A memorial for James Radburn (1853 - 1940)

James Radburn, a veteran of the British Army and member of the Coventry City Police Force born in the village of Ryton-on-Dunsmore in 1853, emigrated from England to Australia in 1886 in order to join the Victorian Police Force, which was suffering from a man-power shortage at the time. He served the community of Victoria for twenty years as a Police Officer, and during that time was stationed at Port Melbourne, Sandridge, Bairnsdale and Outtrim, where he apprehended several well-known criminals in those districts and was widely respected by the community. Later in life he became a member of the Morwell Shire Council and a Justice of the Peace. He was also the founder of the South Gippsland municipality of ‘Ryton’, which was named in honour of his birthplace in Warwickshire, England.

James was a generous and extremely well respected member of the community, and was a friend to many in the towns that he served over the years, but despite being a man of great character and influence, and having raised a large family, he was not afforded a headstone upon his death at Leongatha, Victoria in 1940 at the age of 87, due to financial hardships faced by his children, and unfortunately, his grave at the Leongatha cemetery has remained unmarked for 82 years.

I am proud to be a descendant of James Radburn, and have always felt very sorry that he was never given a proper memorial in order for his descendants to pay their respects and to honour him, and have for a long time held the desire to assist with organizing an appropriate memorial for him, I would be extremely grateful to any and all that would be willing to contribute in any way in the effort to honour this great man, not only on behalf of him and his family, but also of the communities that he served.