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Dr Joseph Leathom Wassell Print Page Print this page


Photographs supplied by John Huth

The monument commemorates Dr Joseph Leathom Wassell. The monument originally stood in front of the Town Hall.

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:Victoria Parade , Thursday Island , 4875
State:QLD
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -10.585433
Long: 142.219284
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

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

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Front Inscription

A tribute to the memory of Joseph Leathom Wassell M.B Ch. M. Syd.

Who laboured in Thursday Island for 15 years

Loved and honoured by all

7th April 1915

 

Left Side Inscription
Back Inscription
Right Side Inscription
Inscription in Proximity
Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au