Mr James Ardagh

Press, 24 June 1983, Page 5

Mr James Ardagh

Mr James Warne Ardagh, the noted Christchurch surgeon who led the New Zealand Medical Team during the Vietnam War, died at his home at West Melton yesterday. He was 62.

Mr Ardagh pioneered vascular surgery in Canterbury during the 19605, and later served three tours of duty in Vietnam. He was chairman of surgical services for the North Canterbury Hospital Board when he became ill last year and underwent surgery at Greenlane Hospital in Auckland. He returned to work at Christchurch Hospital for a short time early this year, but then became ill again. Mr Ardagh, the son of a Christchurch doctor, was educated at Christ’s College. He studied at the University of Otago Medical, School.; While there he joined the Territorial Force, with which he retained a close link throughout his life.--'7 ' „ Mr • 'Ardagh went to. Britain to become a Fellow Seasons, and returned to

New Zealand in 1950 as a surgical registrar. He entered general practice for a time. until he. could get a permanent post as a surgeon at Christchurch Hospital, where he became well liked and much respected among staff.

Mr Ardagh was the only vascular surgeon in Canterbury until the Christchurch Hospital’s clinical school opened in 1972. B

He volunteered to go to Vietnam and did three tours of duty in the war-ravaged country, each lasting for three months. Having commanded the New Zealand Medical Team at Bong Son in South Vietnam, with the rank of colonel, Mr Ardagh said on his return to New Zealand in 1971, “The war I see on television in New Zealand is not the war I see in Vietnam.” He attacked what he called “distortion of news” by American journalists who visited Bong Son. “When I asked them why they did not take pictures of casualties caused by Viet Cong atrocities, they told us that it would not be news unless the atrocities had been committed by Americans," he said.

In recent years, Mr Ardagh’s knowledge and experience had proved invaluable to younger surgeons, said a colleague. In 1980, having already received the 0.8. E., Mr Ardagh was awarded the C.B.E. for services to medicine.

He is survived by his wife and seven children.