Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

ZWAR Bernard Traugott CMG MD MS FRACS

1876-1947

Bernard Traugott Zwar was born on the 20th June 1876 at Ebenezer, near Stockwell in the Barossa Valley. He was the youngest of 10 children of Johann Zwar and Anna, nee Kaiser, who had migrated to Australia in 1851. Zwar attended the state school at Stockwell and then went on to an English High School in the Barossa Valley, where he excelled in German, and finally to Prince Alfred College in Adelaide.  He hoped to become a Lutheran Pastor, but as this would have meant studying in Europe he decided to study medicine, like his older brother Hermann, at the University of Adelaide. He began his medical studies in March 1895. Due to the Adelaide Hospital Row the two brothers moved to Ormond College, Melbourne and completed their medical studies at the Melbourne University where they both graduated. Zwar graduated MB (1899), ChB (1901) and MD (1902). Zwar topped the class, won the Exhibition in Medicine, and was placed first on the list for the seven resident positions at the Melbourne Hospital. At the age of 28 in 1904, Zwar went overseas for post-graduate studies. He had a special interest in Neurology and Tuberculosis. He met and conversed with the world famous bacteriologist Dr Robert Koch and worked at various hospitals in London. For a time he was clinical clerk to Sir William Gowers at the National Hospital, Queen Square. Bernard returned to Melbourne early in 1906 and went on to build a distinguished career as a surgeon and administrator.

Zwar was a captain in the AAMC reserve in 14 FdAmb from July 1912.  He enlisted in the AIF on the 28th November 1914, at the age of 38 years. He was 5ft 10ins, and weighed 12st. He was attached to 2 ASH with the rank of major. He embarked on the 14th December 1914 and served in Egypt and Gallipoli in the 2 ASH.  Whilst in Egypt, at Wazza, he was the senior AIF specialist in venereal disease, he lamented the wastage that this caused. Early in 1915, 1000 AIF men were infected at any one time. He was transferred from Lemnos on 3rd July 1915 via Cairo to London with a festering appendicitis. He returned to Egypt on 25th September 1915 but did not return to duty. He returned to Australia with his appointment terminated on 19th February 1916. He was issued with the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Early in his career with the armed forces Bernard was advised that he would not have a career future if he remained a member of the Lutheran Church. He joined the Presbyterian Church, became an elder and remained a faithful member for the rest of his life. Bernard had travelled to the Middle East on the same troopship as a young nurse, Essy Craig, whom he had met at the Melbourne Hospital. They renewed their acquaintance and were married on the 4th May 1916 and lived in Collins Street, on his return to Melbourne, next to The Melbourne Club. Zwar was an honorary surgeon to the Melbourne Hospital from 1919 and an honorary consulting surgeon from 1935. He was a founder of the RACS in 1927 and was on the Medical Board of Victoria, the advisory committee of the Repatriation Board and the Anti-Cancer Council. When Don Bradman was in Melbourne and needed medical attention it was Zwar who treated him. He was appointed CMG in January 1941. A portrait of Zwar hangs in the main entrance to the Royal Melbourne Hospital as a tribute to his outstanding service to the Hospital over a period of 46 years. It was unveiled by the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Edmund Herring, just before he died. Bernard Traugott Zwar died at his home in Melbourne on 16th January 1947. He was survived by his wife and son.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia, who Served in World War 1. 

Verco, Summers, Swain, Jelly. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD