Le Souef, Ernest Albert, GMVC 1895, BVSc 1911

LIEUT.-COL. E. A. LE SOUEF

Lieut.-Col. E. A. Le Souef, Veterinary Adviser to the Agricultural Bank in connection with group settlement, who for many years was Director of the Perth Zoological Gardens, died on 28th November, 1937, after a short illness.

Born 13th September, 1869, he was educated at Carlton College, Melbourne, and the Melbourne University, taking the degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Science.  At an early age he was appointed Veterinary Officer and Accountant to the Melbourne Zoological Gardens, a post which he resigned in 1897 to supervise the building of the South Perth Zoological Gardens, of which he was appointed Director.

Always interested in military training, he was in 1899 the sole veterinary officer of mounted camps in Western Australia.  During the South African War he saw government service in South Africa, and again in 1916 volunteered for active service, being appointed Officer in Command of Troops and Veterinary Officer on the transport "Barunga".  On arrival overseas he was posted to the Second Light Horse Brigade, Anzac Military Division, in which he served in the Palestine campaign.

When he retired from the Zoological Gardens in 1932 to accept the post of Veterinary Adviser to the Agricultural Bank in connection with group settlements, he established himself at his property at Margaret River, where he set himself to the task of advising the group settlers on veterinary matters.

He was a foundation member and past president of the Western Australian Veterinary Association, and was part-time lecturer at the University of Western Australia from 1917 to 1932.  From 1899 onward he wasVeterinary Officer to the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia, was a member of its Council from 1914 onward and president in 1924-25 and 1926-27.