NEWBOLD Street is located in the North West part of Collie just short of Harris River Road.
It appears to be first found on Surveyor John Ewing’s map of January 1901.
The name is that of Collie’s first permanent Police Officer, Wilson Percival Newbold, Regimental No 207, who arrived on 31st July 1897, the same year Collie was established as a Town.
Wilson Percival Newbold was born 14th October 1871 in Yankalilla on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia some 72km south of Adelaide.
He was one of eight children born to George Hartley Newbold and Jane Newbold (nee Stockwell).
The Newbold family was originally from Swarkestone, Derbyshire, England and emigrated in 1849 in the ship ‘’Bankan Moor’’ from the Port of London to Port Adelaide.
W.P.Newbold was 182.5cm tall, eyes – brown, hair – dark brown, complexion – dark (well suntanned), appearance was considered soldierly, unmarried and of Wesleyan Religion.
In early 1896, at the age of 23, Wilson Percival moved to Western Australia and applied to join the Police Force on 13th February 1896, received his appointment on 2nd May 1896.
Served in Perth, then transferred to Collie as Officer in Charge while still second class Constable, became first class Constable on 12th December 1897.
Collie townspeople had petitioned the Colonial Secretary seeking Police protection as the town was starting to grow.
The coal mines were considered to be in full swing with about 200 men camped about them, a new rail line was near completion, although the railway station would not be officially opened until 1st July 1898, Mr Carrigg’s Hotel (Colliefields Hotel) and sawmills had been constructed, the town was laid out and several other buildings in course of erection. Sly grog selling was on the increase.
A weatherboard hut had been rented, from 28th July 1897 as a Police Station for 3 Shillings per week prior to Newbold’s arrival.
It was located on the corner of Throssell and Harvey Streets (this section of Harvey Street was originally named Timperley Street, then Harvey Street and now known as Mungalup Road).
A tent was also supplied to store fodder for Newbold’s horse, fodder which was purchased by the Bunbury Police and transported to Collie from Brunswick Junction rail station by horse drawn wagon.
Outside the hut, prisoners were chained with their hands behind their back and to a big jarrah tree and often left there during the cold Collie nights.
In November 1899 a Police Station-cum lockup was built for 556 pounds. It was also weatherboard and measured 24feet by 12 feet and situated where the old brick Police Station on Throssell Street still stands next to the old Post Office.
Prisoners were still chained to a log outside the hut by day and to a wall inside during the night. Police Constables slept on the floor at one end and the prisoners at the other.
The building had no windows, floor or wall lining. Only used for about two years before a larger structure was erected.
There had been a report of a woodcutter, arrested and chained to the log, who with the assistance of one of his fellow workers lifted the log and walked to the hotel and had a glass of beer unbeknown to the Police Constable, then both prisoner and log returned to the position outside the hut.
Police Constable Newbold’s life in the pioneering town of Collie had not been an easy one. In the course of conducting his duty he had been sworn at, insulted, lied to and on more than one occasion bloodied in apprehending and restraining law breakers.
7th November 1899 Police Constable Newbold was suffering from a severe affection of the throat and was removed to Perth on sick leave, his illness was considered to be serious.
A severe outbreak of influenza had gripped Collie. Official transfer to Perth was 28th October 1899.
Moved to an address in Irwin Street Perth, close to the Perth Hospital and by 4th August 1900 admitted to Perth Hospital (later referred to as Royal Perth Hospital).
Discharged from the Police Force 31st August 1900, considered no longer able to conduct his duty. Remained in Hospital for 29 days and died 8.30am on 2nd September 1900 of Tuberculosis, he was 27 years of age.
Wilson Percival Newbold had no relatives in Perth and died a lonely death.
He was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery, Wesleyan section AA grave 217 at 4pm on September 4, 1900.
The grave had remained unmarked except for a small cast iron number marker till 14th October 2000 when the Western Australian Police Historical Society conducted a dedication ceremony and left a large rock mounted with a brass plate with his name and details of service.
The South Australian family of Constable Newbold had no knowledge of his untimely demise until recently when contact was made with descendants of his brother. Their family history record can now be updated.
