Edwin Harry Medlin

Harry Medlin was born at Orroroo on 4 January 1920, and attended the South Australian School of Mines and Industries from 1936 to 1939.[1]

He enlisted in the Australian Army in 1938, rising to the rank of captain at the age of 20, and was a prisoner of war of the Japanese in Timor and Java from 23 February 1942 to 23 September 1945.[2]  He was awarded the Australian Efficiency Medal in 1957, plus five campaign stars and medals.[3]

On leaving the Army in 1946, he commenced studies at the University of Adelaide under the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme.[4]  He graduated Bachelor of Science in 1949, took Honours in 1951, and completed his PhD on X-ray crystallography in 1955.[5]  He was appointed Lecturer in Physics at the University in 1951 and gained promotion to Senior Lecturer in 1960 and Reader in Physics in 1974.[6] 

Medlin became Inaugural Chair of both the Alumni Association, which he helped found, and the Education Committee’s Executive Committee (1980-82).[7]  After his retirement in 1985 he continued to support the University, contributing to its governance through membership of the Senate Standing Committee from 1965-80, and the University Council from 1967-2006.[8]  He also took an active interest in the Staff Association, Theatre Guild and University Union, and held executive positions in these and many other associations over the years.

Medlin was Deputy Chancellor of the University from 1978 to 1984 and Senior Deputy Chancellor from 1984 to 1997.[9]  He was awarded the degree of Doctor of the University in 1987 and was a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001.[10]  He also received the 2002 Centenary Medal for creative and productive involvement in all aspects of the work, life and culture of universities.[11]

[1] The University of Adelaide. (2013) Memorial service Dr Harry Medlin, Friday 5 April 2013, [Memorial service program]. Held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts, MSS 0217, Series 1, Item 6

[2] Medlin, H. E. (2001) (Relevant) Curriculum Vitae. Held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts, MSS 0217, Series 1, Item 7

[3] Australian Military Forces. (1957) Australian Efficiency Medal. Held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts, MSS 0217, Series 15, Folder 4, Item 18

[4] Medlin, H. E. (2003) Curriculum Vitae. Held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts, MSS 0217, Series 1, Item 7

[5] Harry Edwin Medlin student record. Held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. University Archives, Series 1117, University Student Cards - 1900 - 1985

[6] Harry Edwin Medlin staff record. Held at: Adelaide. University of Adelaide. University Archives, Series 587, University Retired Staff Records

[7] Medlin, H. E. (1999) The University of Adelaide Alumni Association 1998 annual general meeting, Address by the retiring and inaugural chair Harry Medlin. Held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts, MSS 0217, Series 10, Folder 1, Item 3 and Executive Committee (1980) Record of meeting 30 September 1980. Held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. University Archives, Series 32.

[8] Council of the University of Adelaide. (2006) The University of Adelaide annual report. Held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. University Archives, Series 27, Item 132.

[9] Medlin, H. E. (2008) Curriculum Vitae. Held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts, MSS 0217, Series 1, Item 7.

[10] The University of Adelaide. (1987) The citation for the award of the Degree of Doctor at the University to Edwin Harry Medlin, B.Sc. (Hons.), Ph.D. and The University of Adelaide. (2001) Distinguished Alumni Awards 2001 citations. Both held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts, MSS 0217, Series 1, Item 12.

[11] Howard, Prime Minister John. (2003) [Congratulatory letter]. Held at: Adelaide: University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts, MSS 2017, Series 2, Folder 1, Item 1.

Image:

Edwin Harry Medlin (undated). University of Adelaide. Rare Books and Manuscripts, MSS 0217, Edwin Harry Medlin papers, 1940-2013, Series 5, pocket diary (1985).