Aspinall family

The five adult children of the Rev Arthur Aspinall all became doctors. Three had obituaries published in The Medical Journal of Australia 1. The four brothers were particularly close. If someone asked for "Dr Aspinall" it was necessary to ask to which of the brothers the person wished to speak. Their lives overlapped very closely as the following information reveals.

Jessie Aspinall is mainly renown simply because she was a woman doctor. She was in General Practice. Her brother, Archibald, was GeneRally recognised as the brightest and most academic doctor of the five siblings. Arthur and Eric worked as General Practitioners in the same suburb. William's career was cut short. He died in World War One.

Archibald John Aspinall

"Archie", as he was known, was educated at The Scots College and at the University of Sydney. He graduated with M.B. Ch. M.in 1906.

In 1906 Archie commenced work at Sydney Hospital as a Pathologist. From 1908 to 1911 he was the Medical Superintendent of the hospital. It was during Archie's term of office as Medical Superintentent that the first woman doctor was appointed to the staff of the hospital in 1910 2. (Earlier, another application by a woman doctor had been rejected in 1905.) He then became an Honorary Surgeon at the hospital, a position only interrupted by his military service. Finally, in 1931, Archie was appointed as a Lecturer in Clinical Surgery. His private consulting rooms were at 157 Macquarie Street and then at BMA House, 135 Macquarie Street.

Archie was a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons. He was a member of the NSW State Committee of the College.

War Service

Archie was appointed a Captain in the AIF on 20 August, 1914. He left Sydney on 20 October,1914 aboard the Transport A14, Euripides. On 26 July, 1915 he was promoted to Major in preparation for a transfer on 12 August, 1915 to the Divisional Headquarters of the ANZAAC. AbOUT a week later he was appointed as Acting Sanitary Officer for the Dardanelles area. His task was to try to arrest a worsening outbreak of dysentery. Two weeks later his respnsibilities increased when he was promoted to Acting Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services, 1st Division. Archie held this position for several months. He returned to Australia on 4 November, 1915 aboard the Health Ship, Karoola which reached Sydney about a month later. His appointment with the AIF was terminated on 30 April, 1916. He continued to serve with the A.A.M.C. Reserve for many years.

During WW2 Archie worked aboard the Dutch Hospital ship Oranje, before transferring as the Commandant of the 114th AGH, Goulburn, New South Wales. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 May, 1941.3

Background and Family

Archie was born on 12 May, 1883 at Forbes and died on 5 December, 1945 at Turramurra. In 1913 he married Marybell Campbell Woods with whom he had five children. The family has Personal experience with medical problems. Their eldest child was born with mild Cerebral palsy. Their fourth child died of whooping cough soon after his third birthday. Initially the family lived close to the Sydney Hospital. They later shifted to Darlinghurst and to Woollahra. Archie was left his father's property in Trentino Avenue, Turramurra. At first the family spent their weekends at the property. Later they moved to live there permanently.

Obituary

Archie and his brother, Eric, died within one month of each other. A combined obituary appeared in The Medical Journal of Australia on 16 February, 1946. Extra information about the brothers found in the obituaries is not reiterated in this article.

Arthur Martel Aspinall

"Martel", as he was known, was educated at The Scots College and at the University of Sydney. He graduated with his M.B. in 1911 and his Ch. M. in 1913.

In 1911 Martel commenced work at Sydney Hospital as Resident Skiagraphist (Radiologist). Martel held this position until he had earned his second degree after which he went on to general duties. After WWI he set up General Practice in Lismore and then in the village of Nimbin. In 1929 Martel returned to Sydney and set up practice at 1364 Lane Cove Road (later, Pacific Highway), Turramurra where he spent the rest of his life. In this era it was usual for General Practitioners to have consulting rooms attached to their residence.

War Service

Martel enlisted on 15 June, 1916 in the R.A.M.C. 14th AGH. He set sail on the Anglo-Egyptian on 19 September, 1916 and left the ship at Plymouth, England on 24 October, 1916. On 19 February, 1917 Martel marched to Moascar, Egypt. Moascar became his main headquarters although he did move around the larger district surrounding the town. This included work at Romani (31 March, 1917), Sasuth (4 May, 1917), Abbassia (6 October to 17 November, 1917) and Damanhur (from 3 May, 1919). Martel was mentioned in dispatches on 23 October, 1918 and 31 January 1919. He was promoted to Temporary Major on 7 May, 1919.

Martel left Kantara for Australia on 28 June, 1919 aboard the HT Madras. His discharge became effective on 20 October, 1919. He was also a Captain in the A.A.M.C. Reserve.4

Personal Background

Martel was born on 12 August, 1885 in Forbes. He died 15 July, 1964. His funeral, on 17 July, 1964 left St Margaret's Presbyterian Church, Turramurra for the Northern Suburbs Crematorium. His ashes were later interred in the family grave at South Head Cemetery. Martel did not marry.

Andrew Eric Aspinall

"Eric", as he was known, was educated at The Scots College and at the University of Sydney. He graduated with his M.B. in 1915.

The same year he was appointed a Resident Medical Officer at Sydney Hospital. After WWI Eric established a private practice at 36 Eastern Road, Turramurra. Like his brother, Martel, his Practice was attached to his residence. He was also an Honorary Assistant Physician at the Royal North Shore Hospital.

War Service

Eric applied to join the AIF on 2 November, 1915, but was not accepted until 1 March, 1916. Captain Aspinall left Melbourne on HMATA67 Orsova on 16 March, 1916 and arrived in Suez on 13 April, 1916. After a short period at Serapium he left Alexandria on 6 June, 1916 on board the Oriana and reached Marseilles, France on 13 June, 1916. Eric immediately went into field duties with the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital. He was transferred on 3 August, 1917 to the 2nd Australian General Hospital Clearing Station, with periodic periods at the Casualty and Clearing Station. His base switched to Wimereux, France, on 22 March, 1918. He was promoted to Major on 11 November, 1918. Eighteen days later he was granted some leave before returning to his Field duties.

On 22 January, 1919 Eric was mentioned in dispatches. Finally Eric left France and arrived at Folkstone, England on 27 March,1919. More leave was granted from 4 April, 1919 to 4 July, 1919 to permit him to visit various hospitals in England. This was to enable Eric to study the latest developments in Medical Science and Surgery. However, this leave was cancelled on 26 May, 1919. Another short period of leave was granted a few days later before Eric left England on 10 June, 1919 aboard the Fort Lyttleton. He was discharge on 25 November, 1919. He continued to serve as a Captain in the A.A.M.C. Reserve.5

Background and Family

Eric was born 3 October, 1889 in Redfern. He died 10 November, 1945 at Turramurra. His ashes were later deposited in the family grave. In 1919 he married Gladys Eleanor Nebe who bore him three daughters.

William Robert Aspinall

"Bob", as he was known, was educated at The Scots College and at the University of Sydney. After he graduated Bob was a Resident Medical Officer at Sydney Hospital.

War Service

Bob enlisted on 25 January, 1916. He was attached to the 1st Field Ambulance, A.A.M.C., AIF. He left Sydney aboard HMAT-A57 Malakatu on 16 May, 1916 and arrived at Suez on 21 April, 1916. Five weeks later, at Serapium he developed pneumonia which lasted for four months. Initially he was sent to Cairo, but as his condition persisted he was sent to England at the end of June by the hospital ship, Mahens. At the end of September Bob was sent to France where the pneumonia flared up again in mid-December. On 11 December, 1916 he was readmitted to the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. For a brief period he was back in France in mid-February, 1917 before being granted leave until 3 April, 1917. Bob then returned to France once again. At Lagnicourt, while surrounded by enenmy troops, his bravery manifested itself. On 15 April,1917 he attended to the wounded even after the supporting allied gunners had withdrawn. When replacement gunners arrived he again went forward with the advancing troops to rescue and shelter the wounded until they could be collected by the stretcher-bearers.

For this courage, gallantry and valour he was awarded the Military Cross. He died at Ypres, Belgium 20 July, 1917 while continuing his heroic efforts to rescue the injured. He was buried 24 October, 1917 at Reningheist New Military Cemetery, near Poperindhe, Belgium.6

Personal Background

William was born on 4 January, 1893 at The Scots College, Lady Robinson's Beach, now Brighton-Le-SandS. He did not marry.

Other notable descendants of John Aspinall

John Ingham Aspinall (1837-1897), uncle of the doctors above, was a builder of note in Australia and New Zealand: Cyclopedia of New Zealand Fiche S7, 131-132 (ABI).

Albert Aspinall, uncle to the doctors above, was a builder of note in the last decades of the Nineteenth Century. His grandsons James Goyen and Charles Nicholas Manins were also a builders of note; both have streets named after them. Other descendants of note in this line include George Henry Bruce, School Inspector and brothers John Edward Lenehan, Headmaster and Sidney Arthur Lenehan, School Inspector and author of text books.

Herbert John Aspinall, cousin to the doctors, and his son, also Herbert, were well-known solicitors in Martin Place, Sydney. Aspinall Place, Woolwich is named after Herbert Aspinall snr.

References

• Andrew, Phillipa A (1997) Built To Last: the stories of John and Thomas Aspinall and their descendants. Privately Published.

ISBN/ISSN 0 646 34463 3: available in the library of The Society of Australian Genealogists, Sydney and the State Library of NSW.

• Australasian Biographical Index (ABI); Edited and compiled by Victor Herrero. Saur K.G., Munchen-New Providence London Paris (no date or ISBN)
• Commonwealth Electoral Rolls (CER)
• Commonwealth of Australia, National Archives: World War I records
• New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages 7
• Prentis, M and Sherrington, G (1994) History of Scots College
• Sands Post Office Directories (1880-1932/33) (POD)
• Street Directories (various publishers and editions)
• Telephone Directories (TD)