Police Commissioners

William John Peterswald

Commissioner from 1882-1896

William Peterswald was born in Jamaica, West  Indies on November 28, 1829, and was educated in Edinburgh Academy, Scotland, and St Peter’s College, Guernsey. He commanded the 1st Rifle Company attached to the Channel Islands Militia.

He arrived in South Australia in 1853 and commenced farming at Munno Para. In 1862 he joined the Police Force as Inspector of Metropolitan Police and resigned in 1866 to become Warden of the Goldfields. He rejoined the Police Force in 1874 and rose to the rank of Superintendent. In 1881 he was appointed Acting Commissioner of Police and in 1882, Commissioner of Police.                                 

Mr. Peterswald died from complications of his diabetes on August 30, 1896. He was 68 years of age. He is buried in Plot VLT EE2 : Path 6 South.

Lewis George Madley

Commissioner from 1896-1909

A teacher and soldier, Lewis Madley was born in Monmouthshire, England in October 1844 and was educated in Wales and London. He migrated to Sydney in 1865 to take charge of St. James Model and Training School. A military enthusiast, he joined the NSW  Volunteers in 1866, and served with them until moving to SA in 1873.

Madley was headmaster of Grote St Model School in Adelaide, and later became Principal of the Teachers Training School. He enrolled in the SA Volunteer Militia Infantry where he rose to the rank of Major in 1880, and Lieut-Colonel of 1st Regiment in 1882.

He was appointed Commissioner of Police in  September, 1896.

Lewis Madley died on January 8, 1916 aged 71 years. He is buried in Plot 486 : Path 11 South

William Henry Raymond

Commissioner from 1910-1916

William Henry Raymond was born at Houghton, SA, in 1846 and joined the Police Force as a mounted constable in March, 1865.

He rose through the ranks and was appointed inspector in 1902. He was a senior inspector when he took up the post of Police Commissioner on 1st January, 1910.

In 1913 Commissioner Raymond directed that all members in the City, Port Adelaide, Port Pirie and Port Augusta be vaccinated against smallpox.

In 1916 Raymond was obliged to retire in accordance with the requirements of the  Septuagenarians' Act, which required a person retire upon reaching the age of 70 years.

William Raymond died suddenly at his home following a stroke on November 5, 1924. He was  78 years of age. He is buried in Plot 5415 ; Path 30 South

ivor bren green

Commissioner from 1950-1957

Prior to being appointed Police Commissioner, Green had been a member of the administrative staff of the Police Department for 37 years. He was never a police officer. Born in Port Pirie, he joined the Port Pirie Local Court as a junior clerk in 1913. He transferred to the Adelaide Police Court as a clerk in 1917 , and in 1922 was a relieving clerk of Courts at Port Adelaide. In 1925 he was transferred to  Adelaide Local Court as first associate clerk to Judge Mitchell. In October 1925 he became Deputy Clerk of Adelaide Police Court, and appointed Secretary to Police Commissioner Johns in May 1948. During his time as Commissioner, he was personally responsible for security during the Queen’s visit in 1954.  Ivor Bren Green passed away suddenly at home on 11 April, 1957. He is buried in Plot 8852 : Path 49 South.