Robert Stott

Robert Stott (13 July 1858 – 21 April 1928) was a police commissioner who migrated to Australia in 1882.[1] Once he moved to Australia he joined the South Australian Police Force but quickly transferred to the Northern Territory Police Force where he rose to the position of Commissioner of Central Australian Police in 1927, when the Territory was divided in two.[2]

Early life

Robert Stott was born in the blacksmith's croft at Nigg in Kincardineshire, Scotland and is the son of James Stott, a fishery overseer and his wife Catherine. Not much is known of his early life but it is believed that he was well educated and, before migrating to Australia, served in the Lancashire constabulary.

Stott migrated, with three friends, to Australia in 1882 and, once there, joined the South Australian Police Force as a foot constable before, in 1883 transferring to the Northern Territory Police Force.[1]

Life in the Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory Police Force Stott first became a mounted constable, 3rd class, who often went on long patrols and for a decade he was posted at Burrundie, Roper River, with some time spent at the Victoria River. [1]

As a mounted constable Stott traveled widely, by either horse or camel, and completed regular six-to-eight week patrols of the region and, additional, special missions to investigate serious incidents. In these patrols, he was often assisted by black trackers or native police.[3]

From 1908 Stott was a mounted constable, 1st class, at Borroloola, until in 1911 he was transferred to Alice Springs (then Stuart) as the sergeant in charge.[1] Upon arrival Stott and his family moved into the stone police house nearby the Stuart Town Gaol and his roles included being the keeper of the gaol, mining warden, administered the affairs of the Lands Department and being a stock inspector. Significantly Stott took on the responsibilities of sub-protector of Aborigines; a role previously exercised by the telegraph stationmasters at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.[4] The stationmaster of the day, John McKay, was happy to relinquish the role that had caused him a lot of pain.[4] As sub-protector Stott enforced the rule that "half-caste" children be given their fathers, often well known, surnames; it is said that Stott took a paternal interest in these children.[4]

Stott was firm, yet humane, in his role and he is praised for respecting Aboriginal customs and beliefs and, in a rare move for the times, learned to speak Arrernte; the local language.[1] According to Dick Kimber, Stott was respected wherever he went and "ruled with only a riding crop and the force of his remarkable character".[1] In 1924 Victorian governor, Lord Stradbroke, visited Alice Springs and, addressing local children, he asked if they could name their king and they responded "Sargeant Stott".[4]

By the late 1920s Stott had become a legendary figure and was well known to career around in one of the earliest motor cars in the region and was well known to enjoy a good whiskey.[3]

Later life

The arrival of John Cawood, who was appointed in the new position of Government Resident of Central Australia, in 1926 brought an end to Stott's position in the town and, no longer having the responsibilities he once did he retired to Adelaide in April 1928.[4]

Stott was killed on 5 May 1929 when he was hit by the Glenelg train at a level crossing in Wayville.[4]

Many, including Stuart Traynor, believe that, if Stott had not retired the 1928 Coniston Massacre would not have happened as, with his experience, he would have taken a more cautious and restrained approach than the inexperienced George Murray.[4]

Personal

On 27 November 1899 Stott married English-born Mary Duggan who tragically died giving birth to their first child on 11 February 1901. Their daughter, Lily Duggan, died a few weeks later on 3 March.[3]

Stott married again on the 21 April 1902 to Agnes Heaslop and they went on to have six children: Malcolm, Cameron, Robert (who was known by his second name Cameron), Agnes, Malvern and Mavis.[3]

References
  1. Kimber, R. G., "Stott, Robert (1858–1928)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 2019-10-23
  2. "STOTT, Robert - NT Police Museum". ntpolicemuseum.com.au. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  3. "Robert Stott". www.southaustralianhistory.com.au. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  4. Traynor, Stuart (2016). Alice Springs : from singing wire to iconic outback town. Mile End, South Australia. ISBN 9781743054499. OCLC 958933012.
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