Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Published Biographies

Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1, C Verco, A Summers, T Swain & M Jelly. July 2014

Australian Doctors on the Western Front By Robert Likeman CSM

Additional Biography

Early Life

John Eric (Ricky) McGlashan was born at Orroroo, SA on the 31st of August 1888, the son of John McGlashan and Emma Maria Whitford.

Schooling

Ricky attended Carrieton Public School where he passed his Primary Examinations in 1902, Junior Examinations in 1903 (coming fourth in the Special Honours list and sixth in the Senior Honours list for Latin) and Senior Examinations in 1904 (coming seventh in the Special Honours list). He was captain of the football team and a tennis player. In March 1905 he passed his Higher Public examinations.

University

Ricky commenced studying medicine at Adelaide University in March 1905. In 1907 he won the Dr. Davies Thomas Scholarship (student of the third year). His MB BS was conferred in December 1909.

University Sport

Ricky was the reserve for the Adelaide University football team in their match against Melbourne Scotch in July 1906 and played for the Club in the Adelaide and Suburban Association competition in 1907.

Career

In January 1910 Dr J.E. McGlashan was appointed a Resident Medical Officer at the Adelaide Hospital. In February 1911 Ricky left Adelaide to reside at Hammond, near Orroroo in the mid north of SA. He later moved to Booleroo Centre.

In January 1914, “John Eric McGlashan, M.B., B.S., Booleroo Centre, South Australia, elder son of J. M. McGlashan, Salisbury, S.A.,” became engaged “to Mary Beatrice Gardner, B. A., third daughter of Gavin F. Gardner, St. Peter's, S.A.”. In February 1914 he left SA to complete further studies in London.

After returning from his studies in London, Ricky married Mary Beatrice Gardner on the 18th of February 1915. Mary had graduated from Adelaide University with a B.A. in 1909.

World War I

Ricky joined the A.A.M.C Reserve in September 1915. In September 1916 he travelled to Melbourne to embark for the front. On the 12th of November 1916, Ricky and Mary’s son John Gardner McGlashan was born. Ricky’s career in WWI is detailed in the Biography (see document). In September 1918, Ricky was awarded the Military Cross He returned to Australia in June 1919.

Post WWI

On his return from the war Ricky purchased an 8/9 Clement Bayard motor vehicle.
Ricky and Mary then moved to Orroroo where Ricky was instrumental in the building of the local hospital and an active member of the community.

Ricky and Mary’s second son, Gavin, was born on the 21st of July 1921.
While at Orroroo, Ricky played golf, tennis, cricket and bridge and was Honorary Clerk of Scales for Orroroo Jockey Club. Ricky was also involved in the local RSL. In November 1922 Ricky purchased a 16.9 Hupmobile.

Western Australia

In October 1924 the family moved to Western Australia.

In November 1924 Ricky commenced a practice at Leake Street, Cottesloe, WA.
In September 1926, Dr. J. E. McGlashan of 248 St George's Terrace, purchased one of the latest Model 503 Fiat cars.

In December 1928 Ricky left for Vienna to undertake further studies. In April 1929, his wife, left to meet him in London. The couple returned to WA in July 1929 after a holiday trip abroad. In August 1929 Dr. J. E. McGlashan, of Perth, purchased a Fiat six saloon (the third Fiat owned by Dr. McGlashan).

In January 1931 Ricky played in a University Students versus Doctors Cricket match on University Oval, Perth.

In December 1932 Ricky and Mary left Perth on a five-week trip to Noumea by the ‘Oronsay”. In August 1933, Dr. John Eric McGlashan of 17 Thompson Road, Claremont, purchased a Triumph, Super 9.

In April 1935 Dr. J. E. McGlashan and Dr. G. R.Troup left Perth by the ‘Manoora” for Melbourne, where they joined the ‘Mariposa’ on their way to America. They expected to be away for about five months undertaking post graduate studies. In August 1935, Mary sailed to Colombo to meet Ricky, who was returning from London. They arrived back in Perth in late September and Ricky resumed his practice at Shell House.

In May 1938 Ricky and Mary travelled aboard the ‘Strathallan’ on a holiday trip to Colombo.

Ricky and Mary’s elder son, John Gardner McGlashan, attended Adelaide University and qualified MB BS in 1942. He played cricket for the Adelaide University Cricket Club (1937/38 -1940/41) and Intervarsity Cricket in December 1938.

In April 1940, Dr. J. E. McGlashan returned to Perth after a four weeks' visit to Sydney and Melbourne. He was accompanied by Mrs. McGlashan.

In December 1940 Ricky was joined in partnership with Dr Hamish Macmillan. Ricky was on the honorary medical staff of the Perth Hospital and the Children’s Hospital as a consultant Dermatologist.

Ricky did not serve in WWII but his sons John Gardner (SN - SX20957, enlisted 3 August 1942, Wayville, SA, Captain) and Gavin (SN - WX27106 21 July 1942, Fremantle, WA, Sergeant) both served.

Death

Ricky passed away on 16th October 1942, aged 54. He was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery; his last abode had been at Claremont. He was survived by his wife, Mary, and sons, John and Gavin.

Mary Beatrice McGlashan died on 24 Apr 1979, Perth, Western Australia, age 91 years.

Author EE (Beth) Filmer

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project please see the document attached.

Letter 1 (to see a scan of the original, please see links)

Headquarters, Australian Imperial Force
Attached Headquarters. Fifth Army
B.E.F.
24 July 1918

Dear McGlashan

I am very pleased indeed to see that you have been awarded the Military Cross, which you have fully earned by your conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of the evacuation of the wounded near Mericourt on the 4th July, and I heartily congratulate you on this distinction. I know that you displayed untiring energy and a total disregard for your personal safety in visiting the various posts on the long line of evacuation in the face of heavy shell and machine gun fire. Much of this work had to be done in the open under the observation of the enemy, and required not only great courage but sound judgment in directing the evacuations. These were carried out very successfully, and I realise how much this success was due to your fine work, for which I sincerely thank you.

With good wishes.

Yours sincerely
[signed]
W.R. Birdwood


Letter 2 (to see a scan of the original, please see links)

Commonwealth of Australia
Department of Defence
Base Records Office, AIF
Melbourne 4 March 1919

Dear Madam

I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Fourth Supplement No 30915 to the 'London Gazette,' dated 24 September 1918 relationg to the conspicuous service rendered by the undermentioned member of the Australian Imperial Force.

AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS
'His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the above award to the undermentiojned officer, in recognition of his gallantry and devotion to duty in the field:

Captain John Eric McGlashan

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in charge of the evacuation of wounded during an attack. He visited his various posts under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, and was largely responsible for the successful evacuation of the wounded.

The above has been promulgated in 'Commonwealth of Australia Gazette,' No 23 dated 12 February, 1919.

Yours faithfully,

Signed
Captain for Officer ic Base Records

Letter to: Mrs M B McGlashan
c/- Gavin Gardner Esq
Royal Exchange
King William Street
Adelaide
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

A Grandfather to be Proud Of
(Posted on Perth DPS online 4/9/2024 by Gail Dodd)


Today was my memoir writing group afternoon and the homework topic was grandparents. Building on the story I posted on DPS a while ago about visiting my paternal grandfather's World War I posting at Treux in the Somme, Northern France, I thought some may be interested in a fuller story. Jenni Carder may also be interested to know that my grandfather returned from war service on the HMAT Boonah, the ship that previously brought soldiers infected with Spanish Flu to Woodman Point Quarantine Station. That story is captured by Ian Darroch in the book, The Boonah Tragedy.

Captain John Eric McGlashan MC (known as Eric)
My grandfather, Eric McGlashan was born in 1888 in Orroroo, South Australia and upon enlistment in August 1916 was working as a medical practitioner. He was nearly 29 years old, married and stood 5 foot 8 inches (153 cm). Eric was assigned to the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and appointed as a Captain. He embarked from Melbourne on 11 September 1916 on board the HMAT Euripides and arrived in Plymouth on 26 October the same year. Serving in various hospitals in the United Kingdom before departing for France in September 1917, Eric was briefly attached to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. Perhaps the Canadians needed extra medical officers due to heavy casualties incurred during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He then returned to the AAMC in October and in March 1918 served with the 14th Australian Field Ambulance attached to the 5th Australian Division, 56th Battalion.

Eric was awarded the Military Cross and his medal is in my possession. The official citation states:
On the 4th July 1918 Captain McGlashan was in charge of the evacuation of the wounded South-East of Mericourt (south-west of Albert). He displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in charge of the evacuation of wounded during an attack. He visited his various posts under heavy shell and machine gun-fire, and was largely responsible for the successful evacuation of the wounded. Much of his work was done in the open under enemy observation. He displayed ability and sound judgement in directing the evacuation, and by his self-sacrificing courage and devotion set a splendid example to his men. He was largely responsible for the successful evacuation of wounded in this sector.
Signed J Talbot Hobbs
Major-General
Commander 5th Australian Division

Approximately 25 years ago my husband, Keith and I were taken by a UK based friend and military historian to Mericourt only to discover later that there are several villages with the same name and we had gone to the wrong one! Whilst researching a later trip Keith came across the war diary of the 14th Australian Field Ambulance held by the Australian War Memorial. The diary contains a number of reports and detailed hand drawn coloured maps showing the exact location of the action on that day. The diary confirmed the unit was assigned to the front north and south of the village of Treux which is beautifully situated in a valley and sits on the banks of the Ancre River. It was being used in support of the Australian offensive against the German army in that area. Treux is a few kilometres south east of the town of Mericourt l’-abbe.

The official reports note that Eric was in charge of the southern medical posts and regimental aid post (RAP). The maps showed the position of the various aid posts and using certain reference points it was still possible utilising Google Maps to find the approximate positions Eric was likely to have occupied on the day he earned his Military Cross. A forest shown on the map to the south of the RAP still exists but is on much higher ground so the RAP must have been at the bottom of the valley just outside the present village boundary. To know that we were overlooking these positions and where Eric was serving was both exciting and humbling.

Eric returned to Australia in April 1919 and continued in his capacity as a medical practitioner (specializing in dermatology). Ironically given the coronavirus pandemic, Eric boarded the HMAT Boonah for his return voyage which some months earlier had been stranded outside the port of Fremantle due to an outbreak onboard of Spanish influenza!

Only a few kilometres away from Treux, where Eric served, is the town of Corbie. On its outskirts is the field where Baron Manfred von Richthofen (aka the Red Baron) crashed and died. Controversy still exists today as to who actually shot down Richthofen on 21 April 1918 although most ‘experts’ now suggest it was probably Sergeant Cedric Popkin (a Lewis Gunner with the Australian 4th Division) rather than Canadian pilot, Captain Roy Brown.

Having visited this site it was another fairly short drive to Villers Bretonneaux which is the Australian National Memorial and cemetery. It is also home of the recently opened Sir John Monash Centre which is built behind and below the main memorial. A visit to the Centre is highly recommended as it presents the sacrifices and suffering by the Australian forces on the Western Front in a very powerful and sometimes confronting way by the use of audio-visual techniques.

While returning to the city of Lille in order to catch the Eurostar train to London we visited the new Commonwealth War Grave at Fromelles. Readers may be aware of the of the identification of five mass graves in 2008 containing the remains of Australian and British soldiers killed in the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916. The battle was described as the ‘worst 24 hours of Australia’s military history’ with the Australians suffering 5,533 casualties including around 2,000 killed. Some 250 bodies were exhumed in 2009 of which 166 have since been identified using DNA techniques, as being Australians.

The Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Cemetery was opened and dedicated in 2010 and is the first Commonwealth War grave opened in over 50 years. A new museum has been built next to the cemetery that provides a comprehensive history of the battle along with many artifacts found around Fromelles. A somewhat sombre note on which to finish our trip to France.