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Dr Joseph Wassell Grave : 22-07-213
Dr Joseph Wassell Grave : 22-07-213

Photographs supplied by John Huth

The monument erected over the grave commemorates Dr Joseph Leathom Wassell who was a medical practitioner on Thursday Island. A memorial tablet which was mistakenly delivered to Torrens Island in South Australia, was found in 1996 and returned to Thursday Island and placed on the tombstone in 2005.

Dr Wassell was a medical practitioner, military medical officer and quarantine officer on Thursday Island until his untimely death at the age of 42 in April 1915 as result of stonefish envenomation. 

A graduate of Sydney University, Dr Wassell worked for 15 years in the Torres Strait and was so highly regarded that a memorial was erected on Thursday Island in his honour in front of the Town Hall.

Dr Wassell, Government Medical Officer died on the 7th April 1915 from sepsis after a week's illness. Business on the island was practically suspended and few people were absent from the funeral which took place on the 8th April, the ceremony being of a masonic and military character.
Cairns Post, 9th April 1915. 

 

Location

Address:Aplin Road, Cemetery, Thursday Island, 4875
State:QLD
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -10.575689
Long: 142.216797
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Grave
Monument Theme:People
Sub-Theme:Medicine

Dedication

Front Inscription

In loving memory of Joseph Leathom Wassell M.B., CH. M   Captain A.A.M.C.

Who departed this life 

7th April 1915

Aged 41 years

Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Plaque :

In memory of Joseph Leathom Wassell  M.B., M.S.

Quarantine Officer
Thursday Island

Died April 7th 1915.


 

Left Side Inscription

Joe. L. Wassell  M.B., CH. M. Sydney

Comrade of the past with memories
For ever dear, taken in the prime
Of life we now mourn our loss

At Rest

Back Inscription

Thy will be done

 

Right Side Inscription

Right Wor. Bro, Joseph Leathom Wassell

A.M.D.G. SUP.

Held in grateful remembrance with  worthy honour and reverent esteem by his fellow brethren of Lodge Torres Strait No. 620 S.C.
 

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au