Jack Reilly’s wrestling trophy
This silver trophy was presented to Constable John (Jack) Theodore Reilly (1904-1992) for winning the Light Heavyweight Wrestling competition at the NSW Police Carnival in February 1935.
Jack Reilly was born at Peak Hill in central west New South Wales and worked as a horse breaker, station hand and drover before joining the police in 1929. He won his first wrestling trophy at a competition held at Dirranbandi in outback Queensland in March 1928 and won other trophies in 1939 and 1940. Wrestling was popular with members of the police and many police wrestlers, including Reilly, worked with the Police Boys Club - now the Police Citizens Youth Club - teaching the sport to young people. During the Second World War he took a special course at Frankston Military School in Victoria, qualifying as an instructor in unarmed combat and physical training. He worked in many different areas during his police career, including the Traffic Branch, Scientific Investigation Bureau and Photographic Section. He spent time as a police motorcyclist and was one of a team of daredevils who performed tricks during police carnivals. He retired in 1964, with an excellent service record, at the rank of Inspector 1st Class.
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The trophy cabinet
Trophies are symbolic objects, intended for display as evidence of achievement, especially of victory in a contest of some kind
Published on
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Convict Cap
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The trophy cabinet
Trophies are symbolic objects, intended for display as evidence of achievement, especially of victory in a contest of some kind
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