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LE MESSURIER David Hugh BSc (Hons) MB ChB

1912-1976

David Hugh Le Messurier was born in Adelaide, on the 29th of March 1912. He was the son of Alfred Le Messurier, a timber merchant and shipping businessman, and his second wife, Lillian Chewings, a nurse who had cared for his first wife, Joan, during her terminal illness. Le Messurier was educated at St Peter’s College and studied science at the University of Adelaide where he graduated BSc in physiology and organic chemistry in 1932 and BSc (Hons) in physiology and pharmacology in 1932. His first scientific paper, (with C H Kellaway), in 1935, described the venom of the platypus. His other interests included swimming and tennis. Le Messurier then studied medicine at Edinburgh University, and graduated MB BCh in 1940. Returning to Adelaide, he did his residency at the RAH in 1940. Le Messurier married Patricia O’Dea Leyden, daughter of Justin Leyden and Meta Augusta, nee O’Dea of Glenunga, SA, in London, on 1st July 1936. They returned to SA and lived in Dequetteville Terrace, Kent Town, where they had two children, Patricia Anne, born in 1937 and David Hugh, born in 1941. Patricia lived at 48 Lincoln Road, Essendon, Victoria during his RAAF service.

Le Messurier was appointed as a flight lieutenant in the Medical Branch of the RAAF, on 5th June 1941; his commission was confirmed on 28th January 1942. He was promoted to squadron leader on 1st December 1943. After Officers Training School at Laverton, he was posted to 5 Recruit Centre in Adelaide from 18th August 1941. He was a medical officer at 3EFTS, Essendon, Vic, for five months from 13th October 1941. He was placed on a flying course and completed elementary flying training. He undertook the investigation for the DGMS of causes of flying failure amongst cadets. Posted to 1 Training Group from 28th February 1942; and 6 RAAF Hospital from 12th April 1943, he was the officer in charge of the Clinical Investigation Unit, University of Melbourne, Aviation Medicine Indoctrination and Research; he was responsible for the indoctrination of 1200 aircrew and 20 medical officers in aviation physiology and high altitude, low-pressure chamber technique. He spent five months in Canada and the USA, from August 1943, to acquire first-hand knowledge of recent developments in aviation medicine, he also took a course of flying training and was always keen on all aspects of aviation. He returned to 54 Sqn at RAAF Darwin on 13th March 1944 and then went to RAAF HQ as Director of Aviation Medicine Research from 5th September 1944. A report by Air Vice Marshal Hurley DGMS RAAF, on 16th April 1945, stated that Le Messurier had sound professional training and experience in physiology and aviation medicine. He had previously spent some time in the Department of Physiology at the University of Adelaide and, in January 1945, the University requested his early discharge so that he could take the position of Acting Professor of Physiology for Sir Stanton Hicks who, at the direction of the Prime Minister had taken up the post of Director of Army Catering. He was transferred to the RAAF Reserve on 9th February 1945.

Le Messurier took up the post of Acting Professor of Physiology at the University of Adelaide on 9th February 1945 and held this appointment until 28th February 1946, when Sir Stanton Hicks returned to resume his appointment. Le Messurier returned to the position of a post graduate lecturer in Physiology. He was awarded a Rockefeller Scholarship and spent three years overseas in the USA. While attending international meetings overseas, he was promoted to temporary group captain and called up for short terms of full-time duty. His research also included ultrasound and super-sound studies for the RAAF. David Hugh Le Messurier died in Adelaide on 9th November 1976.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

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

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD