Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

PETCHELL John Harold MB BS

1904- 1968

John (Jack) Harold Petchell was born in Kaniva, VIC, on 14th December 1904. His parents were Mark Petchell and Teresa May, nee Smith. They were mainly wheat farmers at Sandsmere in the Western Wimmera Shire of Victoria. His father died of typhoid fever in April 1905; some years later Teresa married William Arthur Kelly who was appointed Town Clerk and City Engineer at Preston. William and Teresa had four children. Petchell was educated at Scotch College, Melbourne, and studied medicine at Melbourne University, where he graduated MB BS in 1931.  At school and university, he excelled at football and cricket being in the first teams. He was awarded three Blues for football at university, and he served with the Melbourne University Regiment. He played for South Melbourne in the VFL, in 1928, and captained the club in 1929. He moved to Adelaide in 1931. Petchell married Evelyn Alice Chapple on 14th February 1934. She was daughter of Dr Frederick John Chapple and Mary Alice, nee Fletcher. Evelyn’s aunt and uncle were Drs Phoebe Chapple MM and Harold Chapple. Frederick, Phoebe and Harold had served in WW1. Petchell joined his father–in–law in practice and continued there until his death. They had three sons and two daughters. He played tennis for Sturt, eventually finding it too strenuous he took up bowls, a sport at which he was to excel for the rest of his life.

Petchell, was an honorary captain on the Roll of Officers from 4th June 1940, and was called up for full-time duty with the AAMC, on 17th December 1941. At this time, he was living at 358 Unley Road, Unley Park. He was posted as MO to 18th Light Horse Regiment in 4MD. He transferred to 2/AIF on 6th July 1942 and was attached to 14 Armoured Regiment. He was then detached to Drake Force and posted to 4th FdAmb, and embarked for Milne Bay, on 21st February 1943, arriving there on 1st March 1943. Petchell was then briefly sent to 22nd Inf Bn from 19th December 1943 until 28th December 1943.  He was subsequently admitted to 4th FdAmb with dengue fever in January 1944. Petchell returned to Australia on 18th July 1944; placed on the Reserve of Officers on 21st June 1944 he was discharged on 2nd August 1944. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his service, and it was gazetted on 14th March 1945.

Petchell returned to his practice in Unley, SA, after discharge and was able to continue his interest in lawn bowls. He was president and committee member of the Sturt Bowling Club, SA, for 14 years, he was club champion nine times between 1940 and 1968 and State Champion of Champions three times. He was the State Singles Champion on four occasions. He was the Australian singles champion in 1946 and 1947. He played, as the sole South Australian, in the Empire Games Trials in 1958, and won the singles final against Glyn Bosito. He had a host of other bowling trophies. The Sturt bowls clubhouse is named after him. His widow formally named the 'Dr Jack Petchell Memorial Clubhouse' on 11th October 1968. He was a councillor for the Parkside Ward in the Unley City Council from July 1952 to June 1953. Also, he was a foundation member of the Hawthorn Lewis Lodge. He was the author of Chapter 5, How an average Bowler can improve, in the book, Lawn Bowls the Australian Way, Edited by Jack Pollard in 1962. John Harold Petchell died on 10th August 1968; survived by his wife and three sons and two daughters. One son, David, a medical practitioner, followed him into general practice.

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