Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

WALLMAN Douglas Robson MB BS

1896-1969

Douglas Robson Wallman (Wallmann) was born in Adelaide, on 4th March 1896, the second son of August Gustav (Gus) Wallmann, a sharebroker and financier, and Louisa Haynes, nee Davis, of North Adelaide. He was educated at Prince Alfred College and the University of Adelaide where he graduated MB BS in 1918. He was first registered on the Medical Register in South Australia in December 1918. His medical training had been interrupted by WW1. Wallman enlisted on 18th June 1915, only to be discharged on 30th July 1915, to complete his medical studies. At some point he changed his name from Wallmann to Wallman He re-enlisted as a temporary captain in the AAMC on 17th June 1918 and was discharged on 18th November 1918. He married Florence Maya Wood, only daughter of Mr and Mrs JR Wood of Rose Lodge, St George’s Crescent, Drummoyne, NSW, on 10th April 1920, in Sydney.  His first practice in country NSW, was followed by a practice in Naracoorte, South Australia, with Dr H K Pavy, for seven and a half years and he left for Adelaide in 1930. Wallman developed an interest in anaesthetics and was the secretary of the Australasian Medical Congress, anaesthetics section, in 1937. He was living at 30 Grange Road, New Hindmarsh, SA when he enlisted in December 1941.

Wallman was called up for full-time duty, in the AAMC, at the rank of captain, on 15th December 1941 and taken on strength with 3rd FdAmb embarking for 8MD on 3rd January 1942. He was detached to 49 Bn for two weeks in February and March 1942. He served with 3rd FdAmb, 14th FdAmb, 49Bn and 39 Bn along what is now known as the Kokoda Track. He went forward from Ilolo to treat casualties evacuated from Isurava, setting up the rear dressing station of 14th FdAmb at Eora Creek in August 1942.  Moving forward to Templeton’s Crossing before the remainder of 14 FdAmb joined his party by 30th August 1942. Finally, he moved on to Ioribaiwa. He volunteered to join 2/AIF on 9th November 1942; he returned to Australia on 14th February 1943 and was reallocated to 46 ACH.  Wallman returned to PNG, with 46 ACH, on 3rd April 1943. He embarked from Port Moresby on SS Manunda on 26th December 1943 disembarking in Brisbane four days later and returning to 4MD. His last day of full-time duty was 12th January 1944, and he transferred to the Reserve of Officers the following day.

Wallman returned to his general practice at 188 North Terrace, Adelaide, and at 26 Grange Road, West Hindmarsh, SA.  His home, was robbed of one hundred pounds worth of jewellery, late in July 1947. His son, Richard, had also served in WW2, in the RAAF. His only daughter, Patricia, who was initially engaged to David Chisolm of Elizabeth Bay, Sydney, married John Simpson at the St Peter’s College Chapel on 28th April 1948. His son, James Douglas Robson Wallman, graduated MB BS from the University of Adelaide in 1950 and subsequently joined his father’s practice in Hindmarsh. Douglas Robson Wallman died on 16th June 1969; survived by his wife Maya, sons 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