Edward Woodall GAULT

GAULT, EDWARD WOODALL (b. Carlton Vic, 15 Mar 1903, d. Melbourne, Vic, 13 Oct 1982). Methodist medical missionary.

Second child and only son of Edward Leslie Gault and Gertrude (nee Woodall) both active Methodists, especially in the Layman's Missionary Movement, Edward Woodall Gault completed a BSc, then medical training at the University of Melbourne, later graduating MD MS and becoming FRACS. He served at Royal Melbourne Hospital from 1928 becoming Hon Asst Surgeon. Later he switched to pathology FRCPA and FRCPath.

While studying, Gault was greatly influenced by the visit of Dr John R Mott to Melbourne. The notion of evangelism as 'the telling out the good news of Jesus and his love, his power over sin, his death, his resurrection, his presence with us' (Gault in Winton,32) struck him forcibly. In 1932 he m. Edna Bayles. She too possessed medical qualifications. There were two children (John and Louise).

Having survived in general practice, in 1937 his strong Christian convictions and family background led him to the Christian Hospital for Women, Azamgarh, near Benares in India as Medical Superintendent under the auspices of the Methodist Missionary Board. 'His tact integrity and organising ability, and his high Christian profile led to an invitation in 1944 to be foundation Professor of Pathology at the Christian Medical College, Vellore.' (Dunlop, in Winton, 5)

During his seventeen years at Vellore he established a fine Institute of Pathology and a hostel for men. He revealed a talent for excellent rapport with students and exercised a remarkably enduring Christian influence. 'His appointment to the presidency of the Indian Association of Pathologists (1960-61) reflected his complete acceptance into Indian medicine.' (Winton, 6)

In India Gault worked in diverse religious environments, but was always convinced 'India needs Christ desperately—not just the ethics of the sermon on the mount but the whole gospel of redemption'. (Winton, 56)

On retiring to Melbourne he was appointed curator of the museum (1961) and then Professor of Pathology in the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. In 1968 he joined the clinical school of the Austin Hospital Heidelberg, and proceeded to co-author its history. He maintained his links with Vellore, organising support through the Friends of Vellore Group which he formed. His later life was marred by a depressive illness which required permanent hospital care for the last three years of his life.

R Winton, An Amazing Man: Edward Gault in three worlds (Melbourne, 1987)

BRIAN DICKEY