Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Published Biographies

Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who served in World War 1. Verco, Summers, Swain and Jelly 2014.

Australian Dictionary of Biography
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lindon-sir-leonard-charles-edward-10832
Sir Leonard Charles Edward Lindon by G. J. Fraenkel

South Australian Medical Heritage Society Inc
http://samhs.org.au/Virtual%20Museum/Notable-individuals/Leonard-Lindon/Leonard%20Lindon%20.html

Additional Biography

The published biographies above provide many details of Leonard’s life and career. The additional details below will include sporting and academic achievements and family life including photographs and newspaper articles.

Early Life

Leonard Charles Edward Lindon was born on 8th February 1896 in North Adelaide, the youngest child and second son of four children born to parents James Hemery Linden, a schoolmaster from England and Mary Ellen Cockburn, nee Mayne who was his Queensland-born wife. His siblings included brother James Hemery, born in 1886, and sisters; Ellen Mary, born in 1887 and Lucy, born in 1891 who were all born in College Town, near Norwood.

Leonard’s father James Hemery Lindon was Headmaster of Queen’s College School in North Adelaide. His father had founded Queen's School.

James Hemery Lindon died in June 1897 aged only 41 years, Leonard was 11 years old at that time.

Schooling

Leonard attended Geelong Grammar School, Victoria (1905-1911) and St Peter’s College, Adelaide (1912-13). He was a first-class sportsman and high achiever, having won the Old Geelong Grammarian’s prize and topping the South Australian Senior University examination. His extensive academic and sporting achievements during his schooling are detailed in the newspaper article below when he won the Rhodes Scholarship.

Adelaide University

Leonard commenced studying Arts and Science subjects at Adelaide University in 1913 while he was in his final at St Peter’s College. In 1914 he passed first year medicine.

University Sport

Boat (Rowing)
Leonard rowed for Adelaide University in 1914 and represented the University at the Intervarsity that year. He was awarded a Blue for Boat in 1914.

Cricket
After playing in the Intercollegiate match for St Peter's College in December 1913, Leonard then played some B grade cricket for Adelaide University in the new year. He was obviously a handy young player, picking up a five-wicket haul in his first game for University against Gilberton. It is likely had the War not intervene he would have been in line for promotion during the following seasons.

At the start of the 1914/15 season in October 1914, Leonard played in a practice match for the University B Grade team against his old school, however he did not play any further matches prior to his enlistment.

World War I

The Annual Report of the SACA in October 1915 recognised the 19 Adelaide University Cricketers who had already enlisted for Service.

Leonard Charles Edward Lindon enlisted in the Army at Keswick on 8 February 1915, the day of his 19th birthday, whilst studying Medicine at Adelaide University. He already had been serving for six months with the 78th Infantry (Adelaide Rifles) F Company. Leonard was described as having fair complexion, brown eyes and fair hair. He had his mother’s permission to enlist. He was first appointed to Australian Army Medical Corps Base Depot at Oaklands.
He was posted to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital, 5th Reinforcements and joined the Unit at Lemnos on 20 April 1915 as part of the Gallipoli campaign. His next of kin was his mother Mary Ellen Lindon and it appears that she was living with his sister Mrs Ellen Mary Newland of Strangways Terrace, North Adelaide, wife of Sir Henry Simpson Newland. Sir Henry was a prominent surgeon in Adelaide and served with the Australian Imperial Force in Egypt, Lemnos, Gallipoli and France.

Leonard’s next of kin was advised on 3 March 1916 that he was going to leave the theatre of war. The military records dated 5 March 1916 show that “Medical Student to be returned to Australia”, with an expected date of return 28 March 1916. He was returned to Australia via Ismailia, part way along the Suez Canal, on H.T. Argyllshire. It appears that on the return voyage to Australia he was undertaking “Nursing and Messing duties” and arrived in Melbourne on 30 March 1916.

Leonard was discharged from the Army on 18 April 1916 to continue his Medical studies and was described by the Army as having “good character”.

Leonard must have been an avid photographer. There is a collection of negatives and prints, taken during Leonard’s War service, as a Medical Orderly around 1916, and as a Surgeon from 1940 to 1942. There is also a collection of 179 photos from an album created by L.C.E. Lindon, with the inscription inside the front cover 'L.C.E. Lindon - Balliol College - 1920'.

The State Library of South Australia holds a collection of photographs belonging to LCE Lindon and relating to his active service (see https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/PRG+1506/11/1-92).

While serving at the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital Leonard was vice-captain of the hospital’s cricket and football teams.

Leonard’s elder brother, James Hemery Lindon, was a civil engineer. He enlisted for WWI and serves in the 3rd Pioneer Battalion. He rose to the rank of Captain and was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross

University (post WWI service)

Leonard was recalled from War service in 1916 and returned to Adelaide to complete his Medical course. He passed second, third and fourth year, first class, coming 3rd, 2nd and 1st respectively on the lists in those years. He was awarded a Davies-Thomas Scholarship in 1918 the Everard scholarship in 1919. He graduated with degrees of M.B.B.S. (1919) and M.S. (1923). He was on the committee of the University Medical Society in 1919.

He was selected the 1918 Rhodes Scholar (1918 scholarship was not awarded until July 1919 due to the War) and did not take up the scholarship until 1920

Illustrated articles in the newspapers showed portraits of Leonard in uniform.

University Sport (post WWI service)

Boat (Rowing)
Leonard was honorary secretary of the Boat Club in 1916, Captain of the Boat Club in 1917 and 1918 and on the committee of the Boat Club in 1919. He was stroke for the University dash eight in 1919.

Cricket
On his return from overseas Leonard renewed his association with the AUCC and was honorary secretary of the Cricket Club in 1917/18 & 1918/19.

Although the SACA had suspended all District Cricket competitions the University still made their oval available and prepared wickets for the military to play matches between various corps who were still based in Adelaide. The Adelaide University students also at times formed a team and played several matches against a team from the Mitcham Camp. Leonard probably played in some of these games.

Although there is little known about the activities of the Club during the summers of 1916/17 and 1917/1918 as the honorary secretary of the Cricket Club during these years Leonard would have been involved in the organisation of the "patriotic" and other student matches on University Oval.

When the War ended on 11th November, the SACA along with the seven other District Clubs started to program some matches in what was to be the last of the unofficial competitions. Initially, University were not able to form a team as many of the former players had not yet been repatriated home. Also, it was in the exam and holiday period. Although Leonard was still at University completing his medical degree he was permitted to play with the North Adelaide Cricket Club. His cricket ability was demonstrated by the fact that Leonard was frequently selected to play A Grade for North Adelaide (now Prospect District Cricket Club) in the 1919/20 season and after he returned from overseas in 1923. After the 1924/25 season with North Adelaide Cricket Club his medical career forced his retirement from cricket apart for social fixtures between the sections of the medical profession.

Football
Leonard played football for Adelaide University in a match against St Peter’s College in 1916. He represented the Adelaide University Football Club from 1916 to 1919.

Sports Association
Leonard was a committeeman for the Adelaide University Sports Association in 1916 and the honorary secretary in 1917 and 1918.

Leonard was a Field Judge at the St Peter’s College Sports in May 1918.

Career and Family Life

In 1920 Leonard took up his Rhodes Scholarship and travelled to England to study at Balliol College, Oxford. He studied physiology at Oxford University and gained his clinical experience at the Guys and the London Hospitals. By December 1922, Leonard had passed all the examinations to be admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

On 12 December 1921 he married Jean Monteith Marten at Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, London. Her father, Dr R.H. Marten, had built up Adelaide's largest medical practice.

The couple honeymooned in Devonshire.

Leonard and Jean returned to Australia onboard the ‘Ormonde’, arriving on Monday the 12th of February 1923. They initially took up residence with Jean’s parents at Brougham Place, North Adelaide.
Leonard was registered as a qualified medical practitioner by the South Australian Medical Board in March 1923. In March 1923, the couple took a house at 239 Stanley Street, North Adelaide.

Leonard practised Medicine and Surgery at the rooms of Dr. Humphrey Marten (his father-in-law) a leading Adelaide physician who generously helped many other young doctors.

Leonard returned to playing cricket and represented North Adelaide in the A Grade competition in the 1923/24 and 1924/25 season. He also at times played in annual matches where the Adelaide University graduates played against the current students.

In April 1923 Leonard registered an 18.2 Essex motor car. His address at the time was 171 North Terrace, Adelaide. This was probably the car that was stolen in January 1924 and later recovered at Joslin.

Leonard and Jean’s son, John Leonard Henry Lindon, was born on the 29th of February 1924 in Adelaide, SA. Their second son, Marten Edward Lindon was born on the 28th of February 1929.

In November 1924, Leonard attended the first annual dinner of the recently formed Oxford and Cambridge Association of South Australia.

Leonard competed in the Men’s Doubles Handicap (Class 2) at the Tennis Championships in South Australia in March 1925. His doubles partner was fellow doctor Ivan Bede Jose.

Leonard was appointed an honorary assistant surgeon at the Adelaide and Children's Hospital in 1925 and elected a Fellow of the Australian College of Surgeons.

In May 1927 he became a member of the staff at the St Mark’s College, Adelaide (a university residential college in Adelaide).

In November 1928 he was seen practicing at the Adelaide Oval nets, no doubt in preparation for an up-and-coming social match against the students.

In December 1928 Leonard was appointed an honorary demonstrator in anatomy at the University of Adelaide.

In 1929 he was mentioned as one of many doctors who were members of the Royal Adelaide Golf Club.

His major interest was Neurosurgery and with the support of the State Government in 1929 he visited Neurosurgical centres in Europe and the USA, working with such eminent persons as Sir Hugh Cairns in Oxford, and Harvey Cushing in Boston. On the 22nd of August 1929 the Lindon’s departed onboard the ‘Oronsay’ sailing for London on the 22nd of August 1928. They stayed at the King’s Court Hotel, London.

On the 24th of May 1930, the Lindon family departed from London, England on the 24th of May 1930 onboard the ‘Oronsay’, arriving at Fremantle, Australia on the 24th of June 1930. On his return Leonard established the first Neurosurgical Clinic in South Australia.

Leonard maintained an interest in cricket, and he played in a match at ‘Varsity Oval representing the Medical Officers of the Adelaide Hospital in a match against the house surgeons in November 1930.

On the 19th of December 1931, Leonard and Jean’s daughter, Jennifer (Jenny) Lucy Anne Lindon was born. In October 1932 the Lindon family moved from Brougham Place, North Adelaide to 8 Prospect Road, Fitzroy.

Leonard was President of the Adelaide University Cricket Club for three seasons from 1932/33 - 1934/35. He was the 51st president of the British Medical Association (SA Branch) from 1934 to 1935.

The Lindon family often stayed at Victor Harbour in the January school holidays and they later purchased a holiday cottage at Aldgate.

On the 18th of April 1935 the Lindon family left for England onboard the “Orama” arriving in late May 1935. They made the Aban Court Hotel at South Kensington their headquarters. They departed from London, England on the 26th of October 1935 onboard the “Orford’. The passenger list for this trip incorrectly records Master ME Lindon as the older of the couple’s two sons.

In December 1936, Leonard was a member of the selection committee for the Rhodes Scholarship.

World War II

Leonard’s service with the military was re-activated in World War II. He enlisted on the 16th of October 1939 (SN SX1480). He was appointed a Lieutenant Colonel and was called up on the 20th of March 1940.

In 1939 he served as a Lieutenant-Colonel of the Australian Army Medical Corps, A.I.F in the Middle East, in 1940 and 1941 becoming the Commanding Officer of the first Australian Neurosurgical Unit at the 2nd/2nd Australian General Hospital. He returned to Australia on the 2/2 Hospital Ship arriving in Adelaide on the 29th of November 1941. He was in the Suez Canal zone for a year and eight months.

Leonard was ‘Mentioned in Despatches’ for gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East from July 1941- October 1941. His appointment was terminated on 22nd December 1941. Back in Adelaide, Leonard was a member of the Militia and attended camps. He was on medical boards on a regular basis from 1942 through to 1947.

Leonard and Jean’s elder son, John, served in the RAAF during WWII (Service Number – 417386). He was a Flight Lieutenant, enlisting on the 25th of April 1942 and he was discharged on the 2nd of October 1945. His service record is not yet open to the public.

Post-World War II

In March 1948, Leonard’s mother, Mary Ellen Cockburn Lindon died in her 85th year.

On the 17th of August 1948, Leonard and Jean’s elder son John married Miss Frances Hope Harris, the daughter of Mr RH Harris of Boston, USA at the Geelong Grammar School Chapel, Victoria.

In September 1949, Leonard and Jean and their daughter, Jenny travelled to Melbourne where they boarded the ‘Strathedea’ bound for England. Leonard was to visit neuro-surgical centres in England. He returned to Australia onboard the ‘Orcades’ which departed from London on the 16th of December 1949 and arrived at Fremantle on the 7th of January 1950. Jean returned to Australia onboard the ‘Orantes” departing on the 27th of April 1950 and arriving in Fremantle on the 23rd of May 1950.

Leonard was active with the South Australian branch of the British (later Australian) Medical Association and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. His College activities involved Chairmanship of the College of Examiners and membership of the College Council. He became Vice-President and President (1959 to 1961).

He enjoyed a close association with the Medical School, holding various offices in the University of Adelaide. Leonard was President of the student society, lecturer and examiner in Surgery and tutor to St. Marks College.

Following his retirement from the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1951, Lindon maintained his practice. In 1964 he was knighted. Troubled by arthritis, he gave up neurosurgery in 1971.

Leonard and Jean’s sons, John and Marten, both studied medicine at The University of Adelaide graduating MB BS in 1952 and 1953 respectively. John and Frances lived at Fitzroy in 1952 and Aldgate in 1954 and had three children, Helen Jean (b 1950), Leonard (b 1952) and George Marten (b December 1954). Marten commenced practice at Tanunda in February 1954.

Leonard and Jean’s daughter Jenny was a second-year student trainee at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in September 1952 when she became engaged to Dr Robin Burston the son of Major Gen Sir Samuel Burston and Lady Burston of Melbourne. Jenny and Robin married at the St Peter’s College Chapel on the 7th of February 1953.

On the 20th of November 1953, Leonard and Jean’s younger son, Marten married Mary, the daughter of Mr and Mrs FR Cornish of Aldgate.

Leonard's portrait by Rex Bramleigh (1964) is held by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Melbourne.

Jenny and Robin Burston had a daughter, Jennifer Robyn Burston, who tragically died on the 30th of December 1963, aged just 7 weeks.

Death

After his wife's death in 1974, Leonard’s health deteriorated. Survived by his daughter and two sons, he died on 28 August 1978 in North Adelaide and was cremated.

Family

John Leonard Henry Lindon died on the 6th of July 1994, aged 70 years, he is buried at the Robe Cemetery, Robe, SA.

Jennifer (Jenny) Lucy Anne Burston died on the 18th of March 2014, aged 82. She had previously lived at Myrtle Bank. She was cremated at the Enfield Cemetery and her ashes were interred at the West Terrace Cemetery.

Author EE (Beth) Filmer

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project please see the document attached.

Leonard Charles Edward Lindon was an eminent surgeon in Adelaide. He was the 51st president of the BMA SA Branch from 1934 to 1935
There are many references to his professional life in TROVE.