Lipmann Kessel
Encyclopedia
Alexander Lipmann-Kessel, MBE
, MC
, FRCS (19 December 1914 – 5 June 1986), was a famous orthopaedic surgeon, often known by his nickname
of Lippy. Born in Pretoria
, South Africa
, he was involved at the Battle of Arnhem
where at the time he was a Captain
in the RAMC, and is credited with saving the life of Brigadier Hackett
when he operated on him for a severe abdominal wound at the St. Elisabeth Hospital in Arnhem.
Kessel had the curious experience of looking out of a window in the St Elizabeth Hospital and seeing the Division’s CO Major General Urquhart
, who was in charge of the whole battle at Arnhem, running along the street. It wasn’t until after the battle he found out that the General was just about to enter a house where he would stay surrounded by Germans for over 30 hours.
When he first entered the St. Elizabeth hospital he spoke to the Dutch staff in Afrikaans
(which he had learned as a child in South Africa), because he had always been told it was similar to Dutch. The staff took offence at this as to them it sounded like German, and he was told in no uncertain terms to always speak English.
Kessel was taken prisoner at Arnhem, but later escaped and has told his story in his book Surgeon at Arms, published in 1958.
After the war Kessel became a very successful surgeon based in London, and Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of London
.
When he died on the 5th of June 1986 he was buried, as was his wish, in Arnhem Civil Cemetery, in order to be close to the men who died at the battle of Arnhem, who are buried in the nearby Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery
.
Surgeon at Arms, 2011, ISBN-10: 184884591X ISBN-13: 978-1848845916
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, FRCS (19 December 1914 – 5 June 1986), was a famous orthopaedic surgeon, often known by his nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
of Lippy. Born in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, he was involved at the Battle of Arnhem
Battle of Arnhem
The Battle of Arnhem was a famous Second World War military engagement fought in and around the Dutch towns of Arnhem, Oosterbeek, Wolfheze, Driel and the surrounding countryside from 17–26 September 1944....
where at the time he was a Captain
Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)
Captain is a junior officer rank of the British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks above Lieutenant and below Major and has a NATO ranking code of OF-2. The rank is equivalent to a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force...
in the RAMC, and is credited with saving the life of Brigadier Hackett
John Winthrop Hackett Junior
General Sir John Winthrop Hackett GCB, CBE, DSO & Bar, MC was an Australian-born British soldier, author and university administrator.-Early life:Hackett, who was nicknamed "Shan", was born in Perth, Western Australia...
when he operated on him for a severe abdominal wound at the St. Elisabeth Hospital in Arnhem.
Roy Urquhart
Major General Robert "Roy" Elliott Urquhart, CB, DSO was a British military officer. He became prominent for his role commanding the British 1st Airborne Division during Operation Market Garden.-Early career:...
, who was in charge of the whole battle at Arnhem, running along the street. It wasn’t until after the battle he found out that the General was just about to enter a house where he would stay surrounded by Germans for over 30 hours.
When he first entered the St. Elizabeth hospital he spoke to the Dutch staff in Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
(which he had learned as a child in South Africa), because he had always been told it was similar to Dutch. The staff took offence at this as to them it sounded like German, and he was told in no uncertain terms to always speak English.
Kessel was taken prisoner at Arnhem, but later escaped and has told his story in his book Surgeon at Arms, published in 1958.
Later life
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
.
When he died on the 5th of June 1986 he was buried, as was his wish, in Arnhem Civil Cemetery, in order to be close to the men who died at the battle of Arnhem, who are buried in the nearby Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery
Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery
The Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, more commonly known as the Airborne Cemetery, is a military cemetery in Oosterbeek, Arnhem, the Netherlands. It was established in 1945 and is home to 1759 graves from the Second World War...
.
Publications
- Surgeon at Arms, 1958, ISBN 0-86007-123-5
Surgeon at Arms, 2011, ISBN-10: 184884591X ISBN-13: 978-1848845916