Frank Brasier – “Some day we’ll understand”

Grave of Frank Brasier
Photo: Cathy Currie

Brasier was licensee of the Clarendon Hotel in Auckland and a much-loved father of three girls, so it was a shock to everyone when he was fatally assaulted in the early hours of December 16, 1919.

Two men, Harold Stapleton, 21, and Alexander Coppell, 20, were initially charged with murder and remanded at large to appear in the Supreme Court in February, 1920. Each man pleaded not guilty when called to the dock – even when the charge against them was changed to manslaughter.

Jurors heard they'd both emerged from the hotel in a distressed state at around 1am on the morning of Brasier`s death and Coppell had flagged down a passing constable, telling him he'd knocked a man out. The officer visited the hotel and discovered Brasier lying unconscious, with a broken jaw and a fractured skull, in a pool of blood on the first floor. The two men were at once arrested and charged with the assault. The injured hotelier, clad only in his shirt, singlet and socks, was rushed to hospital where he died around two hours later. When the case was called in court the magistrate agreed to release the two men on £50 bail, but immediately the news of Brasier's death arrived this was cancelled and the 2 men were held in custody over the Christmas and New Year period.

Stapleton claimed Brasier broke into the room where he was staying and tried to indecently assault him. Stapleton tried to escape with no luck after finding the door handle had been removed and blows were exchanged. Coppell, who was sleeping in a room nearby, was woken by Stapleton’s calls for help and heard Stapleton say “you dirty brute” to which came reply “Please don’t tell anyone, I will give you anything”. Coppell then eventually broke the door down after finding the door handle on the outside had also been removed. Brasier, described as a “powerfully built” and strong individual, pushed Stapleton aside and rushed at Coppell – striking him twice. Coppell retaliated with a strong blow to Brasier`s chin and the older man dropped senseless to the floor. Evidence given by others who'd rushed to the scene corroborated the version of events given by both defendants.

At the trial, held in February 1920, a policeman confirmed that Brasier`s trousers and slippers were found on the floor in Stapleton's room and the judge concluded that something untoward had indeed occurred. The question, he asked, was whether Stapleton and Copperfield actions were justifiable. A jury thought they were and returned a not guilty verdict on the 6th February. The two accused, both veterans of World War One, walked away as free men.

Anglican Div E, Row 10,

Plot 20: Frank Brasier 1919 – Boarding House Keeper 

             Emily Jane Andreassen

In

Loving Memory

of

Frank

Dearly loved husband of

Emily Brasier

Darling Daddy of

Olive, June & Doreen

aged 37 years.

Someday we'll understand

A sudden change in a moment fell

He had no time to bid his friends farewell

Think nothing strange, death comes to all

His lot to-day to-morrow we may fall

Also

his beloved wife

and our dear mother

EMILY JANE died

22^nd Feb. 1946

aged 73 years.

Fond memories never die.

Memorial inscription Frank Brasier
Photo: Cathy Currie

Sources: Papers Past  https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
- New Zealand Herald 17/12/1919                          
- New Zealand Herald, 7/2/1920
- Auckland Star 6/2/1920
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Presented by: Geri Eccles - Discover Waikumete