Heroes honoured at last
GUNSHOTS hit the Condamine riverbank just inches from where 19-year-old Ronald Guymer lay.
On the other side of Cox's Bridge, Arthur Kimmorley could see gunman Albert Leslie Burgess shoot at the teen and accompanying police officer.
Just then a shot from 18-year-old Norman Smith's 22 single-shot rifle pierced Burgess and the struggle was over.
This manhunt happened on February 1, 1947, following the shooting of Constable Alfred Letheren.
With Burgess walking through the Rose City firing seemingly at random, police had no choice but to recruit civilians to take the man down. Years have passed but the gratitude Warwick police have for these men has remained.
Yesterday Mr Guymer and the family of Arthur Kimmorley were awarded with certificates of appreciation for the part they played in the manhunt.
It was the dying wish of Norman Smith's wife to have her husband's heroic involvement recognised and that's when it was brought to the attention of Warwick police.
"Back in those days they didn't have the systems in place to give recognition," Senior Sergeant Stewart Day said yesterday.
"The bravery of Ronald and Arthur, to go to an armed offender and assist police, was unbelievable."
Mr Smith was also presented with a certificate in Canberra.
