Memorable Manitobans: Herbert William Wadge (1872-1954)

Physician.

Born in Durham County, Ontario on 8 July 1872, son of William Wadge (1830-?) and Sophia N. Mitchell (1848-?), and brother of John P. Wadge, he came to Manitoba with his parents in 1883, living at Manitou for three years where his father was in the employ of the Massey-Harris Company, later moving to Winnipeg. He was educated at the Winnipeg Collegiate, Winnipeg Normal School, and the University of Manitoba, graduating with a degree in Arts (1897). After teaching for a time at Parks Creek School (1890-1891) and Sturgeon Creek School (1897), he attended the Manitoba Medical College, graduating in 1902. He practiced at Arcola, Saskatchewan until 1905 when he returned to Winnipeg.

In January 1916, he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CAMC) and served with the 10th Field Ambulance in France from April 1916. He saw service at Zillebecke, Somme, Vimy Ridge, Arras, Passchendaele, Second Battle of Arras, Cambrai, and Mons. He was promoted to Major in April 1917, received the Military Cross in 1916; Bar to Cross, 1918. He returned to Canada on 24 December 1918 and was put in charge of the Medical Department of the Manitoba Military Hospital until his demobilization on 30 September 1922. He was also the Commanding Officer of the Canadian Ambulance Motor Convoy, Military District No. 10.

On 20 October 1903, he married Alice Maude Hilton (c1874-1958) at Winnipeg. They had three sons: Herbert Gordon Wadge (1908-?), Norman H. Wadge (1912-?), and James Hilton Wadge (1915-1975). He was a member of the Canadian and Manitoba Medical Associations, and he served as President of the Manitoba Medical Alumni Association and the Winnipeg Medical Society. He was a member of the Methodist (United) Church.

He died at his Winnipeg home, 149 Maryland Street, on 14 June 1954 and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery.

Sources:

Birth registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Pioneers and Prominent People of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Canadian Publicity Company, 1925.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 16 June 1954, page 31.

Obituary [Alice Maude Wadge], Winnipeg Free Press, 9 October 1958, page 31.

Obituary [J. Hilton Wadge], Winnipeg Free Press, 5 September 1975, page 71.

We thank Allison Wadge and Nathan Kramer for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 15 July 2022

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!