When detectives from Taskforce Echo conducted a search of a known criminal’s address in 2021, the last thing they expected to find were weapons of historical significance dated at over 100 years old.
Police were at the Caroline Springs home in November 2021 to conduct a search of the property as the resident was a Middle eastern Organised Crime entity subject to a Firearms Prohibition Order.
During the search, detectives located and seized a number of items including a handgun, ammunition, drugs and other weapons.
The latter included two bayonets that were believed to be stolen property.
The man subject to the FPO was charged with firearms and drug offences.
Over subsequent months, police went to considerable lengths to determine the background of the seized weapons and who may be the rightful owner.
The bayonets were taken to the Shrine of Remembrance and were examined by military historians, who confirmed both items were World War One era bayonets.
One was British army issued while the other originated in the French army.
Despite significant enquiries, detectives were unable to locate the rightful owners of the bayonets.
Rather than have the items disposed of, police sought to find a new home for the bayonets appropriate to their historical significance.
One of the Taskforce Echo detectives had previously attended the Rosebud RSL to deliver a presentation and remembered a magnificent display of memorabilia hosted at the sub branch.
Enquiries were made with the RSL management, and they were more than happy to have the historic bayonets included in their display alongside a number of other items of war-time significance.
Today, members from Taskforce Echo and Rosebud police formally handed over the bayonets to the RSL and they are expected to be included in the display in coming days/weeks.
Members of the public can view the items at the Eastbourne Road premises.
Quotes attributable to Detective Sergeant Ciaran Duryea, Taskforce Echo:
“It’s not every day that you seize a weapon that is over 100 years old, let alone one that has some historical significance.
“We were really hopeful that enquiries would lead us to the rightful owner – we had no way of knowing whether these items were of particular significance to someone’s family and they had been taken from them.
“Unfortunately, and despite a significant amount of work, we were never able to find the owners so we wanted to make sure that the weapons didn’t end up being destroyed and that piece of history lost forever.
“FPO searches generally lead to all sorts of finds but this is definitely one we won’t forget.”
Quotes attributable to Senior Sergeant James Keegan, Rosebud police:
“It’s fantastic that Rosebud RSL have been able to give these bayonets a home and add them to the magnificent display in our local community.
“Ultimately, had we not had the support of the RSL, these items would likely have been destroyed.
“From a local policing perspective, we’re rapt to be able to support our community this way and that something good has come from this seizure. We may not have found the owners but we’ve been able to do the next best thing with these items.”
Quotes attributable to Bruce Turner, president of Rosebud RSL:
“The Rosebud RSL is honoured to be chosen as the custodian for these World War One bayonets.
“They will join our extensive display of military memorabilia from all conflicts and is open for public perusal during club hours.”
https://www.police.vic.gov.au/seized-ww1-weapons-donated-rosebud-rsl
