Category: Community (Warminster)

Some notes regarding Dr. Hosking, written by Danny Howell in 1992:

Doctor John Edward Francis Hosking, MRCS Eng., LCRP., was born in 1860. He graduated at Guy’s Hospital, London, and first practised at Warminster, taking over Joseph Hinton’s practice (which was based at the Chestnuts, Portway) in 1893.

The Warminster entries in Kelly’s 1895 Directory For Wiltshire list him as a surgeon, and also record that he was one of three medical officers at Warminster Cottage Hospital. The 1899 Directory still records him as a medical officer at the Warminster Cottage Hospital, but refers to him as a “physician and surgeon,” with the new address of 52 Market Place (then known as Eversfield House and now used by the Gateway supermarket).

Dr. Hosking, his wife, and his son Guy (born 1894), left Warminster and emigrated to Australia in 1899. They sailed on the ship Torrens, with Dr. Hosking acting as medical officer on board. The family emigrated on account of Mrs. Hosking’s poor health. She was born at Bath on 25th January 1870. Her maiden name was Rosalie Bleeck Hinton.

On arriving in Australia Dr. Hosking commenced in practice at Deniliquin, in October 1900. His surgery was situated at Cressy Street, next door to Mr. Laman, solicitor. Dr. Hosking and his wife and son lived in a house called Winsley Chase, on the corner of Wick and Hughes Street.

Mrs. Hosking gave birth to a daughter, Katherine Lenora, on 16th August 1901 but the baby died the same day. Just over a month later, on 28th September 1901, Mrs. Hosking passed away at the home of a Mrs. A.H. Windeyer at Tarrangile.

Dr. Hosking moved to a property called Booyong, which had been built by a Mr. Fitznead, the Shire Engineer. Hosking married again, his second wife being the widow of Thomas Brown, of Tuppal Station.

Dr. Hosking took over Dr. Noyes’ practice (based in a house called Laverstock at George Street) when Noyes died in 1902. The Hoskings moved to Laverstock in July 1905. Dr. Hosking then conducted his practice from Jefferson’s chemist’s shop in End Street. Known affectionately as “Dr. John” he remained in practice until 1933, until selling out to Dr. Frederick Charles Middleton. It was, in fact, during May 1933 that Dr. Hosking handed in his resignation as medical officer at Deniliquin Hospital. His resignation took effect from 30th June 1933.

On his farewell he received an illuminated address and a wallet of notes. He purchased, for his retirement, a property east of Deniliquin which he named Eversfield after his former home at 52 Market Place, Warminster. Dr. Hosking passed away, aged 90, on 21st June 1950.