Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

MAGAREY Sir James Rupert MB BS FRCS FRACS FRACGP

1914-1990

James Rupert Magarey was born, on 2nd February 1914, in Adelaide.  He was the son of Rupert E Magarey and Elsie, nee Cowell. His father was honorary gynaecologist at the Adelaide Hospital, and was President of the South Australian Branch of the British Medical Association. The family migrated to South Australia via New Zealand in 1846. They were on the land initially at Naracoorte in South Australia. The Magarey Medal, for the best and fairest in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) was named after his great-great uncle William Magarey.  Magarey was educated at Norwood Primary School and St Peter’s College. At the latter, he was vice-captain of the school and captain of boats. He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1938. While there he represented the University in intervarsity rowing on four occasions, awarded a blue for rowing and was captain in 1936 to 1937. Magarey married Catherine Mary Gilbert, in April 1940. She was the daughter of William Gilbert and Catherine Pauline, nee Browne.

Magarey had joined the CMF, in 1939, before the outbreak of WW2 and served in 9/23rd LH Regt. He volunteered for the AIF in May 1940, and was posted to the 2/6th FdAmb.  Magarey embarked on the Mauretania for the Middle East, on 26th November 1940, arriving on 31st January 1941. He had influenza on arrival and was admitted to 2/1st AGH and after discharge returned to 2/6th FdAmb on 8th April. Magarey was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service with 2/6th FdAmb in the Syrian Campaign.  Magarey’s next posting was with 2/11th AGH, at Alexandria, which was taking casualties from the withdrawal from Greece.  Magarey returned to Australia, where the 7th Division was preparing for the campaign against the Japanese invasion of Papua New Guinea. Remaining with 2/6th FdAmb, 7 Division Magarey was promoted major on 13th June 1942. Between 17th August 1942 to the 10th September 1942 he was the SMO of Maroubra Force on the Kokoda Track.  He was responsible for the evacuation and treatment of all casualties, while commanding only thirty-three soldiers and one other MO. His leadership, formal casevac appreciation and medical report plus his team’s efforts were outstanding. He was then transferred to HQ 7 Division, and then in October 1942 he was detached as DADMS 11th Division at Milne Bay. Magarey became ill with malaria, and was evacuated to Australia and admitted to 2/4th AGH, Brisbane. He was posted to this AGH between February 1943 and September 1944 and then returned to PNG. Between September 1944 and October 1945, he was surgeon 105 CCS, New Britain, with detachments to 6th FdAmb and 4th FdAmb. He was evacuated again, in October 1945, to 105 AMH Daw Park, with malaria and lumbar problems. He was discharged from the AIF on 29th January 1946.

Magarey initially went into General Practice but, in 1949, he went to England and obtained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons. Magarey achieved his Australasian Fellowship, in 1950, on return to Adelaide, and was made a Master of Surgery from the University of Adelaide, in 1951. Magarey continued with his military career in the CMF and was promoted to lieutenant colonel and appointed Army Consultant Surgeon 4 MD, from 1962 to 1969. He was appointed to the RAH honorary visiting staff. Magarey was one of the first senior visiting surgeons appointed to the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in 1959, where he continued to work until he retired from public service. He became the SA branch President of the Australian Medical Association and subsequently was the national President of the Association. Magarey’s extensive work in medicine led to his knighthood in 1980. He supported the formation of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and was later to receive an Honorary Fellowship of that College. Magarey's wife, Catherine, died in 1989 and James Rupert Magarey died on13th October 1990. His two daughters Susan and Mary and his son James, a medical practitioner survived him. 

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