Thomas Garvin

Thomas Garvin was born at Sydney in 1843, and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 27 August, 1862. He was appointed a clerk in the officer of the Inspector-General, and later served as a Superintendent's clerk in Armidale, Maitland, and Bathurst. In 1874 he was appointed an Inspector  in charge of Orange sub-district, and later Orange. He was appointed a Superintendent in 1890. In 1899, Garvin was appointed to the Queensland Police Commission, which at the time was inquiring into the reconstruction of the Queensland Police Force, winning the grateful esteem of the Queensland Premier for his invaluable assistance and sound administrative advice. During the Commonwealth festivities commemorating the Royal visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, he was in charge of the Mounted Troopers brought from all parts of the State for this very important and unique occasion.
On the 1st April, 1903, he was appointed Assistant Inspector-General, and on the 1st July, 1904, made Inspector-General. He proved a very able administrator and raised the level of the Mounted Police section to a very high standard of efficiency, at the time the smartest in the Commonwealth. He was created a Companion of the Imperial Service Order, in 1909, and retired on the 31st December, 1910. He died on the 6th February, 1922, aged 79 years.

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