Steel E B Major Royal Army Medical Corps
MAJOR E, B. STEEL
ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS
EDWIN BEDFORD STREL, B.A., M., B.CH. Dublin, was the youngest son of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Steel, Army Veterinary Corps, attached to the 12th and 16th Lancers, P.V.O., Bombay. He entered the School in 1886, won the “Crick” in 1888, and left in 1889.
He graduated at Dublin University in 1893, and joined the R.A.M.C. in 1895, being promoted Captain in 1898, and Major in 1906.
He served in India from 1907 to 1912, when he was made an Associate of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, in recognition of his services in connection with plague duty. He qualified as a Specialist in mental diseases, and was in command of the Higher Barracks Hospital, Exeter, at the time of the outbreak of War.
He went to the Front in August, in command of Field Ambulance No. 20, and at the beginning of October was appointed Assistant Director of Medical Services attached to the 1st Cavalry Division. He was wounded in three places by shell at La Clytte, in the morning of November 23rd, 1914, and died the same afternoon in Hospital at Bailleul. Age 43.
Major Steel held the South African Medal and the Durbar Medal, and was mentioned in Despatches of January 14th, 1915.
He left many friends to testify to his simple, earnest, unselfish character.
Fellow Officers wrote:-
“He was much esteemed by all ranks. He was so brave and fearless.”
“Everyone loved him, and, in our little Mess, somebody said, “This has made the biggest gap we have had.”
“He never even grumbled about being wounded. His chief concern seemed to be about the French Officer, Captain le Jeune, who was hit at the same time.”
He married in 1999, Ethel Mary, eldest daughter of Arthur Robinson, of Prince’s Park, Liverpool, and left two sons and one daughter.
Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1
Steel E B Major Royal Army Medical Corps
Source : The Sphere 26th Dec 1914