HAWKESBURY HISTORY
with Michelle Nichols & Jonathan Auld
The charitable Dr Helsham of Richmond
Dr Helsham is credited with establishing the St John’ s Ambulance service in Richmond in the early twentieth century. The organisation formed in England during the late 1800s, following the principles of the Order of St John and spread to Australia by 1883.
William Macdonald Helsham was born near Maryborough in Queensland in 1864, son of Douglas and Sarah. He travelled to England for his training, at St Thomas’ Hospital London, and was awarded the diploma of Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians( LRCP) in 1887. The following year, he became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons( MRCS). On his return in 1888, he was registered by the Medical Board of NSW and arrived in Richmond shortly after. Helsham took over the practice of Dr Davidson who had moved to Bowral. He advertised that he was available for consultations at Mrs Jockels in Windsor Street Richmond. There are many accounts of his medical proficiency in the local papers and he was also noted for his compassion while“ tending to the welfare of the people” of Richmond.
He integrated into the Hawkesbury community and in 1892 married Elizabeth Farquharson Stewart, daughter of William and Mary Stewart at St Peter’ s Anglican Church Richmond. The following year, they welcomed a daughter, Eileen Bessie.
The Hawkesbury Agricultural College was founded on the outskirts of Richmond in the 1890s with courses focussing on agriculture. By 1892, Dr Helsham was listed as the Medical Officer for the newly formed college and was delivering“ a course of ambulance lectures for the benefit of the students” to impart knowledge of medical aid. He was also Medical Officer at the College between 1896-1910 and again in 1916-1928.
Dr Helsham was involved in the local Volunteer militia for many years, and was serving from the 1890s, being promoted from Lieutenant to Captain in 1899. The Australian Army Medical Corps formed in 1902 and a contingent was deployed to the Boer War. It formally combined all of the armed forces medical services throughout Australia. Prior to this, Helsham had been appointed in 1895 to the Medical Staff Corps.
In 1913, a local newspaper reported that Dr Helsham was“ conducting an ambulance class … in the School of Arts” in Richmond, comprising of five lessons however only men were eligible.
It appears that in mid-1913, Richmond Ambulance Division was established with Dr Helsham as Superintendent, Mr W. Headford as Ambulance Officer, Minister Rev Milne and Secretary Ken Sly with eight members. Most of the men had participated in an earlier ambulance class conducted by Helsham.
War was declared in 1914 and the nation
quickly acted with men volunteering for the Australian Imperial Force( AIF), joined by doctors and nurses. The local community swiftly volunteered with many joining up within days of the announcement.
Dr Helsham enlisted in August, aged fifty. Many of the students, staff and employees from Hawkesbury Agricultural College, followed his example. Helsham was appointed as Major and was to oversee the First Division’ s Light Horse Field Ambulance Brigade and its formation. Over the next few days, a large number of students from the College, enlisted joining Helsham.
There were over thirty students and connected Hawkesburyites in the 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance, A Squadron, including Dr Piero Fiaschi the son of Dr Thomas Fiaschi from Tizzana Winery at Ebenezer and Helsham’ s younger
Temp Brig-Gen C F Cox, Major W M Helsham( centre) & Major W Glasgow, Egypt 1915, courtesy State Library of Qld brother, Charles. Whilst at Gallipoli, Helsham became unwell and was admitted to hospital. He suffered with an inconveniently placed cyst, aggravated by the strain of his work, and was eventually sent to Malta for treatment but invalided out. He returned home in 1915 and was officially terminated in 1916.
Many of the students who enlisted were fond of Helsham and this was confirmed in correspondence to Principal Potts at the Agricultural College. The soldiers were sorry to see him leave, and mentioned how well Helsham treated them. Tom Rutherford wrote to Potts that Helsham had,“ always been thoughtful for his men, and since landing here he has proved himself to be cool under fire, going about his duties in the face of almost overwhelming difficulties, coming through the whole bright and cheery. We fully recognise that we are losing an officer who can never be replaced, and Richmond may well be proud of her representative.”
Returning to Richmond, Helsham remained in the town for another decade. He was still involved with the Ambulance Division which expanded. Working in the community, they aided the sick, transported the injured and provided first aid at sports and other events in the town, as well as providing first aid training. Helsham continued with St John’ s Ambulance until 1930, according to the Division’ s history. He was the Superintendent as well as the Divisional Surgeon, from 1913 until 1930. He liked his sports, and went on to become the Patron of the Richmond District Tennis Association and was also associated with local cricket, golf, plus a keen committee member of the Hawkesbury Race Club. Exceptionally community minded, Dr Helsham was“ associated with the Richmond Hospital since
Helsham family 1895-1896, Helsham Family Archives, courtesy Nick Florance.
Dr Helsham’ s Service card, courtesy National Archives of Australia
its inception”, a member of Richmond Horticultural Society, and a committee member for 30 plus years and“ several times President of the Richmond School of Ar ts”.
After forty years of service, Dr Helsham retired in 1928 with Dr Steele acquiring the practice. A farewell event was held at the Richmond School of Arts to acknowledge the Helsham’ s, attended by many dignitaries. It was mentioned that he,“ without expectation of any other reward than their good wishes and gratitude, attended to the sick poor, to the aged and infirm” which was very appreciated. Mrs Helsham was remembered for her gallant efforts in fundraising for Soldiers Memorial Hall at the College after the war.
The couple retired to Narrabeen with the benevolent Dr Helsham enjoying twenty odd years of retirement before he passed away in 1948.
Elizabeth lived until 1962.
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