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Published Biographies

“Blood, Sweat and Fears” ISBN: 978-0-64692-750-3 Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia who served in WW1. C Verco, A Summers, T Swain & M Jelly. July 2014

Australian Doctors on the Western Front by Robert Likeman CSM

Additional Biography

Early Life

Alexander (Alec) Cockburn Wilton was born on the 22nd of April 1888 at Pt Ferry, Victoria, the son of Charles Richard Wilton and Annie Isabel Gladstone. Alec was named after his godfather Sir John Alexander Cockburn.

His father, Charles, was a journalist who later came to Adelaide, SA from Port Fairy, Victoria and was a long-time literary editor of The Advertiser. He also authored, under the pen name of "Autolycus", a long-running weekly column in The Courier of Mount Barker.

Alec’s siblings were John Raymond (born 1884, Belfast (Port Fairy), Victoria), Athol Gladstones (born 1886 Belfast (Port Fairy), Victoria - died 1890), Dorothy Kenyon (born 1st of September 1890, Adelaide, SA) and Richard Gladstone (born 30th of October 1892, Adelaide, SA). During their early years in South Australia, the family lived in Mt Barker.

Schooling and Sport

Alec commenced at Prince Alfred College, Adelaide in 1896, aged 8 years. He was in the Second Form in 1998 and in the Lower Third in 1899. He passed the Primary Examinations in 1901, Senior Examinations in 1903 and 1904 and Higher Public examinations in 1905 and 1906. While at PAC, Alec passed First Grade Plane Geometry at the Arts and Science examinations in November 1900.

Football
From 1903 Alec was a member of the PAC football team. He competed in Intercollegiate matched against Roseworthy Agricultural College, Wesley College (Melbourne) in 1903. In 1904 he was a member of the team which travelled to Melbourne in April to play matched against Scotch College, Wesley College and Melbourne Grammar School. In 1905 he played Intercollegiate Football against CBC, Roseworthy and St Peter’s and in 1906 against CBC, Roseworthy, Melbourne Scotch College and St Peter’s. By 1906, Alec was vice Captain of the Football team and he was one of the best players in the match against St Peter’s.

Cricket
In February 1904 he represented PAC in an Intercollegiate Cricket match against Christian Brothers College (CBC).

In November 1904 he was run out for 54 in the Intercollegiate cricket match against St Peter’s College. He also competed in the PAC versus Old Scholars match in December 1904.

In the 1904/05 Christmas holidays, Alec travelled to Victoria and while there played a cricket match for Camberwell versus Clifton Hill taking 4 for 42.

In February 1905, Alec scored 129 not out, against the Clutterbuck Brothers team, in the first match played at PAC since the completion of their new pavilion. PAC was at this stage playing cricket in the Adelaide and Suburban Association. Alec finished the season with a batting average of 95 (second to C.E. Dolling with an average of 226.5). In December 1905 he played for PAC in the Past versus Present Cricket match and represented PAC in the intercollegiate match against St Peter’s. In December 1906, Alec played in the Intercollegiate cricket match against St Peter’s.

Athletics
Alec also regularly competed in the PAC Sports from 1900 when he competed in the 120 yards flat (under 13). In 1902 he competed in 120 yards handicap hurdles (under 15). He was second in the 150 yards flat and the 120 yards flat at the PAC Sports in 1904 and was selected to compete in the Intercollegiate Sports against St Peter’s College where he came second in the 300 yards steeplechase. In 1905 Alec was third in the 120 yards hurdles at the PAC Sports and he won the 300 yards Steeplechase and was third in the Long Jump at the Intercollegiate Sports.

Alec was second in the 120 yards hurdles and second in the 300 yards steeplechase at the 1906 intercollegiate Sports.

Swimming
In 1901, at the PAC Aquatic Sports Alec was second in the two lengths handicap (under 13). In 1904 he was second in the Senior Championship (three lengths) and won the Neat Dive with S.G. Martin.

In February 1905, Alec swam in the Intercollegiate Championship (4 lengths) at the Old Boys Institute Baths annual amateur swimming matches, and he won the College Senior Championship (3 lengths) at the PAC Aquatic Sports.

In addition to all his sporting exploits while at PAC, Alec was also a member of the Commonwealth Cadet Corp until April 1907. Alec won the Grasby Gold Medal (the only time it was awarded) and the Malpas Scholarship.

Adelaide University

In March 1907, Alec passed a supplementary Higher Public examination in English Literature, having studied at Newman’s College. He then followed his elder brother John Raymond (Raymond) Wilton (B Sc, 1903) to Adelaide University where he commenced studying medicine in 1907. Alec applied for but did not win the 1907 Rhodes Scholarship. The last three years of his medical studies are shown on his student card. (see document).

By 1908, Alec’s elder brother Raymond, was having great success at his studies at Cambridge University, England.

In 1910, Alec was on the committee of the Adelaide University Medical Society. In December 1910, the following information about Alec appeared in the Laura Standard under the title ‘A clever family’.

In 1911, Alec was joined at Adelaide University by his younger brother Richard (Dick) Gladstones Wilton.

Alec gained his MB BS in December 1911.

University Sport

Lawn Tennis
Alec competed in the University Lawn Tennis Tournament in 1908, winning the handicap doubles with Harry Nott.

Athletics
Alec competed in the Adelaide University Sports in 1908 and came second in the 150 yards hurdles handicap event. He was selected to represent Adelaide University at the Intervarsity Sports in 1908. In 1909 he again competed in the hurdles event. In May 1910, Alec was selected for the Adelaide University team to compete in the Intervarsity Sports in Melbourne.

Alec came second in the 120 yards hurdles (old scholars) at the Intercollegiate Sports in August 1910 and at the University Sports in September 1910 he won the running long jump (handicap) and was second in the 150 yards hurdles. In the University Sports in June 1911, Alec came second in the 300 yards steeplechase.

Cricket
Adelaide University did not have a team when Alec commenced his studies, so he played for the Adelaide Cricket Club in the South Australian Cricket Association competition from February 1907 until the end of the 1907/08 season. He was good enough to be selected in the A Grade team straight from PAC.

When in the 1908/09 season Adelaide University was first admitted to the South Australian Cricket Association A-Grade District competition, 19-year-old Alec joined the team alongside many of his former Prince Alfred College team-mates and St Peter's College players, many of whom were already fine A Grade District cricketers. The teams captain was Charlie Dolling, a PAC team-mate who had already played 1st Class Cricket for South Australia.

In March 1909 he played an aggressive innings of 124 not out against Port Adelaide and finished the season with 340 runs at an average of 37.77. Over the following four seasons he did not rise to the expectations following his first year with the Club however Alec proved to be a very handy batsman and in latter seasons his bowling proved particularly useful. His performances during his 5 seasons are detailed in the Club's published season statistics: (see document).

Over his 5 seasons he played 50 innings, 5 not outs, highest score 124 no for an average of 26.33. He also took 30 wickets at an average of 22.5 runs per wicket.

In December 1910, Alec was the player manager of the Adelaide University's first Intervarsity cricket team which played Sydney University in Sydney. He scored 50 runs and took 5 wickets for 51 runs in Sydney's first innings.

In 1911, Alec was awarded a Blue for cricket. In October 1912, Alec was appointed A Grade captain of the Adelaide University side for the 1912/13 season. However, due to his move to the country for career reasons, he only played six innings for University in that season.

While at University, Alec also competed in an Old Collegiate cricket match against St Peter’s College in January 1910 and for the South Australian Colts in a practice match against the senior South Australian side in October 1912.

Football
A talented footballer, Alec played football for South Adelaide in the South Australian Football League from 1907 to 1910.

He played his first game for Adelaide University in a match against Geelong College which was played on Adelaide Oval in July 1907. He represented Adelaide University at five intervarsity football matches from 1907 to 1912 (there was no IV football in 1909) and was awarded a Blue for Football in 1911, making him a Double Blue.

When the Amateur League was formed in 1911, Alec left South Adelaide and joined the Adelaide University team. He played A Grade football for University in the 1911 and 1912 seasons and was a member of the first Amateur League premiership side. He also played in a match between University and his old college (PAC) in June 1911.

He may have played in the 1912 match against St Peter’s College however as no initials were recorded in the newspaper article, the Wilton who played may have been his brother (Dick).

In July 1912, Alec played for PAC in an Old Collegiate match against St Peter’s College.

He had an excellent season in 1912 and was considered to be one of the best goalkickers in the state. University won the premiership in 1912, however they were without A.C. Wilton their champion goalkicker and E.B. Jones, their brilliant centre man.

Committees
Alec was not only a player but also contributed off the field as a member of the cricket committee from September 1909/10 - 1912/13 and was elected its delegate to the Sports Association Committee in 1912/13.

Pre-World War I Career and Family Life

Having graduated in December 1911, Alec was appointed a resident medical officer at the Adelaide Hospital from 1 January 1912. In August 1912, he became a Captain in the 31st Army Medical Corps and from January 1913 he was a Captain in the 19th AMC. Alex acted as locum tenens for Dr. Hayward at Loxton, SA in September 1912 (thus missing the 1912 AUFC premiership match).
By February 1913, Alec had left the city and gone to establish a practice at Tumby Bay on Eyre Peninsula, SA.

Alec was at Tumby Bay for six months before selling his practice and moving to Port Pirie in July 1913.

Alec appears to have then moved around, probably as a locum as he was in Port Pirie until September. He was then playing cricket for Loxton in late September 1913, before leaving for Hawker in early October. By December 1913, Alec was playing cricket for the Petersburg (Peterborough) Imperials. Then in early February 1914, Alec moved to Booleroo Centre for six months. He played cricket for Booleroo Centre. Finally, in June 1914, Alec acquired a practice at Redhill (52km south east of Port Pirie).

On Wednesday the 15th of July 1914, Alexander Cockburn Wilton married Shylie Kathleen Mathews, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Llandaff Mathews of Hutt Street, Adelaide.

World War I

Alec played cricket for Redhill and in one match in January 1915, making 31 of the first 37 runs compiled by his side and took six for 33. Redhill went on to win the premiership with Alec scoring 119 not out.

On the 20th of November 1915, Alec and Shylie’s first child, a son, Geoffrey Cockburn Wilton was born at Parkwynd Private Hospital.
In July 1915, Alec as appointed an honorary Captain in the Army Medical Corp Reserve. He continued his practice at Redhill.

In December 1917, Alec’s brother, Captain R.G. (Dick) Wilton returned from England having served in the AIF for over 2½ years. Dick had served at Gallipoli and in Egypt, France and Belgium. He was wounded at the Battle of Messines, West Flanders, Belgium and lost his right eye and a finger.

Having served six years in the AAMC Reserve, Alec enlisted on the 16th of March 1918. He was 29 years and 10 months old, 5’ 10½” and weighed 13 stone 4 lbs.

On the 18th of March 1918 Alec entrained for Sydney where he boarded the A34 Persic on the 21st of March 1918.

The ‘Persic’ went to the UK via New York, USA and Alec and other officers were involved in the selling of Liberty Bonds. They were treated to some amazing experiences by the millionaires of New York. At a fundraising event, one millionaire purchased $5,000 worth of bonds in return for the rising sun badge from Alec’s collar. The Australian officers were filmed with the Australia actress Dorothy Brunton and the Australian singers, Amy, Dolly and Eileen Castles. Alec described the visit in a letter to his mother (see below).

On the 24th of May 1918, he arrived in England and was posted to the Parkhouse AAMC Training Depot. He served with the No 3 Command Post, AMC Rfts, 3rd Australian General Hospital, 1st Australian Field Ambulance, 1st Field Artillery Brigade, 1st Australian Divisional Engineers.

Alec served in England, France and Belguim.

On the 16th of June 1918, at Miss Lawrence’s Private Hospital Wakefield Street, Adelaide, Alec and Shylie’s second son, John Alexander Wilton, was born. Tragically for the family, John died on the 28th of June 1918, aged just 12 days.

Prior to leaving the UK, Alec was at the AIF Eleven cricket match at Glasgow and was reported to be looking fit.

Alec returned to Australia as a duty doctor, onboard the HMAT A61 Kanowna, arriving in Adelaide on the 20th of October 1919, and was discharged on the 12th of November 1919.

Alec’s letter to his mother about his experienced in New York in early 1918.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209660535 (see document).

Post WWI Career and Family Life

In February 1920, Alec was living in Hutt Street, Adelaide and he registered a 23.8 Dodge motor vehicle. He then practiced in the Gawler district until November 1920. Alec purchased a practice at Clarendon and Blackwood in partnership with Dr Fletcher In January 1921.

Tragedy again struck the Wilton family on the 8th of May 1921 when their third son was stillborn at Miss Laurence’s Hospital.

In August 1921, Alec was elected president of the Clarendon Cricket Club. In a match for Clarendon versus Cherry Gardens in October 1921, Alec took eight for 7 runs and carried his bat in both innings scoring 56 and 57 respectively and in March 1922, it was reported that he had made over 1,100 runs for the season including a century against Kangarilla.

Alec competed in a Graduates versus Undergraduates match at University Oval on in March 1922. In the 1922/23 season, Alec was again in great form with the bat for Clarendon scoring 30 off seven balls in one over against Belair (two sixes, four fours and a two).

During the Country Carnival in April 1923, Alec scored 107 retired (in a score of 252 for 3 wickets of 26 overs) in a match against Yorketown Ramblers. The newspaper article commented that Alec ‘could well be in first class cricket’.

On the medical front, Alec became a life member of the Royal British Nursing Association in May 1923. In July 1923, Alec’s former partner, Dr Fletcher, moved to Maitland and in August 1923, the cottage hospital opened at Clarendon.

At the commencement of the 1923/24 cricket season Alec was hopeful that he could make professional arrangements so he could return to district cricket for Adelaide, however he was unable to make the arrangements and continued to play for Clarendon and had a batting average of 56 for the season.

In 1924, Alec enjoyed holidays to Kangaroo Island, Victor Harbor and Sydney. In January 1926, Alec purchased an Oakland car and by April 1926 he had travelled over 2,000 miles in the vehicle without mechanical trouble.

Alec continued to play cricket for Clarendon and in a match in October 1926, he made 167 runs in a match against Blackwood in the Mid-Southern Association, hitting 34 off one eight ball over near the completion of his innings.

Alec’s father, Charles, passed away in March 1927, leaving a widow, three sons and a daughter. Alec’s elder brother Raymond was at this stage the Elder Professor of Mathematics at Adelaide University and his younger brother, Dick, a District Resident Engineer. Then in June 1927, after a long illness, Alec’s mother Annie Isabel Wilton passed away.

In December 1927 and February 1929, Alec played in an old and present boys cricket match at PAC.

In late December 1929, Alec scored 102 runs and took 4/44 for Clarendon in a match against Black Forrest. He then became seriously ill, as a newspaper snippet dated the 7th of February 1930, stated that he had ‘for some time been an inmate of the local hospital’ and has shown a slight improvement although his condition was still serious. Alec recovered from the illness and by December 1930, he was again a member of the Old Reds team for the cricket match against the present boys.

In August 1936, Alec’s car was stolen from near the City Baths and was later found abandoned in Gawler Place with the surgical instruments which had been left in the car still intact.

By 1937, Alec and Shylie’s son, Geoff, was 22 years of age. In a football match between Echunga and Clarendon in June 1937, Geoff collided with an opposition player and had to leave the ground with a badly gashed forehead. His opposite number lost his two front teeth in the clash. When Geoff was later examined by his father, the two teeth were found in the wound on Geoff’s forehead.

Alec continued to practice at Clarendon throughout World War II. Geoff Wilton served in the Citizens Military Forces from 17th September 1941 to 10th August 1944 and in the AIF from 11th August 1944 to 30 January 1946.

On the 20th of December 1941, Geoff married Kathleen Mary Croser, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Croser of Lameroo, SA, but the marriage ended in divorce in June 1948.

Sadly, for Alec, his elder brother, Raymond, passed away in April 1944 and his younger brother, Dick, passed away in June 1946.

In April 1949, Geoff Wilton married Mrs Kathleen Raye, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.M. O’Gorman of Ravenswood. The couple had a son born on the 1st of December 1949. Geoff and Kathleen divorced in 1953.

Death

On the 6th of June 1954, Dr Alexander Cockburn Wilton passed away suddenly at his home at Clarendon, aged 65. He was buried privately on the 11th of June 1954 at the West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.

Alec and Shylie’s son, Geoff passed away on the 31st of May 1967, he was cremated at Centennial Park, Adelaide.

Alec’s widow, Shylie Kathleen Wilton passed away on the 24th of August 1983. Her last abode had been at King’s Park. Shylie’s ashes were interred at Centennial Park. A plaque commemorating Alexander Cockburn Wilton is also located at Centennial Park.

Author EE (Beth) Filmer

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project (in the period 2015-2019) please see the document attached.