JOSEPH SUTCLIFFE
Brisbane Courier, Friday, 3 August 1900
Death of a Crimean Veteran
Captain Joseph Sutcliffe, who died at Marton, New Zealand, on 12th July, will perhaps be remembered by Central Queenslanders of the early sixties. Born in 1836 at Heaton Norris, Cheshill, and there educated, Mr. Sutcliffe spent a few years in the employ of a cotton merchant. In 1854 he enlisted in the Queen's Own 4th Light Dragoons, soon afterwards leaving for the seat of war in the Crimea. At the close of this campaign he returned to England, receiving the Crimean and Turkish medals, with the clasp of Sebastapol. On the reduction of the army he obtained his discharge, served for a time in the Manchester Police Force, and afterwards joined the 70th Lancashire Volunteers. In 1863 he left for Queensland. Being a man of great resource, Mr. Sutcliffe spent his time here in many capacities, as did many another honest pioneer. While in the Central district he served as camp sergeant in the mounted police on the Mackenzie River, and while with the Peak Downs gold escort witnessed many thrilling incidents connected with the historic events of those days. Leaving here for New Zealand in the seventies, Mr. Sutcliffe was successful in business in Marton, and retired in 1888. He served in the Rangitikei Royal Rifles for about twenty-five years, and received the New Zealand medal for long and efficient service. In company with Mrs. Sutcliffe, he visited England on the occasion of the Diamond Jubliee. Captain Sutcliffe lived to see a practical outcome of the Volunteer movement - towards which he had so largely contributed - in the sending of colonial troops to the Transvaal. He died universally respected.