William Geoffrey Cahill

William Geoffrey Cahill, (7 November 1854 – 25 April 1931) was a soldier, officer and Queensland Police Commissioner in Queensland, Australia

Early life William Geoffrey Cahill was born 7 November 1854 in Strokestown, County Roscommon, Ireland. He studied at Strokestown National School and served in the Royal Irish Constabulary. He emigrated with his wife Lavinia, born Bernie, to Maryborough in Queensland where they arrived on 2 December 1878.

Public service career After his arrival in Australia, Cahill worked in the public service of Queensland in various positions before becoming the Queensland Police Commissioner in Queensland on 1 April 1905. He was appointed as Protector of Aborigines on 7 September 1905.

In the 1915 Queensland state election held in May, the conservative government was voted out and Thomas Joseph Ryan of the Labour Party came to power. Despite their previous threats, Cahill remained as police commissioner, despite one of the 1912 strike leaders, David Bowman, becoming the minister responsible for police. In March 1916, Bowman was replaced by John Huxham, who supported the establishment of a police union with which Cahill strongly disagreed. In December 1916, Cahill was allowed early retirement on the grounds of ill health.

Medal Cahill received numerous honours, such as the Volunteer Officers' Decoration in 1911, appointment as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in December 1912, and was twice with the aide-de-camp during the period from 1912 to 1916.