Richard Blanchfield

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

History
Richard Blanchfield was on on 4 August 1857.

Blanchfield played iron quoits. In May 1885 he placed fourth in Queen's Birthday Fete iron quoit competition, 18 yards, at Maryborough.

He joined the Victoria Police Force on 5 June 1885, No. 3565.

In October 1901 Blanchfield won the quoits at the Stawell Miners' Fete.

In 1909 he was named as the Captain of the Last Chance quoits team.

Blanchfield was the Iron Quoit Champion of Victoria in April 1910: "IRON QUOITS. CHAMPIONSHIP OF VICTORIA. WON BY RICHARD BLANCHFIELD, OF BALLARAT. BALLARAT.— The iron quoit championship of Victoria was on Saturday played on the Last Chance ground, Ballarat East, between Richard Blanchfield, champion of Ballarat, and J. M'Kendry, champion of Melbourne. There was a side wager of £25 a side. The game was for 61 points. There was a large attendance, including Mr. Cameron, an ex-Victorian champion, who had come specially to Ballarat to witness the contest. Blanchfield, who is a senior constable in the Ballarat city police force, won the game, after interesting play, by 16 points, the scores being:— Blanchfield, 61; M'Kendry, 45. The winner was warmly congratulated on his victory. At the conclusion of the match the toast of the health of the champion was honored, and a similar compliment was paid his opponent, M'Kendry, who was complimented on his excellent play against the veteran."

In December 1910 he issued a challenge to other quoit players: "It will be learned with interest that Blanchfield, of the Last Chance Club, Ballarat, has issued a challenge to any player for a match for £25 and the championship. Blanchfield beat M'Kendry in a match for the championship last year."

Blanchfield was the officer in charge of the Redan Police Station from 1911. He had a heart attack and died at the superintendent's office in Ballarat 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 seconded 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."

A large number of people attended Blanchfield's funeral: The funeral of the late Mr. Richard Blanchfield, senior-constable of police, was very largely attended by representatives of all parts of the Ballarat district. About a hundred members of the police force, in uniform, marched in front of the hearse to the cemetery. The remains of the deceased were encased in an English oak casket, mounted in silver of a most exquisite design, and interred in the Ballarat Old Cemetery.

The coffin-bearers were Sergeant Flood, Sergeant Hunter, Senior-Constable Lovitt, and Senior-Constable Wallace. The City Council was represented by ex-Mayors R. Pearse and W. D. Hill, and Cr. L. Lederman. The Stawell Cricket, Athletic, and Quoit Club was represented by Mr. L. Morgan. The Iron Quoit Club, at Redan, was represented by Messrs. S. Eudy, J. Noonan, F. C. Sartori, T. Greenhalgh, J. Navin, G. McCarthy, J. Williams, and C. Burt; the Ballarat East Quoit Club by Mr. J. Hancock; the Miners' Turf Club by Messrs. J. Ryan, C. Hager, J. and R. Taylor; the Bungaree Turf Club by the secretary (Mr. D. Barry); and the honorary magistrates by Messrs. C. Walker and Chas. Morris, J's.P. The pallbearers were Messrs. P. Macmanamny (superintendent of police), S. Sampson (sub-inspector), exSuperintendent E. Martin, Sergeant Robinson, and Messrs. A. A. Sherry (president of the Nazareth House committee), C. Bowman, K. Ross, Sergeant C. Curtin, Sergeant J. Rogerson, D. Downs, D. Fitzgerald, J. O'Neill, G. Halliday, J. Richards, D. McNeil, J. Chalmers, Sergeant Nicholson, M. Myles, Constable Osbourne (of Sebastopol), ex-Senior Constable Barry, Constable B. Stewart, F. Cross, Senior Constable A. H. Austin, Constable E. Crimmins, Constable J. M. O'Brien (Snake Valley), J. Trezise, J. P. Ditchfield, and J. Barlow. A beautiful collection of floral tributes were sent by sympathising friends, including a wreath and dome from the police force, and wreaths from the employes of the Sunnyside Woollen Mills, Mr. and Mrs. McGibbony, Mrs. Neill, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Dalgleish, (of Yarraville), Mrs. Kelly (Fitzroy) and Mrs. J. Walshe. The Rev. Fr. Roper officiated at the grave. R.I.P.

His wife, Catherine, died in August 1924: "Blanchfield—The many friends of the late Mrs Catherine Blanchfield. widow of the late Senior-constable Richard Blanchfield, will regret to learn of her death, which took place at her residence, 'Avoca', 117 Skipton street, on Sunday morning, after a somewhat lengthy illness. The late Mrs Blanchfield was of a most retiring disposition, and her kindly manner won her hosts of friends in other districts as well as Ballarat. During her long illness she was never known to complain, but have her infirmities with wonderful patience. She leaves a sorrowing family of grown up sons and daughters. Constable R. Blanchfield, who was recently transferred to Bourke street west, is the eldest son. Mr Frank Blanchfield, the well-known mechanic and Redan footballer, is another. The deceased lady's remains were removed from her late residence to St. Patrick's Cathedral where a requiem mass was celebrated for the repose of her soul by the Rev. Father E. Glowrey in the presence of a very large congregation. The floral tributes were numerous and costly including one each from the Redan Football Club, Myer’s and Sunshine Biscuit Factory. The cortege, which left the cathedral at 10.30 was a very lengthy one, thus testifying to the high esteem in which the deceased and family were held. The casket was borne by Messrs J. Foley (president Redan Football Club), E. Powell representing South F.C.). Constable J. O'Brien, and F. Sartori. The following gentlemen, accompanied the mourners: —Sergeants R. Paige and E. Morey, W. Davies (capt.), R. Rees (secretary) J. Garvey, J. Mahoney and T. Greenhalgh (Redan Football Club) F. Harris, P. O'Halloran, J. Rowlands, F. Hume. A. Allen, J. Young. G. Fitzgerald. H. Ross. W. Messer, L. Cousins, J. Reidy, D. M'Neil, J. Sandford (Harris, Powell and Sandford), J. M'Carthy, C. Wingrave, J. Bray, W. Downing, M. S. M’Gibbony, L. Wilkie, R. May, R. Wilson J. Collins, P. M'Kinley, and numerous other gentlemen. The Rev. Father H. Gleeson officiated at the graveside, and the obsequies were carried out by Messrs Steve Wellington and Son."