TOPIC:

KCVO (1919)
QSA (4) CC OFS Tr SA01 (J O Skevington Surgeon)
1914 Star (J O Skevington BRC & StJJ)
BWM (Capt RAMC)
VM (Capt RAMC)
1935 Jubilee
1937 Coronation
Defence Medal

Obituary, BMJ, 22 Mar 1952:

With the passing of Sir Joseph Skevington on February 29 at the age of 79 the Royal Borough of Windsor and the surrounding area lose a much beloved and respected resident and the medical world a distinguished surgeon. It was due chiefly to him that King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor, attained such high standing. He had remarkable foresight and driving force, and possessed the power to attract the sympathy of wealthy friends and patients towards the hospital, the main interest of his life; the plaques over wards and departments bear evidence of their generosity.

Born at Rothley in Leicestershire on February 2, 1873, Joseph Oliver Skevington was the son of J. H. Skevington, J.P., a farmer, and was educated at Oakham School and at St. Mary's Hospital, London, qualifying M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. in 1898. He was house-surgeon to the late Mr. H. W. Page, upon whom he was to operate many years later. He obtained the F.R.C.S. in 1899 and a little later served in the Boer War as a civil surgeon to the South African Field Force. It is interesting to record that he took some of the first x-ray photographs ever to be taken in war.

Skevington settled in general practice in Windsor in 1903 and was elected to the staff of what was then the Windsor Royal Infirmary. His surgical practice developed rapidly and in six or seven years he was so overworked that he gave up general practice and confined himself to the work of a consulting surgeon, which included appointments at some nine hospitals of various sizes, among them being Maidenhead, Staines, Iver, Egham, Ascot, Windlesham, and Bagshot Cottage Hospitals.

In August, 1914, he went to Rouen as senior surgeon to No. 2 British Red Cross Hospital, but was invalided home in 1915. He returned to his work in Windsor and became surgeon to war hospitals in the vicinity and to the Brigade of Guards, Pirbright Camp, and Victoria Barracks, Windsor. In 1918 he returned to active service as a captain in the R.A.M.C. In 1919 he was created K.C.V.O.

Sir Joseph Skevington was a fine, hard-working, and conscientious surgeon who was much loved by his patients. He retired in 1936 after 33 years' service as honorary surgeon to King Edward VII Hospital, during which time he was also in charge of the x-ray department, an appointment he continued to hold until 1942. He was president of the Windsor and District Medical Society in 1929-30. During the last war he served his country a third time as a major in the Home Guard, and he was also chairman of the Berkshire Local Medical War Committee. He played golf and was captain of Sunningdale in 1931. Being extremely interested in flowers and gardens, he derived great pleasure from visits to Chelsea, Kew, and Wisley. Sir Joseph Skevington, who did not marry, was the only surviving member of his family, but there are many friends and patients who mourn him.

Picture courtesy of Lockdales

QSA (4) CC OFS SA01 SA02 (A. McDougall. Surgeon)
Royal Humane Society's bronze Medal for Life Saving (Alan McDougall M.D. 21st Nov 1915).

Born Ardwick, Chorlton, Manchester. After the Boer War he became involved with the Epileptic colony at Sandlebridge Alderly Edge, where he became Medical Superintendent and Director. Humane Medal Citation "a number of persons were on the ice on a pond at Alderley Edge when a break took place and many of them were thrown into the water, McDougall jumped in and was successful in saving two lives".

The family owned McDougall Brothers Ltd, City Flour Mills, Manchester, heavily involved in the development of farming chemicals etc.

His brother Capt G McDougall MC was KIA 30/3/1918.

SYMES, W. J. (William Johnston)

CIVILIAN SURGEON
REGT: ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS

BARS: SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902 (Loose on ribbon....)

REMARKS / HISTORY:

1. ORDER OF ST. SAVA OF SERBIA

2. William Johnston Symes in the 1933 Medical Directory who received his MB and BS at Durham in 1900 and who served as a Civil Surgeon with the South African Field Force during the Boer War. He is also Listed as Medical Officer, Angas Convalescent Home, Cudham; Hon. Visiting Surgeon, Chesterfield and N. E. Derbyshire Hospital; and Temp. Captain, RAMC. According to The Times he was the husband of Amy Doris, 2nd Daughter of Sir James B. Ball. He died on 2 March 1948.

William Johnston Symes was awarded 5th class St. Sava on the 7th of May 1920, he was a T/Captain at the time.





Mike

A very nice group, Mike. I like the miniature St Sava too.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Natal, South Africa 1901 (C. J. Lyons. Surgeon.);
KSA (2) (Capt: C. J. Lyons, S.A.C.)

Served with 'E' Division, South African Constabulary.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Surgeon F. B. Mudd.) engraved naming;
British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Mjr. F. B. Mudd.)