Constable Robert Stewart Robertson Alexander
Robert Stewart Robertson Alexander was born in Scotland and joined the Queensland Police on 1 February 1923. He was allocated Registered Number 2622 and Collar Number 1665. On 10 April 1926, about a year after being transferred from Maryborough to Eidsvold to fill a vacancy, Constable Alexander was mustering horses in the course of his work at Eidsvold when he was thrown from his horse. The horse fell on him and he sustained internal and spinal injuries. Alexander received treatment at the Eidsvold hospital before being transferred to the Maryborough General Hospital. He did not recover from his injuries and died on 21 May 1926. At the time of his death, he was 26 years of age, married and had one infant daughter.
Constable Alexander’s grave had deteriorated badly and was in need of restoration. The FQPM took on the project of restoring his grave in consultation with his descendants and the Maryborough Cemetery. The FQPM Management contacted Noel Sparks and Milton Leitch, both retired members of the Queensland Police Service, who live in the Maryborough area and they indicated they would be interested in being involved in the restoration project. Warren Harland of Wide Bay Memorials inspected Alexander’s grave and found the concrete floor, walls and surrounds to be in a very poor state and beyond repair due to a lack of steel reinforcing rods. Fortunately, the headstone and its base were in good repair despite a distinct lean. Restoration of Alexander’s grave commenced. The headstone and its base were straightened and a new concrete base and border with decorative gravel infill was installed. The restoration work was undertaken by Wide Bay Memorials.
On Wednesday, 27 April 2022 a dedication ceremony was held at the Alexander grave site in the Maryborough Cemetery. The ceremony was well attended by serving and retired police officers, Alexander’s great-grand-daughters Natalie Collins and Angela McFarlane, and other family members. Llew O’Brien MP (Federal Member for Wide Bay), Bob Burns (President FQPM), members of the FQPM, representatives of other emergency services and members of the public also attended the ceremony. The dedication ceremony was coordinated by local QPS Padre, Fakavu Finau and Padre Matt Govan. Following the dedication, a morning tea was held at the Maryborough Police Station.
The FQPM President and Management Committee extend their gratitude to QPS Superintendent Mick Sawrey and Acting Inspector Glenn Cameron from the Wide Bay & Burnett Police District, to Noel and Denise Sparks, to Milton Leitch and to the administration staff at the Fraser Coast Council. FQPM committee member Kevin Darch is acknowledged for the work he did in planning and coordinating the project.
The restoration of Constable Alexander’s grave is the ninth grave restoration undertaken by the FQPM since its incorporation in 2007. It is the second restoration in the Maryborough Cemetery following that of Constable Henry James Fetherston’s gravesite in 2017.
Constable Robert Alexander’s touchstone on the Queensland Police Memorial.
Column 1 – Right leg – Rear – Row 4
Constable Robert Alexander in 1926.
Constable Alexander’s grave prior to restoration.
Padre Rev. Fakava Finau, Acting Inspector Glenn Cameron, great-grand-daughters Natalie Collins and Angela McFarlane, Superintendent Mick Sawrey, Padre Matt Govan
Proudly sponsored by:
QPUE
QPCOUE