Robert Charles THORPE (1861-1952)

ROBERT CHARLES THORPE, mounted constable (Class I.), Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, is the third son of the late Mr. Charles Thorpe, Inspector of Police, New South Wales, and was born at Murrurundi, in the same State, in 1861. He was educated at public schools in different parts of New South Wales, and subsequently gained a commercial experience in various offices and warehouses. He joined the South Australian Mounted Police Force in December, 1888, and was stationed in turn at almost every centre in the Northern Territory, where he underwent some very thrilling experiences in connection with the native tribes. Lengthy stages, extending even to a hundred miles, had sometimes to be made without water, with both white and black prisoners under escort. During the eleven years spent by Mr. Thorpe in the Territory he won universal respect and esteem, and at the time of his departure was presented with a valuable gold watch by the residents of the Camooweal district, with whom he had established the happiest relations. After a month in the barracks at Adelaide, he came to Kangaroo Island on March 17, 1900, and has here remained in the discharge of his official duties ever since. In connection with his appointment he holds the offices of Receiver of Wrecks, Officer in Charge of the Life-saving Rocket Crew, Clerk and Bailiff of the Local Court, Inspector of Fisheries, Vaccination Officer, Inspector of Slaughter-houses, Keeper of Police Prison, Commissioner for Taking Affidavits at the Supreme Court, and Issuer of Miners' Rights.

Mounted-Constable Thorpe has in his possession some interesting relics of various wrecks which he has attended. He experienced one of the most trying times in his career when the task of locating the wreck of the "Loch Vennachar" was found to involve a month's hard riding before it was accomplished ; and many adventures of a stirring character have combined to add piquancy and colour to his life on the island. He has found, with many others of the Police Force in outlying stations, that police duty is often but a small part of their labours. On one occasion, a resident of a remote locality having broken his leg between the knee and ankle, the mounted constable was brought from Queenscliffe, and straightway set the fracture before having the patient removed to the Adelaide Hospital. His skill in this instance was due to the fact that in the Northern Territory he had made a hobby of the study of medicine, which has proved exceedingly useful in cases of sickness where no medical man was available. All members of the Force have now for years past gone through the St. John Ambulance course of instruction in first aid to the injured. The gentleman under review is regarded as an authority in most matters of importance on the island, and is greatly respected and esteemed by the residents.

- Cyclopedia of South Australia, 1909, pp.1012-1013