Alexander Lipmann-Kessel facts for kids
Lipmann Kessel (born December 19, 1914 – died June 5, 1986) was a very famous orthopaedic surgeon. He was also a brave medical officer during World War II. People often called him by his nickname, Lippy. He received special awards like the MBE and the MC for his service.
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A Hero at the Battle of Arnhem
Lipmann Kessel was born in Pretoria, South Africa. During World War II, he was a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). He was part of the 16th (Parachute) Field Ambulance unit.
Saving Lives at St. Elisabeth Hospital
Kessel played a key role in the Battle of Arnhem. This was a very important battle during the war. He worked at the St. Elisabeth Hospital in Arnhem. He is famous for saving the life of Brigadier Sir John Winthrop Hackett Junior. Brigadier Hackett had a very serious stomach injury. Kessel performed surgery on him, which saved his life.
One day, Kessel looked out of a hospital window. He saw the general in charge of the whole battle, Major General Urquhart, running down the street. Kessel later learned that the general was about to hide in a house. He stayed there for over 30 hours, surrounded by German soldiers.
A Language Mix-Up
When Kessel first arrived at the St. Elisabeth Hospital, he tried to speak to the Dutch staff. He spoke in Afrikaans, a language he learned as a child in South Africa. He thought it sounded like Dutch. However, the staff were offended. To them, Afrikaans sounded like German. They quickly told him to always speak English instead.
Capture and Escape
Kessel, who was Jewish, was taken prisoner during the Battle of Arnhem. But he later managed to escape. He wrote about his amazing experiences in his book, Surgeon at Arms. This book was published in 1958.
Life After the War
After the war, Kessel became a very successful surgeon. He worked in London and became a professor. He was an Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of London. This means he was a respected professor who had retired.
His Final Wish
Lipmann Kessel passed away on June 5, 1986. He had a special wish for where he wanted to be buried. He asked to be buried in Arnhem Civil Cemetery. This cemetery is close to the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery. Many of the soldiers who died in the Battle of Arnhem are buried there. Kessel wanted to be close to the brave men he served with.
