SWINDON'S first female detective sergeant has died at the age of 85. Gwendoline Williams joined the force as an auxiliary member more than 60 years ago in November 1941.

Her family said she was so dedicated to the job that she never married.

Her initial duties were to take over clerical work from men who had joined the war effort.

But the scope of the auxiliary worker quickly grew and in October 1943 Miss Williams became a regular police officer.

In September 1965 she was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Three years later she was promoted again to become Wiltshire's first woman detective sergeant in November 1968.

After 30 years' service, Miss Williams retired in October 1972.

Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar spoke to a number of Miss Williams' retired colleagues who had fond memories of her.

She said: "Gwendoline was by all accounts a remarkable woman," she said.

"She was affable, strong and determined in what she wanted to do.

"She dedicated herself to the police service and was totally committed to helping and protecting the community."

Miss Williams died at the Great Western Hospital on January 7.

She leaves a younger sister, Christine, and nephews and nieces Gareth, Christopher, Erica and Verna.

A year in history

In 1943, at the age of 24, Gwendoline Williams became one of the first female police officers to walk the beat in Wiltshire. Here's what else was happening that year:

The first Pulitzer Prize in music was awarded. The recipient was William Schuman for his Secular Cantata Number Two: A Free Song

Casablanca won best picture at the 1943 Oscars and Humphrey Bogart won best actor for his role in the film

The Battle of Stalingrad ended with a Soviet victory

Jewish people launched an anti-German uprising in Warsaw Ghetto

Italy surrendered to the Allies and the leader Mussolini was deposed

Selman Waksman discovered streptomycin and coined the term antibiotic

The composer Oscar Fetras died at the age of 76 and English philosopher Robin Collingwood died aged 53.

Gareth Bethell