Chapple, William A

Born Alexandra, Otago 14 Jul 1864             Died Paddington, London 19 Oct 1936

Educated at Alexandra School

Completed part of his medical studies at Otago University, before travelling to London in 1888. There, he attended Kings College Hospital for 1 year, returning to NZ in 1889 to complete his medical degree.

First registered as a medical practitioner in NZ 10 May 1890

Initially practised in Motueka where he became Public Vaccinator and Native Medical Attendant for the Nelson District.

Came to Wellington in 1892, living on the corner of Willis and Dixon Streets in a house built by his architect father-in-law, Thomas Turnbull (see below)

photograph courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Honorary Physician, Wellington Hospital 1898 - 1900

First NZ medical graduate to be employed at Wellington Hospital

Practised until 1906, before switching to a political career.

Member of the Victoria College Council from its inception to 1907

Member for Tuapeka in House of Representatives 1908

Left NZ for England around 1909, he was elected MP for Stirlingshire in the House of Commons 1910 - 1918, and MP for Dumfriesshire 1923 - 1924

He returned to medical practice after 1924, and in fact, he had remained registered as a medical practitioner in NZ throughout.

Resident Casualty Officer, Wellington Hospital 1932 - 1934

Obituary: NZMJ 1936 35:422 BMJ 1936 2: 901