The community of St. George’s was greatly shocked last evening when at about 8 pm, 62 year old Arthur James Osmond, Chief Warder of the St. George’s Gaol who would have retired on pensions next September, was instantly killed by a railway train just west of the Wellington Station where the track crosses the main public road.

Widely known at the east end and a familiar figure elsewhere in the Islands, the deceased (called ‘Bluey’ by his friends) met his death as the result of a horrible accident.

Investigators, who were early on the scene, found much evidence to reconstruct the episodes which preceded Mr. Osmond’s tragic end. The front doorstep of his house at Wellington is about 18 inches from the railway tracks. He was apparently working in his garden with a wheelbarrow at or very near to that point.

He must not have realized that he was perilously close to the tracks and the approaching special train which was returning from St George’s to Hamilton. As he stooped to move the wheelbarrow, there came the terrible impact of the engine against human flesh and wood.

The wheelbarrow was carried for several yards , later the wheels and handles were found flung in broken pieces aside. Mr. Osmond’s was picked up across the tracks at a point just east of the junction with Frith’s Hill. The lower portion of his leg, just above the ankle, was wrenched off. The rest of his body was badly broken. Where Mr. Osmond had been standing, there remained a rake and shovel, which most likely he had been using. Nearby was a mound of earth made ready no doubt for the wheelbarrow to trundle off.

 It was learned by The Royal Gazette that the driver of the train was  Gerald MacDonald King whilst the conductor was Louis Ray.

The Wor. S.S. Toddings, M.P.C. Coroner for the Eastern District opened an inquest last night to inquire into Mr. Osmond’s death. After the Coroner and Jury viewed the body, the inquest was adjourned sine die.

Mr. Osmond’s Wife predeceased him. His two sons are members of The Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps. The elder boy was to have been married in about a weeks time.

The deceased at one time was a Sergeant Printer of the Royal Marines employed at Admiralty House.

Inspectors Miller and Tingey and Superintendent Pantry of The Bermuda Police Force, rushed to St George’s last night to obtain particulars of the accident. 

(This article was copied from a clipping in The Royal Gazette dated 27^th June 1944) 

As the rays of the setting sun lengthened over St. George’s Cemetary yesterday, the remains of Mr. Arthur James Osmond, who was killed when a train crashed into him outside his residence at Wellington on Monday evening, was laid to rest.

The cortege moved from his residence and proceeded to St’ Peter’s Church where the service was conducted by the Rev. Geoffrey Parkes. Brother freemasons of the various lodges throughout the islands in full regalia, lined the steps. The family mourners were the two sons of the deceased, Messrs. Harold and Ernest Osmond.

The coffin, which was covered with a Union Jack, was brought into the church by three Police bearers, Sergeant Morgan and Constables McPherson and Tucker, and three Gaol Warders Messrs. Lee, Martin and Mello.

Representing The Bermuda Police were Acting Commissioner Charles W. Pantry, Superintendent Percy Miller. Chief Inspector C. Tingey, Sergeant Paley and Constables Inchcup and Wainwright.

 The Hamilton Gaol was represented by Chief Warder H. W. Smith Warders C. W. Brown and Ex-Warders,  W.F. Jackman and H. Nelmes, while from St George’s Gaol were Warden Roy Higg and Ex-Warder Marshman.

Messres. Charles King and Charles Oatway represented the Hamilton Branch of The Bermuda War Veterans Association, and Messrs. J. Findlayson and W.E. Luckhurst the Associations St. George’s Branch.

From The Bermuda Governments Civil Service were Dr. Carl Hookings and Mr. A.E. Redman.

Among the lodges represented were, Broad Arrow (the deceased’s lodge) Atlantic Phoenix and Hannibal. Sir Thomas Gates Lodge, R.A.O.B. had a large gathering of members in regalia (the deceased was also a member of this lodge).

The interment service in St. George’s Cemetary followed, the graveside service being taken by the Rev. Parkes. This was followed by the Freemasons service conducted by Brother W. Williams and then, the R.A.O.B. graveside service was taken by Brother Percy Hammond.

(Second clipping from Royal Gazette date unknown.)

In the days before motor cars were permitted on Bermuda's roads we had a single track railway line running from one end of the Island to the other -  21.7 miles of track, with trains carrying both passengers and freight. It was a familiar sight to see trains wending their way along Front Street, and they were very popular with tourists who loved the spectacular scenic views as much of the track hugged the shorelines.  Operated by the Bermuda Railway Company it seemed ideal as a means of getting around the Island, but it was said to be the world's most expensive railway to build and extremely expensive to maintain with its dozens of wooden and steel elevated bridges. In fact it was commonly referred to as the "Rattle and Shake"!

Police officers on duty in uniform were allowed to ride on trains for free when carrying out their duties or travelling to and from home to the police station; clearly a much more comfortable option than riding a pedal cycle or walking, or riding in a horse and carriage.

Unfortunately for shareholders in the Bermuda Train Company,  as the Second World War ended motor vehicles were finally permitted on Bermuda's roads and this rapidly resulted in greatly reduced  passenger use at a time when maintenance of the system was proving to be exhorbitantly expensive.  The first train journey had been on October 1st 1931, and the last journey was on May 1st 1948.  It was once estimated that construction and purchase of the system cost a total of Bda $40 million (adjusted for inflation as of 2008) or almost $2 million per mile  - a staggering sum.  The stock was eventually sold off to British Guiana (now Guyana) and continued to operate until the 1950's.

One lasting benefit for the Island, however, is that most of the old railway paths are now designated as the Bermuda Railway Trail and they are popular with both residents and visitors for walking, hiking, and riding pedal cycles.

It is believed that the tragic death of Arthur Osmond was not the only fatality involving a train in Bermuda, and we will research how many there were during the 17 years that trains traversed the Island.

FORMER VIET NAM MARINE HAS LONG STRUGGLE WITH POLICE

This incident occurred 50 years ago during the Viet Nam war era at a time when descriptions such as ‘wounded warrior’, ‘combat stress’ and ‘military post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ’– [identified later in 2001] were unknown entities. A pseudonym has been adopted to hide the identity of the offending marine who – by todays’ diagnoses and through no fault of his own – would certainly qualify as a contender for all three classifications.

In mid-March 1967 I was transferred from a winter posting at Cycle Squad to my second stint on the Beach Squad. This time around my partner was to be Pc 88 Michael Jent with whom I had joined the force in September 1965.

Mike and I lived together in the old farmhouse ‘Sandycote’, situated atop the ridgeline directly behind the Paraquet Restaurant at Fritholme Gardens, immediately east of the Elbow Beach Surf Club, Paget. We took the first day to set up our duties with a visit to the criminal records office to read up on last year’s activities and to get our Morris Minor patrol car U9 ready for duty. That same afternoon I practiced with the Bermuda Police Motor Cycle Display & Precision Team in preparation for a show the next day at the Gilbert Institute.

   Mike Jent

Mike and I kept ourselves busy from the outset introducing ourselves to management and front-desk staff at the hotels and cottage colonies stretching from east to west along the 12 mile South Shore strip. College weeks’ were soon to arrive in earnest by the end of the month bringing with them the chaos and turmoil inherent with the students’ activities. A number of arrests were made and intelligences gathered during those early weeks and we worked variable duty hours depending on the party scenes and criminal activities requiring our attention. It was noticeable that off-duty service men from the U.S. Kindley Air Force Base were particularly active along the beaches wherever the American college kids could be found assembled in numbers. Liquor played a prominent role in the evening beach festivities.

 

One particular event of note occurred on Monday 10^th April as we drove into the approach road leading down to Horseshoe Beach. We came upon a man lying in the roadway with his feet outstretched. I later learned his name was Gordy Eugene MARINUS aged 20. I saw that MARINUS was raising two fingers in the V sign and shouting at beachgoers including women and children passing by him on their way to and from the beach. As we approached he tried to stand upright. He staggered and fell to the ground in front of the police vehicle. As I alighted from U9 MARINUS shouted, “Heh. Heh it’s the mother-f***ing cops.”

I went to him and quietly told him that I thought he was drunk and advised him to quieten himself and not to use further offensive language. He said, “You mother-f***ing English are all the same.” He continued his swaying motion. His breath smelt heavily of drink. Pc Jent then spoke to MARINUS and he replied, “Don’t touch me you mother-f***er I could f*** you up any time you like.”

MARINUS again fell to the ground and rose up with difficulty. He began throwing his arms about and made advances towards Mike Jent in a manner which indicated he wanted to fight. He was making animal noises. He said, “Don’t f***ing touch me you mother-f***er.” There was no pacifying this man; he was wild, agitated and out of control.

Mike arrested MARINUS and told him to enter the police vehicle. MARINUS said,“I could f*** you two up right now if I wanted to.” He advanced towards Mike and tried to place his towel over Mike’s head. He finally got into the car but prevented the door from closing by putting his foot in the gap. After trying to leave the vehicle he finally agreed to come quietly and the drive towards Hamilton Station began. A long and violent struggle ensued enroute as was related in Magistrates’ Court the following day.

Editors Note  -   We have searched high and low for a photo of Mike Jent and George Rose together in uniform around the time of the incident but drew a black.  However,  the two were actively involved with our Police Drama Gorup around that time and both appeared together as young 2nd Lieutenants in the Drama groups production of Journey's End at the City Hall theatre in Hamilton.

The Royal Gazette reported that – ‘A U.S. marine who had “just completed a tour of duty in Viet Nam under combat” had a long struggle with police and is charged with three counts of assault on police; one count of offensive words and one count of offensive behaviour’.

The court heard a tale of violence in which police officers were punched, kicked and bitten as they attempted to take the young marine from Horseshoe Bay to Hamilton Police Station.

Prosecutor Sergeant James Moir related how MARINUS began using abusive language to the policemen telling them “mother f***ing Englishmen are all alike.”  He advanced on one of the officers and tried to place a towel over the policeman’s head.  He was making V signs to passersby and appeared to have been drinking. He continued the abusive language and was arrested. The marine was finally subdued by the two officers – Constables George Rose and Michael Jent – who finally got him into the police car despite him putting his foot in the gap to prevent the door being closed.

“When the police car was on its way to Hamilton, MARINUS continued the struggle, and pushed and punched [the driver] Constable Jent from behind almost causing an accident. Constable Rose tried to hold him off but he was hit in the face. The car stopped.  MARINUS punched the officer’s face and tried to fork his fingers in his eyes.  He struck the other policeman [Constable Jent] then forked his fingers and tried to poke him in the eyes. A violent struggle inside the vehicle ensued as he tried to get out of the car’s window. The officers’ were unable to handcuff him and he then dived over into the front seat, punching at Constable Rose. The constable got out of the car and the defendant dived out on top of him. Constable Jent tried to assist Rose but was also kicked and punched by the wild youth.

“The officers called for assistance and Sergeant [George] Garrod arrived and drove the vehicle.

Back in the car, the defendant picked up the hardboard message pad and threatened the police officers with it. He said: “I’ll f*** your eyes out with this.” On the South Shore Road the defendant opened the car door and attempted to jump out.  The police stopped the car again and another violent struggle took place. Several civilians stopped and attempted to assist the police but the fight was taking place inside the [small] car and they were unable to help. During the scuffle Sergeant Garrod was bitten on the wrist. The officers’ finally managed to handcuff the defendant who then butted Constable Rose in the chest and stomach near the junction of Stowe Hill and Harbour Road.

“The car stopped again and during another violent fight MARINUS bit Constable Rose violently on the arm and tried to bite his neck, but only grazed it.  The officers’ called for more police assistance and only then were they able to convey the defendant to the police station [where identity documents found on his person revealed him to be a U.S. Marine stationed in Bermuda]. The three assaulted officers went to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and were given tetanus injections.

“The marine stood before the Wor R. H. Lownie with hands behind his back and head bowed as he was charged with assaulting three police officers and heard the evidence against him. Dressed in his vest and fatigue trousers and wearing no socks he said he remembered nothing about the incidents but agreed he was guilty. He was also charged with using offensive words and offensive behaviour. He apologized for his conduct and told Mr. Lownie that, “Bermudian policemen are different to American policemen.”

“A United States Marine Corps Officer appeared in court and told the magistrate that this sort of thing had happened before on the U.S. base. He said he felt the man had a medical problem and noted that he had been on combat duty in Vietnam where he was wounded. He came to Bermuda in December last year. The Officer described the defendant as being a person with a “dual personality.” “He is a good Marine and does a fine job – when he’s sober,” said the Officer.

[The Officer further told the court that his marine had needed five men and an overdose of sedatives to quieten him when a similar incident as that requiring his police arrest had occurred earlier on the U.S. Base.]

“Mr. Lownie postponed sentencing for two weeks until he had a medical report from the United States base. He said that it is a serious offence to attack policemen. “We have a duty to protect our police force,” said Mr. Lownie who released the defendant to U.S. Marine authorities pending the medical report.

Editors note  -  Mr. Lownie was an outstanding  magistrate who had the ability to hand down first class judgments, which according to one source,  none of them was ever successfully challenged on appeal. 

MARINUS was later fined a total of 40 pounds.

Later that month a letter of congratulations was received by Police Commissioner George H. Robbins from the Senior Magistrate respecting the arrest of the very violent U.S. Marine. Commissioner Robbins added a note saying that he was not surprised to learn that it only takes two Bermuda Police officers to equate five U.S Marines.