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Harold Fairburn

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harold Fairburn
Inspector-General of the Straits Settlements Police Force
In office
1925–1935
Preceded byG C Denham
Succeeded byRené Onraet
Personal details
Born
Harold Fairburn

(1884-05-27)27 May 1884
Carlton, England
Died7 July 1973(1973-07-07) (aged 89)
Weston-super-Mare, England
ProfessionPolice officer

Harold Fairburn CMG, KPM (1884-1973) was the Inspector-General of the Straits Settlements Police Force from 1925 to 1935.

Career

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He joined the Straits Settlements Police Force as a cadet in 1904 and went on to become Inspector-General when he succeeded G.C. Denham in 1925. With the support of Sir Hugh Clifford, the Governor of the Straits Settlements, he initiated an extensive reorganization of the police force.[1] This included the construction of new police stations and officer's barracks.[2]

Recognition

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He is recognized for many improvements that were made in the working conditions of serving officers. In the years following World War I the rising level of inflation had significantly reduced the value of wages, which led to an increase in the amount of debt amongst junior officers. In 1926, he became the president and adviser to the Singapore Police Cooperative Thrift and Loan Society, which gave officers their own collective credit scheme and helped them to manage savings.[3] He retired in 1935, and René Onraet was named as Inspector-General.[4]

Personal life and death

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He married Maeve Buckley in 1925, and together they had one son, Dr A.C. Fairburn.

He died in Somerset on 7 July 1973.

References

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  1. ^ Onraet, René. Singapore – A Police Background. Dorothy Crisp & Co, 1947, pp. 71
  2. ^ "Mr H. Fairburn to Retire". The Straits Times. Singapore. 1 August 1934. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Police Co-op Milestones and Timeline". policecoop.org.sg. 5 August 2024.
  4. ^ "31 Years in Malayan Police". The Straits Times. Singapore. 26 February 1935. Retrieved 4 February 2024.

See also

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