Cluny Macpherson was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland back in 1879 to Campbell and Emma. He attended the Methodist College and the McGill University Faculty of Medicine from 1879 to 1901, earning his Medical Degree. He volunteered with the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fisherman.
In1902, he returned to Newfoundland where he ran the hospital Battle Harbor until 1904. When World War I broke out he enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment organizing volunteers into an Ambulance Unit, which continued throughout the war. He was commissioned as a captain serving as the principal medical officer for the St. John Ambulance Brigade. He saw action in Belgium and France at Salonika and Gallipoli. After suffering a war injury in Egypt, he returned to Newfoundland in 1916. He served as the Director of Medical Services for the Militia. For his wartime services, he was made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in 1918. He died in 1966, he was 87.
What you may not know about Cluny is that while apparently was a wonderful doctor he is most noted for the inventor of the early gas mask. He made the mask by using chemical absorbing fabric which fitted over the entire head.
NW Arkansas, come for a visit, stay for a lifetime.
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