a brief stint in Scotland, and successfully joined Queensland Police Service (then-Queensland Police Force) in 1878.
Senior Constable Fetherston began his career as a constable at Maryborough Police Station on 12 June 1878 and was promoted to the rank of senior constable on 1 March 1882.
Senior Constable Fetherston quickly found a home in the town of Maryborough, eventually joining the Maryborough Rowing Club, where he went on to claim wins in several races across 1882 to 1884.
After seven years as a dedicated police officer and community member to the town of Maryborough, Senior Constable Fetherston's life was tragically cut short at the young age of 26.
At about 5am on 22 February 1885, Fetherston, an experienced horse rider, was travelling on horseback from the Maryborough Police Station to a police paddock near the banks of the Mary River when he was thrown from his horse, resulting in internal injuries, to which he later succumbed.
Today and every day, we remember Senior Constable Henry Fetherston.
With Honour He Served.
