Clive Disher

Harold Clive Disher, (15 October 1891 – 13 March 1976) was an Australian Army officer who served in the First and Second World Wars, a medical practitioner, a champion rower, and a pastoralist. He stroked the first AIF eight, which won the championship race at the 1919 Henley Royal Peace Regatta, and received the 1919 Helms Award for the most outstanding amateur athlete from Australasia. During the Second World War, he was in charge of medical services during the Battle of Bardia and the Battle of Buna-Gona.

Early life Harold Clive Disher was born in Rosedale, Victoria, on 15 October 1891. He was the third and youngest child of Henry Robert Disher, a grazier, and his wife Mary Louise née Hagenauer. He was educated at Rosedale State School, Gippsland College in Sale, Victoria, and Scotch College, Melbourne, where he rowed for the school team in the Head of the River regatta on the Yarra River in 1910 and Barwon River in 1911. He also served in the school's Australian Army Cadets unit. He rowed in the six seat of the Victorian state eight selected to contest the Australian interstate championships of 1914. He entered Ormond College at the University of Melbourne, where he studied medicine, and was awarded his dual Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degrees in 1916. They won the King's Cup, defeating the Oxford University team in the final by a length. Disher received the 1919 Helms Award for the most outstanding amateur athlete from Australasia. He also took the opportunity for postgraduate study at hospitals in the UK under the Inter-Allied Fellowship of Medicine scheme from 23 July to 23 October 1919. He pursued a career as an anaesthetist, obtaining a Diploma in Anaesthetics issued jointly by the Royal College of Physicians, London, and the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He became an honorary anaesthetist at Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1928, and senior honorary anaesthetist in 1938. and was awarded the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937. AIF#1 VIII 1919 Henley Peace Regatta : (rear) Disher, Mettam, Hauenstein, Lt. Gen Hobbs, Middleton, Scott, McGill, (front) Robb, Smedley, House. The Army placed Disher on the Reserve of Officers with the rank of captain on 1 January 1921. He was promoted to major on 1 May 1924, and lieutenant colonel on 1 September 1930. He commanded the 5th Cavalry Field Ambulance (part of the 2nd Cavalry Division, a part-time Militia formation) from 11 April 1928 until 30 April 1936. He was placed on the unattached list on 1 July 1936, but was appointed Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services (DADMS) of the 2nd Cavalry Division on 17 August 1936. On 1 October 1938, he became the Assistant Director of Medical Services (ADMS) of the 2nd Cavalry Division, with the temporary rank of colonel. His rank became substantive on 13 October 1939. and made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 4 July 1941. His citation read:quote|Colonel H. C. Disher was responsible for the complete organisation of the medical services during the engagements of Bardia 3–5 January, Tobruk 21–22 January, Derna 24–31 January, and the rest of the Cyrenaica campaign ending on 7 February. By his skilful distributions of dressing stations, thorough attention to detail, and inspiring influence, casualties were collected and received attention at the earliest possible moment. These efficient arrangements undoubtedly saved many valuable lives. Disher died at Sale on 13 March 1976, and his remains were cremated. He had no children, and his wife died on 8 June 1946.

Disher bequeathed his estate at Strathfieldsaye, which was valued at around $588,500 , along with its records, to the University of Melbourne, which established the Strathfieldsaye Institute of Teaching and Research in Agriculture and Allied Sciences. The records were transferred to the University of Melbourne archives.

The Disher Challenge Cup, an annual rowing race for eight-oared boats on Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin that is contested by the Australian Defence Force Academy, the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and the Australian National University, was named in his honour; Disher presented the cup to the inaugural winners in 1971.