Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Early Life

Frederick Neill Le Messurier (preferred name Freddy, nicknamed “Freddo the Frog”) was born on 12 January 1891 at Semaphore, Adelaide, the fifth surviving child of South Australian-born parents Alfred Le Messurier (1856 - 1927), a prominent timber merchant and agent, and his wife, Jane Sinclair, née Neill (1856 - 1908). His siblings included Ernest Warwick (1881 - 1884), Daisy Maud (1884 - 1970), Alfred Roy (1886 - 1946 see further information on him below) and Dorothy Janie (1888 - 1973 ). Freddy also had a half-brother, David Hugh (1912 - 1976) from Alfred's second marriage to Lillian Chewings (1877 - 1965) who married in 1910 following his first wife Jane's death two years earlier.

Freddy's grandfather, Captain Peter (Pierre) Le Messurier (1815 - 1876), had earlier arrived in Australia as Master of the Ship "Rebecca" about 1852. Peter and his wife Elizabeth "Betsy" (1818 - 1871) originated from the English Channel Island of Guernsey situated just off the coast of Normandy, France. All seven of their children, including Freddy's father Alfred, were born after they had settled at Port Adelaide.

Education

Freddy attended St Peter’s College. He thrived at school, developing into a talented all-round student who excelled in all aspects of school life. Freddy was a Lieutenant in the cadets, a school Prefect in 1907 and 1908 and Captain of the school in 1908. He was Dux of the school in his final year

He was also an outstanding all-round sportsman at SPSC. As an athlete he won the broad jump at the SPSC Sports Day held on the Adelaide Oval on 14 August 1908 with a jump of 19 ft. 1½ in.

Freddy had been a prominent cricketer at SPSC, playing in Intercollegiate games against PAC in 1906 – 1908, the last as Captain. He was also Captain of the football team.

University of Adelaide – Medical Studies

Freddy studied Medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating with first-class honours (M.B., B.S., 1913; M.D., 1920). He shared top place with another student. He then became a Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital following graduation.

Sporting life - Adelaide University Football Club (AUFC)

Freddy Le Messurier was selected to play League football for North Adelaide in 1908 at the age of 17 whilst still at school, joining his older brother Alfred Roy (Teddy) Le Messurier.

Freddy played for North from 1908 till 1910 (see below in section on North Adelaide Football Club). However, as a Medical student he elected to join many other students playing in the SANFL to play with Adelaide University Football Club in the newly formed South Australia Amateur Football League which began its competition in 1911. There were five teams, Glenferrie, Marlborough, St. Bartholomew, St. Francis Xavier and University. At this time the University club was endeavoring to enter the League competition, so that it was essential to play outstandingly well in the newly formed Amateur League to press its claims.

Freddy’s decision to leave North Adelaide and play with his fellow students at University was seen as a logical one as he was playing cricket at University and many of these team mates were also talented footballers. He took on the responsible role of Club Secretary in University’s first season in 1911.

University finished the inaugural season undefeated Premiers, which was hardly surprising given that the team contained eleven former senior League players, of whom four had represented the State. University's performance in its first year was indeed meritorious as it was undefeated (except by Melbourne University).
Freddy Le Messurier, who was later to become President of the Adelaide University Football Club for many seasons, was then made vice-captain.

The finals were played on a knockout basis, with first versus third and second versus fourth. A decided advantage was that all the finals were played at University Oval!

Freddy had the honour of playing in the inaugural Final in 1911 which University won easily 14.15 to 5.11, with J.W. Londrigan, Le Messurier and C.F. Drew best for University, with H.B. Willsmore kicking five goals.

During this season a combined Amateur League team played the Gawler Association and won 14.12 to 4.4, with quite a few of Freddy’s University Football Club team mates joining him in the side. These included C.F. Drew (captain), J. W. Londrigan, F. Seymour-Smith, K.N. Steele, H.B. Willsmore and A.C. Wilton.

Several of these players can be seen in the 1910 Inter-Varsity cricket team photo in this biography.

The University side, having won the first Amateur League Premiership in 1911 repeated the feat in the 1912 Grand Final with Freddy Le Messurier leading the Club to victory. After this magnificent start to the Amateur League competition, the club decided at the AGM that:
"it would be to the benefit of all concerned if those men who had left the SA League to play for University two years ago should again take their places in the ranks of their respective League teams".

The team was thus weakened by the loss of Freddy Le Messurier, E.B. Jones, H.B. Willsmore, K.N. Steele, S.W. Jeffries, F. Seymour-Smith and A.C. Wilton.
Freddy was awarded a Blue for Football in 1910 which resulted from a strong performance in the Inter-varsity against Melbourne in Adelaide that year. He also played in the Intervarsity matches against Melbourne in 1911 and 1912 (Captain).

There is a strong family connection with the Le Messurier family at AUFC, with Freddy’s great grandsons played for the club. Ben Lewis played 125 games, mostly in the Division 1 team, between 2008 and 2016 and James Lewis representing the club between 2001 and 2003 and 2008 and 2010 for 101 games. James was runner-up for the Division 1 Best and Fairest in 2002.

AUFC Administration

As far as research can determine, the office of President of the Adelaide University Football Club was initiated around 1928, when Dr. F.N. Le Messurier was the first person to be elected to the position. Before this time, the President of the Sports Association was asked to perform these duties at important functions, namely dinners. However, with the club now entering two teams, in Amateur League (1928 was the first season the Amateur League had expanded to two grades) it was probably felt that an experienced person was necessary to lead the club's administration.

Dr. Le Messurier served the club admirably as President until 1936. During this time, the Adelaide University Football Club continued to be the most successful club in the Amateur League; The Blacks were Premiers in 1929 and 1932 and runners-up in 1930, 1933 and 1934 during his tenure.

Sporting Life – North Adelaide Football Club

Freddy Le Messurier was selected to play League football for North Adelaide in 1908 at the tender age of 17, whilst still at St Peter’s College, joining his older brother Alfred Roy (Teddy) Le Messurier. Freddy played for North from 1908 till 1910, winning the Best and Fairest in 1909 and 1910 and then electing to play with Adelaide University in 1911.

Freddy returned to North Adelaide for the 1913 and 1914 seasons as mentioned above, playing a total of 41 League games and kicking 24 goals. In 1914 he was vice-captain of the team, taking over from his brother and wearing the number 2 jumper. This season would be the end of his career when it was cut short as he left for Gallipoli on the Western Front.

Teddy played for North in 1908 and 1909 and also 1911 - 1913, in a 47-game career. Teddy was vice-captain in 1911 and 1913 and represented the State in an interstate carnival in Melbourne in 1908.

The impact that Freddy had on the organisations and sporting clubs that he was associated with, and indeed the Military, can best be shown by the article in the The Mail on 26 November 1914 just prior to him leaving for Gallipoli on 5 December 1914.

“NORTH ADELAIDE FOOTBALL CLUB - FAREWELL TO FRED LE MESSURIER

A farewell evening was tendered by the North Adelaide Football Club on Saturday to their popular player Dr. F.N. Le Messurier, who is leaving for the front with the Australian Stationary Hospital.

After the loyal toast, the chairman of committees, Mr. J. F. Bennett, on behalf of the members of the club, presented Dr. Le Messurier with a Surgeon's hypodermic case, and referred to the high esteem in which he was held by the club. He felt sure that the same bulldog tenacity shown by him on the football field would be equally prominent when he was alleviating the wounded on the battlefield, either, friend or foe, and if the occasion arose he would not hesitate to forsake the scalpel for the sword. He wished him a safe voyage, a successful campaign, and a triumphant return.”
Source: 26 Nov 1914, The Mail (Adelaide, SA: 1912 – 1954)

Adelaide University Cricket Club

Freddy Le Messurier had been a prominent cricketer at SPSC and continued his strong performances in this sport at University. In 1910 he was selected in the AUCC first ever Inter-Varsity cricket team which travelled to Sydney, captained by C.E. Dolling, later to become a prominent first-class cricketer and administrator. This match was won by Sydney University.

Freddy was awarded a Blue for Cricket in 1915.

World War I

On 7 October 1914, at age 23, Dr F.N. Le Messurier received his commission as a Captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps, Australian Imperial Force. Assigned to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital (1st ASH), which had been raised in Adelaide, Fred embarked on 5th December 1914 for service overseas from Melbourne onboard the troopship, HMAT Kyarra to join up with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces (MEF) in Egypt. The 1st ASH was initially based in Egypt where preparation was underway for the attack on Gallipoli. After the landing on Anzac Cove, the 1st ASH was responsible for treating those who were wounded or ill and repatriated back to Egypt. During the last half 1915 the 1st ASH was transferred to the Gallipoli Peninsula where they witnessed the War first-hand. After the evacuation of the MEF from Gallipoli, from December 1915 until September 1916 Fred was based again in Egypt.

In September 1916 Fred departed Alexandria for England. Following a promotion to Major and deployment to the 13th Field Ambulance in France he then joined up with the 12th Field Ambulance on the Western Front in March 1917.

He was well known in Adelaide and had a high profile as indicated by the following press article in The Journal (Adelaide, SA: 1912 - 1923) in a page 1 article on 22 July 2015:
“There is no more popular and better-known footballer at the front than Captain F.N. Le Messurier. He is the son of Mr A. Le Messurier of North Adelaide and, before going to the war with the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital, was vice-captain of the North Adelaide club.”

As with many soldiers in the theatre of war, Dr Le Messurier had various ailments that required hospitalisation. These included pleurisy in June 2015 and influenza in July 1915. In addition, he was admitted to hospital for appendicitis in September 1915 and for similar symptoms on 2 January 2016 and had an appendectomy on 4 January 2016.

Freddy was twice mentioned in Despatches. The first time was in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 7 April 1918 which submitted names worthy of special mention and a further one by Sir Douglas on 8 November 1918.

Major Le Messurier’s heroic efforts were very conspicuous from 8 to 10 August 1918, when east of Hamel, France, he evacuated wounded soldiers while under fire. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. See the documentation below.

The next month Freddy was promoted to temporary Lieutenant Colonel and placed in command of the 12th Field Ambulance.

Lieutenant Colonel F.N. Le Messurier departed England on the Orontes on 20 December 1918 and arrived back in Melbourne on 13 February 1919. He then returned to Adelaide on the Karoola whereupon his A.I.F. appointment was terminated on 17 April 1919 as hostility had ceased.

Marriage and Family

Freddy married Frieda Gwendoline James on 9 November 1920 in the chapel of St Peter’s College with Anglican rites. The Le Messuriers had a son, John Frederick Le Messurier, who was born 22nd October 1922.

World War II
In World War II, Dr Le Messurier mobilized in 1940. In December 1941 he was appointed Officer in Command of the 105th Australian General Hospital, Adelaide. He was promoted to temporary Colonel in October 1942. His task was to establish the unit and supervise the construction of what later became the Repatriation General Hospital, Springbank (Daw Park).

On 27 May 1941 the Adelaide News reported on his appointment in the following article:
“COMMANDER CHOSEN FOR MILITARY HOSPITAL

F. N. Le Messurier, D.S.O., a leading North Terrace specialist, has been appointed to command the unit staffing the new military base hospital at Colonel Light Gardens.

Arrangements for staffing the hospital were announced today, when it was stated that there were vacancies for between 50 and 60 experienced men.

Medical authorities are ready for the selection and training of NCO’s and medical orderlies. Old soldiers up to 55, who served in the Australian Army Medical Corps in the last War will be given preference of enlistment. Men who have applied for overseas service with the A.I.F. in the present War, but are graded as Class 2 (unfit for overseas for medical reasons) may also enlist in the hospital unit.”
Source: The News (Adelaide, SA: 1923 – 1954)

His personal contacts, including members of his family who were prominent timber merchants, were useful in obtaining building materials for the hospital, beyond those provided under the contract. His effective management style resulted in the successful completion of the project. Dr Le Messurier remained in command of the hospital until 1946.

In an attempt to make the Repatriation Hospital self-sufficient and to provide a form of therapy, staff and patients grew food and raised animals. Among his other innovative achievements were the enclosure of sunrooms for the wards and the construction of a bowling-green, bathing-box and canteen.

The Adelaide News reported on a post World War II get-together at the Repatriation Hospital, where two prominent Adelaide University cricketers and footballers, who had spent time in charge of the hospital during the War, were the main dignitaries.

“Reunion at Daws Road

Colonel F. N. Le Messurier and Lieutenant-Colonel C. B. Sangster, former commanding officers of Daws Road Military Hospital, will receive the guests at a reunion of former staff members of the hospital on Friday week. The function will be in the S.P.F. hall in the grounds of the hospital and will take the form of a buffet lea and social evening.”
Source: 18 Feb 1947 Adelaide News (Adelaide, SA: 1923 – 1954)

Medical Career (refer also to published biographies - see document)

After the end of World War I, Dr Le Messurier accepted a post as a Resident Medical Officer at the Children's Hospital, Melbourne, and developed an interest in Paediatrics. In 1922 he joined the staff of Mareeba Babies' Hospital, Adelaide, and later became an honorary Medical Officer. Ward 6A was named after him. He was honorary assistant-physician from 1924 and honorary physician (1926 to 1947) at the Adelaide Children's Hospital; a member of the hospital's board, and he served as Deputy President from 1947 to 1958.

Specializing as a Paediatrician, he took particular interest in parent education, infant feeding and the management of pre-school children.

Freddy retained a connection with St Peter's College as its school doctor (1927 to 1961). At the University of Adelaide, he lectured from 1935 on the medical diseases of children and was an occasional demonstrator in Anatomy. He was on the committee of the Babies Hospital Association in the 1930’s.
Death

Freddy died on 19 May 1966 at age 75 in Calvary Hospital at North Adelaide. Freddy’s wife, Freida died on 18 November 1964, aged 73 years.

Epitaph

Dr F. N. Le Messurier was a stocky man, widely known as Freddy and sometimes irreverently as 'Freddo the Frog'. He was a multi-talented man with a keen sense of humour; he inspired confidence and could be considerate and kind. Freddy was a strong disciplinarian, sometimes prone to the details and reluctant to delegate. Despite this trait, he was fair, reasonable and popular amongst his colleagues.

Biography Compiled by David Bartlett (AUFC/AUCC)
With additional information and photographs added by Rob O'Shannassy (AUCC)

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