(Material researched & presented by Barbara Armstrong)

[?1818 - 24/11/1889]

Dr Coward (MRCS England 1841) came to Victoria on the “Martin Luther” on 9 February 1842. He was Surgeon Superintendent.

Dr Coward became registered as a duly-qualified medical practitioner in NSW in 1843, and was on the Melbourne Medical Register in 1844. He spent most of his career in the Geelong area: South Corio; according to the List of Electors he was at Fyans Street, Geelong during 1847 to 1849; an advertisement stated that he had reopened his practice and was at Hoyle’s Cottages, Ryrie Street, Geelong during 1851.

During 1855-1856 he was in England, and it is likely that it was during this period that he studied homœopathy. He returned during February 1856 on the “Viscount Canning”, accompanied by his wife, Mary, and his children Lucy (11), Charlotte (10), Ellen (6) Harriett (5), and Henry (3). At that time Henry was 38 years of age.

During August of 1859 Dr Coward advertised that he was a homœopathic physician and that he had commenced practice at 71 Stephen Street (now Exhibition Street) opposite the Protestant Hall. He stated that he was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, England and member of the Medical Boards of Victoria and Sydney since 1842. “…. Having had 15 years’ experience as an allopath, and after careful investigation and study in London, being convinced of the superior efficacy of homœopathy to the old treatment….”

He must have moved to Collins Street East soon afterwards, as in July 1860 there was an advertisement for the auction of furniture from his premises in Collins Street East, opposite the Melbourne Club, “in consequence of his removing to Geelong”.

He moved to the Geelong area (Carranne, Ceres, Barrabool Hills), where his two eldest daughters were married.

Later he moved to Germanton in NSW, where he ended up owning several station properties and became well known in pastoral circles in NSW and Victoria. He died at his residence Twyford, Germanton.

© Barbara Armstrong