The image this week shows those present at the opening of Wollongong Hospital in July 1907.

The two doctors featured in this week's Timeless Wollongong are Dr John Kerr, who is standing in the back row fifth from left and Dr Thomas Fowler Wade, seated second from the right.

Dr John Kerr was born in April 1860 at Beith, Scotland, the eldest of six children of John Kerr and Elizabeth (nee Reid). He obtained his degree at Glasgow University in 1883 and was appointed physician and surgeon at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow. He set sail for Sydney on board the four masted sailing ship Loch Broom, arriving on September 23, 1886.

His first appointment in NSW was as a medical officer at Newcastle in 1887, a position he held until 1890. In 1893, he came to Wollongong where he commenced practice in Dr Sidney Fielder's surgery in the old Ewing home named Cormiston in Smith Street, Wollongong, which he eventually purchased. In 1901, he moved his practice to Wye Lodge also located in Smith Street.

Dr John Kerr followed his brother Dr William Kerr in serving as brigade surgeons in the early days of St John Ambulance Service in Wollongong. The brother doctors became affectionately known as Dr John and Dr William.

Dr John Kerr married Miss Evelyn Keith in 1909 in Sydney and they went on to have two sons, John and Bruce. The Kerrs made their home at 12 Corrimal Street, Wollongong.

During the great flu pandemic, Dr John, by then the government medical officer, took the leading part in establishing "the emergency hospital" in the public school in Smith Street, Wollongong. Tending to the patients stricken with the deadly virus added heavily to his already busy schedule.

Dr John retired from his medical practice in 1929 when it was purchased by Dr Goldie. After his retirement, Dr John continued his work as government medical officer and with St John Ambulance.

In October 1940, Dr John and Mrs Kerr were invited to Government House in Sydney to attend an investiture by Governor Lord Wakehurst, where Dr John Kerr was honoured with the Order of Serving Brother of St John. He died at his home on May 21, 1948, at the age of 88.

Dr Thomas Fowler Wade was born in November 1843 in Kilkenny, Ireland. He obtained his medical degree in Dublin, where he practised for some years. Dr Wade set sail from London, arriving at Sydney on board the SS Arabic in December 1886. He first obtained a position as a medical officer in Sydney Hospital, a position he held until 1890. In March 1890, he was appointed to take charge of the newly refurbished Barraba Hospital (Tamworth region). In June 1892, he took over the practice of Dr James Jarvie Hood in Alma Cottage, Market Street, Wollongong (opposite Wollongong Court House).

One of Dr Wade's outstanding contributions to providing medical relief was the care and attention given to the injured miners of the Mount Kembla Mine Disaster in July 1902.

At age 59, Dr Wade married 41-year-old English woman Bertha Constance Rhodes in March 1903 at St Philip's Church, Sydney, and made their home at "Wyuna" in Church Street near Smith's Hill High School, Wollongong.

For his services as one of the doctors who attended the Mount Kembla Mine Disaster, Governor-General Lord Northcote awarded him a silver medal at a ceremony at Sydney Town Hall on August 8, 1904.

Retiring sometime after 1907, the Wades continued to live in their home Wyuna. Dr Thomas Fowler Wade died in April 1915, aged 71.

Mrs Wade continued to live in the family home until she moved into Homeleigh Guest House in Gipps Street. She died in February 1945, aged 82.

Information courtesy of Carol Herben OAM.  Call 0409 832 854 or email  sycado6@bigpond.net.au