Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

BAMPTON Victor Guy MB BS

1942-

Victor Guy Bampton was born on 9th August 1942 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. He was the third of four children of William Bampton and Patricia (nee Hartley). His father was a medical officer in the Indian Army during WW2 and became a prisoner of war in Changi prison and Selarang camp from 1942 until 1945. His mother's brother John Hartley was also in the Indian army and was awarded a Military Cross in 1945.  His uncle later served in the reserve reaching the rank of Brigadier. This provided Bampton with a significant military background. Bampton’s early childhood was in India. He went to school at the Jesuit led St Joseph’s College, in Darjeeling, West Bengal, with a significant number of students of various nationalities. His uncle John was also a rector at the school. Bampton’s family immigrated to Australia after Indian independence in 1947. They initially settled in Burra in South Australia, in 1952, however, his father died in 1955 and his family moved to Adelaide. He continued his education in Enfield High School, from 1953 to 1954, and then at the Adelaide High School completing leaving honours in 1958. During the period following his father's death Legacy was a great help to the family. He was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship in 1957, and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, commencing in 1959.  He resided at Aquinas College, a University of Adelaide residential college, whilst studying from 1959 until 1962.

Bampton successfully applied for a scholarship in the Army Undergraduate Scheme in 1963.  Major General Clyne, who knew his father, was on his interview panel. He graduated MB BS in 1964, and completed his residency at the RAH in 1965. He was promoted to captain and posted to 6 Bn RAR, in 1966, to begin his return of service obligation. The Bn was sent to Vietnam and stationed in Nui Dat from July 1966 until June 1967.

During the remainder of 1967 and in 1968 he had postings as MO at the 1st and 7th Camp Hospitals. He was posted as DADAH in Port Moresby, PNG, in 1969, and promoted to the rank of major. He returned to Australia and retired from the regular Army in 1970. He was awarded the He was issued with the Australian Active Service Medal clasp Vietnam, the Vietnam Medal and the Vietnam Combat Medal.

Bampton entered general practice and after a period doing locum tenens in Queensland and New South Wales he was in group and solo general practices, from 1971 until 2000, and remains in general practice in Brisbane. He continued an interest in the Army working as a MO in the Army Reserve at the 1 Mil Hosp after hours and at weekends until 2009. He married Janice Margaret McAuliffe, a physiotherapist in 1968. They have four children, two sons and two daughters. His eldest daughter graduated in Medicine 1998.