Lillian May Armfield (1884-1971), policewoman, was born on 3 December 1884 at Mittagong, the daughter of George Armfield, labourer, and his wife Elizabeth, née Wright.
Educated locally, Lillian became a nurse at Callan Park, Sydney, about 1907, where she looked after female inmates.
In 1915 Lillian left to apply for a newly established post in the police force. She was recruited as a probationary special constable on 1 July 1915, and after a years’ probation she was enrolled as a special constable.
Lillian’s appointment was watched with interest overseas, as she was one of the first plain-clothes female detectives, exercising the same powers of arrest as her male colleagues and working side by side with them.
Although her work primarily concerned women and girls; it often led her into cases involving murder, rape, theft, drug-running, the white slave traffic. The value of her work was officially recognised, although promotion was slow.
By 1 November 1923 Lillian Armfield had become a special sergeant, 3rd class, and by 1 January 1943 had risen to 1st class. In 1947 she was awarded the King's Police and Fire Service Medal for outstanding service and, after her retirement on 2 December 1949, aged 65, the Imperial Service Medal.
During her later years she resided at the Methodist Hostel, Leichhardt. She died on 26 August 1971 at Lewisham Hospital and was cremated.
A = How many letters in her middle name?
B = What year did she become a probationary special constable? Fourth number.
C,D = What year she die? C = third number. D = fourth number.
E = What year did she become a special sergeant, 1st class? Third number.
F = About what year did she become a nurse? Third number.
S AE AE.FEE E DBF 2B.BCD
