Dr James McMurray Cole

Nine Generations In Medicine

The cover of the Autumn [2008] edition caught my eye as among the 125-year-oldies is my father (centre back row). My father, James McMurray Cole, born in 1874, went to AgS [Auckland Grammar School] from his home in Onehunga. He did two and half years at uni for a BA but didn’t complete his final year as he decided to do medicine and his Presbyterian minister advised Edinburgh – to which a number of NZers went at that time – Otago being a bit limited. He qualified in medicine and went on to train as a surgeon (frcge). He and my mother (English) came back here in 1922. He was on the Auckland hospital staff as a surgeon, dying prematurely in 1947. I followed him in to surgery (orthothoracic) and was later dean of medicine here for 15 years. Two granddaughters are in the two medical schools and when qualified will be the ninth generation with medical members. Thank you for this reminder – it is one of the few good photos we have.
Yours sincerely,
David Cole,
Dean of the University of Auckland’s School of medicine, 1974 to 1989

This letter was sent to Ingenio in May. Professor David Cole died on 8 September, 2008. An eminent cardiothoracic surgeon based at Greenlane Hospital he was among the first appointed to the teaching staff of the University’s new medical school, established in 1968. Over the next few years he took up the role of Associate Dean of Graduate Studies before being named as Deputy Dean and later succeeding Professor Cecil Lewis, the Foundation Dean.

1927 GMC Medical Register
Name: Cole, James McMurray
Address: Moresby avenue, Waihi, N.Z
Date & Place of Registration: 1918, Dec. 20, Scotland Qualifications: M.B., Ch.B. 1918, U. Edin.; F.R.C.S. Edin.,1921

1920 James McMurray Cole letter shipboard to Blanche Cole New Zealand
Marriage notice for James Murray Cole and Doris Elizabeth Alcock
Birth of daughter Elizabeth in Mansfield

Contact us at cole@familycole.net  Return to Home Page