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The Thin Blue Line's History Information Section

 

 

 

 

LAW and ORDER in the Pioneering Days of NSW.

The Blue Bar of the Law

Edmund Walcott FOSBERY, C.M.G.,  Inspector - General
7th October, 1874 - 1st July, 1904
Edmund Walcott Fosbery C.M.G.

Edmund Walcott Fosbery C.M.G.

  Edmund Walcott Fosbery was born at Wootton, Gloucestershire, England, in 1834, and came to Australia in 1852. Soon after arrival he obtained an appointment as a clerk in the Victorian Police Department and on November 1st, 1853, was appointed Cheif Clerk to the Commissioner of Police, Melbourne. In 1862, when the New South Wales system of administration was being reorganised by Captain McLerie under the Premiership of Sir Charles Cowper, he was invited to come to Sydney to assist in the framing of the new legislation. He accepted the invitation and later was appointed Secretary of the New South Wales Police Department with the rank of Superintendent, and made deputy Inspector-General.
He succeeded Captain McLerie as Inspector-General on 7th October, 1874, and held the position until the 30th June, 1904, when he retired. His tenure of office was marked by outstanding administrative ability and great devotion duty. Prior to his retirement he was created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and upon retirement appointed a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. He died at the age of 85 on the 1st July, 1919.

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