Sailor, Soldier, Surgeon
The life of George W. Barber
by Simon Doyle and Jenny Mills
ISBN 978-0-85905-823-0, (2020 New), Soft Cover, French flaps, 240pp, illustrated, 590grams, $40.00* + Post
An exceptional medical officer during World War I, George Walter Barber had a wayfaring early life. As a teenager he worked as a merchant marine on a clipper serving the England – Australia route. He went on to study medicine and after graduating became a P&O ship doctor sailing the England-India-China route. He met his wife Jess on his final voyage, and they moved to the Kalgoorlie goldfields at the commencement of the goldrush. At the outbreak of the war he was mobilised to assess the fitness of Western Australian recruits. In 1916 he became Assistant Director Medical Services of the 4th Australian Division and in 1918 was appointed Deputy Director Medical Services, Australian Corps. He ran a venereal disease hospital in Egypt and served on a number of gruesome hospital ships during the Gallipoli campaign. As DDMS he was in charge of medical administration for the Australian troops in France and through his Standing Orders enacted a number of significant innovations which reflected the shift towards mobile warfare. He then went on to becomeDirector General Medical Services in Australia after the war (1925-1934).
Available direct from the author (MOB: 0405 956 679, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )