HAMMILL, Robert Duncan
| Service Number: | SX19024 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 December 1942, Wayville, SA |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | 37/52 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF |
| Born: | Laura, South Australia, 24 February 1915 |
| Home Town: | North Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | St Peter's College, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Medical Practitioner |
| Died: | South Australia, 13 July 1982, aged 67 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 14 Dec 1942: | Involvement Captain, SX19024, 37/52 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Dec 1942: | Enlisted Wayville, SA | |
| 14 Dec 1942: | Enlisted SX19024 | |
| 3 Apr 1946: | Discharged Captain, 37/52 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF | |
| 3 Apr 1946: | Discharged SX19024 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Annette Summers
HAMMILL Robert Duncan MB BS
1915 - 1982
Robert Duncan Hammill was born, on 24th February 1915, at Laura, SA. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs H R Hammill. He had a younger brother Geoffrey James who served in the 2/AIF as a private soldier. He was educated at St Peter’s College and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1942. Hammill married Joyce Gemmell Tassie, on 26th July 1941, at St Peter’s College Chapel. She was the only daughter of Dr Leslie Gemmell Tassie DSO and Doris Stirling, nee Howell, of Port Pirie. Her father had served in WW1 and was awarded the DSO for his actions during operations near Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Hammill enlisted into the 2/AIF on the 14th December 1942, from the Reserve of Officers, following his medical registration. He named his wife Joyce as his next of kin, giving his address as Le Fevre Terrace, North Adelaide, SA. He was transferred to 52 ACH in SA on the day of his enlistment and undertook a course in hygiene and sanitation in Clovelly, NSW. Remaining in SA, he was taken on the strength of 105 AMH on 12th July 1943. He completed a course in chemical warfare in August 1943 before a posting to 2/5 AGH and preparation for service in PNG. He arrived in Port Moresby, on the Canberra, on 4th January 1944 where he was allotted for duty as RMO to 37/52 Inf Bn. After service in PNG, he returned to Australia on the Katoomba from Madang in August 1944. He remained posted as RMO with 37/53 Inf Bn and was sent to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain, in February 1945. He served in New Britain for a year eventually leaving Rabaul for Australia on 4th February 1946. After his return, he was posted to the Inter-service Medical Wing in preparation for his discharge and placement on the Reserve of Officers on 4th April 1946.
Following the war, Hammill was living in Millswood, SA and took up general practice. He then moved to Florence Street, Port Pirie about 1950, where he continued with general practice and was appointed area medical officer to Port Pirie for the Department of Defence. He also was appointed Medical Superintendent of the Port Pirie Hospital from 1956, and was a member of the AMA. His wife, Joyce, died on 3rd March 1964. Robert Duncan Hammill died 13th July 1982.
Source
Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2.
Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019.
Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD
Click images to start slideshow.