Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

McPHIE, John Milroy MD FRACP

1919-2011

John Milroy McPhie was born in Ceduna, SA, on 9th January 1919. He was the eldest son of Archie Hannaford McPhie, an assistant bank manager, and his wife Greta, nee, Robertson.  She was the daughter of Mr and Mrs James Robertson of Partridge Street, Glenelg. He was to spend his first few years in Ceduna, where he was home-schooled by his mother, before beginning formal schooling in Cleve, SA, where the family lived for eight years. His sister, Beth, was born in 1924. They lived in a galvanised iron house, had electricity, a horse and cart and later a car. McPhie was to recall these as good years; he had walked to school along a dirt road. The family holidayed in Glenelg with his grandparents. Later the family moved to Balaklava, SA, and McPhie became a boarder at Scotch College, Adelaide. He was academically successful, participated in athletics and started his hockey career. He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, and when Australia declared war, in 1939, McPhie, a third-year student, joined the CMF. He was directed to complete his medical training and graduated MB BS in April, rather than November 1941, having worked through the Christmas holidays to expedite graduation. While at university, he won a Blue for hockey and was selected for the Australian University team. McPhie finished his year of residency at the RAH.

McPhie joined the CMF, in 1938, while still at university and was appointed to the AAMC and served in 3rd FdAmb.  He enlisted in the 2/AIF on 14th December 1942. He was living in Hawthorn and named his father as next of kin. He was taken on strength to 25th Australian Garrison Bn, SA, and posted to 34 Camp Hospital, SA. He undertook a course at the School of Hygiene and Sanitation, in NSW, on 19th February 1943.  During 1943 he was posted to 34 and 33 Camp Hospitals, which supported the Loveday Camp, SA, where Italian and German citizens were interned. He also was detached to the 105 and 101 Military Hospitals. He was posted to 2/2nd FdAmb, on 11th August 1944, then embarked from Cairns for Aitape, on the north coast of Papua New Guinea, on 23rd October 1944. He remained with 2/2nd FdAmb during his service in PNG except for short detachments to HQ RAE 6 Div. McPhie returned to Brisbane on 6th September 1945.  He then returned to 4 MD and was appointed DADMS on 15th February 1946.  He was admitted on two occasions in 1946 to 105 AGH for illness and remained in service at 4 MD until his appointment was terminated on 16th October 1946.  He continued his service with the RAAMC until 1974 when he retired at the rank of major.

McPhie married Joan Mahood, on 30th March 1946, at St Columba’s Church Hawthorn, while he was still in the Army. They lived at Park Terrace, North Unley, SA. and were to have four daughters. Joan was the daughter of Arthur Mervyn Mahood and Jean, nee McGlashan. Initially, he joined the Police Surgeon Dr Arthur Welch in general practice. Later he travelled to London and the Royal Postgraduate Medical School working with Paul Wood. Returning to Adelaide, he entered specialist practice with Dr Eric Gartrell now known as Adelaide Cardiology. He gained his FRACP in 1960 and was appointed assistant cardiologist at the newly formed ECG Clinic at the RAH. He gained the MD, Adelaide, in 1956 and, when Dr Gartrell retired in 1958, he took over the clinic. McPhie was instrumental in developing an independent unit with beds, staff, and equipment; a considerable achievement. The Cardiac Clinic and the closely related Cardio-Thoracic Surgical Unit led by Mr D’Arcy Sutherland facilitated the better and more efficient assessment and treatment of patients with cardiac problems. McPhie, in the early years of the Cardiac Society, played a significant role which included terms as Secretary (1959-1962), Chairman (1966-1967) and President (1975-1976), all roles he served with great distinction. He, also, was an inaugural director of the South Australian Division of the National Heart Foundation and served on a number of national committees. Colleagues, students and patients much admired his integrity as an outstanding clinician, teacher mentor and colleague, coupled with his incisive mind and dry sense of humour. His exceptional contribution to the Australian Cardiology and South Australian cardiac services, now taken for granted, was immense. John Milroy McPhie died on 4th February 2011. He was survived by three of his four daughters, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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