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JUTTNER Colin Percival MB BS

1910-2003

Colin Percival Juttner was born, on 2nd September 1910, in Tanunda SA. He was the son of Frank Julius Edward Juttner and Florence Mabel Birrell, nee Haynes. He was educated at St Peter’s College and the University of Melbourne, as a resident in Trinity College as was his father, where he studied medicine graduating in 1935. He completed two years of residency in Perth Hospital from 1936 to 1937. The following year he went to England with the intention of gaining an FRCS, but this did not eventuate because he had to return home for family reasons in 1938. He married Patricia Stokes Seppelt, on 24th November 1938, at St Peter’s College Chapel. She was the daughter of Camillo Pedro Seppelt and Winifred Stokes, nee Bagshaw. After the marriage, they returned to the United Kingdom in a second attempt for him to get his surgical qualifications but the war intervened, and they returned to Australia.

Juttner enlisted in the army, in Tanunda, SA, on 23rd December 1940, and placed on the Reserve of Officers. He gave his wife, Patricia, as next of kin and they were living in Woodside SA at the time. He commenced full-time duty on 8th August 1941. He was allotted to 2/9th FdAmb, and he reported for duty on 13th August 1941. He embarked for 2 MD on 16th August 1941, for preparation for overseas service. He left on the Wanganella, on 2nd September 1941, arriving in Singapore on 15th September 1941. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese, on 15th February 1942; he was initially reported as missing but later found as a POW in Malaya. Juttner was one of 10 Medical officers in support of about 3,600 Australian prisoners. He was sent as part of “F” Force to Thailand on a five-day train trip and a forced march of 300 km to Northern Thailand to Kami Songkurai as far north as any Australians. He suffered beatings as well as the terrible conditions and disease faced by all prisoners. After the railway was completed on 17th October 1943, he was returned to Singapore which included a ship trip from Bangkok to Singapore. He was recovered from Kranji prison on 31st August 1945.  After release, he embarked in Singapore on 19th September 1945 arriving in Sydney on 6th October. He was admitted to 105 AMH on 11th November and discharged on 22nd November 1945 to SA LoC for discharge. His appointment was terminated on 22nd November 1945, and he was placed on the Reserve of Officers.

After the war, Juttner established a general practice in Woodside, SA and was the Medical Superintendent of Onkaparinga Hospital from 1946 to 1972. He was very interested in horse-racing and part-owned a horse name named Alas whom he had hopes of beating a favorite horse of the day called, Matrice. He rode Alas in trials despite weighing 11 stone, and Alas did eventually have a win against Matrice. Juttner and his wife were also keen bridge card players. He opened the Woodside Tennis Club, and they were involved in many community activities. He had a fall feeding his horses not long before his death. Colin Percival Juttner died on 15th July 2003; survived by his wife, Patricia and two children, Angela and Michael. 

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