John Francis Filmer
Encyclopedia
John Francis Filmer was an Australian-born scientist
who later emigrated to New Zealand to continue his scientific research career.
from which he graduated B.V.Sc. in 1916.
In the First World War, Filmer served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps
in Greece
and Salonika.
. Filmer worked on the problem of Denmark Disease or Enzootic Marasmus.
During his period in Western Australia, Filmer, in collaboration with E. J. Underwood
, achieved a major research success which was to prove of incalculable benefit to agriculture
in New Zealand and throughout the world. “Bush sickness” had imposed severe restrictions on animal production in New Zealand. The use of iron compounds had resulted in a partial though precarious control of the disease. Filmer and Underwood showed that the beneficial effect of iron compounds resided in the minute amount of cobalt
present as an impurity. This meant that the way was open for complete control of bush sickness and allied wasting diseases. The two men suggested that the effect of cobalt on cattle and sheep might be mediated through “some growth factor for whose formation cobalt is necessary”. This clearly foreshadowed the discovery of vitamin B12
and proof that the role of cobalt as an essential trace element is exerted through this vitamin.
. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1938 where he soon became director of the Animal Research Division of the Department of Agriculture, a position he held until his retirement in September 1960. Soon afterwards, the University of Melbourne conferred on Filmer the degree of D.V.Sc. for a thesis on his work on cobalt deficiency.
Filmer was Secretary to Section L of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science
(ANZAAS) in 1926 and was President and Life Member of the New Zealand Animal Production Society. In 1954, Filmer was elected an honorary Associate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
. He was President of the New Zealand Grasslands Association in 1955.
In 1961, Filmer was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Society of New Zealand. In the same year, he received the Imperial Service Order
in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Filmer was twice President of the New Zealand Veterinary Association and he was elected a Life Member in 1961.
In 1968, Massey University conferred on Filmer the degree of Honorary
Doctor of Science
and in 1971 he was elected a Life Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists.
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
who later emigrated to New Zealand to continue his scientific research career.
Early life
Filmer spent his early life in Western Australia and won a Government Exhibition Scholarship which took him to the University of MelbourneUniversity of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
from which he graduated B.V.Sc. in 1916.
In the First World War, Filmer served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps
Royal Army Veterinary Corps
The Royal Army Veterinary Corps is an administrative and operational branch of the British Army responsible for the provision, training and care of animals. It is a small but technically competent corps forming part of the Army Medical Services...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and Salonika.
Research success
On his return to Australia, Filmer commenced private practice in Katanning in Western Australia. In 1925, he joined the Department of Agriculture in FreemantleFreemantle
Freemantle is a suburb and electoral ward in Southampton, UK.Origins of the name are uncertain, but there are similarly named places in Hampshire, notably a suburb of Hannington and Freemantle Common in Bitterne...
. Filmer worked on the problem of Denmark Disease or Enzootic Marasmus.
During his period in Western Australia, Filmer, in collaboration with E. J. Underwood
E. J. Underwood
E. J. Underwood is a American football defensive back who is currently a member of the Cincinnati Commandos.-Early life:...
, achieved a major research success which was to prove of incalculable benefit to agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
in New Zealand and throughout the world. “Bush sickness” had imposed severe restrictions on animal production in New Zealand. The use of iron compounds had resulted in a partial though precarious control of the disease. Filmer and Underwood showed that the beneficial effect of iron compounds resided in the minute amount of cobalt
Cobalt
Cobalt is a chemical element with symbol Co and atomic number 27. It is found naturally only in chemically combined form. The free element, produced by reductive smelting, is a hard, lustrous, silver-gray metal....
present as an impurity. This meant that the way was open for complete control of bush sickness and allied wasting diseases. The two men suggested that the effect of cobalt on cattle and sheep might be mediated through “some growth factor for whose formation cobalt is necessary”. This clearly foreshadowed the discovery of vitamin B12
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, vitamin B12 or vitamin B-12, also called cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins...
and proof that the role of cobalt as an essential trace element is exerted through this vitamin.
Later career
Filmer moved to Victoria in 1936 and took up the position of Veterinary Research Officer with the Western Districts Research Association in CamperdownCamperdown, Victoria
Camperdown is an historically significant rural town in southwestern Victoria, Australia, south west of the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2006 census, Camperdown had a population of 3,165.-History:...
. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1938 where he soon became director of the Animal Research Division of the Department of Agriculture, a position he held until his retirement in September 1960. Soon afterwards, the University of Melbourne conferred on Filmer the degree of D.V.Sc. for a thesis on his work on cobalt deficiency.
Filmer was Secretary to Section L of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science
Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science
The Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science is an organisation that was founded in 1888 by Archibald Liversidge as the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science to promote science. It was modelled on the British Association for the Advancement of Science...
(ANZAAS) in 1926 and was President and Life Member of the New Zealand Animal Production Society. In 1954, Filmer was elected an honorary Associate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom. Established in 1844 by Royal Charter, its statutory duties are laid out in the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act.-Role:...
. He was President of the New Zealand Grasslands Association in 1955.
In 1961, Filmer was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Society of New Zealand. In the same year, he received the Imperial Service Order
Imperial Service Order
The Imperial Service Order was established by King Edward VII in August 1902. It was awarded on retirement to the administration and clerical staff of the Civil Service throughout the British Empire for long and meritorious service. Normally a person must have served for 25 years to become...
in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Filmer was twice President of the New Zealand Veterinary Association and he was elected a Life Member in 1961.
In 1968, Massey University conferred on Filmer the degree of Honorary
Honorary title (academic)
Honorary titles in academia may be conferred on persons in recognition of contributions by a non-employee or by an employee beyond regular duties...
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
and in 1971 he was elected a Life Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists.