Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The Advertiser (Adelaide) - Wednesday 29 April 1942

(Death Notice) SHEPHERD - on April 27 at a private hospital in Adelaide Colonel (Doctor) A E Shepherd CBE DSO VD - dearly beloved husband of Amanda Shepherd of Wooldridge avenue, Wooldridge Estate

(Funeral Notice) SHEPHERD - the friends of the late Colonel (Doctor) Shepherd are respectfully informed that his remains were privately laid to rest on Tuesday in Centennial Park Cemetery, Springbank - Reverend Humphrey officiated

SHEPHERD Arthur Edmund CBE DSO VD

L&LM RCP&S (Edin) LFPS (Glas)

1867-1942

Arthur Edmund Shepherd was born at Norwood South Australia on 21st October 1867, the son of Richard Webb and Susan, nee Bennetts. Richard Webb died in 1870, and in 1872 Susan married Emmanuel Shepherd, a Yorkshire-born land-broker. Emmanuel Shepherd adopted Arthur when he was 5 years old and his surname changed to Shepherd. The family home still stands at 205 Magill Road, Maylands, and is heritage listed. Shepherd was educated at Norwood Grammar School and Prince Alfred College. He studied medicine in Edinburgh. He returned to Australia in 1891 and set up a practice in Norwood. He married his father’s niece, Emma Tarrant Amanda Shepherd in 1895. When the Adelaide Hospital Row led to the resignation of the honorary medical staff in 1895, Shepherd obtained an appointment to the staff as a surgeon, and in 1903 as a gynaecologist. Shepherd also was club doctor and Vice President of the Norwood Football Club. He was the first medical health officer for East Torrens. Shepherd was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1900 in the Volunteer Medical Corps, and in 1903 when this was incorporated into the AAMC he was promoted to captain. He was promoted to major in 1910, and in 1912 promoted lieutenant colonel as CO of 19 FdAmb.

Shepherd enlisted in the AIF when he was 47 years old. He had been acting PMO of 4 MD until he was given command of 8 FdAmb on the 16th August 1915.  His wife, of Molesworth Street, North Adelaide, was named as next of kin. He was   described as of slight build and medium height. His departure for Egypt was delayed by his temporary appointment as DDGMS while Surgeon General Richard Herbert Joseph Fetherston was visiting Egypt and England. Shepherd finally sailed for Egypt in December 1915.  The unit went to France with 5 Div in June 1916.  They took part in the Battles of Fromelles, the Somme, and Ypres. Shepherd was appointed ADMS of 2 Div in November 1917, and promoted colonel in April 1918. He was awarded the DSO in June for his services rendered in France. He continued to play a key role in casualty evacuation in the fighting at Peronne and Mont St Quentin, and the advance to the Hindenburg Line. He was appointed DDMS of 1 Aust Corps in April 1919. He was mentioned in Despatches three times. His AIF appointment was terminated in November 1919 and he was issued with the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal with Oak Leaves. He was also awarded the Medaille de la Reconnaissance Francaise.

On the 15th September 1919 he was appointed CBE. Shepherd was invited to become the Principal Medical Officer of the South Australian branch of the Repatriation Department on his return to Australia. He held this position from 1920 to 1932, while continuing his appointment at the Adelaide Hospital and his private practice. Two of his four sons served as privates in 3 LHR in the Middle East. Shepherd died in Adelaide on 27th April 1942, survived by his wife and six children

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia, who Served in World War 1. 

Verco, Summers, Swain, Jelly. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2014. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD