Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

LUSCOMBE Anthony Pearn MB BS

1946 –

Anthony ‘Tony’ Luscombe was born at Monreith Private Hospital, Burnside, on 29th July 1946. He is the eldest son of Thomas George Luscombe, a manufacturer’s representative, and Ethel Florence, nee Pimlott, a legal secretary. His father enlisted in WW1, in August 1916, as a gunner, in the heavy trench mortars, in the Field Artillery Brigades. He has a younger brother, Christopher Thomas, born on 14th April 1949. Luscombe was educated at Scotch College, Mitcham from 1951 until 1963, where he played in the 2nd eighteen football team, and captained the 3rd eleven cricket team. He was awarded a Commonwealth scholarship to study medicine at the University of Adelaide, and in his third year, in 1967, was selected for the Army Undergraduate Scheme at the rank of lieutenant. During his university years he was appointed to the special reserve and attached to 3 FdAmb at Warradale Barracks. He graduated MB BS, in 1969, and completed his residency at the RAH and the RGH. Luscombe married Jane Taylor, a kindergarten teacher, on 20th January 1968.  She is the daughter of Maxwell Garrood Taylor, Managing Director of JN Taylor Marine and Mary Eddie Taylor. They were to have three children. Thomas George, born 12 May 1970, BA (UTS) fashion design and teacher Australian Centre for Photography, Raffles College, Georgina Mary, born 26 December 1971, BSc (Hons), PhD – Medicine, Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics, School of Rural Health, University of Sydney and Clare Simone, born 19 July 1974, who sadly died 10 August 1977.

Luscombe, at the completion of his resident year, in 1970, commenced his return of service for his undergraduate scholarship.  He was promoted to Captain in 1971, and posted to the School of Army Health, Healesville, Victoria.  He was awarded the Sword of Honour as the top graduating student. This was followed by a posting as MO 9 Bn RAR, and was preparing for service in South Vietnam, when the deployment was cancelled. However, in March 1972, he was posted as MO Australian Army Assistance Group Vietnam to provide medical cover for the AATTV, the HQ AAAGV, the Australian Embassy and the British Embassy for the withdrawal from Vietnam. Luscombe remained in the Army following the completion of his return to service obligation, and had several varied and interesting postings. His first posting was as MO to 1 Military Hospital, Brisbane, in 1972. This was followed by promotion to major and posting as MO to the area medical centre Enoggera, Queensland.

He was the team leader of the Australian medical contingent for the SEATO exercise, NAGARAJ, in 1975, in North East Thailand. He then undertook an exchange posting with the British Army and was posted to the Millbank Hospital, London from 1976 until 1977. After his return to Australia, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and posted as CO of 11 FdAmb at Enoggera Barracks, Queensland. This was followed by the appointment as DHS, PNG Defence Force and senior medical officer to the Australian High Commission in PNG. Luscombe returned to Australia and was posted as CO of 2 Military Hospital, at Ingleburn in Sydney.  He was promoted to full colonel and appointed Commander Field Force Medical Services at Victoria Barracks, Paddington, in Sydney. He retired from the Army at the end of 1986.  During his service he was issued with; the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Australian Defence Medal, the National Medal and the Defence Force Efficiency Medal.

Luscombe entered a general practice in Liverpool, NSW, after his retirement from the military.  He became a foundation member of the Macarthur Branch of the AMA and a foundation member of the Liverpool Division of general practice.  He subsequently became the president of the Liverpool Division of General Practice for a number of years, and is now a life member of that organisation. 

He is interested in community care and became the general practitioner representative on the Area Health Service Committees, for share antenatal care, anxiety, and diabetes. Anthony Luscombe moved to Orange, NSW, in 2008, where he works part-time in general practice.  He enjoys classical music, is learning to play the piano,  reading, as well as growing his own fruit and vegetables, model trains and wine appreciation.

Sources

Blood, Sweat and Fears II: Medical Practitioners of South Australia on Active Service After World War 2 to Vietnam 1945-1975.

Summers, Swain, Jelly, Verco. Open Book Howden, Adelaide 2016

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD