Hocken Digital Collections

Pickerill, C.M.W. and H.P. : Papers

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Reference NumberMS-3066CreatorPickerill, Cecily Mary Wise, Dame, 1903-1988Pickerill, Henry Percy, Dr, 1879-1956DescriptionThe collection includes Bassam Hospital papers, correspondence files, Cecily Pickerill's 'lecture box' material, other research papers, newspaper clippings, photographs and colour slides.
Only a small part of this collection is digitised and available through Digital Collections. Information about other items can be found on the Hākena catalogue, through the Library Catalogues link above.History / BiographyPlastic surgeons, Cecily Mary Wise Pickerill and Henry Percy Pickerill were responsible for influencing developments in the field of plastic surgery and the elimination of hospital cross-infection for children who received reconstructive surgery for cleft lips and palates. The couple established The Bassam Hospital in Lower Hutt in 1939 where they formally involved mothers in the care of post-surgery infants, thus helping to establish acceptance of live-in care by mothers in New Zealand hospitals.
Henry Pickerill was born in 1879 in Hereford, England, and came to international prominence as a plastic surgeon during World War I when he served with the New Zealand Medical Corps as part of a small team of Commonwealth surgeons at Queen's Hospital, Sidcup. Sidcup was established to deal with the number of burns and facial injuries from trench warfare. Pickerill qualified in dental surgery at Birmingham University and married Mabel Louise Knott in 1906. The couple were to have four children. The Pickerills emigrated to New Zealand where Henry became the first director of the University of Otago Dental School in 1907 and he was Surgeon in Charge of the Facial and Jaw department, Dunedin Hospital from 1908 to 1927. In 1916 he took leave from the University of Otago to serve as Medical Officer to the Bristol Engineers before becoming Officer in Charge, New Zealand Section, Queen's Hospital, Sidcup. He was awarded the O.B.E.(Military) in 1919 and made C.B.E. in 1923. In 1927 he resigned from the University of Otago and took up a position as senior plastic surgeon at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. He married Cecily Clarkson in 1934. In 1939, after their return to New Zealand, he and Cecily Pickerill established The Bassam Hospital at Lower Hutt. Cecily assisted Henry with plastic surgery work on returning troops during World War II. Pickerill was Plastic Surgeon to the Wellington Hospital until he retired in 1945. In 1947 he organised the Plastic Unit for the Auckland Hospital Board and worked there for the next three years. Henry Pickerill died in August 1956 and until his death he wrote and researched prolifically.
Cecily Mary Wise Pickerill was born in 1903 to Margaret Ann (nee Hunter) and Percy Wise Clarkson, the first Anglican vicar of St Margaret's Anglican Church, Taihape. Cecily commenced medical studies at the University of Otago in 1921. In 1925 she graduated M.B., Ch.B. She worked with Professor Henry Pickerill when she was a house surgeon at Dunedin Hospital in 1926 and continued to work with him as his pupil and colleague in Sydney, and later in private practice in Wellington and at The Bassam. The couple had one daughter. Cecily co-authored articles with Henry but also published on her own; booklets and papers on cleft palate surgery, mother nursing and speech training. She was awarded the O.B.E. in 1958 and was made Dame (D.B.E.) in 1977. Correspondence from former patients and their parents testifies to the kindness and concern Cecily showed to her charges and the rapport she established with their families. After Henry's death, Cecily continued to operate at The Bassam until her retirement in 1967. Cecily and Henry's home, Beech Dale in Silverstream, was known for its magnificent gardens.
For further biographical details on Cecily and Henry Pickerill see the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.

Photograph

Cecily Pickerill and nurse with patient

Depicts Or Relates To

SubjectsSurgery, PlasticSurgeonsPhotography, Medical

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Pickerill, C.M.W. and H.P. : Papers

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