Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Publish Biography

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

Additional Biography

John Newton Webb was born on the 20th of September 1893, to the Reverend Frederick Webb and Emma Jane (née Barnes). John’s father was an Anglican Minister who had come to Adelaide from Armadale, Victoria, two years earlier, after being appointed to Holy Trinity Church, North Terrace , Adelaide. He had an older brother Walter, an older sister Victoria and a younger brother and sister Arthur and Dorothy.

Education

John and his brothers would all attend St Peters College and the University of Adelaide and become doctors. John attended the University from 1912 - 1917, Walter from 1911 - 1914 and 1916 - 1918 and Arthur from 1916 - 1922.
Walter had enlisted in November 1914 after completing his 3rd year examinations and served in Egypt with the 1st Australian General Hospital. Walter then returned to Adelaide and was discharged in July 1915 to complete his studies. After finishing the 1918 year he then travelled to Scotland and completed his medical and surgical qualifications in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Sport at St Peters College

John was a member of the 1911 St Peter’s College Intercollegiate football team.

Sport at Adelaide University

At Adelaide University he played football in 1913 and 1914 and was a member of the 1914 B Grade Premiership team playing alongside his older brother Walter.

War service

After graduating MBBS in July 1917 and with only two month’s experience as house surgeon at the Adelaide Hospital, John joined the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) Reserve in August and was assigned to the 7th Australian General Hospital (AGH) at Keswick South Australia. Following enlisting for service abroad in January 1918, John received a commission (with the rank of Captain). He then embarked from Sydney on the 21st of March 1918, aboard the A34 HMAT Persic arriving in London after 2 months at sea. The SS Persic had been seconded as a troop carrier for the duration of the War from the White Star Line (also owner of the Titanic 1911-1912).

After arriving in London on the 25th of May 1918, John then proceeded to France on the 12th of June 1918 and was assigned to the 2AGH based at Wimereaux on the northern coast of France. Shortly thereafter he was transferred to the 9th Field Ambulance.

John remained in France for the course of hostilities and after the Armistice. In April 1919, he returned to England (via Folkestone) and reported to AIF Headquarters London. He then took extended periods of leave without pay.

John resigned his commission in June 1920 to undertake a Diploma in Public Health at the University College London. To be discharged from service, prior to returning to Australia, required him to meet certain stringent requirements including a guarantee a return to Australia by the end of 1921.

After the War and Professional Career

John was awarded the British War medal and Victory Medal and returned to Australia after completing his Diploma of Public Health in London in 1920. Although registered to practice in South Australia in 1922, he moved to Victoria and settled in the Melbourne suburb of Elsternwick and registered as a Medical Practitioner there.

John's Mother passed away in September 1924, returning on a sea voyage from overseas after a nine-month holiday to England and the Continent with her husband Frederick. In January 1925, John was appointed the executor for her estate. By that stage he was living at 226 North Rd., North Brighton.

Shortly after his father passed away in March 1925..

In December 1925, John Newton Webb married Margaret Stuart Robertson

John still practiced at Elsternwick for several years but by 1927 he and Margaret had set up a new medical practice at 226 North Road, North Brighton.

John practiced at North Brighton for many years (1927 - 1954) and was a well-respected member of the community. He attended to their medical care and in times of need helped in other areas. He acted as the Executor for the Estate of Annie Wardrop, who lived in an adjacent street and probably had been a long-time patient.

In 1939, John contacted Australian Army Base Records for replacements of his War and Returned Soldiers Medals.

By 1954 John and Margaret had moved to a townhouse at 1 Fairlie Crt, Anderson St, South Yarra, where they resided until 1967. At that time John was still registered as a doctor and apparently practising.

Sadly, John’s wife Margaret, passed away in 1967 aged 77. After her death, John moved to a unit at 201 Orrong Rd., Toorak. A year later and now 74 years of age, he retired from medical practice, however he continued to maintain his registration in Victoria until his death over a decade later.

In his final years John moved to another unit at 724 Orrong Rd, Malvern and finally to a care facility in Alphington, Victoria. John Newton Webb passed away in 1980 aged 86 and was laid to rest at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. From the historical family records available, John and Margaret Webb did not appear to have any children.

Profile added with the permission of the author Rob O'Shannassy.

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.