A remarkable man in the worst and best of times, Old Boy Sir Hugh Acland (3070) left his mark in the theatres of war and medicine. A battlefield surgeon, survivor of the sinking of the Marquette by a German U-boat, saviour to soldiers, early cancer research proponent, foundation fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and inspirational health leader, Sir Hugh carried a formidable load. Canterbury’s first full-time private surgeon, he also drove medical innovations and led the charge for better hospital facilities, including the development of Princess Margaret Hospital. Repeatedly called back into action, Sir Hugh performed about 4,000 operations in World War I alone, determined to save lives while navigating the massive loss of young soldiers’ limbs. He then faced the trauma of rehabilitation, supporting those Kiwis whose bodies were shattered in the Battle of the Somme. However, his initial surgical experience came in the Boer War when he was a civil surgeon with the Royal Army Medical Corps. For a young man who had only left Christ’s College in 1892, the Boer War was a confronting introduction to gangrene and amputation following his training at St Thomas’ Hospital in London (1894–1898), where he was awarded the prestigious Cheselden Medal for surgery. By 1901, Sir Hugh was back in London. It was there that he met a nurse, Evelyn Ovans, who would
Still affected by his Marquette experience, Hugh was also
become his wife. Chosen by Florence Nightingale, Evelyn had quickly risen through the nursing ranks at St Thomas’ Hospital, overseeing the ward where a young Hugh worked. Heading home to Christchurch a few years later, Hugh established his own practice and, in December 1903, was appointed an honorary surgeon at Christchurch Hospital – a facility he later campaigned to improve and expand. He would be recognised as Canterbury’s first private surgical specialist. By 1907, Hugh was also helping to oversee
determined to honour the nurses lost at sea, with the construction of the Nurses’ Memorial Chapel. Meanwhile, he accepted yet another service role, being elected a Fellow of Christ’s College in 1920. Hugh was also a medical examiner for the University of Otago, an advisor to Plunket, and a fundraiser for cancer research. Remarkably, he found the time to lead the local Red Cross branch, take a senior role at St George’s Hospital, and represent his community as a city councillor and Hospital Board member while committing to his personal cause – milk pasteurisation. In 1933, he was appointed a knight bachelor – becoming New Zealand’s 6th medical knight. In World War II, Colonel Sir Hugh Acland faced his third military conflict as Assistant Director of Medical Services for the Southern Military District. While many might opt for a quieter post-war life, he continued to work for his community. As the wider Acland family gathered to celebrate the centenary of Mount Peel Station in 1956, Sir Hugh died at his Christchurch home aged 81. Honouring his wishes, a simple wooden cross – similar to those of World War I – initially marked his grave at Mount Peel. You can discover more about this remarkable Old Boy in a new biography, Acland – More Than a Surgeon, The Life of Sir Hugh Acland (1874–1956) available through Nationwide Book Distributors online.
the family estate, Mount Peel Station in South Canterbury.
He returned to military service as a member of the New Zealand Medical Corps based in Egypt in World War I. In October 1915, Hugh boarded a British transport ship, the Marquette , bound for Greece. It was torpedoed by a German U-boat. Among the 167 fatalities were 32 New Zealanders, including 10 nurses. Among those left to survive in the water for seven hours was Hugh. His next stop was the Western Front in France where he saw “some of the worst cases” from the Somme. Hugh dealt with horrific injuries as shells, mortars, and high-velocity bullets wreaked havoc. Blood-drenched makeshift operating areas and piles of amputated limbs were the norm. He was later appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for his extraordinary service before returning to New Zealand in 1919 to take on the next battle – the influenza pandemic that would claim the lives of 9,000 Kiwis.
COLLEGE 2026
67
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker