Gallery
Lemmon, William Morton (1899 - 1961)
M.D., D.G.O., F.R.C.O.G.
- Born
- 6 September 1899
Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia - Died
- 1961
- 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, 1961.
WILLIAM MORTON LEMMON
(1946 - 1959)
William Morton Lemmon, M.D., D.G.O., F.R.C.O.G., was born on September 6th, 1899 at Hawthorn, Melbourne, the son of a Scot, Robert Bennett Lemmon by his wife nee Laura Morton.
He was educated at Trinity Grammar School, Scotch College and the University of Melbourne, graduating M.B., B.S. in 1922. He was a resident medical officer at Geelong Hospital 1922-23 and at the Women’s Hospital, Melbourne in 1924.
He then entered general practice in Vincent Place, Albert Park, and whilst there married Miss Sheila Tompkins, daughter of a well known Melbourne Architect. He decided to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology, gaining the D.G.O. (Melb.) in 1934, subsequently going to England to gain the membership of the College of Obstetricians (which later became the Royal College).
In 1937, he became M.D. (Melb.) for a thesis on endometriosis. In 1957 he joined the Faculty of Medicine in Melbourne, representing the Royal Women’s Hospital Clinical School. He was Honorary Obstetrical Surgeon to Outpatients at the Royal Women’s 1939-46 and from 1946-49 Honorary Outpatient Gynaecological Surgeon. In 1946 he became Obstetrical Surgeon to Inpatients, retiring in 1959.
On the outbreak of war in 1939 he joined the R.A.A.F. but returned in 1943 to the Royal Women’s Hospital retaining his connection with the R.A.A.F. on a part-time basis.
Lemmon was greatly interested in the standards of obstetrical and gynaecological training and served on the Victorian Regional council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist, and in 1947, when he became a member of the Victorian Committee of the R.C.O.G. the first examinations in Australia by the College were held in Melbourne; he was most generous with his time in helping to prepare the 6 Australians who sat for the examination.
He became State Chairman of the College, having been elevated to Fellowship in 1953.
Lemmon, though conservative in his medical attitude of mind, was a man who enjoyed the respect and affection of his patients and his colleagues. A good conversationalist - to whom disputation at times was not unwelcome - he was efficient and kindly and was always willing to help others.
He was interested in tennis and golf, and in the history of Melbourne and of its people. Dr. and Mrs. Lemmon were a devoted couple; he survived his wife by scarcely a year when he died in 1961, at the age of 62 leaving an only daughter Alison (Mrs. Alan Jarman).
Archival/Heritage Resources
Royal Women's Hospital Archives
- Book of Remembrance, 1956 - 1975; Royal Women's Hospital Archives [ Details... ].
Prepared by: Robyn Waymouth
Created: 22 September 2006, Last modified: 26 November 2006