DEARLOVE, Thomas Pearce
| Service Number: | SX33399 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 February 1944, Wayville, SA |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/9th Australian General Hospital |
| Born: | Burra, South Australia, 17 November 1920 |
| Home Town: | Terowie, Goyder, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Medical Practitioner |
| Died: | Largs Bay South Australia, 8 July 2013, aged 92 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | District of Terowie Honour Roll WW2 |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Feb 1944: | Involvement Captain, SX33399 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Feb 1944: | Enlisted Wayville, SA | |
| 1 Feb 1944: | Enlisted SX33399 | |
| 12 Mar 1947: | Discharged Captain, SX33399, 2nd/9th Australian General Hospital | |
| 12 Mar 1947: | Discharged SX33399 | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Annette Summers
DEARLOVE Thomas Pearce MB BS FRACMA
1920 - 2013
Thomas Pearce Dearlove was born on 17th November 1920, in Kooringa, near Burra, South Australia. His parents were Archibald Sydney Dearlove and Nellie Victoria, nee Pearce. He was educated at Prince Alfred College and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1942. He completed a year as a resident medical officer at the RAH in 1943.
He had enlisted in 3rd FdAmb, as a private soldier in 1939, and on completion of his degree joined, with the rank of captain, in the AAMC on 1st February 1944. He gave his address as Burra, SA, and named his father of Terowie, SA, as his next of kin. He was immediately placed on full-time duty and transferred to 2 AAMC Trg Bn in Victoria. He was seconded to the 2/AIF on 1st February 1944. After a short period at a camp hospital, he was posted to 18 Inf Bn on 4th April 1944. Dearlove was later transferred to 1 RAE Trg Bn, followed by a posting to 2/9th AGH on 8th December 1944, then attached to 12 Camp Hospital on 11th January 1945. Dearlove embarked on the Gorgon for Morotai, on 3rd May 1945, and was allotted for duty with HQ RAE 7 Div on 2nd September 1945. He was posted again to 2/9th AGH and flew to Balikpapan, Borneo, on 2nd September. He left Balikpapan for Sydney, on 21st January 1946, before being transferred back to 4 MD on 21st February for attachment to the Inter-Service Medical Wing. He was marched out for demobilisation on 18th December 1946. Dearlove was granted 90 days leave for refresher medical study before his appointment terminated on 12th March 1947 and he was placed on the Reserve of Officers. He retired from the military on 17th December 1975.
After the war, Dearlove worked at the RAH before being appointed to the RGH, formerly 105 AMH, at Daw Park, SA, on17th March 1947. Dearlove spent the rest of his career in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dearlove married Josephine Maud Weaver, the daughter of George William Weaver and Kathleen Bianca, nee Denham in the Methodist Church, Kent Town on 2nd November 1950. Dearlove and his wife, Josephine, had a daughter on 7th September 1952. He was a foundation Fellow of the Australasian College of Medical Administrators in 1965. He ascended through the various levels of medical management at the RGH before moving to the Branch office of the Repatriation Department. He was described by Peter Last as “committed, humane, witty and modest”. He was appointed Director of Repatriation Medical Services in 1971, and retired in 1980 at the age of 60. Thomas Pearce Dearlove died on July 8th, 2013, at the age of 93 years, in Largs Bay, SA, survived by his wife and daughter.
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
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