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DORSCH William Bernhard MB BS

1909-1975

William (Wilhelm) Bernhard Dorsch was born, on 6th June 1909, in North Adelaide, SA. His parents were Reverend Kaspar Dorsch and Agnes, nee Heyne. He was the brother of Carl Emil Dorsch who served as a medical officer in WW1.  His father had five children by a previous marriage to Clara Strempel and another eight with Agnes. Dorsch’s father suffered health problems which resulted in Agnes being responsible for the care of the large family. She was also a brilliant academic. She was able to assist in the children's education and many, as a result, gained scholarships and university degrees. One of his sisters was awarded the Catherine Helen Spence Memorial Scholarship, and, at one time, was the Principle of Adelaide High School. She died suddenly in London in 1933. Dorsch was educated at Prince Alfred College and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, where he was a resident at St Mark’s College, graduating, MB BS with credit in 1933.  He was recommended for the Chas Gosse Medal for ophthalmology and BMA Prize in Medicine. He represented the university in hockey at inter-varsity level. After a time as RMO at the ACH he left to undertake a locum tenens position. He eventually was working as a medical practitioner in Broken Hill when he left to join the Army.

Dorsch joined the AAMC on 14th September 1941 as an honorary captain immediately placed on full-time duty, he was attached to 48 Bn at Warradale, SA.  He enlisted in the 2/AIF on 23rd July 1942. He was single and named his mother, of Fullarton SA, as his next of kin. He was posted to 110 CCS and embarked on the Cremor for PNG on 12th August 1942 arriving in Milne Bay on 21st August 1942. He had detachments to heavy battery and fire control units during 1943 and 1944 and to 1 Aust Fire Comd HQ in January 1944. He was detached to 2/1 AGH on 17th April 1944 before joining the hospital ship Von De Bosch as MO, and returning to Australia on 26th May, to 4MD in June 1944, and attached to 105 AMH.  He was released by the Army in September 1944, detailed for duty locum tenens as superintendent of the Broken Hill Hospital. He re-joined his unit, 110 CCS, and promoted to major, on 23rd February 1945. His unit was sent with the 9th Div to Tarakan in Borneo on 22nd April 1945. Dorsch remained with 110 CCS until his return to Australia on 11th January 1946.  He was Mentioned in Despatches, for his service in South East Asia. He was discharged on 28th February 1946 and transferred to the Reserve of Officers. Meanwhile, the Broken Hill Hospital Board had been pressuring the Minister to have Dorsch released from the Army.

Dorsch’s arrival back at Broken Hill Hospital was delayed even further due to the illness of his mother. He worked at the hospital in Broken Hill until he resigned to enter private practice in 1949. He married Dr Margaret Rugless, a medical practitioner, with whom he had worked, on 9th September 1950, in the Flinders Street Lutheran Church, Adelaide. She was the daughter of Mr and Mrs EH Rugless of Randwick, NSW. His wife joined him in his private practice in Broken Hill.  He was appointed to the Medical Board of NSW following nomination by the Broken Hill Mine Owners. Dorsch from time to time took up an acting superintendent position at the hospital during absences of the incumbents. He and his wife later moved back to SA and were living in Campbelltown in 1961. William Bernhard Dorsch died on 12th March 1975 and is buried in West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia.

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