Dr Stuart Vance Marshall

Personal Details

Dr Stuart Vance Marshall

30/03/1900 to 17/03/1967

Place of birth: Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia

Nationality: Australian

CRN: 715519

Also known as: Stuie

Education and qualifications

General education

Wahroonga College; Public School in Cattal, Windsor District; (after WW1) Army Corps School; Sydney University.

Primary medical qualification(s)

MB ChB, Sydney, 1925

Initial Fellowship and type

FFARCS by Election

Year of Fellowship

1949

Other qualification(s)

ChM, Sydney University, 1935; DA(RCP&S), 1936; MRACP, 194? (Fellow 1947)

Professional life and career

Postgraduate career

After graduation Marshall was Resident Medical Officer, then Assistant Medical Superintendent, at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, and subsequently Medical Superintendent of the Royal North Shore Hospital. In 1930 he drove across the Nullabour Plane, a hazardous journey then, to take up practice in Pinjarra. Always interested in anaesthetics, in 1935 he travelled to London to study for, and pass, the very first examination for the Diploma in Anaesthetics. Returning to Sydney in 1936 he worked in private practice and secured appointments at a number of hospitals, these later including the neurosurgical department of the Royal Prince Alfred. In 1940 he enlisted and, as a Major, served in the Middle East, Greece, Crete, Palestine and the north of Australia before returning to civilian life, and encouraging group practice in anaesthesia, until his retirement in 1960.

Professional interests and activities

Marshall joined the Australian Society of Anaesthetists in 1936, served as secretary, revised its constitution and, while often critical of its policy, he was a strong supporter, serving as President in 1951-2. His term coincided with the establishment of the Australasian Faculty, of which he was a foundation Fellow, and he attempted to define the relationship between the two organisations. He was recognised for his teaching, both verbal and written, and for his thorough, but candidly critical book reviews.

Other biographical information

Marshall was known for his wide ranging clinical knowledge, honesty of purpose, kindly disposition and loyalty to his country. Not only did he serve in WW2, he tried to enlist for WW1 at the tender age of 14, and again when 16. On the second attempt he reached the horrors of the Western Front before his medical officer elder brother extracted him to work in a military hospital, this experience perhaps influencing his later career choice.

Author and Sources

Author: Prof Tony Wildsmith

Sources and any other comments: Obituary by Dr Harry Daly – MJA 18/11/1967; 960-1. I would thank Dr Fraser Faithfull for his assistance with additional detail.