Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop 12 July 1907 - 2 July 1993
Education:
Dunlop attended Stewarton Public School and Benalla High School.
"Commencing a pharmacy apprenticeship in 1924 at Benalla Dunlop moved to Melbourne in 1927 and attended the Pharmacy College. Excelling in his studies, he won a scholarship in 1930 to Ormond College, Melbourne University to study medicine. Here he acquired his nickname "Weary" (derived from Dunlop tyres) during the course of initiation ceremonies at the college.
He excelled at university and graduated in 1934 with first class honours.
He excelled too on the sports field, especially in rugby union at which he
represented Australia in 1932."
(Source:
Australian War
Memorial: Weary Dunlop Biography)
Employment:
"He joined the
Royal Melbourne Hospital as a junior resident in 1935 and was appointed
Senior Surgical Resident in 1936; in 1937 he joined the Children's Hospital
as Resident. In 1937 he graduated as Master of Surgery from Melbourne
University.
Dunlop had been a school cadet, and he continued his part-time army service
until 1929, when his service ceased under pressure from his pharmacy
studies. He re-enlisted in 1935 and was commissioned into the Australian
Army Medical Corps on 1 July with the rank of Captain."
(Source:
Australian War
Memorial: Weary Dunlop Biography)
Experiences & Opportunities:
"This extraordinary first-hand account of Sir
Edward 'Weary' Dunlop's experiences as senior medical officer in the
infamous prisoner-of-war camps in Java and on the Burma-Thailand Railway,
is not only an account of great
historical
significance but also a testament to the ability of the human spirit to
overcome the most unbearably cruel conditions.
About the Author
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop was an Australian surgeon who
was renowned for his leadership whilst being held prisoner by the Japanese
during World War II. A courageous leader and compassionate doctor, he
restored morale in the terrible prison camps and jungle hospitals. After the
war he continued to work as a surgeon as well as becoming involved in a
number of health and educational organisations, and worked tirelessly in the
community until his death in 1993. His diaries were first published in 1986.
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It's difficult not to be moved and shocked by
'Weary' Dunlop's extraordinary account of life as a prisoner-of-war. The
details of daily life and the trials of surgery with no equipment and no
anaesthetic are told in a matter-of-fact way by a man who displayed
tremendous courage and resilience in the face of brutality and desperation."
(Source:
Penguin Books)
Links:
Australian War
Memorial: Weary Dunlop Biography;
AWM: additional page on Weary
Dunlop
Weary -
Back on his feet
Monash University: the late Weary Dunlop
An interview with Tom Uren with reference to Weary Dunlop, January 15, 1996
Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop by Jake and Blake
Should we remember 'Weary' Dunlop? (12 page PDF activities sheet)
| Did You Know? 'Weary' Dunlop received many honours and awards throughout his life, including; the Order of the British Empire (1947); Companion of the Order of Australia (1987), Knight Grand Cross, Order of St John of Jerusalem (1992), Knight Grand Cross (1st Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Royal Crown of Thailand (1993); Honorary Fellow of the Imperial College of London; Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; Honorary Life Member of the RSL; and, Life Governor of the Royal Women's Hospital and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. In 1976 he was named Australian of the Year and in 1988 he was named one of '200 Great Australians'! (Source: Australian Greats!) In 1995, a 50 cent Australian coin depicting Weary Dunlop was created.  |
Material sourced from
Australian War Memorial: Weary Dunlop Biography
