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Edward "Weary" Dunlop

Origin: Wangaratta, Victoria (July 12, 1907 – July 2, 1993)

Heroic Values: Achievement, Caring, Courage, Faith, Humility, Integrity, Perseverance, Selflessness, Tolerance, Vision, Wisdom

Background

Edward Dunlop was born in rural Victoria just before World War I. He began a pharmacy apprenticeship there and followed up with a medical degree in Melbourne. At university he was their champion boxer and played rugby union for Australia.

He enlisted in the army at the declaration of World War II. While stationed in Java his hospital was captured by the Japanese. He resisted an opportunity to escape to ensure the continued care of his patients. He was sent to work on the Siam-Burma railway with a thousand men. It was called the "Railway of Death."

As the commanding officer and medic for that thousand Dunlop held an awesome responsibility. He was in charge of who was to work each day under gruelling conditions. Starvation and injury were common and Dunlop often stood up to his Japanese captors at the expense of his own health. He was tortured and beaten.

When released he returned to Australia where he continued practicing medicine. He became an abassador for Australia, traveling throughout Asia looking to heal the relationships between countries that had been at war. His sense of forgiveness was revered world-wide.

Submitted by: Pat Herley

Sources

Wikipedia
The online encyclopedia

Dunlop Foundation
Dunlop's bio page

Australian War Memorial
The biography page