Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

WIGG Neil Thorburn Melrose MB BS MRCP

1901- 1995

Neil Thorburn Melrose Wigg was born on 15th May 1901, in Edmonton, Middlesex, England. He was the son of Dr Henry Higham Wigg, the son of Edgar Smith Wigg who established the Adelaide book company, ES Wigg & Sons, and Lillie Margaret Jane, nee Melrose. His mother was the granddaughter of South Australian pioneer George Melrose, one of the founders of sheep farming in SA. Wigg was educated at Adelaide High School and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1925.  Following his resident year, he travelled to London, and gained his MRCP in 1927. He married Margaret Annie Ross, in 1927, in Chelsea, London England.

Wigg was in the AAMC from 18th December 1940 and was called up for full-time duty on 12th March 1942, and posted to 101 AGH. He was transferred to the ACH at Larrimah, Northern Territory, on 12th March 1942 and was marched in to that unit on 29th April 1942. Wigg was promoted to temporary major on 11th August 1942. He was posted to 12 AGH on 27th August 1942, and his majority was confirmed on 1st September 1942. He enlisted in the 2/AIF at Katherine, NT, on 2nd November 1942. He named his wife of 10 Edwin Terrace Gilberton, SA, as his next of kin. Wigg had detachments as area commandant at Larrimah Barracks, Darwin, on two occasions. Wiggs contracted entero-colitis in February 1943, and was admitted to 121 AGH, then discharged on 13th March 1943. He returned to South Australian LoC on 19th August 1943 for duty with 119 AGH. Wiggs was appointed OC Medical with 118 AGH in Northam, WA, on 4th December 1945. Following minor surgery, he was sent to New South Wales LoC area and was subsequently posted for service in Rabaul, PNG, on 8th January1946.  After five months he returned to Australia on 2nd May 1946 and then to 4 MD for discharge. He was discharged on 27th August 1946 and was placed on the Reserve of Officers.

Following the war, Wigg returned to a general practice in Walkerville and St Peters, SA. He was a member of the AMA and had retired by 1974, living in Edwin Terrace, Gilberton, at the time. His wife, Margaret died on the 6th September 1969. Neil Thorburn Melrose Wigg died on the 14th October 1995, survived by his daughter Janet.

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