Dr (Lt Colonel) Edward Elmslie Brown.

Edward Brown was born in Perthshire, Scotland in February 1880 and graduated from Edinburgh University MB ChB in 1901. After serving as Ship’s Surgeon on two round the World voyages, he came to Australia sometime after 1905 and established practice in Ipswich in 1907. He was a highly respected Surgeon (having secured a position of Visiting Surgeon at Ipswich Hospital), a competent Businessman (established the Ipswich Woollen Mills at Tivoli), and a valuable Citizen serving on several local committees.

 Dr Brown purchased a house, converted it into a two-storey house for use as his residence and consulting rooms. This is now the site of the Country Women’s Association Hostel for Young Women. He later built his hospital “Oakdale” adjacent to his rooms.

 Dr Brown joined the Australian Military Force (AMF) at the beginning of the War and volunteered for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in August 1916 and commissioned Captain. Two weeks later he was promoted to Major and posted to 14 AGH, where he served for the duration of the War. Initially 14 AGH was based at Abbassia, Cairo then relocated to Port Said in December 1917 to support the offensive in Palestine. Here the Hospital provided care for Australian soldiers evacuated from Palestine, a convalescent facility, and local care for British troops in the Port. It also served as the invaliding base for Australian soldiers classified for return to Australia.

 14 AGH returned to Cairo in January 1919, Brown was promoted to Lt Colonel and appointed Senior Surgeon. The Hospital closed in July 1919. Brown was granted leave to undertake postgraduate studies in Gynaecology at the London Hospital from July until October and returned to Australia and his Ipswich practice in December 1919. He remained active as a reservist in the Australian Army Medical Corps until his death in 1941.

Author: Dr Stewart Parkinson MB BS (Qld) ANZSHM