Sgt Ern Sanderson was a very important man in our local rescue history, being involved in many, many rescues. I just found his life story in the 1985 Blue Mountains Gazette funeral notice.
Arthur Ernest Sanderson joined the police force when he was discharged from the army, with the rank of warrant officer, in 1946, after serving in New Guinea and Borneo. He was transferred to Katoomba Police Station in 1947, where he became leader of the original search and rescue unit and then the fully trained squad upon its formation in 1968. He retired from the police force in 1978 and was stricken by illness two years later. He had two sons and a daughter. He died aged 66 at his home in Katoomba February 31, 1985. Following his funeral service at St Hilda’s Church in Katoomba, police acted as pall bearers.
“Sergeant First Class Sanderson, during his many years of dedicated rescue activities knew no fear for his own safety. During the early period of the squad’s duties, there were no communication relays
between the ground parties or helicopter assistance.
Sergeant First Class Sanderson always “led the way” through rugged terrain in the Jamieson, Megalong and Grose Valleys and
Kanangra Walls region in search of injured or missing bushwalkers.
He was always an inspiration to members of the squad, and civilians who volunteered their services in the rescue operations.
Sergeant First Class Sanderson was also their “fatherly tutor” in map and directional readings, and rope knotting and looping, which they used during the rescue of injured or trapped hikers and rock climbers. To “Ernie,” as he was popularly called, this was just part of his normal police duties.”
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