20 Facts About Neil Begg

Sir Neil Colquhoun Begg was a New Zealand paediatrician, historian and cricketer.

Neil Begg played three first-class matches for the Otago cricket team after the beginning of World War II, but he is most noted as a paediatrician and an historian.

Neil Begg served as director of medical services for the Plunket Society from 1956 to 1977, and, with his brother Charles, wrote four books on the history of Fiordland.

Neil Begg chaired the New Zealand Historic Places Trust between 1978 and 1986.

Neil Begg's father served throughout World War I, becoming the senior medical officer with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, but contracted influenza and pneumonia and died at Twickenham, London, in February 1919.

Neil Begg was educated at John McGlashan College in Dunedin, and then studied medicine at the University of Otago, graduating MB ChB in 1941.

On 11 April 1942, Neil Begg married Margaret Milne "Margot" MacLean, a librarian, at Dunedin.

Neil Begg was a granddaughter of John Shand, one of the foundation professors of the University of Otago.

In February 1941, Neil Begg was commissioned as a lieutenant in the New Zealand Medical Corps, and posted to the Otago University Medical Company.

Neil Begg went on to serve in the Middle East, Italy and the United Kingdom with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, rising to the rank of major.

Neil Begg took five wickets, at an average of 47.60, with best bowling figures of 2 for 43.

Between 1946 and 1948, Neil Begg trained in paediatrics in London, Edinburgh and Stockholm, earning a diploma in child health in 1947, and membership of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 1948.

Neil Begg was a lecturer in paediatrics at the Otago Medical School from 1949 to 1976.

An admirer of Sir Truby King, Neil Begg served as medical director of the Plunket Society between 1956 and 1977, and was a leading advocate for preventive medicine.

Neil Begg campaigned for the fluoridation of public water supplies, the eradication of hydatids and bovine tuberculosis, and the development of a milk biscuit for protein-deprived children in developing countries.

Neil Begg gave service to various professional bodies, as president of the Paediatric Society of New Zealand, chair of the council of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association from 1964 to 1966, and president of the New Zealand Medical Association in 1974.

Neil Begg served on the council of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust from 1970 to 1978, and as the trust's chair between 1978 and 1986.

Neil Begg was elected a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 1957, the New Zealand Medical Association in 1976, and the Royal College of Physicians in 1977.

Neil Begg was promoted to Knight Commander of the same order, for services to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the community, in the 1986 New Year Honours.

Neil Begg died at his home in the Dunedin suburb of Maori Hill on 25 June 1995.