Author Topic: The Mortdale Poltergeist: Sydney NSW  (Read 2490 times)

Offline KANACKI

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The Mortdale Poltergeist: Sydney NSW
« on: July 19, 2020, 11:38:02 PM »
SYDNEY, Saturday 12th of June the Brisbane Sunday Mail reported. 

The suburb of Mortdale, on the Illawarra line, has produced a 'ghost' story that has even hardened detectives puzzled Police and residents can offer no logical explanation of mysterious tappings in a cottage on Friday night.

The noises, which occurred between 8.30 and 11 p.m., terrified the family of a Rockdale fireman, Norman Green, who was at work.

Neighbours blamed a poltergeist (mischievous ghost) Cor these happenings, during which Windows rattled; glass panels were dislodged in an elaborate lampshade in' a bedroom. And strange rappings, at times developing hammer force, occurred under the floor.

Search in vain After Mrs. Green and a woman friend had endured the mysterious noises for an hour, Mr. Bob Smith, who lives next door, went in. Mr Smith, who said he could bear the knocking from his own house, telephoned the Hurstville police.

The noises were even louder when the police arrived. Constables Townsend and Gibb, who were joined later by Detective Sergeant Wedlock and Detective Robertson, searched the house, and even climbed to the roof. Constable Gibb said that, although it sounded silly, he could offer no explanation except that a ghost was at work. 'We'd rush into the room from which the noise came, and then there would be a crash in the room we had just left,' he said.

Was there a rational explanation or some thing more sinister?

To be continued......

Kanacki

Offline KANACKI

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Re: The Mortdale Poltergeist: Sydney NSW
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2020, 11:49:28 PM »
Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), Sunday 12 June 1949, page 2 reported the following.

Unpopular Poltergeist

A Mortdale poltergeist has terrified Mr. Norman Green, of Villiers St., Mortdale, and the rest of his family, by its rappings and knockings all over the premises since Friday night. Investigations have failed to show the cause of the noises, which have been heard by neighbors living some dis-tance away. The Green house is the only one in the street affected. Here, Mr. Green's brother-in-law, Mr. Alf Berriman, of Homer St., Earlwood, was snapped by Truth last night as he peered under the Mortdale house. Armed with a paling, Mr. Berriman promises the "ghost" a warm reception.

Below is a picture of Mr Berriman. For those who cannot see it? I suggest joining the forum to unlock strange and intriguing stories.

to be continued....

Kanacki

Offline KANACKI

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Re: The Mortdale Poltergeist: Sydney NSW
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2020, 11:24:55 AM »
The notorious Villiers Avenue, Mortdale ghost was a particularly troubling spirit. This can be seen by this article from 1949. Both Police and Council Engineers as well as Journalist were witness to its presence. It was well reported over the years by many papers. The ghost must of found peace and moved on, as it has not been heard from for sometime.

Reported in The Sydney Morning Herald on 13 June 1949.....
THE 'GHOST' LET DOWN THE GHOST-BREAKERS!!!
More then 50 boys and girls keep a vigil outside the 'haunted' house of Mr and Mrs Norman Green in Villers Avenue, Mortdale, last night. They said they were 'ghost-breakers'.

For the past two nights Mrs Green and her three children had been terrified by mysterious loud tapings, that appeared to come from under the floorboards.

While waiting for the tapings the 'ghost-breakers' jitterbugged on the front lawn, to the accompaniment of a car radio. Mr and Mrs Green entertained visitors.

 The noise was not heard... One of the 'ghost-breakers'' Shirley Johnson (15) of Walker Street, Mortdale, said "We will lay for the spirit each night until the mystery is solved".

Superstitious people wonder if there is a significance of the name 'Mortdale' means 'Death Valley'... But Police say they are satisfied that the noises are "Water hammerings" in the service pipes.


Which seem a logical explanation but what it does not answer was other things like Windows being rattled; glass panels were dislodged in an elaborate lampshade in' a bedroom. And strange rappings, at times developing hammer force, occurred under the floor.

Kanacki

Offline KANACKI

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Re: The Mortdale Poltergeist: Sydney NSW
« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2020, 07:48:09 PM »
Anyone interesting in finding out more about the alleged haunting in Mortadale?

Here is a picture of a book below....that gives more details on the story.

Kanacki

Offline KANACKI

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Re: The Mortdale Poltergeist: Sydney NSW
« Reply #4 on: September 07, 2020, 09:01:56 PM »
The house still exists today.

Kanacki

Offline Simon2

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Re: The Mortdale Poltergeist: Sydney NSW
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2020, 12:24:54 PM »
Another great "suburban" tale KANACKI, was it the water-pipes rattling due to pressure or temperature problems or a poltergeist, who knows, but another great story KANACKI.
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue;

These five are gravity, generosity of (the) soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.
(Confucius)

Offline KANACKI

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Re: The Mortdale Poltergeist: Sydney NSW
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2020, 01:02:56 PM »
Hello Simon

Most likely the root cause was the plumbing..... that fired imaginations....

But other people heard the noises from several houses away. The husband being a firemen would of been familiar with water pressures rattling the pipes. But stain glass bedside lamps breaking.

Could the vibrations of pipes be strong enough vibrate through the house and break lamps? If the pressure in the pipes was that strong wouldn't the washers in tap seals would of ruptured....????

Another factor the family has children that might of been acting up? Could a child manifested a poltergeist?

Kanacki

Offline Simon2

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Re: The Mortdale Poltergeist: Sydney NSW
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2021, 08:54:05 AM »
Hi KANACKI, high vibration rate can, depending on a number of, combined factors, generate sufficient strength to break glass, but unruly kids can also break glass. LOL

So, do we have a clear cause, I do not think so, more information is needed, perhaps even a site visit as well.

 
To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue;

These five are gravity, generosity of (the) soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.
(Confucius)

Offline KANACKI

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Re: The Mortdale Poltergeist: Sydney NSW
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2021, 11:01:00 AM »
Hello Simon

I would be interested in what was said in the book. It is a rare and hard to find book. The most must have some interesting insights?

Kanacki

 


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