Overview - Letitia Fairfield (known as Lettie), the oldest daughter.

Born 1885, Australia – Died 1978

Qualified as a doctor in Edinburgh in 1911. Initially a member of WSPU (she met the Pankhursts during medical training in Manchester) but left as she feared membership might interfere with her progress as a doctor. She was also concerned at Pankhurst’s authoritarianism.

At the 1911 Women’s Coronation March, Dr Laetitia Fairfield is listed as a speaker for the Church League for Women’s Suffrage.  She often spoke for the CLWS.

After graduation, she worked for the Greater London Council, eventually becoming the first female Chief Medical Officer. In 1917 on the formation of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps, she was appointed as their Medical Officer. She qualified as a barrister in January 1923 as soon as this was possible for women, using her legal knowledge in her public health work. Throughout her distinguished career she campaigned for women’s health. In 1940, she was recalled to military duty as Senior Woman Medical Officer.
She was also a committed Fabian and served on the Executive, although she later had to resign due to the conflict with her role with the GLC.

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