Frederick Neill Le Messurier

Frederick Neill Le Messurier DSO (12 January 1891 – 20 May 1966), commonly referred to as "Freddy", was a medical doctor in South Australia, specializing in paediatrics. He was decorated for his service in the First World War and had an administrative role with the Australian Army in the Second World War.

History

Le Messurier was born at Semaphore,[1] a son of Alfred Le Messurier and Jane Sinclair Le Messurier, née Neill. He was a grandson of Captain Peter Le Messurier.

He was educated at Semaphore, and at St Peter's College, where he not only shone at sports, but was an all-round student – an officer in the Cadets and debating team member, prefect and school captain. He excelled scholastically: Farrell scholar in 1905 and Young exhibitioner in 1908.[1] He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating M.B., B.S. with first-class honours in 1913 and M.D. in 1920. He did his residency at the Adelaide Hospital, on North Terrace. He played football for Adelaide University ("The Blacks"), and for North Adelaide in 1908–1910 and 1913–1914.

On 22 October 1914, at the outbreak of WWI, he applied for a commission as Lieutenant, 1st Australian Stationary Hospital[2] of the First AIF. He served at Gallipoli and in Egypt before joining the 12th Field Ambulance on the Western Front in March 1917.[1] He was promoted to Major in November 1916[3] and mentioned in dispatches by Sir Douglas Haig on 7 April 1918, gazetted 28 May 1918.[4] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for actions of 8–10 August 1918 (perhaps at Amiens) when he evacuated wounded soldiers while under fire.[1] The following month he was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel and placed in command of the field ambulance.

He returned to Adelaide where his A.I.F. appointment terminated on 17 April 1919. He was appointed a resident medical officer at the Children's Hospital, Melbourne and began specializing in paediatrics. In 1922 he joined the staff of Mareeba Babies' Hospital, Adelaide, and in 1924 joined the staff of Adelaide Children's Hospital, where for many years he was a board member.

In 1940 he volunteered for service in the Australian Army, and was appointed to head the 105th Australian General Hospital, Adelaide, located in Col. Light Gardens.[5] He helped establish the Repatriation General Hospital in the Adelaide suburb of Springbank.[1]

Le Messurier died on 20 May 1966 in Calvary Hospital, North Adelaide, and his remains cremated.

Family

Le Messurier married Frieda Gwendoline James on 9 November 1920. They had one son:

  • John Frederick Le Messurier (22 October 1922[6] – 1978) married Joan Elizabeth Catton Grasby on 28 February 1948[7] and had a home on Cross Road, Myrtle Bank.[8]

Further reading

Verco, Christopher (2014). Blood, Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia who served in WWI. Army Health Services Historical Research Group, Army Museum of South Australia Foundation. ISBN 978-0-64692-750-3.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Brian Wimborne (2000). "Frederick Neill (Freddy) le Messurier (1891–1966)". Australian Dictionary of Biography: Le Messurier, Frederick Neill (Freddy) (1891–1966). National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  2. ^ "Application for Commission". Australian Army. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Record of Officer's Services". Australian Army. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  4. ^ "Australian Defence Forces". Australian Army. 1 November 1918. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  5. ^ "Commander Chosen for Military Hospital". The News (Adelaide). Vol. XXXVI, no. 5, 564. South Australia. 27 May 1941. p. 5. Retrieved 17 November 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Family Notices". The Register (Adelaide). Vol. LXXXVII, no. 25, 530. South Australia. 24 October 1922. p. 6. Retrieved 18 November 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Joan Grasby Married in College Chapel". The Mail (Adelaide). Vol. 36, no. 1, 866. South Australia. 28 February 1948. p. 17. Retrieved 18 November 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "4 Killed In S.A. Accidents". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. 94, no. 29, 172. South Australia. 10 April 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 18 November 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
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