Arthur Barton Pilgrim Amies (1902 - 1976)

Born 1902 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Geraldine Christein Wilhelmine (Collee) Amies — married 27 May 1930 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Died 4 Dec 1976 at about age 74 in Christmas Hills, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Arthur Amies is Notable.

Professor Sir Arthur Amies CMG DDSc was an Australian professor of dental science and army medical officer.

Arthur Amies was born in Western Australia, Australia

Arthur Barton Pilgrim Amies was born on 17th October 1902 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. He was the son of Arthur Pilgrim Amies, a business manager, and Sarah Presland. ^[1]

After graduating from Perth Modern School Arthur entered the University of Melbourne, gaining his Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc) degree in 1924. In 1926 he travelled to Scotland where, at the University of Edinburgh, he qualified (LRCP) and (LRCS) in 1928. Back in Australia, Arthur worked on a part-time basis at the (Royal) Dental Hospital of Melbourne and entered private practice, while also studying for a Doctor of Dental Science (DDSc) (which he gained in 1929) and a Diploma of Laryngology and Otology (1933).

Arthur married fellow dentist Geraldine Christein Wilhelmina Collee (1906-1982) on 27th May 1930 in Scots Church, Adelaide, South Australia. ^[2] They had a daughter, Geraldine Veronica Louisa, in 1936 however, sadly, she passed away at one day old. ^[3]

He was appointed professor of dental science (later dental medicine and surgery) at the University of Melbourne in 1934, an appointment which simultaneously made him dean of the faculty, principal of the Australian College of Dentistry and dean of the Dental Hospital. Elected a fellow of Queen's College in 1939, he was a councillor from 1945 to 1976; chairing the professorial board in 1956 and twice acting as vice-chancellor.

Arthur Amies is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1940-1944
4th Australian General Hospital; 2nd Australian General Hospital

On 19th June 1940 Arthur was commissioned as a dental officer in the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF). As a Major, he served with the 4th Australian General Hospital (AGH) at Tobruk, and in a facio-maxillary and plastic unit attached to the 2nd AGH in Egypt, before returning to university duties in June 1942. ^[4] He was nominated to Legacy in 1945, was president in 1955 and did much to advance its aims.

Throughout his career Arthur received many academic distinctions and civil honours, including:

• Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), 1934
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRCE), 1938
• Fellow of the American College of Dentists, 1938
• Fellow in dental surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, 1948
• Fellow in surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, 1949
• Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG), New Year Honours 1949 ^[5]
• Fellow in dental surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, 1951
• Knight Bachelor, Queen's Birthday Honours 1957. ^[6]
• Honorary LLD by the University of Glasgow, 1963
• Fellow of the (Royal) Australian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS), 1965

Aged 74 years, he passed away on 4th December 1976 at home in Christmas Hills, Victoria. ^[7] He was survived by his wife, who passed in 1982.

Sources

1. ↑ Western Australia Birth Index #4983/1902
2. ↑ South Australia Marriage Index #323/635 1930
3. ↑ Victoria Death Index #6790/1936; registered at Toorak
4. ↑ Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: VX28600 Major Arthur Barton Pilgrim Amies; accessed 9 Feb 2024
5. ↑ Australian Honours: CMG; accessed 9 Feb 2024
6. ↑ Australian Honours: Knight Bachelor; accessed 9 Feb 2024
7. ↑ Victoria Death Index #1873/1977