Donald McGavin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Donald McGavin

Major General Sir Donald Johnstone McGavin CMG DSO CStJ (19 August 1876 – 8 May 1960) was a New Zealand surgeon, army health administrator and medical administrator. He was born in Chatham, Kent, England. He qualified as a Doctor of Medicine in 1901.

Johnstone then joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a civilian surgeon, serving in Natal during the Boer War. He then moved to New Zealand and started practicing as a surgeon in Wellington, and later became a volunteer medical officer, serving in World War I. Following the war, he served as Director-General of Medical Services from 1919 to 1924, and as a medical advisor to the Minister of Defence during World War II.[1]

In the 1919 New Year Honours, McGavin was made an additional Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.[2] He was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 1921 King's Birthday Honours.[3] In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.[4] In 1946 he was appointed as a Commander of the Order of St John.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Blair, Ross D. "Donald Johnstone McGavin". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  2. ^ "No. 31092". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1919. p. 6.
  3. ^ "No. 13745". The Edinburgh Gazette. 23 September 1921. p. 1568.
  4. ^ "Official jubilee medals". Evening Post. Vol. CXIX, no. 105. 6 May 1935. p. 4. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  5. ^ "No. 37417". The London Gazette. 1 January 1946. p. 204.