CAMPBELL, ROBERT HENRY CLARK, Private, No. 81014, 99th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, only s. of the late Joan Campbell, of Slitrig Bank, Hawick, Tailor, by his wife, Sarah Isabella, dau. of the late James Batey, of Hexham ; b. Hawick, co. Roxburgh, 5 April, 1893; edur. St. Cuthbert’s Scottish Episcopal Church Schools there; was a Hosiery Boarder with Messrs. Peter Scott & Co., Ltd., Hawick; enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps 28 Oct. 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 26 Jan. 1916, and died at Etrecourt 23 Sept. 1918, of wounds received in action the same day; unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Burton E H Pte 92079 Royal Army Medical Corps

BURTON, ERNEST HENRY, Private, No. 92079, Royal Army Medical Corps, 8. of Jacob Burton, of 33, Park Street, Bath; b. Cold Harbour, near Trowbridge, co. Wilts. 4 Nov. 1896; educ. Bath Wick School; volunteered fo active service on the outbreak of war, and joined the Royal. Army Medical Corps in Aug. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; saw much fighting, and died a prisoner of war at the Field Hospital, Cugney, 29 April, 1918, of dysentery, contracted while on active service. Buried in the cemetery there; unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Breen T F P Major Royal Army Medical Corps

Major THOMAS FRANCIS PENNEFATHER BREEN

Major T. F. Pennefather Breen, R.A.M.C., born 1889 and killed in action on September 18th, 1918, was the elder son of the late Doctor Breen and Mrs. Breen, of Dublin. He came to Stonyhurst in 1900, and was a boy of much character. Freddie, for so he was known amongst us, had a good standing in his class. He was a prize-man, and when in Poetry, in 1905, gained the first prize for debating, given by the Stonyhurst Association. He was a fluent and ready speaker. On leaving Stonyhurst he went to Trinity College, Dublin, where he took the B.A. and M.B. degrees. In 1913 he passed into the Army Medical Service from Trinity College, one of the two successful candidates out of twenty-seven from Ireland at that examination. This he did without any special cramming.

On the outbreak of the war he crossed over to France with the first British Expeditionary Force, and was attached to the 11th Field Ambulance during the retreat from Mons. Subsequently he served as Regimental Medical Officer with the 1st Bn. The Rifle Brigade, having been specially asked for by the Colonel. He was twice called to the 3rd Army School of Instruction, his lecturing powers being of a high order. He also twice served as D.A.D.M.S., and he exhibited in a marked degree high qualities of initiative and administrative capacity. Finally, he served during the last advance with the 142nd Field Ambulance, and when his Colonel was wounded, commanded the Ambulance, during some of the severest fighting. At the time of his death he was performing an exceptionally gallant and unselfish action. Having led a bearer party, under heavy shell fire, in order to rescue some wounded officers, he passed through the barrage once, bringing in one comrade. He then went out a second time alone, and did not return. This was during the Battle of Epchy, second of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line.

As his Colonel wrote:-

He died as he lived, an honourable, gallant gentleman. His coolness and bravery were known to all. It was, in fact, his zeal and unselfish devotion to duty that cost him his life.

As his late Commanding Officer, I should like to say how much I valued him, both as a friend and as an officer of the ambulance. He was absolutely fearless and self-sacrificing, and my last act before being evacuated wounded from France was to recommend him for a Military Cross. The news of his death came as a great shock to me personally, for I had grown very fond of him.

From a brother officer’s letter we learn that:-

He was very popular with everyone, and such a splendid soldier; his men would follow him througli anything.

Another tells us:-

He was one of my most esteemed friends, though a good deal younger than me. We mobilised together, and I was able to observe him in all sorts of trying circumstances, and we were frequently under fire together, and I formed a very high opinion of hit character, and looked upon him as one of the coming men in the R.A.M.C. One of his traits that specially impressed me was his independence of mind. He kept steadily to his own high standard of living, quite regardless of the morals of the company he lived in. For a quite young man to do this in military society is a sign of exceptional strength of character. But with it all there was never the slightest pose or priggishtiess Of his physical courage you will probably have heard from others. I know by experience that it was of a very high order, But I write to you because I think that others who did not know him so well as 1 did may not have mentioned his moral courage, a rarer and higher thing.

We may aptly conclude this account with the words written by an officer and friend

His memory survives to us as invigorating and vital. Age, disillusion, decay, never tonched him. Like a bright flame he burnt, and is suddenly extinguished to his friends the world is darker.

Source : Stonyhurst Roll Of Honour 1914-1918

BREEN, THOMAS FRANCIS PENNEFATHER, Major, Royal Army Medical Corps, elder s. of the late Thomas John Breen, Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets, Royal Navy, by his wife, Mary, dan. of William Pennefather, of Ballylanigan, co. Tipperary: b. Dublin, 8 June, 1889; edne. Stonyhurst College, and Trinity College, Dublin, where he took his B.A. and M.B. degrees: gazetted Lient. Royal Army Medical Corps in Feb. 1914: promoted Capt, the following Aug. and Major in March, 1918; on the outbreak of war served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Aug. 1914. and was attached to the 11th Field Ambulance, taking part in the Retreat from Mons, and in the operations on the Aisne was subsequently attached to the 1st Rifle Brigade as Regimental Medical Officer, and later twice appointed D.A.D.M.S.: in 1918 was attached to the 142nd Field Ambulance which he commanded during some of the severest fighting in the final push, and was killed in action on 18 Sept, following, while gallantly rescuing the wounded under heavy shell fire. Buried at Monchies, north of the Bapaume-Cambrai Road. His Commanding Officer wrote: “He died as he lived, an honourable. gallant gentleman. His coolness and bravery were known to all. It was, in fact, his zeal and unselfish devotion to duty that cost him his life. I should like to say how much I valued him, both as a friend and an officer of the ambulance. He was absolutely fearless and self-sacrificing, and my last act, before being evacuated wounded from France, was to recommend him for a Military Cross,” and a brother officer:”He was very popular with everyone, and such a splendid soldier, his men would follow him everywhere.” Another also wrote: “He was one of my most esteemed friends, though a good deal younger than me.. … We were frequently under fire together, and I formed a very high opinion of his character, and looked upon him as one of the coming men of the Royal Army Medical Corps. One of his traits that specially impressed me was his independence of mind. He kept steadily to his own high standard quite regardless of the company he lived in. Of his physical courage you will probably have heard from others. but I write because I think that others. who did not know him so well as I did, may not have mentioned his moral courage, a rarer and a higher thing.” Unm

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

BRADLEY, FREDERICK HOYSTED, D.S.O., Lieut. Col., Royal Army Medical Corps, yst. s. of the late Rev. Canon Bradley, Rector of Monaghan, by his wife, Martha, dau. of Parker Molloy, M.D.; b. Aghavea, co. Fermanagh educ. Campbell College, Belfast, and Edinburgh University; gazetted Lieut. Royal Army Medical Corps 4 Feb. 1908; promoted Capt. in 1910, Major, and Lieut. Col. in 1916; served in India from 1910 to 1914: proceeded to France in Sept. 1914, and was killed in action near Bapaume 22 Sept. 1918. Buried in the Barastre Communal Cemetery. Col. Hewetson, A.D.M.S., 5th Division, wrote: “Your brother was so popular with officers and men alike, and he was also such a capable and efficient commanding officer, that I feel quite lost without him… His able advice, which was at all times so readily given, was always most helpful to me.. He spent all his time thinking of his subordinates and their comfort.. His memory will live long in the hearts and minds of us all.” He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order London Gazette, 1 Jan. 1918), for gallant and distinguished service in the field. He m. at Calcutta, 11 Oct. 1912, Esther Ellen Lacy (who died 6 Dec. 1913), dan. of the late William Hargreaves; s.p.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

BOTHWELL, FRANK, M.M., Private, No. 54676, No. 4 Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, 2nd s. of Alexander Bothwell, of 13, Clonliffe Road, Dublin, Overseer in Newspaper Office, by his wife, Georgina Ellen, dau. of Simon Spearman, of Dublin; b. Dublin, 12 Oct. 1893; educ. St. Columba’s, and Central Model Schools, Dublin; was an Apprentice Compositor enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps in April, 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 21 Nov. following, and was killed in action near Flesquières, 27 Sept. 1918. Buried at Lagnicourt. The Chaplain wrote: Your son will be greatly missed, as he was one of the bravest and most reliable of men. His decoration has already marked him out as of exceptional merit.” He was awarded the Military Medal, for distinguished bravery in the field, when he carried in the wounded under heavy fire, and behaved in the bravest manner.” Unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

BLAKE, CECIL, Lieut., Royal Army Medical Corps, elder s. of the late John Blake, of Burghersdorp, South Africa, by his wife, Susan Margaret Van Renen (East London, South Africa); b. Burghersdorp, Cape Province, South Africa, 7 Oct. 1888; educ. privately, and at Rhodes College; was a Medical Practitioner; gazetted Lieut. Royal Army Medical Corps 15 Aug. 1918, and sent to the Prisoners of War Camp, Rugeley, co. Stafford, and died at Cannock Chase Military Hospital 30 Oct. following, of septic pneumonia, contracted while on duty. Buried in Cannock Chase Military Cemetery. He m. at Edinburgh, 18 May, 1918, Aline Jean (69, Merchiston Crescent, Edinburgh), only dau. of the late Rev. W. J. Macdonald, of Kirkcaldy; s.p.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Black J E Captain MC Royal Army Medical Corps

BLACK, JAMES ELLIOT, M.C., Capt., Royal Army Medical Corps, attd. 8th (Service) Battn. The Bedfordshire Regt., a. of the late Major Adam Elliot Black died 31 May, 1893), Officer Commanding Clyde Brigade of Royal Engineer Submarine Mines, by his wife, Mary Bruce Murray (Finglen Cottage, Campste Glen, co. Stirling), dau, of John Bruce Murray; b. 5. Bruce Street, Glasgow, W., 10 March, 1887; educ. Cargilfield; Fettes College; Glasgow University, and University College, London; was studying for a D.P.H., Cambridge University, when war broke out in Aug. 1914, after which he volunteered for foreign service, being gazetted Lieut. Royal Army Medical Corps (Special Reserve) on the 22nd of the following month, and promoted Capt. April, 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 7 Nov. 1914, attached to No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station, near Bailleni, until 16 Feb. 1916, when he joined the 8th Bedfordshire Regt., and was killed in action near Loos 19 April, 1917. Buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe.

Col. Lord Ampthill, Officer Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regt., wrote: He established his Ald Post as near the fighting line as possible, and there he worked with unremitting zeal and devotion and without a thought of danger till the end. I can honestly tell you that no medical officer could have been more beloved in the battalion than he was. We all feel that we shall never see his like again. There is nobody in the battallon whose loss we could feel more keenly.” He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 1 Jan. 1916] by F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French, for gallant and distinguished service in the field, and was awarded the Military Cross London Gazette, Nov. 1916]: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. He rendered valuable service when attending the wounded under heavy machine-gun and shell fire. Later he went out into No Man’s Land to succour the wounded.” Unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

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

BARTON, HAROLD REMINGTON, Sergt., No. 39332, Royal Army Medical Corps, s. of Thomas James Barton, of Street, Chemist; educ. Dr. Morgan’s School, Bridgewater; volunteered for active service soon after the outbreak of war, and enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps in Oct. 1914; served with the Salonika Army in Bulgaria, and died at the Gladstone Hospital, Sofia, 10 Dec. 1918, of pneumonia, contracted while on active service. Buried at Sofia; unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

WADDY, JOHN RAYMOND, B.A., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Lieut., R.A.M.C., 2nd s. of Lieut.-Col. Waddy, late Commanding 2nd Somerset L.I., and grandson of Gen. Sir Richard Waddy, K.C.B., 50th Regt; b. Weston-super-Mare, co. Somerset, 15 Feb. 1886; educ. Clifton College; Pembroke College, Cambridge, and King’s College Hospital; qualified M.R.C.S., and L.R.C.P. (London) 1912; volunteered on the outbreak of war, and was given a commission as temporary Lieut., R.A.M.C., 11 Aug. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, and was killed in action by a stray bullet, Bois de Ploegsteert, 17 March, 1915; unm. Buried in Somerset Cemetery, Ploegsteert Wood. He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. 1915, and was awarded the Military Cross, 18 Feb. 1915.

An oficer of the Somersets wrote: “We were all, both officers and men alike, absolutely devoted to him; he was brave as a lion, and always ready to help anybody who needed him; no name will go down in the history of the regt. with more honour than his, for everybody loved him and realised his sterling qualities.” And the Chairman of the King’s College Hospital: “Both at King’s College, London, and at King’s College Hospital, your son was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. As you know, he finished a brilliant career at the hospital by obtaining the senior scholarship of this year, and was forthwith appointed House Surgeon to Professor Sir Watson Cheyne; the latter appointment he fulfilled to the complete satisfaction of his seniors, and during his residence in hospital he considerably enhanced that high reputation he had already gained.”

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1