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War Memorial
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Published Biography

From: “Blood, Sweat and Fears - Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia who served in WW1”: ISBN: 978-0-64692-750-3; 2014

Note: John played lacrosse for Adelaide University and represented Adelaide University at Intervarsity Lacrosse matches, however no evidence has been located by AU Sports to indicate that John was awarded a Blue for lacrosse.

Additional Biography

Early Life

Reginald John Verco was born on the 27th of September 1885 at North Adelaide, SA, the son of John Verco and Caroline Blissett Webb (SA Birth Registration 360/448). John’s father was a merchant, and his grandfather was a mason and builder. John had three older siblings, Sydney Manton (b1877), Jane Elizabeth (b1979) and Olive Mary (b1882). John’s uncle, Joseph Cooke Verco (later Sir Joseph), was considered to be the most eminent South Australian physician of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Schooling

John attended Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, from 1897, passing his Preliminary Examinations in September 1898 and Junior Examinations in December 1900. He gained sixth prize in the Upper Fourth Form in 1900. John passed his Senior Examinations in December 1902.

John competed in the PAC Sports on a regular basis from 1899. He competed in the 120 yards hurdles (under 15 ½) at the PAC Sports in 1899 and won an Intercollegiate Medal that year. In 1900 he was second in the 120 yards handicap hurdles (under 15) at the PAC Sports and third in the 100 yards flat for juniors in the Inter-collegiate Sports. He placed second in the Open 150 yards handicap hurdles at the PAC Sports in 1901.

Adelaide University

John commenced studying medicine at Adelaide University in 1903 and in June 1903 he was licensed to study anatomy in the School of Anatomy at the University of Adelaide. He was awarded the Davies Thomas Scholarship as the top first year student.

John was actively involved in Tennis, Rowing, Football, Athletics and Lacrosse. He represented Adelaide University at Intervarsity competitions in Athletics (1907) and Lacrosse (1906-1908). Further details of his sporting achievements are below.

John graduated MB BS in December 1907 and was awarded the Everard scholarship.

John was registered ad a qualified medical practitioner in January 1908. After graduation, John became a House Surgeon (resident) at the Adelaide Hospital. Much later he would take on post-graduate studies.

University Sport

Tennis
John played Second Grade Tennis for Adelaide University in the South Australian Association in the 1904/05 and 1905/06 seasons. He also completed in the Adelaide University Tennis tournaments in 1907.

Rowing
John rowed for the Adelaide University Rowing Club in the Maiden Tubs at the SA Rowing Association Regatta in December 1906.

Football
John represented Adelaide University in the 1904 Intervarsity Football match against Melbourne University, and therefore becoming a member of the first Adelaide University Intervarsity team. John was initially named the reserve forward for the team.

Athletics
John competed in the Adelaide University Sports from 1904 to 1907. In 1904 he came second in the 150 yards Handicap Hurdles and first in the 300 yards Steeplechase. At the 1905 sports he was third in the 120 yards hurdles, first in the Egg and Spoon race and third in the 800 yards steeple chase. John was also awarded the prize for the Long Jump as Angwin who jumped an inch further, had already won the Cup.

In 1906. John was joint Hon. Secretary for the Sports and he won the 300 yards steeplechase. John also competed at the SA Amateur Athletics meeting in September 1906.

John was on the committee which organised the 1907 Adelaide University Sports. In May 1907, John was selected to represent Adelaide University in hurdles and long jump at the Intervarsity Sports.

John was on the committee for the 1908 Intervarsity Sports, the first year the Sports had been held in Adelaide.

Lacrosse
While at University John competed in several Old Scholars Inter-Collegiate Lacrosse matches against St Peter’s College, including the second annual match in 1906 and the match in 1907.

John played Lacrosse for Adelaide University (1906-1908) and represented Adelaide University at Intervarsity Lacrosse matches in 1906, 1907 and 1908.

Pre-War years

In April 1908 he became engaged to Phoebe F Hawkes (Born the 28th of January 1887), the eldest daughter of Mrs C.R. Hawkes, of Illabrook, Marlborough Street, College Park. The couple married at the Methodist Church, Kent Town, on the 20th of March 1909.

John then practiced at Woodside and in August 1909, he became a member of the committee of the Onkaparinga Agricultural Society, replacing Dr S.M. Verco in that role.

In August 1909, John and Phoebe had a lucky escape when the pole gear broke away on their buggy on the return journey from the Balhannah station.

On the 19th of December 1909 John and Phoebe’s daughter, Lucy Web Verco, was born at Woodside.

In May 1910, John was involved in helping contain an outbreak of diphtheria at Oakbank. Geoffrey Webb Verco was born on the 11th of January 1913 at Woodside.

By 1914, John was back in the city and still involved with his old college as he acted as an official at the Intercollegiate Sports in April.

He commenced to practice at 98 Payneham Road, St Peters which was also his residence near the corner of Nelson Street, Stepney.

World War I

In December 1914, John was appointed honorary assistant medical officer of the Queen’s Home, Rose Park.

In April 1916, John was appointed acting assistant physician at the Adelaide Hospital. From the 2nd of October 1916, he was appointed an honorary Captain in the Australian Army Medical Corp Reserve. By 1917, John was practicing at both Payneham Road and at North Terrace in the City.

John joined the AAMC on the 24th of March 1918, but did not embark for the UK until the 30th of November 1918, when hostilities had already ceased. He arrived in the UK in January 1919, but there was still much to be done.

John and Phoebe’s second son, John Webb Verco, was born on the 3rd of August 1919, while John was still in the UK. John returned to Australia on the 9th of November 1919 on the troop ship SS Mahana and was discharged on the 25th of November 1919.

Post-War Career and Family Life

On his return from overseas service John registered a 22.5 Ford motor car and in early December he recommenced his practice at 98 Payneham Road, St Peters and at North Terrace.

On the 11th of November 1920, John was driving his car on King William Street when he was involved in an accident which resulted in the death of an elderly man.

In December 1923, John was appointed an official visitor to the Mental Hospital, Parkside.

By March 1929, John was a golfer, playing at Kooyonga Links.

In December 1931, John’s brother (Sydney Manton Verco) died after several months of Illness, he was 54 years old.

John and Phoebe travelled to the UK and the Continent in 1932. Their ship, the P and O Steam Navigation Company Ltd vessel, Maloja, left Adelaide on the 31st of March 1932 and arrived in London, England on the 6th of May 1932. They are listed as returning to Adelaide onboard the Balranald which left London on the 14th of October 1932, but it may have been delayed as they are also recorded as leaving London on the Narkunda on the 18th of November 1932.

In February 1933, John’s son Geoffrey skippered the South Australian 21-foot yacht Carina to a win in the Forster Cup.

Tragedy struck the Verco family when John’s father (John Verco) passed away in late July 1933 and John’s uncle, Sir Joseph Verco passed away in early August 1933. Dr WA Verco, Dr R John Verco, Dr J Stanley Verco and Dr Ronald L Verco all attended the funeral of Sir Joseph Verco.

John represented the doctors of SA at the Australian Medical Congress in Hobart in January 1934 and by August 1935 he was treasurer of the Australasian Trained Nurses’ Association.

In 1937, John and Phoebe’s elder son, Geoffrey Webb Verco gained his MB BS from Adelaide University.

John played in the doctor’s annual golf contest in June 1938.

World War II

In December 1939, Dr. Geoffrey Webb Verco, son of Dr. and Mrs. John Verco, Payneham Road, St. Peters married Miss Betty Primrose Sawers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. P. Sawers, of Stannington Avenue, Marryatville at St. Peter's College Chapel.

By 1940, John was the State president of the British Medical Association and he made many statements to the papers as part of that role on topics including the selection of doctors for military service, the use of alien doctors during the war, the proposed national medical scheme, the impact on hospitals due to the depletion of women power, subsidies for university students and ‘when not to call a doctor’.

Both of John and Phoebe’s sons served in WWII, Geoffrey (SX10746) was a Captain in the 2nd 10th Infantry Battalion and John (SX17092) was a Private. John became seriously ill and has left the AIF prior to June 1944.

Post World War II

In December 1945, John’s sister (Jane Elizabeth Verco), died at her home at Balham Ave, Kingswood. She was 66 years old and had been in ill health.

In March 1946, John was a delegate for South Australia at the Federal Council of the British Medical Association meeting in Sydney. He also represented SA at the BMA Federal Council in Melbourne in June 1948.

In May 1950 John’s son Dr Geoffrey Verco was made a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Death

Reginald John Verco passed away on the 5th of June 1950, aged 64 years and was buried at the North Road Cemetery. Phoebe Frances Verco passed away in 1972.

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.