"Davidson, John Murrison.  Captain.  Born 11 Oct 1892. Enlisted Oct 1915.  Having been a Veterinary Surgeon before the war, he gave his services to the Veterinary Corps, and gained the Military Medal.  He served in France from 1916 until the armistice in 1918.  In 1908, while attending this school, Cptn Davidson gained a Junior Scholarship, and later won an Exhibition, for the Melb university.  He is a Bachelor of Veterinary Science".

Citation for Military Cross  3.5.18 

Aust Army Veterinary Corps attached 10th Aust Inf Bde.  Capt John Murrison DAVIDSON

During the heavy enemy gas bombardment of HEILLY and adjacent Areas on 24th and on the night 25th April, several of the transport lines of this Bde were heavily gas shelled many of the animals being gassed.  Capt Davidson immediately took charge of the situation and although the shelling was still severe, directed the removal of he horses to a fresh locality and attended to the treatment of those affected.  His energy was ceaseless and he worked strenuously in the gassed area until all the animals had received treatment and then supervised their withdrawal.  On the move, the party came under fire again and some of the animals and a driver were wounded, but thanks to the organisation and care of Capt DAVIDSON the casualties were kept at a minimum.

(Sgd) John Monash Maj-Gen GOC 3rd Aust Div.

(NAA B2455 Davidson John Murrison)

Roll of Honour  - University Veterinary School - The University of Melbourne

Davidson, John Murrison, LVSc 1912, BVSc 1913

JOHN MURRISON DAVIDSON

It is with deep regret that we record the death of the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Department of Primary Industry, Mr John Murrison Davidson, who passed away on September 28th after a brief illness.

John Murrison Davidson was born in Melbourne in October 1892.  After three years at what is now known as the Melbourne High School he proceeded to the Melbourne University, graduating with the degree of B.V.Sc at the end of 1913.  He immediately joined the Department of Trade and Customs as a veterinary inspector of the meat Export Branch, with headquarters in Brisbane.

In April 1915 he was granted leave of absence to accompany two consignments of horses to Egypt in the capacity of Transport Veterinary Officer.  Later in the same year he went to France where he served as Captain A.A.V.C. until November 1919.  For distinguished service in forward areas, he was awarded the Military Cross.

Resuming duty in the Meat Export Branch he was temporarily appointed in charge of inspection in Victoria and in March 1920 was transferred to Sydney to take charge of the branch in N.S.W.  He held this position until promoted to that of Chief Veterinary Officer and Chief Fruit Inspector in December 1945.  In this capacity he earned the highest respect of his veterinary colleagues and of the leaders of the met industry and other industries with which he was closely associated.

Whilst retaining an active interest in the wider field of veterinary activities, his main work was as a veterinary administrator and in this direction his control of a total veterinary and lay staff of about 600 has generally been acknowledged in Australia and overseas as outstanding.

He took a full interest in A.V.A. activities being a member of Council and of the Qualifications Committee for many years, and was President of the A.V.A. during the years 1939 - 1941.  He was also an earlier President of the N.S.W. Division.

He represented his Department on a number of Committees including the Animal Reproduction Committee, Tinplate Advisory Committee, Food Defence Committee, and Biennial Conference of Senior Veterinary Officers, and was also a member of the Advisory Committee of the Sydney Technical College.

During World War 2 when much of the success of the huge food processing programme entrusted to Australia depended on full cooperation between the U.S.A. Veterinary Corps and the Australian inspection authorities, Davidson took a leading part not only in his own special field of administration but in fostering close personal and official relations between the respective organisations.

As a department technical advisor he attended all meetings of the Australian Meat Board and was frequently co-opted to attend meetings of its sub-committees.

He made two overseas visits to discuss matters relating to inspection standards for Australian meat and other products and to the requirements of importing countries.  As a result of his visits to the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, his personal reputation for integrity and judgment stood high with his colleagues in those countries and this factor has been of great benefit to the export trade of Australia.

He is survived by a widow and a married daughter, and the sympathy of all members of the profession will be extended to them in their loss.