Royal Army Medical Corps

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Brigadier George Frederick Allison, M.C., late Royal Army Medical Corps, was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Brigadier Allison was Deputy Director of Medical Services from December 1940. When he took over his appointment there was one hospital in the area. There are now eleven hospitals, three convalescent depots and five prisoner of war hospitals. He supervised the erection and organisation of all these, and with his wide medical experience, his advice and instructions were invaluable to less experienced Officers Commanding Hospitals.

During operations in the Western Desert, Brigadier Allison was very fully occupied in organising the reception and evacuation of casualties, and it was largely due to his powers of organisation and the high standard of his work that these receptions and evacuations were carried out so smoothly.

Brigadier Allison comes from Monaghan.

http://genealogy.metastudies.net/WC04/WC04_380.HTM

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7681386&queryType=1&resultcount =1

Name Allison, George Frederick
Rank: Colonel
Service No: 4856
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Commander of the British Empire
Date 1941-1943
Catalogue reference WO 373/76
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 09 September 1942

London Gazette:
26 December 1941
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35396/pages/7340
8 September 1942
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35697/pages/3945
9 May 1944
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36509/supplements/2171
15 May 1945
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37082/supplements/2559


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Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary Brigadier) Robert Fowler Walker, O.B.E., M.C., M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps, was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

This officer, who is a Deputy Director of Medical Supplies in the Middle East, is mainly responsible to the Director of Medical Supplies for the many and difficult medical plannings to suit the 1,001 projects planned in the Middle East.

Each plan necessitates the medical planning for the provision of the many large and small medical units required for the countries and climates through which the forces involved may pass.

It also necessitates the planning of the type and quantity of medical stores required, special drugs, chemicals, clothing, medical and advance equipment, and the provision and supply, and medical advice.

It also necessitates the planning of the type of medical transport required in the different types of country.

Up to date, this officer’s foresight, judgment and careful calculations based on his specialised knowledge have covered medical results in evacuation and nursing of casualties, which have brought nothing but praise from the highest authorities.

His keenness, loyalty, devotion to duty and entire application to these many difficult problems have been an example to all.

Lieutenant-Colonel Walker was born in Galway.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?searchtype=browserefine&query=first_na me%3drobert%7clast_name%3dwalker%7cscope%3dmedical &catid=22&pagenumber=1&querytype=1&mediaarray=*

Recommendation for Award for Walker, Robert Fowler
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Service No: 22118
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Award: Order of the British Empire

Recommendation for Award for Walker, Robert Fowler
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Service No: 22118
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Award: Commander of the British Empire

The London Gazette:
11 March 1941
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35105/supplements/1510
8 September 1942
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37205/supplements/3965
4 January 1944
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36317/supplements/149
20 March 1945
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36994/supplements/1564
31 July 1945
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36994/supplements/1564
23 December 1947
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/38156/supplements/6129


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Colonel (Acting) Douglas Bluett, M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

As Officer Commanding 14 Field Ambulance in the Western Desert until May 28th, 1942, Colonel Bluett showed exceptional efficiency and devotion to duty, being quite imperturbable under fire and an example to all ranks, thereby welding together a unit which was a model Field Ambulance in every way.

Selected as Assistant Director of Medical Services on May 28th, 1942, his work in co-ordinating the reception and evacuation of thousands of casualties under circumstances of extreme difficulty and danger was beyond praise. He remained at this post until the day before the fall of Tobruk when to his regret he was ordered to another responsible appointment elsewhere.

Colonel Bluett was born at Delgany, Co. Wicklow.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7681585&queryType=1&resultcount =1

Name Bluett, Douglas
Rank: Major
Service No: 35617
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Order of the British Empire
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 18 February 1943
Date 1941-1943
Catalogue reference WO 373/76

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7696171&queryType=1&resultcount =2

Name Bluett, Douglas
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel, Temporary Colonel
Service No: 35617
Regiment: Headquarters 11 Armoured Division
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Foreign to British: Belgium
Award: Officer of the Order of Leopold with palm and Croix de Guerre 1940 with palm
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 08 December 1945
Date 1945
Catalogue reference WO 373/111

London Gazette:
11 December 1942
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35821/supplements/5443
16 February 1943
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35908/supplements/858
3 April 1945
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37016/supplements/1833
23 September 1947
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/38079/supplements/4518

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Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Arthur Noel Burchell Odbert, Royal Army Medical Corps, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

During the period February to May, 1943, Lieutenant-Colonel Odbert has been indefatigable in the performance of his duties, and it has been largely due to his efforts that the phenomenally low sick rate of the Army has been attained. Over a vast area of difficult country he has supervised the hygiene arrangements with a complete disregard for anything else than the preservation of the health of the troops. He has personally investigated the important water supplies and arranged for their purification, while by prompt action and careful foresight the has prevented any outbreak of disease. Always one of the earliest on the spot in the many occupied towns and villages to anticipate and deal with hygiene problems, his preparation of malaria was most comprehensive and machinery was immediately available should any epidemic have appeared likely.

He is always cool and collected, ready with sound advice, while his devotion to duty has been an example and an inspiration to the whole hygiene tenor of the Eighth Army, and maintaining it fit and at full strength.

Lieutenant-Colonel Odbert was born at Seapoint, Co. Dublin.

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Search Results=*

Recommendation for Award for Odbert, Arthur Noel Burchill
Rank: Major
Service No: 42438
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Award: Order of the British Empire

Recommendation for Award for Odbert, Arthur N B
Rank: Colonel
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps, British Army
Award: The Legion of Merit

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Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Theobald Denis Phelan, M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

During the period under review Lieutenant-Colonel Phelan has commanded a field ambulance attached to an armoured brigade. He has consistently shown a very high degree of vision, foresight and initiative - the results of which have been manifest in the work of his unit. His field ambulance has won for itself a reputation second to none in the Eighth Army and Lieutenant-Colonel Phelan and the team of doctors working under him have inspired the confidence and affection of every one in the brigade. The medical record of this brigade of Lieutenant-Colonel Phelan’s Field Ambulance is an impressive one, while the ration of deaths to battle casualties dealt with by the main dressing station is most unusually low.
The credit for the exceptionally fine work done by this unit must go to a large degree to its commanding officer.

Lieutenant-Colonel Phelan was born in Clonmel.

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

Name Phelan, Theobald Denis
Rank: Major
Service No: 56817
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Order of the British Empire
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 18 October 1943
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/77

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Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary Colonel) Robert McKinlay, M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

This officer has served as the chief adviser to the Deputy Director of Medical Supplies in Egypt, in hygiene and preventive medicine since September 14th, 1940; he was Mentioned in Despatches October 27th, 1941.

Throughout this long period he has shown remarkable devotion to duty, and a large portion of the credit for the exceptionally low sick rate of the troops who have been in his area either in transit or permanently stationed there is apportioned to his efforts and those of the special staff under his direction, and his sound knowledge and judgement have been invaluable. The results obtained speak for themselves.

Colonel McKinlay was born in Castlefinn, Co. Donegal.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7682339&queryType=1&resultcount =1

Name McKinlay, Robert
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Service No: 8719
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Order of the British Empire
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 06 January 1944
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/77

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Captain (temporary Major) (acting Lieutenant-Colonel) Robert James Valentine Pulvertaft, M.D., F.R.C.P., Royal Army Medical Corps, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Lieutenant-Colonel Pulvertaft arrived in the Middle East in September, 1940, as pathologist on the staff of a 1,200-bed general hospital. In June, 1942, he was appointed Officer-in-Charge Central Pathological Laboratory in Cairo, combining with this the duties of Deputy Assistant Director of Pathology, later upgraded Assistant Director of Pathology in the Middle East.

This officer is a distinguished pathologist in civil life on the staff of Westminster Hospital, London. He has brought to the Army not only a rich store of experience but an original and inquiring mind.

In addition to carrying out the routine work of his appointments he has interested himself in research work, especially in the treatment of infected wounds.

His study of this treatment with chemotherapeutic substances has been accepted as of real value by the War Wounds Committee in the United Kingdom and especially his laboratory research into the substance now known as Penicillin. By most industrious and painstaking investigations and experiments he has added considerable knowledge to the development of this substance. The introduction of Penicillin into war surgery will undoubtedly revolutionise the treatment of septic wounds.

In addition to his military duties, Lieutenant-Colonel Pulvertaft has rendered valuable aid to the British Council in Egypt under whose aegis he has given a series of lectures with highly commendable results.
Lieutenant-Colonel Pulvertaft was born in Dublin.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7682342&queryType=1&resultcount =1

Name Pulvertaft, Robin James Valentine
Rank: Captain
Service No: 157581
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Order of the British Empire
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 06 January 1944
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/77

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Major Peter Joseph May, M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

As Officer Commanding a motor ambulance convoy, Major May has been responsible for the care and welfare of thousands of casualties from forward casualty clearing stations to railhead or hospital ship port. It was due to this unbounded enthusiasm that, although the distance involved was far greater than could have been anticipated, there was at no time any hitch and an even flow of casualties along the line of evacuation was always ensured. Major May’s willing and intelligent co-operation with all concerned has earned the highest praise. A very high all-round standard was set by the unit, and by ensuring efficient and skilful maintenance it was at all times possible to call on 100 per cent. of his ambulance cares for the evacuation; this is no small achievement when it is realised that these vehicles travelled over 190,000 miles in under two months.

Major May comes from Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7682045&queryType=1&resultcount =3

Name May, Peter Joseph
Rank: Major
Service No: 45049
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Member of British Empire
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 18 October 1943
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/77

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Captain (temporary Major) Julius Cecil Summ, M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

"This officer has rendered invaluable services as my second-in-command throughout the whole period under review. The unit has on many occasions been ‘strafed’ from the air and bombed. Major Summ has invariably been the first to go round the leaguer completely regardless of his own personal safety to see that the patients are safe and reassure them; also to find and give medical treatment to the men of his own unit who have become casualties.” Major Summ by his personal example and courage at all times has been an inspiration to the officers and me of this unit serving with a forward brigade throughout the battle since Alamein; he has been directly responsible for maintaining the moral of the unit at a high level during many difficult times.

Major Summ was born in Clones, Co. Monaghan.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7682092&queryType=1&resultcount =1

Name Summ, Julius Cecil
Rank: Temporary Major
Service No: 89498
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Member of British Empire
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 18 October 1943
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/77

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Lieutenant-Colonel (acting Colonel) Arthur Beveridge, O.B.E., M.C., Royal Army Medical Corps, was awarded the Norwegian Military Cross and Sword of King Haakon for bravery and devotion to duty during the Norwegian campaign.

Colonel Beveridge comes from Dublin.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?searchtype=browserefine&query=last_nam e%3dbeveridge%7ccorpname%3dmedical%7cscope%3dlieut enant%20colonel&catid=22&pagenumber=1&querytype=1& mediaarray=*

Recommendation for Award for Beveridge
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps
Award: Mention in Despatches

Recommendation for Award for Beveridge, A J
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps

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