Frank Fahy’s underworld scrapbook
scrapbook containing newscuttings and photographs; 35.0 x 28.0cm
Presented by Joyce Cardinaels, December 2001
Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Within the pages of this fascinating but disturbing scrapbook book lie the names, photographs and descriptions of some of Sydney’s most notorious criminals.
The book belonged to Sergeant Frank Fahy (1896–1978), Sydney CIB’s first undercover police officer.
Fahy’s book includes details on convicted robber Darcy Dugan and infamous Sydney madam Matilda Devine, along with information on sundry thieves, safe blowers and even an elderly male cross-dresser.
Fahy’s clandestine career began in 1920, when his unlikely police-officer looks (he was tall and thin) attracted the attention of his superiors.
For the next 22 years, Fahy spied on the underworld. He was at times a vagrant, labourer, fruit-seller and odd-job man. His often-dangerous work led to the arrests of many murderers, burglars and gaol escapees.
In 1942, Fahy was promoted to the head of an intelligence section in the Military Police. He retired from the force in 1953.
