biographies

Wawn, Royle Newton (1880 - 1966)

M.B. (Melb.), F.R.A.C.S.

Born
20 May 1880
East Brighton, Victoria, Australia
Died
14 February 1966
Prahran, 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.1966.


ROYLE NEWTON WAWN

Royle Newton Wawn was born on May 20, 1880, in a small brick home in the Melbourne outer suburb of East Brighton, now known as Bentleigh. His paternal grandfather was a schoolmaster at Strabane, near Londonderry, Northern Ireland, whose son, Robert Wawn, came to Victoria at the age of 19 with his wife from county Armagh. Robert Wawn worked a market garden and orchard in a district supplying the needs of the city 10 miles away; his circumstances were prosperous and a family of two girls and five boys assisted in the work, Roy playing his part by milking one or two cows morning and night as well as attending to other duties around the property.

Roy Wawn’s school life commenced at the East Brighton State School, one mile from home, when he was five years old; but two years later he transferred to the Moorabbin State School, situated two miles in the opposite direction, and since there was no transport, he walked the four miles daily. At the age of 10 years he was successful in obtaining an entrance scholarship to Wesley College, then under the headmastership of A.S. Way, and this led to his matriculation six years later. Way was a distinguished scholar known for his spirited translations of Homer; he was at Wesley for 10 years, promoted the study of science, and provided teaching in business principles for boys not going to the University. During the long vacation after his matriculation, Wawn acquired a knowledge of typing and shorthand that enabled him to earn fees by reporting law court proceedings; then, instead of passing on to the University he accepted a position as secretary to Robert Sticht, manager of the Mount Lyell Mining Company, at Queenstown, near Macquarie Harbour, on the lonely west coast of Tasmania. Sticht was an American metallurgist, of high reputation, a very well educated man, who possessed an extensive library of which Wawn took full advantage. After 12 months at Queenstown, the urge to continue his studies became so strong that Wawn resigned his position and returned to Wesley College at the Beginning of 1899, to remain a further two years.

During this time he studied physics and chemistry in preparation for first year medicine, and he also developed into an outstanding athlete, winning triple colours for representing his school in cricket, football and rowing; in his last year at school he played senior football with the St. Kilda Club.

He entered the University of Melbourne in 1901, and at the end of the year won first class honours in natural philosophy and a scholarship that enabled him to enter Queen’s College, where Edward Sugden was Master - one of the famous trio of Leeper, MacFarland and Sugden, who laid the foundation of the Melbourne residential colleges. At Queen’s, Wawn was prominent in intercollegiate rowing, cricket and football, intervarsity football, and cricket, and he was a member of the University league football team. Roy was a good fast bowler, and once, when playing in a district competition, he secured the last five wickets of an innings with the first five balls of an over; he was proud of being presented with the ball suitably inscribed.

After his graduation in 1906, Roy served as resident medical office for six months at the Melbourne Hospital, then for nine months at the Women’s Hospital.

In 1907 he married Miss Lucy Syme, daughter of Francis Syme and grand-daughter of David Syme, the influential proprietor of the Melboure "Age", and later commenced general practice in Cowra, New South Wales, where his first obstetrical experience was the delivery, by candle light, in a little farm house, of quadruplets. After about two years in Cowra he returned to Melbourne, and in February, 1913, he entered into partnership with Richard Fetherston (later Major-General Fetherston, D.G.M.S.) at 152 High Street, Prahran. This was the practice that had been founded by Gerald Fetherston, Richard’s father, in 1866, so that these three - the two Fetherstons and Roy Wawn - conducted this practice at the same address for exactly 100 years; this may well be a Victorian record. It was a very busy practice with a great deal of domiciliary midwifery, and when Fetherston left on the outbreak of the First World War, Wawn was inundated by the unceasing demands for his services. Arthur Wilson joined him in partnership in 1918, but left in 1930, and Matthew Patrick was his partner from 1927 to 1940.

Roy Wawn was appointed to the obstetric staff of the Women’s Hospital in 1917, and after six years crossed to the gynaecological department. He should normally have retired from the hospital in 1940 on reaching the age of 60 years, but because of the Second World War he remained until 1944.

Roy Wawn was an unusual man in many respects. As a young man he was very fond of sport, in which he was successful; but from the time when he began practice in Prahran he appeared to be entirely engrossed in his work and for more than the last 40 years of practice did not take one holiday. His hospital work was always performed conscientiously and adequately, but once it was completed he seldom delayed his departure from the building; he was a skilful surgeon, but his instruction of the students was infrequent and conversations with his colleagues were brief. Of medium height and well built, he had an attractive personality, a pleasing voice and a courteous manner; but his natural reserve, amounting almost to shyness, denied his colleagues the pleasure of seeing more of him; the insistent demands of a heavy general practice could not allow him ever to tarry at a public hospital or elsewhere. His two great hobbies were reading and philately; his literary taste was omniverous, and his specialised collection of Victorian stamps, which were sold in London some years ago was world renowned.

Roy had three sons, one of whom, Clive, was a Spitfire pilot in the Battle of Britain, and won the D.F.C. in 1940.

Royle Newton Wawn died at Prahran on February 14, 1966, in his eighty-ninth year, a man who had given long years of devoted service to the profession of medicine.

Archival/Heritage Resources

Royal Women's Hospital Archives

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

Prepared by: Robyn Waymouth

Created: 21 September 2006, Last modified: 27 November 2006