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PELLEW Leonard James Ternouth MB BS FRCS, FRACS

1909 – 1988

Leonard James Ternouth Pellew was born on the 22nd February 1909, at Balaklava, SA.  He was the son of Leonard James Pellew CBE, a medical practitioner, and Hirell Alice, nee Ternouth. His father had served in France during WW1 and was Mentioned in Despatches. Pellew was educated at St Peter’s College and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1932.  While at school he was awarded the Allen Scholarship and the McDonald Scholarship.  He captained the universities cricket and baseball teams in 1932 and was the secretary of the medical student’s society in 1931.  On completion of his degree, he did his resident year at the Adelaide Hospital and held house appointments until 1935.  Pellew travelled to England to obtain his FRCS, in 1936, and was appointed a resident surgical officer at Woolwich Memorial Hospital, in 1937. While in England he married Constance Mayo Reid, in October 1937. She was the only daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles Mayo Reid of Unley Park, SA. Constance had travelled to England to continue her studies in massage (physiotherapy). Pellew and his new wife returned to Adelaide, and he took up a post as a clinical assistant at the RAH, in 1938. 

Pellew enlisted on the 14th May 1941 and named his wife as his next of kin.  He had previously served as a captain in the CMF, in 6th Cav FdAmb. He remained in 4 MD in 1941 and 1942 with a posting as a MO to 18 Garrison Bn and Keswick Barracks. He was promoted temporary major in March and transferred to 2/AIF on 13th July 1942. His promotion was confirmed on 1st September 1942, and he was attached to 6th Lt FdAmb, followed by a posting to Fortress Camp Hospital in the NT, in April 1943. He was transferred, as a surgeon, to 129 AGH, Alice Springs, NT, in June 1943, then, remaining in the NT, he was posted to several Australian general hospitals at Darwin, Katherine and Adelaide River, these included: 2/4 AGH. 129, AGH and 101 AGH. He embarked at Darwin, for Sydney, on the 2/2nd hospital ship, Wanganella, on 30th November 1944, arriving in Sydney on 8th December 1944. He was attached to 2/11th AGH and 103 AGH in NSW until January 1946, and then returned to SA, where he was allotted to 105 AMH. He remained in SA until his discharge in April 1946 and placed on the Reserve of Officers.

After the war, Pellew returned to the RAH as a clinical surgical assistant. He obtained his FRACS in 1948 and was a member of the AMA. He became honorary consultant surgeon at the RAH in 1969. Leonard James Ternouth Pellew died on 21st May 1988.  His wife, Constance, died in 2000.

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