A New Acquisition: Plaque presented to New Scotland Yard Murder Squad by the South Australia Police, 1972

In 2021, this small and unassuming wooden plaque was donated to the University of Adelaide Library. In the centre of the plaque is the piping shrike badge of the South Australia Police, with the following inscription: “Presented to the Murder Squad, New Scotland Yard by the South Australia Police. To mark a pleasant association, Adelaide, August-October 1972”.

The “pleasant association” was an inquiry into the death of Dr George Duncan: "the gay hate crime that changed Australia"¹.

Dr Duncan returned to Australia from the UK in March 1972 to lecture in law at the University of Adelaide. Less than 2 months later, on the 10^th of May 1972, he drowned in the River Torrens. It was rumoured that Dr Duncan and another man had been pushed into the river by police, as the area was a well-known ‘gay beat’.

The police failed to identify any suspects, despite findings by the Coroner’s inquest in June 1972 that Dr Duncan’s death had been caused by violence inflicted by unknown persons. At the inquest two members of the police vice squad refused to answer questions. They, along with a third detective, were suspended from the force and later resigned.

By that point, Dr Duncan’s death had gained widespread public interest, bringing the broader issues of homosexuality, discrimination, and police corruption to the attention of the nation.

Amid the charged political atmosphere, detectives from New Scotland Yard were called in to lead an inquiry. The British detectives delivered their final report in October 1972, which was not released at the time, and the SA Crown Solicitor decreed against proceeding with any prosecution.

As a result of their inquiry, New Scotland Yard were presented this plaque to commemorate their time in Adelaide by the South Australia Police. Over 50 years later, the plaque has returned to Adelaide and forms part of the University Library’s special collections relating to Dr Duncan. Other material held by special collections relating to Dr Duncan includes correspondence regarding his employment and inquiries into the nature of his death, as well as subsequent commentary, research and memorialisation.

The plaque is a meaningful object in connection with the legacy of Dr Duncan and his related records, and is a valuable addition to the collection.

Provenance: Presented to the University of Adelaide Library in 2021 by a private donor after being acquired from Small & Whitfield auctioneers in 2014 from a London vendor.

Bibliography/Sources

1. Burke, K 2022, ‘The death of Dr Duncan: the gay hate crime that changed Australia’, The Guardian, 26 February, viewed 8 April 2022, <https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/feb/26/the-death-of-dr-duncan-the-gay-hate-that-changed-australia>

Reeves, T 2006, Duncan, George Ian (1930-1972), Australian Dictionary of Biography, viewed 8 April 2022 < https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/duncan-george-ian-10063>

Royal, S 2019, ‘The legacy of George Duncan — the unsolved death that paved the way for same-sex marriage’, ABC News, 18 August, viewed 8 April 2022, <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-18/the-ongoing-impact-of-george-duncans-death/11395720>

Royal, S 2022 ‘Duncan drowning files a disturbing reminder of past attitudes’, InDaily, 4 March, viewed 8 April 2022, <https://indaily.com.au/opinion/2022/03/04/duncan-drowning-files-a-disturbing-reminder-of-past-attitudes/>