Wilfred John Nickson (1860–1948)
Newcastle's oldest medical practitioner, Dr. Wilfrid John Nickson, died at his home in Newcomen st. early this morning at the age of 84 years.
Dr. Nickson carried out his normal medical rounds up till Thursday, but became ill on Friday.
He was confined to bed and died early this morning from a heart attack. The late Dr. Nickson was probably the oldest medical practitioner in N.S.W. and carried on his practice in Newcastle for more than 60 years. He was an honorary surgeon at Newcastle Hospital for 50 years and chairman of the Newcastle Hospital Medical Board for 25 years.
He graduated from Dublin University and came to Newcastle in the latter part of the 19th century, commencing practice with the late Dr. J L. Beeston.
A keen sportsman, he represented Dublin University at cricket and football and was a representative player in Rugby Union for Ireland
Dr. Nickson held the rank of senior naval surgeon in the Royal Australian Navy for many years, retiring only a few years ago.
He was a member of the Newcastle School of Arts committee, a member of the original Newcastle Rifle Club and a prominent member of the original Newcastle Military Brigade, Ambulance division.
He was closely associated with the Newcastle Cathedral as a Churchwarden and a member of the Diocesan Board.
The late Dr. Nickson was also a committeeman of the Newcastle Club for many years.
He is survived by his son, Dr. W. L. Nickson, two daughters, Miss Aileen Nickson and Mrs. Norman Morriss, and four grand-daughters. Misses Ann and Jane Nickson and Shelagh and Jocelyn Morriss.
Dr. Nickson, and his wife, who died some years ago, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in April, 1941. His wife was formerly Miss Beeston, a sister of Dr. Beeston.
The late Dr. Nickson's associate. Dr. C. A. F. Clark, said this morning that the new wing being constructed at Newcastle Hospital would be a permanent memorial to a man who gave more than half a century of service to the hospital.
After a service commencing at 1.45 p.m. the funeral will leave Christ Church Cathedral tomorrow afternoon for the Crematorium, Beresfield.
Original publication
Additional Resources
- World War II service record, item A6769, NICKSON W J R, National Archives of Australia
- Trove search
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Nickson, Wilfred John
- Nickson, Ann Jane (wife)
- Beeston, Amelia Jane (mother-in-law)
- Beeston, John Lievesley (father-in-law)
- Hand, Frances Amelia (sister-in-law)
- Beeston, Maude Mary (sister-in-law)
- Beeston, Joseph Lievesley (brother-in-law)
- Beeston, John Denison (brother-in-law)
- Beeston, George Frank (brother-in-law)
- Beeston, William Alfred (brother-in-law)
- Hammick, Sarah (aunt by marriage)
- Firth, Annie Elizabeth (aunt by marriage)
- Beeston, Thomas (uncle by marriage)
- Metcalfe, Francis Bramall (friend)
- Beeston, Joseph Lievesley (colleague)
Citation details
'Nickson, Wilfred John (1860–1948)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/nickson-wilfred-john-19673/text30991, accessed 9 September 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
Death
16 October,
1948
(aged ~ 88)
Newcastle,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.