Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

FISHER Harry Medcalf CBE OBE ED

MB BS FRCS FRCOG LM DGO

1899 - 1982

Harry Medcalf Fisher was born on 28th May 1899, in North Adelaide. He was the son of Harry Gilbert Fisher and Elizabeth Marion, nee Medcalf.  He was educated at St Peter’s College and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS, in 1922.  He was a quadruple Blue and played Sheffield Shield cricket for SA from 1920 to 1921 and 1923 to 1924, as a right-hand batsman and right-hand fast-medium bowler.  He completed his residency at the Adelaide Hospital in 1923.  For a short time, he was in general practice and then went to train in obstetrics and gynaecology, at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, from 1929 to 1930, followed by St Mary Abbots Hospital in 1930 to 1931 and the Chelsea Hospital for Women, London, in 1931.  He passed the examinations for DGO (Dublin) and LM (Rotunda) in 1929 and FRCS (Edinburgh) in 1930 and returned to Australia, in 1931.  He served his surgical apprenticeship where his speed and skill in operating later kept him in the forefront as a surgeon-gynaecologist.  He passed the MRCOG examination, in 1935, and on return to Australia was appointed a clinical assistant at the Adelaide Hospital and the Queen's Home, later the Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital (QVMH), in 1939.  He married Dorothy Byass on 29th July 1931, but they later divorced. They had two children, a daughter Joan and son David.

Fisher enlisted in the AAMC, CMF, in March 1933, and was promoted to major, in 1939, and posted DADMS HQ 4 MD.  He transferred to the 2/AIF in May 1940 and was posted as OC HQ Coy 2/6th FdAmb.  The unit went to the Middle East in December, 1940.  During the Syrian campaign, he led the 2/6th FdAmb MDS, HQ Coy and a surgical team in Sidon.  He was posted to 2/1st AGH in Gaza, in July 1941 and, in November 1941, was promoted to lieutenant colonel and CO of 2/1st FdAmb at Zebadani, Syria as part of 6th Div Occupation Force.  2/1st FdAmb embarked for Ceylon in March, 1942; the unit returned to Australia in August 1942, and were then sent to Port Moresby, PNG.  Fisher was promoted colonel in September 1942 and posted as ADMS 6th Div.  6th Div was the rear area HQ with 30 Bde under command.  HQ 6th Div returned to Australia in February 1943 to Wondecla, Atherton Tablelands, QLD.  The 16 and 17 Bde’s of 6th Div remained in PNG during 1943, under other command HQs.  19 Bde 6th Div was in NORFORCE (Qld) and deployed to PNG in October 1944 to the Aitape, Wewak campaign. Fisher was appointed DMS HQ, 2 Aust Army, Sydney, from May 1945 to September 1945.  He was then posted CO 2/6th AGH in Labuan, Borneo until December 1945.  He was discharged from the 2/AIF, in March 1946, and returned to the CMF as DMS HQ 4MD until August 1948.  He was appointed OBE in 1946; For keen, efficient and unselfish service as ADMS 6 Aust Div, and in particular, his skilful handling of the Medical Services in the AITAPE Area. His citation goes on to say that because of his ability to manage many problems in a ‘zealous and tireless manner’, it resulted in a remarkably low sick rate of personnel in PNG.  He was awarded the Efficiency Decoration (ED).

Fisher resumed his appointments at the RAH as an honorary assistant gynaecologist and, at the QVMH, as an honorary obstetrician, in 1946.  He left SA and moved to Launceston, Tasmania in 1948.  He became an honorary gynaecologist at the Launceston General Hospital and an honorary obstetrician at the Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital, Launceston. He practised as a senior consultant in private practice in obstetrics and gynaecology.  He re-married, on 2nd December 1961, Alice Jean Farrell.   Fisher was interested in medical politics and he served as a State Councillor, AMA and then President of the Tasmanian Branch, in 1963.  He established the Fotheringham Research Scholarship, RCOG and served in senior positions in the College for some years.  Fisher then transferred his interest to local politics and, in 1963, he became an Alderman in the Launceston Council, and from 1971 to 1974 was the Lord Mayor of Launceston.  Fisher was a direct speaking, extroverted man who refused to compromise with the truth.  He could be implacable but always over matters of principle or his patients’ welfare.  He was greatly supportive of his colleagues and referring practitioners. Harry Medcalf Fisher died in Launceston on 14 Oct 1982; he was survived by his wife, ex-wife and children. His funeral was in the church that he helped rebuild and attended by a large congregation.

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