Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

GRATTON Marshall Gladstone MB BS

1915 -1999

Marshall Gladstone Gratton was born, on 11th September 1915, in Colac, Victoria.  He was the son of Norman Murray Gladstone Gratton CBE, a school teacher and Jeannie Gordon, nee Tweedie, also a school teacher. He had one sister Barbara. His family came to Adelaide, in 1916, presumably just after he was born, and his father took up a position at St Peter’s College; later, in 1918 he was appointed the founding headmaster of a Presbyterian school, which was later to become Scotch College. Gratton was educated at Scotch College, and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1941. It was reported in the paper, in 1937, that he was fined for disobeying traffic signals and that he lived at Scotch College.

Gratton joined the AAMC on 1st July 1941 and was immediately called up for full-time duty, at the rank of captain, with 101 AGH, in Adelaide. He named his father, living at Scotch College, Mitcham, as his next of kin. Gratton undertook several small postings in SA until he enlisted in the 2/AIF on 30th December 1941.  Initially posted to 2/6th FdAmb, he was sent to 3MD from 4MD and reallotted to 2/15th Lt FdAmb. He remained with the FdAmb until he was attached to HQ of 1 Aust Armoured Div. 3 MD, in August 1942. Gratton returned to 2/15th FdAmb and remained in Australia, mainly in QLD, throughout 1942 and 1943, during which time he had periods of leave and undertook courses, including tropical medicine.  He contracted dysentery, in 1944, with some admissions to hospital, and spent time back in SA, and was kept on holding strength in 105 AMH, during which time it is recorded in his military records that he married on 13th September 1944. His wife’s name is unknown. Following his wedding, he was posted back to the now 15th FdAmb, QLD, on the 16th December 1944. He suffered an injury to his right knee in March 1945 and was promoted to temporary major on 30th April 1945. He was then sent to Morotai, for service in Balikpapan, in May 1945, with 20 FdAmb. He remained overseas until December 1945 when he returned to SA, LoC area, via Sydney, NSW. He was admitted to 105 AMH, with an illness on 15th January 1946. Following his hospitalisation, he commenced ninety-day pre-discharge training and relinquished his rank of major and transferred to the Reserve of Officers with the rank of captain.  He remained in the CMF in SA and was again promoted to the rank of major.

Following the war, Gratton took up general practice for a short time and then a position, from 1951 to 1954, as Medical Superintendent at the Cummins Hospital, country SA.  Then a general practice in Springbank, just north of Adelaide. He moved to Auburn, NSW, in 1962, as Chief RMO at St Joseph’s Hospital, following a career in medical administration. Gratton became Medical Superintendent at the Royal South Sydney Hospital, in 1963 and then at Blacktown District Hospital, NSW, from 1965 to 1970.  He was an assistant medical officer NSW Health Department from 1972 to 1973, then the Health Commissioner, NSW.  According to the electoral rolls, Gratton was living alone, in Glebe, NSW, in 1980.  At some time later, it is assumed that he returned to South Australia.  Marshall Gladstone Gratton died on 18th May 1999 and is interred at Centennial Park Cemetery Pasadena SA.

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