Robert (Bob) Cole
1964-1969
Robert Cole’s appointment as Commissioner of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary was on the 8 December 1964 after the resignation of Christopher Normoyle on the 30th November 1964. This was a very popular appointment, during his time with the ANGAU during the Second World War and his well-known Praetorian Guard many of whom were members of the Royal Papuan Constabulary and New Guinea Police Force, later to become the Royal Papua & New Guinea Constabulary to which becomes their Commanding officer again. Many of the senior police had served with him during the New Guinea campaign. As Commissioner Cole introduced many changes including an extension of areas under police jurisdiction, creation of the Special Branch and revitalised the Royal Papua & New Guinea Constabulary giving direction and preparing the Constabulary for independence.
Captain Robert Cole, Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit ANGAU), inspects a gathering of local people recently released from Japanese control at Kiarivu, New Guinea, on 17 August 1945. Captain Cole has been a real thorn in the side of the Japanese and his little Praetorian Guard has killed a fantastic number,
Bob Cole and his praetorian guard in the Sepik region of New Guinea, 1945. Bob Cole become went on to become the police commissioner (1964-1969).
Robert (Bob) Rothsay. MC. Colonel 3.11.1913 – 24.11.2008 Bob’s involvement in PNG commenced prior to WW2 and when the Japanese invaded in 1942 he was ADO (Assistant District Officer) at Maprik, in the Sepik area. He became a member of FELO (Far East Liaison Office), an intelligence gathering and psychological unit and later joined ANGAU. He led a successful patrol through rugged, partly unknown and unfriendly country south of the border near Hollandia which resulted in the award of hi Military Cross. He served with distinction in the Aitape area where he established a 600 strong New Guinea Force for gathering local intelligence. His own unit of about 60 police was accredited with the killing of some 350 of the enemy. After the war he served as DC in the Southern Highlands from 1954-57 and DC Sepik 1958-64. He was PNG Police Commissioner from 1964-69. He was also Honorary Colonel of the PNGVR from 1966 -68. He retired from PNG in 1969. (PNGVR)
Robert Rothsay COLE, OBE, MC (24 November 2008, aged 95)
PNG District Commissioner, Commissioner of Police RP&NGC, Honorary Colonel PNGVR
Bob Cole joined the TNG administration on 2 November 1938, enlisted at Wewak 22 January 1940 and was discharged 12 November 1945. His valuable service behind enemy lines in New Guinea during the Pacific War won him the Military Cross. Primarily a kiap, Bob was appointed first District Commissioner of the Western Highlands District, subsequently the first permanent District Commissioner of the Southern Highlands District—the then frontier Highlands District—in 1954 and later District Commissioner of the huge Sepik District (destined to be split into two). His popular appointment as Commissioner of the Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary (RP&NGC) on 8 December 1964 almost coincided with the introduction of the smart new blue police uniform which replaced the dark blue serge uniform with red cummerbund (sulu, laplap, cartridge belt, handcuff chain with bayonet and scabbard and, from 1955, the beret), a legacy of the Royal Papuan Constabulary.
Bob was seen as ‘a breath of fresh air’ for the RP&NGC. Many of the senior native police had served with him during the New Guinea campaign and he toured most police stations and remote patrol posts where native police served. During his term as police Commissioner, Bob introduced changes including an extension of areas under police jurisdiction, creation of the Special Branch and the promulgation of new orders and regulations which revitalised the RPNGC giving it direction and preparing it for Papua New Guinea’s independence. His wife, Kay, pre-deceased him. He is survived by his sons, Rob and James. (PNGAA)