Richard Blanchfield

Richard Blanchfield was a policeman in Redan, <1911-1916.

History
Richard Blanchfield was on on 4 August 1857. He joined the Victoria Police Force on 5 June 1885, No. 3565.

Blanchfield was the officer in charge of the Redan Police Station. He had a heart attack and died at the superintendent's office on 15 May 1916: "CONSTABLE'S SUDDEN DEATH. On Monday while transacting some business at the Police Superintendent's Office at Ballarat Sen.-Const. Richard Blanchfield complained of pains in his neck, and afterwards, collapsed in the arms of Sergt. Curtain and Const. Hayes, remarking, 'I'm done.' He passed away about 3 o'clock, death being ascribed to heart failure. He had for five years been in charge of the Redan Police Station, but was for some years stationed at Stawell, and did duty at Mount William during the big rush there some years back. He was while at Stawell a prominent cricketer and had the reputation of being the best exponent of iron quoits in Victoria, and some claim that there was no better quoit player in Australia. He was a very popular member of the force. Deceased leaves a widow and large family, one son being a constable, stationed at St. Arnaud, while two others are on active service. The deceased was a cousin of Mr Jas. Magree, of Ararat." DEATH OF SENIOR-CONSTABLE BLANCHFIELD. A POPULAR OFFICER. The Ballarat "Star" says "The death occurred under tragically sudden circumstances on Monday afternoon of Senior-Constable Richard Blanchfield, who for the past five years has had charge of the Redan police station. Shortly before noon Senior-Constable Blanchfield called at the Police Superintendent's office, in order to transact some business. During conversation with Sergeant Curtain and Constable Hayes, the clerks in the office, the senior-constable said he felt unwell, and complained of pains in his neck. Leaning on the desk Senior-Constable Blanchfield remarked, "I'm done." Noticing that the officer was not in his normal state of health Sergeant Curtain urged him to take a seat, and he was about to do so when he collapsed into the arms of the two officers present. Medical assistance was requisitioned, and in a few minutes Dr Richards arrived. Senior-Constable Blanchfield was then in a semi-conscious state. Dr Richards administered physic, and ordered the patient to be taken to the hospital. Sergeant Curtain and Constable Hayes, with the assistance of Senior-Constable Page, who was on leave from Melbourne, carried their comrade to the ambulance van and he was conveyed to the hospital. Despite the most careful and skilful attention of the medical staff the Senior-Constable died about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The late Senior-Constable Blanchfield was one of the most popular and amiable members of the police force. He was a man of sterling character, and a faithful and conscientious constable, possessing abilities which had frequently earned for him the commendation of his superior officers. The deceased was not only popular with his colleagues, but was highly esteemed by the residents of the district, and by none more so than by the poor people for whom he had performed many charitable acts. He was 59 years of age, having been born on August 4th, 1859, at Avoca. Joining the police force in 1885, be was first stationed at Carlton, but was subsequently transferred to Stawell, where he spent 15 years of useful service. During the past 10 years Senior-Constable Blanchfield has been in the Ballarat district, first in the City, then in the East, and for the past five years in charge of the Redan station. Whilst at Stawell the deceased constable became known as a cricketer of conspicuous ability, and was a member of the Stawell Cricket Club for many years, He was a graceful left-handed batsman. The occasion of his last appearance on the cricket field was against a 'Ballarat Star' team some few years ago when he hit up a century. As an iron quoit player, Senior-Constable Blanchfield was unexcelled in Victoria, and though he did not meet the best representatives of the other States, by some people he was regarded as the champion of Australia. A challenge to the champion quoit player of New South Wales was recently issued, but not taken up. The deceased leaves a widow and a large family. Two sons are on active service, while another is a member of the police force and stationed at St Arnaud. At a meeting of the committee of the Ballarat Benevolent Asylum Mr L. Lederman made sympathetic reference to the death of Senior-Constable Blanchfield, who, be said, had been a good friend to the poor people in the south. Deceased had rendered valuable assistance to the institution in the way of visiting. He moved that a letter of condolence be forwarded from that committee to the widow and family of the deceased constable Mr J Fraser second ed the resolution, which was carried. Death was due to a thickening of the blood vessels of the brain. The deceased gentleman was a brother of Mrs A. Walker, Mrs John McNamara, and Mrs E. Jones, of Avoca." "BLANCHFIELD—'The friends of the late Mr Richard Blanchfield, sen.-constable of police, are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Ballarat Old Cemetery. The funeral cortege is appointed to leave his late residence, Redan Police Station,' on Wednesday, 17th May, at 4 o 'clock p.m. R. J. MILLER, Undertaker and Funeral Director, 21 Armstrong St., near City Hall."