Kevin Fagan (doctor)
Encyclopedia
Kevin James Fagan AO
(5 February 1909 - 1992) was an Australian doctor and World War II
hero.
After attending St Ignatius' College, Riverview
on a bursary, Fagan was Dux of the School in both 1925 and 1926, enabling him to study Medicine
at the University of Sydney
. He lived on campus at St John's College, University of Sydney
from 1927 to 1932.
After graduation he returned to Tasmania
and became Superintendent of Hobart General hospital in 1937. Shortly after the outbreak of World War II
he joined the Army Medical Corps and was posted to Singapore
in 1942 with the 8th Division. He was soon a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese, first in Changi
and later on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway.
An outstanding surgeon, he was every bit as influential in his care of the sick and injured soldiers as the high profile Sir Weary Dunlop. One of many testimonies from the Australian War Memorial
reads:
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(5 February 1909 - 1992) was an Australian doctor and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
hero.
After attending St Ignatius' College, Riverview
St Ignatius' College, Riverview
Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview is a Roman Catholic, day and boarding school for boys, located in Riverview, a small suburb situated on the Lane Cove River on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
on a bursary, Fagan was Dux of the School in both 1925 and 1926, enabling him to study Medicine
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, or in Latin Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae , are the two first professional degrees awarded upon graduation from medical school in medicine and surgery by universities in various countries...
at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
. He lived on campus at St John's College, University of Sydney
St John's College, University of Sydney
]St John's College, or the College of St John the Evangelist, is a residential College within the University of Sydney.Established in 1857, the College of St John the Evangelist is the oldest Roman Catholic university college and second-oldest university college in Australia, and is one of the...
from 1927 to 1932.
After graduation he returned to Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
and became Superintendent of Hobart General hospital in 1937. Shortly after the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he joined the Army Medical Corps and was posted to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in 1942 with the 8th Division. He was soon a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese, first in Changi
Changi Prison
Changi Prison is a prison located in Changi in the eastern part of Singapore.-First prison and POW camp:...
and later on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway.
An outstanding surgeon, he was every bit as influential in his care of the sick and injured soldiers as the high profile Sir Weary Dunlop. One of many testimonies from the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia...
reads:
- 'To many an unfortunate digger and others who rolled and tossed and cried out with the well nigh insufferable agony of those….. ulcers came a man who ceased suffering and pain and taking limbs off in many cases he put them on the road to home again. Yes Major Fagan, the diggers’ children will hear your name spoken with feelings of gratitude for many a long day to come. For the noble work you did, your name will be memorable'.
External links
- Residents Support Cambrai Library - PDF file
- Some bursary stories - PDF file
- World War II Nominal Roll