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GIBSON George Taylor MB BS FRCOG FRACOG FRACMA

1910 –2000

George Taylor Gibson was born on 30th March 1910, in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. He was the son of George Frederick Gibson and Janet Stevenson, nee Welch. He came to Australia, with his mother and elder brother Robert Welch Gibson, in 1913, and they lived in Fremantle, Western Australia. It appears that his father had emigrated before them and that his mother’s two brothers travelled with her and the children. Gibson was educated at Christchurch Grammar School, Perth, and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide graduating MB BS in 1935. He had joined the CMF, in Western Australia, serving as a private in 44 Bn, before starting his medical studies.  He married Gwendoline Hill, at Scots Church, Adelaide, on 15th February 1937.  They had one daughter. Gwendoline was the daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Denzil Hill.  Her father was the secretary of Adelaide Steamship Company.

Gibson enlisted in the 2/AIF, on 21st December 1939, and was commissioned as a captain.  Promoted to major, in February 1941, he was posted OC HQ Coy AAMC Training Wing Reinforcement Depot, in addition to temporary command of the Wing of the AIF. He left Australia for the Middle East in April 1940, arriving in Kantara, Palestine on 17th May 1940. His promotion to major was confirmed in September 1941. He was posted for duty to 2 AGH and then to 2/2nd FdAmb. He had several short-term positing in Palestine including the Reinforcement Depot, 26th FdAmb and an appointment as DADMS 2nd Aust Corps from June 1941 until April 1942. Returning to Australia he was posted as DADMS HQ 1st Aust Corps, which had been relocated to Australia, until March 1943, and DADMS 2nd Aust Corps, which was established in early 1942 to command Australian Army units deployed to protect the Sydney region, until September 1943.  He was Mentioned in Despatches on 23rd December 1943 for his service in the Middle East. Gibson continued his role as DADMS in 17 Australian L of C and SA L of C until June 1944. He was promoted lieutenant colonel on 19th July 1944 and posted to 113 Military Hospital, in June 1944 and was also supervisor of the Army Medical Board. He was appointed CO of 2/14th AGH, Townsville, from March 1945 until June 1945, ADMS then ADMS HQ 2 PW Reception Group on 25th July 1945. The reception group processed Australian prisoners of war returning to Australia. He left Australia for Colombo, Ceylon and India, in August 1945, and returned to Australia via Singapore on 2nd November 1945.  His appointment was terminated the following January and he was placed on the Reserve of Officers.

Following the war, Gibson undertook postgraduate studies in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in England, from 1947 to 1948, and returned to Adelaide and set up practice in obstetrics and gynaecology. He was a consultant to the Queen Victoria Hospital and honorary obstetrician from 1954 to 1970 and chairman of the Committee of Management from 1965 to 1970. He was a member of the Maternal Mortality Committee and a member of the SA Statutory Committee to examine and report on abortions.  Also, a member of the AMA, he was the 73rd President of the SA branch, from 1959 to 1960. Gibson had a great interest in St Andrews Hospital, Adelaide, and was on its Board of Governors from 1959 and deputy president in 1970. George Taylor Gibson died on 9th September 2000.

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