Dr Gilmore Wilson
Dr Gilmore Wilson with his eldest son, Harry.
Dr Benjamin Gilmore Wilson (known as Gilmore Wilson), the second Medical Superintendent at Ipswich Hospital, was part of a medical dynasty started by his grandfather, the Reverend Benjamin Gilmore Wilson.
Dr Gilmore Wilson graduated from Sydney University's school of medicine and succeeded Dr Phillip Thornton as the medical superintendent in 1915.
He was born in Queensland in 1889, the eldest son of Benjamin Gilmore Wilson and Esther Cribb. His grandfather, the Reverend, had qualifications as both a medical practitioner and a clergyman, and came to Queensland from England in 1858, after an open invitation was put out for someone to take charge of the first Baptist Church in Queensland. Most of his activities in Queensland involved the church, but he would help out during medical emergencies.
After five years in the role of Medical Superintendent Dr Gilmore Wilson retired from Ipswich General Hospital in 1920 and set up a general practice at his home on the corner of Brisbane and Thorn streets, now the Limestone Medical Centre, in partnership with his cousin, Mervyn Patterson. His family would become one of Ipswich's most distinguished medical families.
In 1919, the influenza epidemic sweeping the world made its way to Ipswich. From mid May to mid June over 3000 cases were recorded; there were probably countless others. About 20 deaths occurred in the hospital and doctors and nurses were also afflicted, including the superintendent, Dr Wilson.
Gilmore and his wife, Dorothy Dunstan, had three sons and a daughter. His three sons all attended Ipswich Grammar School. Dr Wilson also served as Chairman of Trustees of Ipswich Grammar School from 1929-1942.
Their eldest son, Harry Gilmore, was Dux of IGS in 1934 and became a cardiologist (The Harry G Wilson Building at IGS is named in his honour). The second son, Chester Gilmore, became a well-known Ipswich obstetrician who went on to deliver many future IGS pupils. The third son, Brian Gilmore, also studied medicine and became a highly regarded ophthalmologist and recipient of one of the six inaugural Churchill Trust Fellowships in 1966 and in 2007 was awarded an OAM for his services to ophthalmology and to the community. Their daughter, Esther Frances Gilmore, attended Ipswich Girls Grammar School and later studied medicine, one of only two female students in her year at the then three year old University of Queensland. She married another doctor, Charles Roe, and they set up practice in Brisbane. Her three daughters also became doctors.
