VICDOC Summer 2023 - Magazine - Page 99
A M A V I CTO RI A HOU S E — 1 3 N OV EM BE R 2023
-
THE
ULTIMATE
SACRIFICE
-
DR GERALD SEGAL
Honouring
the heroic
Victorian medics
Monday 13 November 2023, the
O nBMA
(British Medical Association)
Victorian Branch and AMA Victoria
war memorial statue was rededicated – 100
years to the day since it was first unveiled.
The statue, A Medic Attending to a
Wounded Infantryman, is the work of war
artist and sculptor Charles Web Gilbert
(1867-1925). It is made of bronze, and was
struck in Paris, France.
“The statue commemorates 75 Victorian
military doctors who lost their lives in
service during World Wars One and Two,”
says Chair of the AMA Victoria Heritage
and Archives Committee, Dr Gerald Segal.
“The statue has its own very interesting
history. First dedicated on 13 November
1923 in the then new Anatomy Building at
the University of Melbourne, it was moved
to AMA Headquarters in East Melbourne
in 1924, and then to Royal Parade Parkville
in 1969.”
The 75 names include 43 Victorian
doctors who died in World War One, that
were inscribed on the statue itself for the
original dedication. In 1947, the names of
a further 32 who bravely gave their lives
in World War Two, were added.
And then, while researching the statue,
AMA Victoria Heritage and Archives
Committee Member, Jean Douglas,
uncovered the names of four further
Victorian doctors – two who gave their
lives while serving in World War One,
and two in World War Two – who met
the criteria for inclusion on the statue.
“A plaque bearing the names of the
four doctors who hadn’t previously been
recognised was placed on the plinth during
the rededication ceremony,” says Gerald.
“Some of their family members were
present, and it was very special for them –
and for us! – to finally see this happen.”
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