Hugh Ward (bacteriologist) facts for kids

Hugh Kingsley Ward (born 1887, died 1972) was a famous Australian scientist who studied tiny living things called bacteria. He was a professor at the University of Sydney for many years. He was also a champion rower who even competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics for Australasia. He earned a special award called the Military Cross for his bravery.

About Hugh Kingsley Ward

Hugh Kingsley Ward was born in Petersham, New South Wales, Australia, on September 17, 1887. His father, Frederick, worked as an editor for important newspapers like the Sydney Mail. Hugh was the youngest of eight children in his family.

In May 1927, he married Constance Isabella Docker, who was a librarian. Her father was a judge in New South Wales. Hugh and Constance had a son and a daughter. Hugh Kingsley Ward passed away in Sydney Hospital on November 22, 1972.

His Education

Hugh Ward went to Sydney Grammar School when he was younger. In 1910, he finished his medical studies at the University of Sydney. He earned a Bachelor of Medicine degree.

In 1911, he received a special scholarship called the Rhodes Scholarship. This allowed him to study at New College, Oxford in England. He continued his studies there and graduated in 1913. He earned diplomas in anthropology (the study of human societies) and public health.

Rowing Achievements

Hugh Ward was a very talented rower. In 1909, he was part of the Sydney University team that won a major rowing event. The next year, in 1910, he led the New South Wales crew to victory at the Australian Interstate Regatta.

When he was studying at Oxford, Ward rowed for New College. In 1912, he competed against the Sydney Rowing Club at the Henley Royal Regatta. The Sydney team won that race. Hugh Ward then joined the Sydney team to represent Australasia at the 1912 Summer Olympics. They competed in the men's eight race.

He continued to row for Oxford University in 1913 and 1914. To honor his achievements, the University of Sydney opened the HK Ward Gymnasium in 1967.

Military Service

Hugh Ward joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a lieutenant on August 5, 1914. He arrived in France just one week later. In April 1915, he was promoted to Captain.

In 1916, he was wounded while serving in France. That same year, he received the Military Cross award. This was for his bravery in helping wounded soldiers on the battlefield. In June 1917, Ward was taken as a prisoner in Nieuport, Belgium. He later received two more bars to his Military Cross, showing even more acts of courage.

Medical Career

In 1911, Hugh Ward worked as a Resident Medical Officer at Sydney Hospital. From 1923 to 1924, he was a special research fellow at Harvard University in the United States. He then became an Assistant Professor of Bacteriology at Harvard from 1926 to 1934.

In 1935, he returned to Sydney, Australia. He became the Bosch Professor of Bacteriology at the University of Sydney. He held this important position until 1952. Many famous medical scientists, like Donald Metcalf, Gustav Nossal, and Jacques Miller, said that Hugh Ward inspired them. After 1952, he worked as a medical officer for the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service until 1969.