From the News

DR. ELDER, C.M.G., DIED IN 63RD YEAR

Consulting Surgeon to the British Army During World War

RIEL REBELLION VETERAN

Was Connected With McGill University and Montreal General Hospital-Also Prominent Churchman

The death occurred yesterday evening of Col. John Munro Elder, C.M.G., M.D., C.M., a well-known surgeon, held in high esteem in military, medical, academic, athletic, and other circles in Montreal. He had experienced poor health ever since his return from France in 1919, where he had suffered a severe Illness contracted through his service as an army surgeon.

Col. Elder was particularly known for his service overseas as a surgeon, first with the McGill hospital, and later as consulting surgeon to the British Amy. When No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, McGill, went overseas in 1915, Col. Elder was given charge of the surgical division of the hospital. On reaching France the McGill hospital was first stationed at Camier. Both there and at Boulogne, where the hospital was later stationed, he exhibited exceptional surgical skill and valuable organizing powers which brought him mention in despatches in 1917, further recognition following in 1918 when he was made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George and an Officer of the Order of Avis by Portugal.

During Gen. H. S. Birkett's absence from France through illness from November 1917 to January 1918, Col. Elder assumed command of the McGill hospital. He was then named consulting surgeon to the British Army with headquarters at Rouen, returning to Canada in January, 1919. While in charge of the surgical division in 1916 he experienced a severe illness from blood poisoning contracted while performing an operation. It was this illness which laid the foundation for the subsequent ill-health that persisted after his return to Canada.

John Munro Elder was born at Huntingdon, Que., October 24, 1859, the son of the late George Elder and his wife Catherine Munro. He graduated in Arts at McGill with first class honors in mental and moral philosophy in 1881, and in medicine with first class honors in 1885. After practising in Huntingdon for several years, he settled in Westmount, where he has resided ever since.

WAS ALSO EDITOR.

While practising in Huntingdon he had been editor of the Huntingdon Gleaner, a paper to which he occasionally contributed throughout life. He had also been headmaster of the Huntingdon Academy, and on coming to Montreal was named demonstrator in anatomy in the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University. He later became lecturer and assistant professor of surgery, a post from which he retired about two years ago. For some years he was a Representative Fellow in Medicine. He was described as an excellent teacher, enthusiastic, capable, and inspiring.

Dr. Elder was interested in athletics. While a student at McGill he was an all-round athlete, taking particular interest in the football team, of which he was captain in 1884-85. While a professor he also was interested in university athletics, accompanying various teams playing outside the city.

For 22 years Dr. Elder was surgeon to the 2nd Regiment, Canadian Artillery, formerly the Montreal Garrison Artillery. In this capacity he served as surgeon-major in the Northwest Rebellion of 1884. At his death he was a colonel of the Canadian Army Medical Corps. He received the Long Service Medal 1907. He was also attending surgeon to the Montreal General Hospital, having been elected assistant surgeon in 1893 and surgeon In 1898. Col. Elder was deeply interested in Presbyterian church matters, being a prominent member of Melville Church, Westmount. He became a member of the congregation in 1890, when it was still located on Cote St. Antoine road, where St. Andrews' Church now stands. In 1900, when the congregation divided, Col. Elder was associated with Mr. J. Harrower, Mr. J. R. Walker and others in the transfer of the name and records of Melville congregation to its present location. For several years he has been an elder of this congregation. He was also for some time a school commissioner of Westmount and a director of the Montreal Municipal Association. Col. Elder was also a well-known clubman, being a member of the Mount Royal Club, of the University Club, of the Montreal Military Institute and of the Royal Montreal Golf Club. He resided at 400 Mount Pleasant avenue, Westmount, for several years, occupying an apartment at the Linton at the time of his death. Married in 1886 to Miss Grace Whitehead Hendrie, he is survived by her; by two sons, Mr. Aubrey II. Elder, advocate, of the firm of Davidson. Wainwright, Elder and Hackett. and Mr. Herbert Elder, a student in medicine: two grandchildren, and several sisters and brothers. One daughter predeceased him.