Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

THOMSON Alexander McQueen MB BS

1914-1984

Alexander McQueen Thomson was born in Adelaide, on 19th February 1914; he was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs JS Thomson of Kensington Park. Thomson was educated at St Peter’s College and the University of Adelaide where he graduated MB BS in 1937. He was an RMO and Registrar at the RAH in 1938. Thomson married Gertrude (Gerta) McAree, in St Ignatius Church, Norwood, SA, on 30th April 1941. She was the elder daughter of Dr JV McAree, and Gertrude Annette, nee James.  Her mother, who been awarded an Elder Scholarship for singing, had died from illness, in 1931.

Thomson was serving in the AAMC Reserve, before he enlisted in the 2/AIF, in July 1941 and immediately taken on full-time duty. He was transferred as an RMO to 3 Trg Bn and attached to HQ SA LoC area. He remained with this posting until he was detached briefly to Terowie Staging Camp in February 1942, and then to 4th Garrison Bn as an RMO. However, within two weeks he was moved again to the 7MD, NT forces, ambulance train. He was admitted to 119 AGH, in NT, with gastroenteritis on 27th July 1942. Thomson was posted to 2/7th FdAmb on 19th November 1942 until he was sent to NSW LofC area on 28th January 1943.  He served here until he was transferred to QLD LoC in preparation for services overseas.  Thomson embarked from Brisbane for Finschhafen, on the Huon Peninsular, PNG on the Stephen Girard on 2nd of January 1944. He was posted to 2/15th FdAmb and served with this unit, apart from some short detachments, in PNG and Bougainville. He returned to Australia from Madang on 8th June 1945. Back in Australia, he took six months leave without pay and returned to short-term attachments within 3 MD Victoria. He was discharged on 13th March 1946 and placed on the Reserve of Officers.

After the war, he moved to Melbourne where his practice was based at 20 Collins Street, Melbourne and his residence was at 1217 Burke Road, Kew, Victoria. They had three children, a son, on 16th September 1944, in Calvary Hospital, Adelaide, a son, in Melbourne on 7th March 1947, a son, in Melbourne, on 20th February 1949, and a daughter, in Melbourne, on 21st August 1951. Alexander McQueen Thomson died 25th April 1984 in Blackburn, Victoria.

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