biographies

Sherwin, John Arthur Hopkins (1881 - 1961)

M.D. (Melb.), F.R.A.C.S., F.R.C.O.G.

Born
14 December 1881
Forbes, New South Wales, Australia
Died
14 August 1961
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupation
Gynaecologist, Medical Practitioner and Obstetrician

Details

Transcription of item believed to have been written by Dr Colin Macdonald. Published in "The Book of Remembrance", The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, c.1961.


JOHN ARTHUR HOPKINS SHERWIN

John Arthur Hopkins Sherwin, whose grandparents on both sides were early settlers in Tasmania, was born near Forbes, New South Wales, on December 14, 1881, the son of John Sherwin, who, a few months later, was thrown from a horse and killed. He first attended Kyneton Grammar School, then passed on the Geelong Grammar School where he played in the first eighteen, was a member of the shooting team, and represented his school in the head of the river race of 1900. After matriculation, Arthur Sherwin entered as a resident student at Trinity College, where, although not conspicuous academically, he took a prominent part in college and university life. He represented his college in rowing, football, and athletics, and he rowed in four intervarsity contests, 1902 to 1905.

Graduating in 1908, he became a resident medical officer at the Alfred Hospital, one of four who constituted the entire resident medical staff. The appointment was for two years, and during this time he joined No. 2 Commonwealth Field Ambulance, which was commanded by Dr. George Horne whose officers included J.H. Nattrass and R. Tate Sutherland. These three were colleagues at the Women’s Hospital, and perhaps it was their influence that later induced Sherwin to become interested in obstetrics and gynaecology.

In 1910 he left for London and obtained an appointment as resident medical officer at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital. This was followed by visiting the more important obstetrical and gynaecological clinics in Scotland and Europe, and then a short time was spent in work at the Lister Institute in London.

War broke out in the Balkans in 1912 when Turkey attacked Servia, Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro, and the British Red Cross organized and dispatched medical field units to all five belligerents. Sherwin joined the Montenegrin contingent whose activities were centred in Northern Albania.

After the Balkan diversion he returned to Melbourne, gained his M.D. degree, and was appointed as an Honorary Surgeon to the Women’s Hospital, but on the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914, he enlisted and left Australia with the 3rd Australian General Hospital to serve with that unit at Lemnos and in Egypt. Subsequently, he commanded the 4th Auxiliary Hospital at Abassiah with the rank of Lieutenant-colonel. He returned to Australia in 1917 and commenced practice in Elsternwick as a general practitioner and at Collins Street as a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist. In 1927 he relinquished his general practice and thereafter confined his work to that of a consultant gynaecologist.

Again war intervened, and in 1940 Sherwin, now Colonel Sherwin, was called upon to establish and command the 15th Australian General Hospital at Heidelberg. This was a tremendous undertaking, since the hospital had to be built, equipped, staffed, organized, and administered. This task he successfully completed, and he returned to private practice in 1944.

Sherwin took a great interest in the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade of which he was a member for 25 years and Commissioner of Victoria for five years. He rose through the lesser grades to become Knight of Grace and received its insignia at Buckingham Palace from King George VI after his coronation. He was a member of the Council of St. John’s Ambulance Association and of the Victorian Division of the British Red Cross for many years, and he also held the position of Controller and Organiser of Voluntary Aid Detachments. He was a member of the original midwives examining board with Felix Meyer, George Horne, and Miss Anderson, and he sat on the Medical Board of Victoria from 1932 to 1945. He was a Fellow of both the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (1935) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (1937).

Sherwin was modest in demeanour and was respected for his integrity. In his long association with the Women’s Hospital he was popular with his colleagues, punctilious in his duties, and conscientious in his work. He was impelled by a high sense of duty and he cheerfully and freely served the community in many spheres.

His death took place at Melbourne on August 14, 1961, at the age of 80 years.

Archival/Heritage Resources

Royal Women's Hospital Archives

  • Book of Remembrance, 1956 - 1975; Royal Women's Hospital Archives [ Details... ].

Prepared by: Robyn Waymouth

Created: 20 September 2006, Last modified: 27 November 2006