Alexander McGregor Grant
| Alex Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Alexander McGregor Grant | ||
| Born |
29 July 1888 Casterton, Victoria, Australia | ||
| Died |
25 June 1973 (aged 84) Remuera, New Zealand | ||
| Original team | Ormond College / Hamilton College | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1909–1910 | University | 2 (0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1910. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Alexander McGregor Grant CBE (29 July 1888 – 25 June 1973) was a New Zealand surgeon, horse-racing administrator, racehorse owner and breeder.
Early life and education
Grant was born in Casterton, Victoria, Australia on 29 July 1888.[1] He gained his medical degree in 1910 from the University of Melbourne.[1]
Career
Grant moved to New Zealand to work as a house surgeon at Auckland Hospital from 1911 to 1914.[2] In 1915 he was appointed acting medical superintendent, the youngest to hold the position, until leaving to serve in WWI.[1][2][3] From 1916 he served as Captain Surgeon with the No. 2 New Zealand Field Ambulance of the medical corps of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.[3][4] He also served in World War II.[4]
On his return from WWI he went into private practice also becoming an honorary surgeon at Auckland Hospital from 1920 until 1948.[1][2][5] He was known for his skill especially at appendectomies.[1]
Sport and racing
Before moving to New Zealand Grant was an Australian rules footballer who played for the University Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[6][7][8] In Auckland he was associated with the Auckland Cricket Association and served on the Eden Park Trust Board.[1]
Grant was a rider, horse trainer and race horse owner.[1] He participated in the Pakuranga Hunt after coming to Auckland, serving as deputy master from 1920 until 1965.[1] He was vice-president of the Auckland Racing Club from 1933 and president from 1945 until 1968.[1][5] "During his time the club introduced the photo finish, filming of races, and routine swabbing of horses, as well as building a new members’ stand."[1]
Honours and awards
Grant was awarded the British War Medal for his service in WWI.[4] In the 1963 Queen's Birthday Honours, Grant was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to medicine and racing.[9]
Personal life
Grant married Edith Ellen Gill in 1918.[1] He died on 25 June 1973 in Auckland.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Ralston, Bruce. "Alexander McGregor Grant". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
- ^ a b c "Dr McGregor Grant dies in Auckland". Press. 26 June 1973. p. 8. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ^ a b "A Castertonian honored". The Casterton News and the Merino and Sandford Record. 31 January 1916. p. 3. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ^ a b c "Alexander McGregor Grant". Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ^ a b Wright St Clair, Rex (2013). Historia nunc vivat : medical practitioners in New Zealand, 1840 to 1930 (PDF). Christchurch: Cotter Medical History Trust. p. 161. ISBN 9780473240738.
- ^ Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.
- ^ Alexander McGregor Grant's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- ^ Alexander McGregor Grant at AustralianFootball.com
- ^ "No. 43012". The London Gazette. 8 June 1963. p. 4832.
Further reading
- Obit. New Zealand Herald. 26 June 1973: 3
- Obit. New Zealand Medical Journal 79, No 499 (Sept. 1973): 264–265
- Cullen, Barbara (2015). Harder than football : league players at war. Richmond, Victoria: Slattery Media Group. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-992379-14-8.