Lawrence Herschel Harris
Born in London in 1871, Lawrence Herschel Harris arrived in Australia with his parents when he was an infant. Educated at Sydney Grammar, he went on to study arts at the University of Sydney before switching to medicine. He worked at Sydney Hospital from 1896 to 1907.
Herschel, as he was known, was about to graduate from university when, in 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen discovered what he called X-radiation. This brought together Herschel’s deep interests in medicine and photography, and he founded Sydney Hospital’s first X-ray unit. He became a world leader in the field, publishing many articles and helping create specialised training for nurses.
When war was declared, Herschel was in England for a medical conference. He joined the British Expeditionary Force, setting up an X-ray unit at the Australian Voluntary Hospital in Wimereux, France. Promoted to major, the renowned radiologist transferred to the AIF on 1 May 1915; he would establish and run the X-ray unit at No. 3 General Hospital (3AGH) on Lemnos. There, he found opportunity to also indulge in his interest in photography: Sister Betha McMillan enthused that he had a ‘splendid collection’.
Early radiology was not without its health risks. By November 1915, the ‘X-ray dermatitis’ Herschel had suffered intermittently for 15 years became unbearable. He was evacuated from Lemnos on 3 January 1916 and admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital. The Medical Board considered him ‘unfit for service’ for four months and repatriated him to Australia to recover. Subsequently, his appointment with the AIF was terminated on 2 May 1916.
In September 1920, at just 48 years of age, Herschel died from encephalitis following influenza. He was buried with military honours in the Jewish section of Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney.
The Australian Dictionary of Biography notes he was ‘Kindly, generous and popular … ready to share his knowledge and experience … and known for his consideration for nurses: during the war he had devoted part of his military pay to assist them, and at Lemnos spent much of his off-duty time trying to find extra rations for them’.
