Other Information:George was educated at Dollar Academy, where he was a First XV and Rugby Blue, and at Edinburgh University, where he qualified M.B., C.M. in 1893. On 28th July 1894 he took up a commission within the Army Medical Services at the rank of Surgeon Lieutenant. He gained promotion to the rank of Captain on 28th July 1897. From 1900 - 1902 he served in the South African Campaign, whereas during the latter part of the war was registrar of No 20 General Hospital, in which he also conducted the surgical work. He gained promotion to the rank of Major on 29th January 1906, and had qualified as a specialist in diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. After that he spent some ten years in India, being especially engaged in the management of military hospitals.
From 13th December 1913 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Service [D.A.D.M.S.] of the Lowland Division (T.F.). At the outbreak of war he was engaged in training at Bridge Allan. He entered the war on 24th February 1915 with the Division (52nd Division). On 1st March 1915 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Shortly after he was appointed Assistant Director of Medical Services [A.D.M.S.], and accompanied the Director of Medical Service [D.M.S.] to Malta, then to Lemnos , and then onto Alexandria. On 5th May 1915 he went to Mudros, and from there was sent to the Anzac Front to act as A.D.M.S. of the beeches, his work involved being in charge of the arrangements for receiving the wounded on the beach and their conveyance to the hospital ships. For his services in this campaign, in 1916 he received the C.M.G. [Companion Order of St Michael & St George]
At the end of the Gallipoli campaign 1st April 1916 to 9th February 1917, he was recalled to the War Office, where he acted a Deputy Assistant Director-General. He later served as A.D.M.S., 32nd Division and from 1st April 1918 as D.D.M.S., II Army Corps, both in France. During this time in December 1917 he gained promotion to the rank of Colonel. For his services in France, in June 1918, he received the C.B. [Companion Order of the Bath]
After the armistice, on 5th February 1919, he was sent out to North Russia as D.D.M.S. of “Elope” Force at Archangel. Here he was responsible for the medical administration of units over an immense area, with bases at Archangel and Murmansk. For his service in North Russia, in January 1920, he was awarded the C.B.E. [Commander Order of the British Empire]
On his return from Archangel in 1919, he was appointed A.D.M.S. in the Home Counties area (west), and during the next few years served as a member of two War Office committees.
In January 1924 was superintendent of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
His death was described as sudden. He was the son of George Thom, LL.D.
|