The First Female doctor to receive the Military Medal.
Phoebe Chapple was born in Adelaide on 31st March 1879 to Frederic Chapple and Elizabeth Sarah (nee Hunter).
She commenced a Bachelor of Science course in 1896 at the University of Adelaide and completed in 1898. She went on to study Medicine, and qualified in 1904.
She served at the Adelaide Hospital as house surgeon in 1905. In 1906 and 1907 she worked with the Sydney Medical Mission. Returning to Adelaide in 1907, she conducted first aid courses in conjunction with the Y.W.C.A. and St. John Ambulance Brigade.
Dr Chapple did a great deal of work of a charitable nature without charge. From around 1910 she was acting as honorary surgeon, later honorary superintendent at the Salvation Army’s maternity hospital.
Then War erupted and she wished to volunteer for active service. As the Australian forces had no intention of employing women doctors, she sailed to England at her own expense in February 1917. She arrived in April, and was soon appointed as surgeon with the Cambridge Hospital, attending to wounded soldiers. In November 1917 she was appointed honorary Captain in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps.
While treating wounded soldiers at the front, the W.A.A.C.’s shelter trench was bombed and machine-gunned by German aeroplanes, and many around her were killed. With apparent disregard for her own safety she attended to the wounds of her injured comrades and despatched them to nearby Abbeville.
For her coolness under fire she was awarded a Military Medal, the first woman doctor to be so decorated, presented at Buckingham Palace in June 1919.
Her return to Adelaide received large fanfare and media coverage. Her arrival was covered in many newspapers of the time including The Register (Adelaide, SA). After her return she was asked when she was going to resume work. Her answer “Straight away”.
At the Adelaide Hospital she held many positions including in December 1919 being appointed surgeon to the clinical department. As well as from honorary medical officer at the night clinic (venereal diseases), for women patients from 1921-1922.
This is a brief look at such an incredible woman and doctor. Her full story will be told in a biography on this website in the future.
Written by Kellie Branson, CALHN Health Museum