Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

MUGFORD Frank Kenneth MB BS

1899-1963

Frank Kenneth Mugford was born, on 16th November 1899, in Wilmington, SA. He was the son of the Reverend Samuel Clark Mugford and Clara Jane, nee Suckling. Mugford was educated at Gawler District High School and Adelaide High School. He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1925. Deciding on a career in public health he was appointed as an assistant medical officer (MO) with the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Department of South Australia, in 1932. He was also the MO to Yatala Prison at Northfield, and a divisional surgeon with St John’s Ambulance. He married Ada Bower in the Methodist Church, Pirie Street, Adelaide, on 6th March 1926.  She was the daughter of Joseph and Agnes Mary, nee Hyde of St Clair, Woodville.

Mugford joined the CMF, in 1935, as a captain.  He enlisted in the 2/AIF and was promoted to major on 10th May 1940. He was living at Brae Road, Glenunga at the time. He was posted to 2/6th FdAmb, commencing duty on 29th May 1940. He remained in 4MD, Adelaide, until December 1940: then posted to 2MD, Sydney, and finally to 3 MD, Melbourne before embarking for the Middle East on 29th December 1940. He was attached to 6 AGH from 2/6th FdAmb, in July 1941, for nine months. Mugford’s company in 2/6th FdAmb had moved into a hospital in Sidon before his transfer to 6 AGH, where he was posted as registrar, in Jerusalem. He was then posted to 1 AGH for a further three months before returning to 6 AGH.  6 AGH had recently been evacuated from Greece and Crete. Mugford was promoted to lieutenant colonel, in June 1942, and given command of 2/3rd FdAmb at El Hamman. During this time his car was blown up by a landmine; fortunately, there were no injuries. He was evacuated to 6 AGH for an appendicectomy on 30th August 1942, and also admitted to 2/2nd AGH, with a duodenal ulcer, in January 1943. 2/3rd FdAmb returned to Australia in January 1943. Mugford was transferred and appointed CO of 125 AGH, in Western Australia, on 21st June 1943, when he relinquished command of 2/3rd FdAmb.  He then relinquished command of 125 AGH on 22nd October 1943 and was appointed CO of 107 AGH at Adelaide River, NT, where he remained until he was medically downgraded and retired, on 23rd September 1943.

Mugford, returned to his public health career with the Children’s Welfare and Public Relief Department and returned to his role as the divisional surgeon with St John's Ambulance. He lived in Kensington, a suburb of Adelaide and during his life he enjoyed golf and tennis. Frank Kenneth Mugford died on 21st August 1963.

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