17 Facts About Letitia Fairfield

Josephine Letitia Denny Fairfield MB CM MD was a medical doctor, a lawyer, a war-worker, and the first ever female Chief Medical Officer for London.

Letitia Fairfield received a CBE for her outstanding achievements in medicine following her contributions in World War I, despite initially having been rejected by the War Office.

Letitia Fairfield was a feminist and a Fabian, and during her later life became a convert to Roman Catholicism and a believer in witchcraft.

Letitia Fairfield was born in Melbourne in 1885, and was the oldest of three daughters; the youngest, Cicily, was the novelist later known as Dame Rebecca West.

Letitia Fairfield had numerous open affairs, and some hidden ones, even keeping a secret family in America until the time of his death.

In 1907, Letitia Fairfield graduated MB ChB, and was awarded her MD degree in 1911.

When Letitia Fairfield first applied to work for the War Office, she was rejected as it was not believed that the help of female doctors was necessary.

However, several years later in 1917, following the unforeseen deaths of numerous male soldiers and doctors, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was established, and Letitia Fairfield was appointed as their Medical Officer.

Letitia Fairfield became responsible for the medical care of eight thousand military women, and a further twenty-two thousand at home.

Letitia Fairfield spoke at recruiting meetings; for example in Perth in September 1918 when, along with Alice Low of Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps and Mrs McRae, Principal of the WRNS she addressed a "Great Rally".

In 1940, Letitia Fairfield was personally sought by the War Office; she rejoined the RAMC and was appointed Senior Woman Medical Officer of the Armed Forces.

Letitia Fairfield began working for the London County Council shortly after graduating, in 1911, and continued her post there until 1948.

Letitia Fairfield dictated new public health policy regarding venereal disease.

Letitia Fairfield took an interest in many social controversies throughout her career.

Letitia Fairfield was interested in parapsychology, and was a member of the Society for Psychical Research.

Letitia Fairfield was appointed as their Executive, put this down to her 'scarcity value' as a woman doctor.

Letitia Fairfield died on 1 February 1978 from a succession of strokes.