Edward Dunlop - Prisoner of War, Timeline and Facts
Home › Australian › Edward DunlopJuly 12, 1907641 viewsEdward Dunlop's Personal Details
Weary Dunlop was an Australian surgeon who was captured by the Japanese during the World War II
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | July 12, 1907 |
| Died on | July 2, 1993 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Famous | Monash University, University Of Melbourne, Leaders, Military Leaders, Surgeons, Prisoner of War |
| Known as | Lieutenant Colonel Sir Ernest Edward |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Wangaratta |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Born in | Wangaratta |
| Famous as | Prisoner of War |
| Died at Age | 85 |
Edward Dunlop's photo
Who is Edward Dunlop?
Weary Dunlop was an Australian surgeon who was captured by the Japanese during the World War II. He received much acclaim for his leadership skills and bravery in captivity. A graduate of the University of Melbourne with first class honors in pharmacy and in medicine, he was commissioned into the Australian Army Medical Corps in 1939. He was serving as a surgeon during World War II when he became a prisoner-of-war in 1942. He was among the 106 Australian doctors captured by the Japanese and was placed in charge of prisoner-of-war camps in Java by his captors. After being held in a number of camps, he was eventually moved to the Thai-Burma railway where he, along with the other prisoners was forced into strenuous labor with inadequate food and regular physical punishments. But even in the harshest of circumstances, he maintained his optimism and helped to ease other prisoners’ pain with his skills as a doctor. A courageous human being, he not only healed his fellow prisoners, but also boosted their morale which helped to keep the survival rates of the Australian prisoners higher than those of other nationalities. He survived the war and in the post-war years he devoted himself to the health and welfare of former prisoners-of-war.
// Famous Surgeons
Al-Zahrawi
Al-Zahrawi, was an illustrious medieval Arab Muslim physician and surgeon. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and interesting facts about him.
Russell M. Nelson
Russell M. Nelson is an American religious leader, author, and philanthropist. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
René Gerónimo Favaloro
René Gerónimo Favaloro was a renowned Argentinean cardiovascular surgeon. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts related to his life.
Childhood & Early Life
Ernest Edward "Weary" Dunlop was born on 12 July 1907, in Major Plains, Victoria. His parents were James and Alice, and he had one brother named Alan.
He attended Stewarton Public School and Benalla High School. After completing his schooling he began an apprenticeship in pharmacy in 1924.
He moved to Melbourne in 1927 to attend the Victorian College of Pharmacy. A brilliant student, he excelled in his studies and in 1930, he was awarded a scholarship to study medicine at Ormond College, Melbourne University.
He performed well in his studies and was also an active sportsman, representing Australia at the rugby union in 1932. Here he acquired the nickname “Weary” as a reference to his last name Dunlop, a popular brand of tyres ("tired" like a Dunlop tyre). He graduated in 1934 with first class honors in pharmacy and in medicine.
Career
Weary Dunlop embarked on a medical career in 1935 by joining the Royal Melbourne Hospital as a junior resident. The next year he was appointed Senior Surgical Resident.
In 1937, he joined the Children's Hospital as Resident and graduated as Master of Surgery from Melbourne University the same year.
In 1938 he sailed to London aboard the SS Ormonde as the ship's medical officer. There he attended St Bartholomew's Medical School and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. While in Britain he was deeply influenced by his mentors Professor Grey-Turner and Sir Thomas Dunhill and resolved to follow their example.
When the World War II broke out, Weary Dunlop was working as a surgeon at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. He immediately enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Corps (6th Division) in 1939 with the rank of Captain.
He was posted as Medical Officer at the headquarters of the Australian Overseas Base in Jerusalem, and was appointed Acting Assistant Director of Medical Services. In 1940, he was promoted to Major.
He then served in Greece and Crete as AIF Medical Liaison Officer on the staff of the Deputy Director of Medical Services of Lusterforce. The Australian Divisions were withdrawn from the Middle East for home defense and Dunlop was transferred to Java where he was promoted to temporary Lt Colonel in 1942.
Dunlop was in command of No.1 Allied General Hospital at Bandung when the Japanese captured the region along with the hospital and he was taken prisoner-of-war along with several other doctors.
He displayed great leadership skills which prompted his captors to place him in charge of prisoner-of-war camps in Java. After being held in a number of camps in Java, the Australian prisoners including Dunlop were transferred to Singapore.
From Singapore, he was sent to Thailand in 1943 as in charge of "Dunlop Force" to work on the Burma-Thailand railway. The prisoners-of-war were used as forced laborers in the railway work and made to toil under the most unfavorable circumstances. Food was scarce, and the prisoners were regularly subjected to beatings.
To add to the prisoners’ misery, disease was rampant and there were no medical supplies. Yet Weary Dunlop worked the best he could to help the sick and the dying prisoners, and boosted their morale. He even defied his captors to help his fellow prisoners, often putting his own life in risk.
The war ended in 1945 and Dunlop was appointed Lt Colonel. He was demobilized in 1946 and proceeded to establish his private medical practice which proved to be a successful one.
In 1956 he became Consultant Surgeon to the Peter MacCallum Clinic and appointed the Senior Consultant at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1964. He served as the medical officer for the British Phosphate Commission from 1973 to 1981.
Alongside his medical practice he also supported many social, educational and sporting associations. He was actively involved with ex-prisoner of war and veterans associations and even served as federal president of the Ex-POW Association of Australia for a while.
Major Works
As a prisoner-of-war, he displayed great courage even in the most horrible circumstances and tended to the sick and dying with utmost determination even when there were no medical supplies. He boosted the morale of fellow prisoners and is credited to be one of the reasons why Australian survival rates were the highest.
Awards & Achievements
Weary Dunlop was made Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1965.
In 1988 he was named one of '200 Great Australians.'
In 1993, he was made Knight Grand Cross (1st Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Royal Crown of Thailand.
He was also an Honorary Fellow of the Imperial College London and of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Personal Life & Legacy
He became engaged to Helen Ferguson in June l940. But the couple could get married only a few years later in 1945 due to the World War II. They had two sons, John and Alexander.
He died on 2 July 1993, at the age of 85.
// Famous Monash University
Nick Cave
Nick Cave is an Australian musician, screenwriter and songwriter. This biography profiles his childhood, career, works, life, achievements and timeline.
Lim Guan Eng
Lim Guan Eng is the fourth and current Chief Minister of Penang. This biography of Lim Guan Eng provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline
Edward Dunlop's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | Australian of the Year | |
Edward Dunlop biography timelines
- // 12th Jul 1907Ernest Edward "Weary" Dunlop was born on 12 July 1907, in Major Plains, Victoria. His parents were James and Alice, and he had one brother named Alan.
- // 1924He attended Stewarton Public School and Benalla High School. After completing his schooling he began an apprenticeship in pharmacy in 1924.
- // 1927 To 1930He moved to Melbourne in 1927 to attend the Victorian College of Pharmacy. A brilliant student, he excelled in his studies and in 1930, he was awarded a scholarship to study medicine at Ormond College, Melbourne University.
- // 1932 To 1934He performed well in his studies and was also an active sportsman, representing Australia at the rugby union in 1932. Here he acquired the nickname “Weary” as a reference to his last name Dunlop, a popular brand of tyres ("tired" like a Dunlop tyre). He graduated in 1934 with first class honors in pharmacy and in medicine.
- // 1935Weary Dunlop embarked on a medical career in 1935 by joining the Royal Melbourne Hospital as a junior resident. The next year he was appointed Senior Surgical Resident.
- // 1937In 1937, he joined the Children's Hospital as Resident and graduated as Master of Surgery from Melbourne University the same year.
- // 1938In 1938 he sailed to London aboard the SS Ormonde as the ship's medical officer. There he attended St Bartholomew's Medical School and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. While in Britain he was deeply influenced by his mentors Professor Grey-Turner and Sir Thomas Dunhill and resolved to follow their example.
- // 1939When the World War II broke out, Weary Dunlop was working as a surgeon at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. He immediately enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Corps (6th Division) in 1939 with the rank of Captain.
- // 1940He was posted as Medical Officer at the headquarters of the Australian Overseas Base in Jerusalem, and was appointed Acting Assistant Director of Medical Services. In 1940, he was promoted to Major.
- // 1942He then served in Greece and Crete as AIF Medical Liaison Officer on the staff of the Deputy Director of Medical Services of Lusterforce. The Australian Divisions were withdrawn from the Middle East for home defense and Dunlop was transferred to Java where he was promoted to temporary Lt Colonel in 1942.
- // 1943From Singapore, he was sent to Thailand in 1943 as in charge of "Dunlop Force" to work on the Burma-Thailand railway. The prisoners-of-war were used as forced laborers in the railway work and made to toil under the most unfavorable circumstances. Food was scarce, and the prisoners were regularly subjected to beatings.
- // 1945 To 1946The war ended in 1945 and Dunlop was appointed Lt Colonel. He was demobilized in 1946 and proceeded to establish his private medical practice which proved to be a successful one.
- // 1945He became engaged to Helen Ferguson in June l940. But the couple could get married only a few years later in 1945 due to the World War II. They had two sons, John and Alexander.
- // 1965Weary Dunlop was made Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1965.
- // 1988In 1988 he was named one of '200 Great Australians.'
- // 1993In 1993, he was made Knight Grand Cross (1st Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Royal Crown of Thailand.
- // 2nd Jul 1993He died on 2 July 1993, at the age of 85.
// Famous University Of Melbourne
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman is one of the most talented actors that the Hollywood film industry can boast of. Browse through this biography to get detailed information regarding her life, childhood, profile & timeline
Peter Singer
Peter Singer is an Australian moral philosopher who has challenged traditional notions of applied ethics throughout his philosophical and literary career. Check out this biography to get detailed information on his life.
Julia Gillard
Julia Gillard is a former Prime Minister of Australia and the first woman to hold the position. To know more about her childhood, career, profile and timeline read on
Sir John Eccles
Sir John Carew Eccles was a neurophysiologist from Australia who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. This biography profiles his childhood, life, career, research, achievements and timeline.
Alfred Deakin
Alfred Deakin was an Australian prime minister who is credited with the implementation of many significant welfare policies. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, profile, career and timeline
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett is an Australian actress best known for her role in the movie ‘Elizabeth.’ Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Edward Dunlop's FAQ
What is Edward Dunlop birthday?
Edward Dunlop was born at 1907-07-12
When was Edward Dunlop died?
Edward Dunlop was died at 1993-07-02
Where was Edward Dunlop died?
Edward Dunlop was died in Melbourne
Which age was Edward Dunlop died?
Edward Dunlop was died at age 85
Where is Edward Dunlop's birth place?
Edward Dunlop was born in Wangaratta
What is Edward Dunlop nationalities?
Edward Dunlop's nationalities is Australian
What was Edward Dunlop universities?
Edward Dunlop studied at Monash University,University Of Melbourne, Monash University, Parkville campus, University of Melbourne
What was Edward Dunlop notable alumnis?
Edward Dunlop's notable alumnis is Monash University, University Of Melbourne
What is Edward Dunlop's sun sign?
Edward Dunlop is Cancer
How famous is Edward Dunlop?
Edward Dunlop is famouse as Prisoner of War