Corbett | Robert de la Cour | | Surgeon Major | CORBETT, ROBERT DE LA COUR, Surgeon Major, was born at Innishannon, County Cork, Ireland, on 1 July 1844, fourth son of Richard Corbett, MD, and Mary de la Cour, eldest daughter of Captain W H Herrick, Royal Navy. He was educated privately, and at Queen's College, Cork, and Trinity College, Dublin (MD, FRCS), and became Assistant Surgeon, Army Medical Department, in 1867. In 1879 he became Surgeon Major. He served during the Burmese War, 1885-87, in charge of No 5 Field Hospital; was Senior Medical Officer with the Bhamo Expeditionary Force, and Acting Principal Medical Officer, Upper Burma Field Force. For his services during the Burmese War he was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 2 September 1887] He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 25 November 1887]: "Robert de la Cour Corbett, Surgeon Major, MS. For operations in Burma". In 1887 he became Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel; in 1893 Brigade Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel, and in 1898, Colonel, Royal Army Medical Corps. He was PMO, Oudh and Rohilkhand District, North-Western Provinces, India. Colonel Corbett married Harriet Lucie, eldest daughter of Robert Gregg, of Cork. He died 24 March 1904.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Army Medical Service |