Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Published Biography

From: Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1, C Verco, A Summers, T Swain & M Jelly. July 2014.

Additional Biography

Family Origins and Early Years

Richard Longford Thorold Grant was born at North Adelaide on 22nd April 1894 to William and Emily Grant (nee Jefferson).

Richard's paternal and maternal family origins were both from England. Branches of the Grant Family had arrived and settled in both in South Australia and Western Australia around the late 1830s and obtained significant pastoral leases. Richard's wealthy great grandfather, Alexander William Thorold Grant, acquired significant property holdings in South Australia including an area that stretched between the South Para River and Gawler (One Tree Hill district).

Primary and Secondary Education - Queen's School North Adelaide

Young Richard Grant was educated at Queen's School, Barton Terrace, North Adelaide. After finishing his Primary years, he completed his Junior Public Examinations in 1908 (equivalent to Intermediate) and was mentioned in the General Honor List. He passed in an exceptional nine subjects, with credits in Latin and French (Individual Subject Honor List). He was also mentioned in the General Honor List in 1909 after passing his Senior Public Examinations passing in eight subjects with five credits. He had received an individual subject Honor in Latin, Arithmetic/Algebra, Geometry, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry.

While at Queen's School he played in the cricket team and participated in the athletics carnivals, winning the half mile cup event in September 1909. For the following two years at the annual athletics carnival, held on Adelaide Oval, he won the School Cup two years in a row, by winning both the quarter and half mile events.

After a "year's interval" in 1910, he preceded to his final year at Queen's School in preparation for entrance to University. He passed four subjects in the Higher Public Examinations in 1911 (Equivalent to Leaving Honors) finishing 14th in the General Honor List.

Unusually in 1913 while at University, he sat for a further Senior Public Examination subject (English Literature) studying under a private tutor. Again he passed with a credit and made the Special Honor List

University of Adelaide - Medicine

In 1912, his first year at Adelaide University, Richard was required to complete some compulsory science subjects before he could be accepted into medicine. He gained a Division 1 pass in Physics (Distinction) and Division 2 pass in Biology (Credit)

Details of Australian medical students and graduates were recorded in the UK Register.

Entering the medical faculty in 1913, Richard would have an outstanding academic record. He topped 1st Year Medicine and was awarded the Elder Prize. In 1914 and 15 he passed (First Class - Distinction) in 2nd and 3rd Year, however in 1916 he had to defer his studies because of a serious kidney condition (renal tuberculosis) requiring a nephrectomy.

Returning to complete 4th Year in 1917 he passed (Second Class - top Credit). With more stamina in 1918 he passed his 5th and final year (First Class - equal top). Both he and Raphael West Cilento (later Sir Raphael and father of Film Star - Diane Cilento) were both awarded the Everard Scholarship (Thirty Pounds).

Richard's broader interest in University life was demonstrated when in June 1914 he was on the organising committee for the annual University Ball. Generally he was very much part of the Adelaide social scene.

Adelaide University Sport

Richard was a very fit and athletic lad at Queen's School and he continued to play sport at Adelaide University. The first newspaper record of his participation at Adelaide University was rowing for the Science Faculty in the September 1912 Rowing Club Regatta. It appears to be his only try at rowing.

He only played one season of cricket and was unable to hold a regular place in the B Grade side during the 1913/14 season. The AUCC only had two teams, an A and B Grade side playing in the SACA competition.

It was as a middle distance runner for the Athletics Club that Richard excelled at University, continuing the form he had shown while at Queen's School. In the annual university athletics carnival in 1913, the 19 year old medical student won the one mile event in the very fine time of 4 minutes 29 seconds (The World Record at the time was 4 minutes 14 seconds). The following year he won the half mile event in 2 minutes 2 seconds.

Richard was a member of the 1914 Intervarsity Athletics Carnival held in Adelaide. He was also a member of the organising committee.

In 1915 Richard won the half-mile event at the Adelaide Harriers meeting.

Richard also was a very good lacrosse player and a valuable member of the Adelaide University Lacrosse team in 1914 and 1915. During the War years all competitions were abandoned, however his health issues that struck him down in 1916, as well as impacting on his studies would have certainly curtailed his sporting ambitions too. It could be speculated that without the misfortune of War and illness Richard could have qualified and represented Australia in athletics at Olympic games level.

After the end of hostilities, local lacrosse matches resumed, as did the annual contest against Melbourne University. Richard was a member of the 1919 Intervarsity team that was defeated by Melbourne University in Melbourne. Although he had now completed his medical course, a concession was made, with 1918 graduates permitted to play in the contest.

Although Richard did not have a successful cricketing career with the Adelaide University Club, he obviously showed an interest in their fortunes. He was a spectator at the Intervarsity match against Melbourne University held in Adelaide in February 1920. This was the first intervarsity cricket contest since 1910. The War had caused the cancellation of a proposed contest in 1915.

Richard enlisted for WWI but did not serve due to the ceasation of hostilities.

Professional Career

Richard was registered with the SA Medical Board shortly after graduation and in January 1919 was appointed as a resident medical officer at the Adelaide Hospital.

After two years at The Adelaide Hospital Richard went to England for further experience and in 1921 he obtained his membership of the Royal College of Physicians.

In 1922 after returning from England, Richard was appointed as a Demonstrator in Pathology in the Pathology Department of the University of Adelaide headed by John Burton Cleland M.D. His research work on Graves' Disease (Hyperthyroidism) was published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

He was reappointed in 1923 and 1924 to his position in the Pathology Department.

In 1923 he had also been appointed as a temporary honourary assistant physician at the Adelaide Hospital.

In 1923 in addition to his University of Adelaide appointment he began a long association with the Adelaide Children's Hospital in various honorary appointments. His first position was as a pathologist and bacteriologist which he held until to 1925.

In 1925 he was also promoted to the University of Adelaide position of Honorary Clinical Assistant Pathologist. This was after the resignation of Ivan Bede Jose. He continued in this position until 1927.

In 1926 he was appointed as an assistant physician at the Adelaide Children's Hospital and he held this role until promoted in 1937 to physician, holding this position until 1954.

In 1938 he had been a founding Fellow of the newly established Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) an honour granted to those who already held the FRCP (London) qualification.

In 1951, Richard was elected as President of the local branch of the British Medical Association. As BMA State President, Richard was facing the same sort of issues that have been faced by the profession and the community in more recent times, including bed shortages.

Other issues facing the BMA (SA Branch) in the early 1950s were questions of doctor shortages and the push for a government subsidised private health insurance scheme. The National Health Services and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme were also being implemented and faced various teething problems for doctors. It was really quite a time of change.

With antibiotics now becoming more readily available for doctors to prescribe, Richard warned that they should be used only when absolutely indicated and advised that the Children's Hospital did not use them excessively.

There is little published information about his professional career after he finished as a consultant physician at the Adelaide Children's Hospital in 1954; however some of his other roles are covered in his published obituary at the end of his biography.

During and after his University days Richard was very visible on the Adelaide social scene. He always remembered fondly his years at Queen's School and was a member of the committee that organised old scholars' events.

Richard and his sister Nancy were regular guests at parties held at the Winter Club, an Adelaide social group that held events during the winter months at the Osborne Hall, a ballroom in Gouger Street, Adelaide. A Miss Nancy Lewis, then 19 years of age was in the company of the Thorold Grants.

Richard became engaged to Helen Jane "Nancy" Lewis daughter of ophthalmologist Dr James Brook Lewis in September 1923.

By 1925 Richard's sister Nancy was living in Melbourne, possibly to be with her father and mother who had moved to Victoria some years earlier.

Sadly the family faced the death of Richards's father in 1925 (see earlier obituary - in document).

Happier times followed in 1927 when Richard married Nancy Lewis at St Peter's Cathedral.

After the marriage they lived in North Adelaide and then in November 1927 Richard and Nancy moved into their home at The Avenue, Medindie.

The Thorold Grant's first child (William John) was born in December 1927

A second son Richard "Dick" Thorold Grant was born in July 1929.

Mrs. Thorold Grant was popular guest at many events (often charity fund raisers) in Adelaide and was often mentioned in the social pages of the local newspapers. She was a regular at the Adelaide horse races and mention made of her fashionable clothing.

By 1934 the Thorold Grants were living at Herbert Street, Medindie and in May that year they spent some time in a cottage at Grange to enjoy some late autumn warmth at the beachside.

Richard was particularly fond of the Adelaide coastal area and seaside activities; by 1939 they had moved to Seaview Road, Northcote, a suburb adjacent to Grange. Northcote was later incorporated into Tennyson.

During the War years, Mrs. Thorold Grant continued her charitable work and helped raise funds for the "Cheer-up Hut" and for the R.A.A.F's recreation room at Parafield Airport.

Having moved to the beach, Richard became involved with the Henley and Grange Sailing Club and had a trophy named after him.


The Thorold Grant's had a long association with the E.S.U. (English Speaking Union of SA).

Richard was well known and highly regarded within the medical profession, but surprisingly, is probably just as well known by legal academics and profession world-wide. In 1933 he was involved in a landmark legal case that went all the way to the Privy Court in England which set a legal precedent.

The Dermatitis Case

Grant v Australian Knitting Mills,[1] is a landmark case in consumer and negligence law from 1935, holding that where a manufacturer knows that a consumer may be injured if the manufacturer does not take reasonable care, the manufacturer owes a duty to the consumer to take that reasonable care. It continues to be cited as an authority in legal cases, [2] and used as an example for students studying law.[3]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_v_Australian_Knitting_Mills

After contracting a very severe and debilitating case of dermatitis following the purchase and wearing of undergarments contaminated with substances used in the manufacturing process. After winning a Supreme Court of SA judgment the manufacture won an appeal to the High Court of Australia. Richard's case was then taken to the Privy Council in London. The judgment overturned the High Court decision and the original judgment was reinstated. Costs of nearly £20,000 (about $383,000 today) were to be paid by the Australian Knitting Mills. The case set precedence with regard to the negligence by manufacturers of goods that may cause personal harm and was thereafter cited in many similar legal cases that followed and continues in law practice today.

Although Dr Thorold Grant eventually received the original damages of £2450, the stress of the long running legal case and his debilitating affliction, disturbed significantly his professional career and family life (see more detail in his obituary - see document).

World War 2

Richard had remained on the Reserve List after the end of WW1 and early in November 1939 he applied for a Commission in the RAAF.

As a consultant physician to the RAAF, Richard was granted a commission in January 1940 as a Flight Lieutenant (on probation) with the rank of Squadron Leader. By November 1942 he had risen to the rank of Wing Commander.

After WW2 ended, Richard was attached to the Citizens Air Force Active List and in 1951 was transferred to the RAAF Reserve as a part time consulting physician.

In 1941 the Thorold Grant's home at Grange had been broken into by a boy who had escaped from the Magill Reformatory. Richard had disturbed him during the act and nothing was stolen, however he escaped in a stolen vehicle which was later spotted by police. A high-speed pursuit followed with the thief eventually crashing and then arrested.....nothing has changed!

In 1941 the Thorold Grant's home at Grange had been broken into by a boy who had escaped from the Magill Reformatory. Richard had disturbed him during the act and nothing was stolen, however he escaped in a stolen vehicle which was later spotted by police. A high-speed pursuit followed with the thief eventually crashing and then arrested.....nothing has changed!

Death

Richard Longford Thorold Grant passed away 20 March 1979 at 84 years of age.

His obituary was published by of Royal Australian College of Physicians (see document).

Profile added with the permission of the author Rob O'Shannassy.

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