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Australia

Early Life and Education

Hubert Melville Jay was born at North Adelaide on January 3rd, 1986. His parents were Melville Richard Hindmarsh Jay and Clarissa Eveline (née Bowman). Their residence was at Buxton Street North Adelaide. Both his Father and Grandfather, Richard Gardiner Jay (an early colonist), were members of the medical profession.

Early Schooling was at Queens School, North Adelaide where he sat for his Junior Public Examinations in 1899 and 1900. He played in the Queen's School Cricket team against the other colleges.

As was common in this era, parents then sent their sons to St Peter's College (SPSC) to complete their Senior Public Examinations and Higher Certificate. Hubert attended from 1901 until 1903 completing the Adelaide University Senior Public Examinations and passed enough subjects to qualify for entry into medicine and follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. At Saints he showed great sporting ability and first played in the 1st XI cricket team, including the intercollegiate cricket match against Prince Alfred College (PAC) in 1902. Unfortunately, PAC were too strong and SPSC were soundly beaten. Hubert bowled well taking 3 wickets and made 32 runs and a duck batting.

In the 1903 Intercollegiate match Saints again lost to PAC. Hubert, like most of his team-mates failed with the bat, but again bowled well. He headed both the batting and bowling performances for the school in 1903.

The same year (1903) he won the College Cup at the school's athletics carnival held on Adelaide Oval, narrowly defeating W.L. Strachan 13 points to 11.

In 1904, at the time of commencing his medical studies, the University did not have an established cricket team. The fine young all-rounder from Saint Peter's College had been already recognised as a talented player by the North Adelaide SACA Electorate cricket club (for whom he was residentially bound) and had been selected for a single match in their A grade team at the end of the 1902/03 season. After leaving St Peter’s College he naturally continued his cricket with them until the end of the 1907/8 season.

At the end of 1904, while Electorate matches were in recess, Hubert travelled to Victoria with the “Full Members’ Cricket Club” (a SACA Members group) to play matches against the Stawell C and Melbourne Cricket Club.

Hubert was also a keen golfer, playing at the Adelaide Golf Club. Later becoming the Royal Adelaide Golf Club his father also played there as would many future generations of the Jay family.

Adelaide University

Hubert enrolled in medicine at Adelaide University in 1904. His medical studies progressed well, and he was awarded his M.B. B.S. at the end of 1908.

Adelaide University Sport

Cricket

The Adelaide University Cricket Club had become a member of the AU Sports Association in 1907 and in the 1908/09 season was finally admitted to the SACA A Grade District competition. The proposal for the Club to have a team in the highest level first came in 1897 but the other clubs were always hesitant to accept this as they would lose some of their better young players. Although nearing the end of his medical course, Hubert as an already established player and SACA full member, was very supportive of the AUCC's inclusion. At a specially convened meeting (just before the SACA Annual General Meeting) in September 1908 the Cricket Committee was to consider the admission of two new clubs: Glenelg and University. There was no problem with the admission of the seaside-team, but controversy raged about including the student side. At the meeting, numerous speakers put up their point of views and it was Hubert Jay that made a most rational and convincing argument.

Hubert was only able to play a few A Grade games for the AUCC before embarking on his professional career. He had been an important proponent for the Club’s formation and admission and was a member of the first Adelaide University Cricket Club side that took the field on the 3rd of October 1908 against the other new club, Glenelg at Glenelg Oval.

Hubert also participated in university athletics as a participant and official during his student years. He also kept fit during the winter months playing Lacrosse.

Embarking on a Professional Career and Service in World War 1

Soon after graduation Hubert travelled to London and the Continent to pursue post graduate studies in the eye, ear, nose, and throat specialties.

Later on, returning to Adelaide after his specialist studies in London and Vienna he married Dorothea von Doussa daughter of Alfred von Doussa of Hahndorf in November 1914. With the outbreak of war and Australia's commitment to the Empire, family life would be affected for the next four years. Fortunately, Hubert would be required to serve as a medical officer on the home front. There had been a relative shortage of doctors in South Australia at the time, a result of the Adelaide "Hospital Row" (1896 - 1902) when clinical training was suspended because of a dispute between medical consultants and the hospital board over a nursing appointment.

Service in World War 1

In September 1915 Hubert Melville Jay was appointed under State Commandant District Orders published in the Australian Government Gazette to the Australian Army Medical Corps Reserve with the rank of Captain. He was appointed to the position of Senior Medical Officer at the Exhibition Camp which was located near Jubilee Oval behind the North Terrace Exhibition Building. The location today would be between the Barr Smith Library and Frome Road on the Adelaide University Campus. His main role initially would be conducting the medical examinations of new recruits.

In 1917 he was promoted to the rank of Major and was appointed as Secretary and Registrar of the No. 7 Australian General Hospital at Keswick where servicemen who were repatriated back to Australia with war injuries and illness could be cared for.

Service in World War 2

In the Second World War at the age of 53, he enlisted and served in the Australian Army Medical Corps (1939 - 1948).

Hubert Melville Jay's career and interests are concisely summarised on the in the publication "Who's Who" - 1936 (see document).

Royal Adelaide Golf Club

Away from his medical practice Hubert had many sporting interests with golf among them. His father had been Club Captain at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club in 1903 and he no doubt introduced his son to the sport at a young age to begin a lifelong association with the Seaton club. His prowess saw him competing in the State Amateur Championships.

He would become Club President in 1961, a position he held until his death in November 1963. He and Dorothea had five children, two sons and three daughters.

Following the family traditions one of his sons, Peter Gerald Jay (1917 - 1972), also became a doctor (MB. BS. 1941) and would become captain of the Royal Adelaide Golf Club (1966 - 1967).

Hubert's Grandson's Michael and Sandy also would play golf at Royal Adelaide with Michael becoming Club Captain (1912-14). Further, Michael (MB. BS. 1972) followed the specialty of his grandfather becoming an Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon.

Death

Hurbert passed away on the 27th November 1963, aged 77 at North Adelaide. He is interred at the Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide.