Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Excerpt from Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1. Courtesy of the Authors

Walter Herbert Jermyn was born on the 16th March 1867 in Port Fairy, Victoria the son of Dr Cosmo David Jermyn, a practising doctor in Port Fairy and Josephine, nee Dittmar. He was the brother of Frederick David Jermyn. Jermyn studied medicine at the University of Melbourne graduating in 1889. Jermyn worked as a RMO in the Melbourne Hospital in 1889 and House Surgeon in Launceston Hospital 1890-93 before going to Mount Gambier to a general practice in partnership with his brother Frederick.  They erected the residence at the corner of Ferrers and Sturt Streets later occupied by Dr. C. E. King and Dr. G. N. Lorimer. Jermyn married Miss Euphemia (Tot) Williams, youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. H., Williams, of "Llandovery," Penola Road.  Jermyn and his wife moved to Guandaring, Western Australia to undertake farming.  However, they returned to South Australia which may have been due to his wife’s illness as on the 25th September 1916 his wife ‘Tot’ died at Konetta Private Hospital, North Adelaide.

Jermyn enlisted in the AIF on the 4th March 1917 after the death of his wife. He had, since March 1916, worked in 4 MD in the AAMC Reserve both as SMO and CO of the 6 AIDH, North Adelaide. He was 5ft 5ins, and weighed 12st 6lbs, and he was able to ride a horse and had limited proficiency in French. His age was overlooked “as he was otherwise fit and has much active experience in the AAMC Reserve and is particularly fit for general Duty aboard”. His next of kin was named as his brother Frederick David Jermyn. He embarked from Melbourne on the 12th May 1917 for England where he worked in various AIF Training, Depot and hospital facilities. He had several bouts of bronchitis and in April 1918 he was admitted to the Military Hospital in Fovant and then transferred to 3rd London General Hospital with influenza, senility and bronchitis, his medical records stating that he looks his age. Has a constant and distressing cough. He returned to Australia in June 1918 and despite the unusual diagnosis of senility he served as the ships SMO on the return journey.  He was struck off strength with his appointment terminated on the 2nd October 1918. He was issued with the British War Medal.

He took up residence in Nelson, Victoria where he continued to live until his death. He did not continue as a doctor but participated in community life and a presentation was made to him of a fly fishing rod, in appreciation of his contribution to the Nelson community. Jermyn played cricket for the Mt. Gambier Club from 1897 to 1931. He was a prolific scorer as a left hand batsman and a superb fieldsman. He was a fine tennis player, and occupied high administrative positions in the Mount Gambier Tennis Club. He was a keen member of the Mt. Gambier Gun Club and had few equals in his best days as a trap shot.  Walter Herbert Jermyn died in April 1946 at Nelson, aged 79 years.

Sources:

http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=7336621

Border Watch April 9th1946.

Adelaide Register 27th September 1916

The Adelaide Advertiser 13th April 1946

http://www.launcestonfamilyalbum.org.au/detail/1030622/walter-herbert-jermyn