Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Charles WILLCOX (later Sir Chalres, Mayor of Adelaide and Member of Parliament) and Coralie Rose

Workes some time as house surgeon and clinical assistant at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Married Mary VEITCH in Edinburgh

Returned to Adelaide in 1913 and was assistant gynaecologist at the Adelaide Hosptial.

Resided at 18 Magill Road, Norwood.

After the war he continued practicing in SA but returned to Enlgand and the Continant at times.

Resided 35 Hawkers Road, Medindie.

Survived by this wife Mary.

WILLCOX Frank Mayes MD MS DPH

1873-1946

Frank Mayes Willcox was born in North Adelaide, South Australia on 1st January 1873. He was the son of Charles Willcox, later Sir Charles, Mayor of Adelaide and a Member of Parliament, and his first wife Coralie Rose. He was educated at Winham and Hahndorf Colleges and later St Peter’s College. He studied medicine at Edinburgh University and graduated MB BCh (1898) and MD in (1908). He later studied at the University of Adelaide and was awarded a MS in December 1919. He also had a DPH. He had worked as a house surgeon and clinical assistant at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary before returning to Adelaide in 1913 and gaining a position as assistant gynaecologist at the Adelaide Hospital. He had a medical practice on North Terrace, Adelaide. Willcox married Mary Veitch in Edinburgh and on return to Australia they resided at 18 Magill Road, Norwood, at the time of his enlistment.

Prior to his enlistment in the AIF Willcox had previously served with the Edinburgh Medical Staff Corps, later known as the Officer Training Corps, from 1893-1896. During that time he had training with regular army units at Aldershot. He enlisted in the AIF as a captain AAMC on 11th September 1918 in Adelaide at the age of 45 years and 9 months. He was described as 5ft 7ins tall and weighed 143lbs of fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His records noted that he seemed “capable and keen”. His next of kin was recorded as his wife Mary.  He was also noted to be able to ride both horse and cycle and spoke limited German. Following initial training at Mitcham he embarked in Sydney on 16th October 1918 on the Malta disembarking in Suez on 22nd November 1918. He was immediately admitted to 31st General Hospital with influenza and discharged from hospital on 10th December 1918 and attached to 14 AGH on 12th December 1918.  He joined the 5 LH FdAmb in February 1919 and on 5th April 1919 was transferred to the 2nd Sig Sqn. On 22nd July1919 he embarked on the Tagus for the United Kingdom. On arriving in the UK he was granted leave without pay and allowances from 7th August 1919. He returned to Australia on the Ascanius disembarking on 7th November 1919. His appointment in the AIF was terminated on 22nd November 1919. He was issued with the British War Medal.

On his return as well as continuing to practise in South Australia he spent a considerable amount of time in the England and on the continent. Later in life he lived at 35 Hawkers Road, Medindie, South Australia. Frank Mayes Willcox died on 6th September 1946 aged 73 years. He was survived by his wife Mary.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia, who Served in World War 1. 

Verco, Summers, Swain, Jelly. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2014. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD