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Born on June 16, 1907, at Glenthompson, VIC, Australia Richard Geoffrey was the son of well known surgeon Constantine Trent Champion de Crespigny and Beatrix Hughes, he was the brother of Nancy Movius; Margaret Champion de Crespigny and Adrian Norman Champion de Crespigny

Died February 12, 1966 in Adelaide, SA, Australia
Immediate Family:

Husband of Kathleen Cudmore

CHAMPION DE CRESPIGNY Richard Geoffrey OBE ED

MB BS FRACP

1907-1966

Richard Geoffrey Champion de Crespigny was born on 16th June 1907, in Glenthompson, Victoria.  He was the son of Sir Constantine Trent Champion de Crespigny, a general practitioner, and his first wife Beatrix, nee Hughes. He had a sister, Nancy and a brother Adrian. His father moved the family to Adelaide when he was appointed to the Adelaide Hospital, as Medical Superintendent, in 1909. His father was later a leading physician and a major influence on the establishment of the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science in Adelaide. Champion de Crespigny was educated at Geelong Grammar and studied medicine at the University of Melbourne. He represented Melbourne University in rowing from 1927-1929.  He went overseas to further his postgraduate studies, after a resident year at the Adelaide Hospital. Returning to Australia, in 1933, he married Kathleen Cavanagh Mainwaring Cudmore, the daughter of Arthur Murray Cudmore and Kathleen Mary nee Cavanagh Mainwaring, on 10th June 1933, in Saint Peter’s College Chapel. They subsequently had one son, Rafe, born in 1936. Champion de Crespigny was elected to Membership of the Royal Australian College of Physicians in 1936.

Champion de Crespigny was commissioned in the AAMC, on 19th April 1939, and enlisted in the AIF on 18th October 1939. He was initially posted to the Army Medical Directorate with responsibility for equipment and supplies. When the 6th Division took Tobruk, on 22nd January 1941, he was appointed DADAH and was part of the re-establishment of the facilities and hygiene in the area, in anticipation of Tobruk becoming a forward base. When the siege commenced, he was promoted temporary major. He was promoted lieutenant colonel, in July 1941, and became DADMS until the relief of the siege. His extended period in Tobruk led to his nickname “the old Man of Tobruk”; he was Mentioned in Despatches during this service. Subsequent appointments included in AIF HQ in the Middle East as DADAH and later as DADMS from 1943 to the end of the war. He had senior appointments in L of C and 1st Army HQ as ADMS. Champion de Crespigny was placed on the Reserve of Officers. He was placed on the active list in the CMF and appointed CO of 3rd FdAmb, on 7th June 1948. He was given leave and attached to a British Army Unit on 30th May 1950. He resumed command of 3rd FdAmb in November 1950. He recommended the establishment of 1st Casualty Clearing Station (Central Command). This was approved. He then relinquished command of 3rd FdAmb and was appointed CO of 101 Casualty Clearing Station on 18th January 1952. He was also appointed Senior Medical Officer 9th Brigade on 2nd February 1952. Champion de Crespigny was relieved of command of 1st Casualty Clearing Station and appointed CO of 104 Military Hospital in November 1952 at the rank of temporary colonel. His promotion to colonel was confirmed on 3rd August 1953. He relinquished command of 104 Military Hospital in 1959 and was placed on the Reserve of Officers. He was appointed Honorary Physician to the Governor General in 1956.

Champion de Crespigny was interested in the care of children, and following some junior appointments was appointed as honorary physician at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital. He was awarded   Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Physicians, in 1953. He was the President of the BMA (South Australian Branch) from 1960-1961. Champion de Crespigny served on both the State Committee of the RACP and the Paediatric Association. He resigned from the Adelaide Children’s Hospital, in 1960, and took up the position of Medical Director of the Mothers and Babies Association. He was appointed in the Order of the British Empire. Richard Geoffrey Champion de Crespigny died on 12th February 1966, in Adelaide.

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