Margery Urquhart

British policewoman

Margery Urquhart

OBE

Born| 27 August 1912

Patagonia, Chile

Died| 9 May 2007

Bridge of Don, Scotland

Nationality| British
Education| University of Aberdeen, BSc Agriculture
Occupation(s)| Police inspector

Deputy director of social work

Councillor
Political party| Conservative

Margery Urquhart OBE (27 August 1912 - 9 May 2007) worked as the Deputy Director of Social Work at Grampian Regional Council but unknown to her colleagues she had an earlier career as a Special Branch agent.[1][2] She was possibly the first female agent to be recruited by Special Branch; furthermore she was the first female officer to become an Inspector in the Surrey Police Force.[1] Urquhart took part in counter-espionage before and during World War II.[1]

## Early life and education

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Urquhart was born in Patagonia, Chile.[3] Urquhart's parents, Alexander and Betsy Urquhart, were originally farmers in Milton of Culloden, Scotland, who ran a beef business in Chile.[1][3] Her early education was carried out by her mother on the ranch.[2] When she was 11 years old the family moved back to Milton of Culloden, Inverness.[2]

She attended The University of Aberdeen, graduating in 1935 with a BSc in Agriculture.[2] This achievement made her the first female to graduate with a degree in Agriculture from the University.[1] After her graduation she moved to Hampshire where she worked on a farm.[2]

## Career

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It was while working on the farm in Hampshire in 1936 that Urquhart decided on a major career shift and subsequently joined the Metropolitan Police Force.[1] She was recruited by the Special Branch and it has been suggested that she was involved in covert work monitoring the IRA.[1] By 1946 she had transferred to the Surrey Police Force and had been promoted to become the first female Inspector in the force.[2]

At this point Urquhart once again decided on a change of career and undertook training as a probation officer.[1] By 1949 she was once again in Aberdeen taking on the role of a children's officer.[2] She was the only full-time employee working in childcare.[2] She was responsible for over 400 disadvantaged children and carried out much pioneering work.[2] By the late 1970s Urquhart had risen to become Deputy Director of Social Services at Grampian Council.[1] Urquhart retired in 1977.[4]

After retiring, Urquhart immediately embarked on a political career as Conservative Councillor for the Aberdeen seat of Hazlehead.[1]

## Honors

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Urquhart was awarded an OBE in the 1977 New Year Honours.[4]

## Personal life

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Urquhart had developed a particular interest in mental health and subsequently took on several tasks as a retiree including being director of Seabank House, a care home in Aberdeen, from December 1990 to October 1997.[5] She was also a director of the Aberdeen Association of Social Service from June 1986 to March 1989.[5] She was also a director of Mental Health Aberdeen from October 1989 to October 1990.[5]

She spent her final years in at the Fairview Nursing Home.[3] In 2007, she died in Bridge of Don, Scotland at the age of 94 years.[3]

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Margery Urquhart". The Herald. 18 May 2007. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Holman, Bob (2007-06-28). "Obituary: Margery Urquhart". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
3. ^ a b c d "The Obituary Notice of Margery Urquhart". Funeral Notices. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
4. ^ a b "Supplement 47102". The London Gazette. 30 December 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
5. ^ a b c "Margery Urquhart - Personal Appointments". United Kingdom government. Retrieved 2021-04-01.