William Babtie

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Lieutenant General Sir William Babtie VC KCB KCMG (7 May 1859 -11 September 1920) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum in Aldershot.

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[edit] South Africa and the Victoria Cross

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He was 40 years old, and a major in the Royal Army Medical Corps[1], British Army during the Second Boer War when he won his VC. The full citation was published in the London Gazette on 20 April 1900 and reads:[2]

“ On 15 December 1899 at the Battle of Colenso, South Africa, Major Babtie rode up under heavy rifle fire to attend to the wounded who were lying in an advanced donga close to the rear of the guns. When he arrived at the donga, he attended to all the wounded, going from place to place, exposed to the heavy rifle fire levelled at anyone who showed himself. Later in the day Major Babtie went out with another officer (Walter Norris Congreve, from Ireland,) to bring in a Lieutenant (Frederick Hugh Sherston (The Hon.) Roberts) who was lying wounded on the veldt - this also under very heavy fire. ”

He had previously been made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in June 1899.[3]

[edit] After South Africa

Babtie was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in April 1901,[4] and appointed Assistant-Director, Army Medical Service in that June.[5] In 1903 he was made a Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John.[6] He was promoted to colonel in 1907, and appointed Inspector of Medical Services.[7][8] In 1910 he was appointed Deputy Director-General of Medical Services and granted the temporary rank of surgeon-general.[9] The rank was made permanent in 1911.[10] He was made a Companion of the Bath (CB) in the 1912 King's Birthday Honours.[11] On 1 June 1914 he was appointed Honorary Surgeon to the King,[12] holding the post until 7 May 1919

[edit] First World War—Mesopotamia and Dardanelles

Babtie was appointed Director, Medical Services for the British Indian Army in March 1914.[13] He was responsible for medical provision on both the Mesopotamian campaign and the Dardanelles Campaign. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his services in the Dardanelles.[14] He was appointed Director of Medical Services at the War Office on 18 March 1916.[15] He became Inspector of Medical Services with the temporary rank of lieutenant-general on 1 March 1918.[16]

However, he was severely criticised by the Mesopotamia Commission of Inquiry and received further criticism for similar failings at Galipolli. [17]

He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 1919 King's Birthday Honours.[18]

[edit] References

  1. ^ London Gazette: no. 26438, page 5059, 5 September 1893. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  2. ^ London Gazette: no. 27184, page 2547, 20 April 1900. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  3. ^ London Gazette: no. 27091, page 3865, 20 June 1899. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  4. ^ London Gazette: no. 27306, page 2706, 19 April 1901. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  5. ^ London Gazette: no. 27326, page 4251, 25 June 1901. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  6. ^ London Gazette: no. 27550, page 2921, 8 May 1903. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  7. ^ London Gazette: no. 28004, page 1833, 15 March 1907. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  8. ^ London Gazette: no. 28014, page 2650, 19 April 1907. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  9. ^ London Gazette: no. 28346, page 1684, 8 March 1910. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  10. ^ London Gazette: no. 28562, page 9450, 15 December 1911. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  11. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28617, pages 4297–4298, 11 June 1912. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  12. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31488, page 9948, 1 August 1919. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  13. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28831, page 3931, 15 May 1914. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  14. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29569, pages 4517–4519, 5 May 1916. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  15. ^ London Gazette: no. 27550, page 2921, 8 May 1903. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  16. ^ London Gazette: no. 30628, page 4490, 12 April 1918. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  17. ^ firstworldwar.com
  18. ^ London Gazette: no. 31395, page 7425, 6 June 1919. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.

[edit] External links