Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

BRAVE IN BLUE
George Medal
For Gallantry
Victoria Police Valour Award
For pre-eminent valour and bravery in the discharge of police duties
Constable Ernest Martin Leeman GM VA 12096
Transport Branch
Responding to serious crimes, more often than not, arriving first at crime scenes, Victoria Police Wireless Patrolmen were invariably skilfully driven by a team of their policing colleagues from the Transport Branch. Far from being mere drivers, the policemen, considered part of the team, eagerly accepted the fact they could be cast in a leading rather than a supporting role.
Responding to an armed offender having locked himself, together with a 79 years-of-age female hostage, in a Palermo Street, South Yarra, dwelling house. Following requests for peaceful entry having been refused, Ernie Leeman shouldered open a door, to be immediately confronted by the knife wielding offender, just before 8 p.m., on Wednesday 7 May 1958.
Supplementing his knife with a large wrench, the offender threw himself at Ernie Leeman, wresting his police pistol from his grasp, by slashing the policeman’s hands. Running off, the offender was courageously pursued by the injured Ernie Leeman. Wrestling in a confined space, unable to by assisted by the Wireless Patrolmen, Ernie Leeman bravely tackled his assailant, disarming him.
Immediately, Senior Constable Hancock, together with Constables Rhook and Salisbury, ably assisted their policing colleague.
Awarded, by the United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations for acts of great bravery, the George Medal, initiated in September 1940, was bestowed upon Constable Ernest Martin Leeman 12096 – the first member of the Victoria Police Force to receive the George Medal.
For pre-eminent valour and bravery, in confronting, disarming, as well as apprehending an armed offender, at South Yarra, on Wednesday 7 May 1958, Constable Ernest Martin Leeman was presented with a Victoria Police Valour Award.
The citation reads –
Awarded the George Medal
Ernest Martin LEEMAN, Constable, Victoria Police Force, Melbourne. Constable Leeman was the driver of a Police car, manned by three other members of the Force, which received a message that a man, armed with a gun, had locked himself and a woman 79 years-of-age in a house at South Yarra, Melbourne. On arriving at the house moans and screams could be heard coming from within and failing several requests to be admitted Constable Leeman broke open the door and was confronted by a man armed with a large knife and in possession of a wrench. The Constable, armed with a pistol, grappled with the man who attacked with the knife. During the struggle the pistol was wrested from Constable Leeman but he was able to disarm the offender notwithstanding stab wounds to both hands. The offender then grabbed the pistol and ran off. He was pursued by Constable Leeman, tackled and disarmed. The incident took place in a confined space and the other members of the Patrol were unable to render any assistance.
Crewing the Wireless Patrol car, crewed by welling house in Palermo Street, South Yarra just before 8 p.m.
Serving, as V197373, Ernie Leeman became a Commonwealth of Australia motor car driver prior to joining the Victoria Police Force. Victoria Police Veteran, 78 years-of-age, Constable Ernest Martin Leeman GM VA 12096 rests in eternal peace in Leeton Cemetery, Leeton, New South Wales, Plot Lawn 2, D, 06
LEEMAN ERNEST MARTIN : Service Number - V197373 : Date of birth - 04 Mar 1924 : Place of birth - NTH CARLTON VIC : Place of enlistment - AREA 29A VIC : Next of Kin - LEEMAN LILLIAN