Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

HUGHES James Estcourt RANR MS FRACS

1904-1996

James Estcourt Hughes was born, on the 24th November 1904, in Malvern, SA.  Throughout his life his surname was referred to as Estcourt Hughes. He was the son of the Reverend Henry Estcourt Hughes. He was educated at Adelaide Boys High School, and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide.  He was awarded the Dr Davies Thomas Prize and graduated MB BS in 1926. He lived at 21 Union Street, Dulwich, SA. Hughes then worked at the Adelaide Hospital for the next five years as a resident and registrar. He travelled to the United Kingdom for surgical training and returned well trained by the standards of the of the day. He was appointed Honorary Clinical Assistant at the Adelaide Hospital from 1936 to 1940. His MS degree was conferred in 1936 by the University of Adelaide. Hughes married Elspeth (Betty) Black in 1935.  She was the daughter of Dr and Mrs Jamison Black, of Carlton, Victoria.

Hughes was mobilised for duty on 9th January 1941 with the rank of Surgeon Lieutenant RANR. His wife, Betty, of 130 Goodwood Rd, Cumberland Park was named as his next of kin. The next eighteen months were spent ashore at HMAS Torrens, Penguin, Cerberus and Rushcutters with promotion, to surgeon lieutenant commander, in March 1943. Then appointed to the Flag Ship Australia with surgeon lieutenant W D Ackland-Horman, also from Adelaide. Australia carried a surgeon commander who was the squadron medical officer and two more junior reserve medical officers, who were often more experienced. The heavy cruiser was part of the US-led allied fleet in the Pacific involved in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Australia, on 21st October, 1944, in the Lingayen Gulf, was struck by a Japanese bomber that crashed into the foremast and bridge (killing the Captain) and severely wounding, mostly burns, seventy crew members. Estcourt Hughes was Mentioned in Despatches for, gallantry, skill and devotion in assault operations under dangerous conditions. Hughes was demobilised, in July 1945, but remained in the Reserve as the District Naval Medical Officer, Port Adelaide. He was promoted surgeon commander, on the 30th June 1949, and finally transferred to the Retired List on 28th May 1958.

Hughes returned to Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1946, specialising in neurosurgery.  During the war, he had developed an interest in head injuries and initially he took the post of an honorary assistant neurosurgeon, although he had had no formal training in neurosurgery, unlike those army surgeons who had served in the mobile neurosurgical units formed by Sir Hugh Cairns.  Sir Leonard Lindon, his senior, who was also self-taught in neurosurgery, could not provide any further training.  Consequently, Hughes left neurosurgery and returned to general surgery as an honorary assistant surgeon from 1951 to 1956. He remained at the RAH and became an honorary surgeon until 1964, then the honorary consulting surgeon, and eventually Emeritus Surgeon from 1964 until 1996.  He was much respected as a caring and compassionate doctor, and an excellent teacher.  Hughes had a lifelong interest in history and delivered the Moran Lecture in 1950, on the life and times of the Elizabethan surgeon, John Woodall.  After his retirement, he published A History of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, in 1967, and a second expanded edition in 1982.  His second book was a biography of Sir Henry Simpson Newland, in 1972, which does full justice to that brilliant surgeon.  James Estcourt Hughes died on 17th February 1996 in Adelaide; he was survived by his wife, Betty, their five children, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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