Walter Fell

Walter Fell (28 March 1855 – 22 November 1932) was a New Zealand physician and surgeon.

Early life and education Fell was born on 28 March 1855 at his parents' house Sunnyside (The house still stands and is today known as Warwick House.) His parents were Fanny and Alfred Fell. He was their sixth child and fifth son. His brothers included Charles, who was the eldest, George, also an older sibling, and Arthur, the next-oldest after George. Two more siblings were born in New Zealand before the family decided to return to England for better educational opportunities; they left in January 1859. Once in England, one more sister was born. His 1895 doctoral thesis was The Evolution of Disease.

Professional career Walter Fells' brothers Charles and George had returned to permanently live in New Zealand in 1870 and 1871, respectively. He was honorary surgeon at Wellington Hospital from 1887 to 1890, then honorary physician from 1890 to 1892, and again honorary surgeon from 1893 to 1907. In 1910, he moved to the eastern side of Wellington Harbour to an area belonging to Lower Hutt, where he was one of the first residents. An avid sailer, Fell had a yacht Mahina. The house he had built was also called Mahina. This name was adopted for both the locality and its bay, and Māhina Bay became the official name of the suburb. Fell served as president for both the Port Nicholson Yacht Club and the Star Boating Club.

On 26 April 1886 at St Paul's Church in Wellington, Fell married Margaret (Margie) Richmond. She was the daughter of judge William Richmond, and the niece of Maria and Arthur Atkinson. William Collins was groomsman. The wedding reception was held at judge Richmond's house and afterwards, the couple left for a honeymoon at Rotorua to visit the various lakes. Their son William Richmond Fell became a naval officer.

Fell died at his home on 22 November 1932. He was survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.

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