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RAMC profile of:
William Richard BLACKWELL L.R.C.P. & S.I., L.M.
 
 


Place or Date
of Birth:
Dublin on the 25th January 1877

Service Number:

TF Number:

Rank: Major General

Unit: Army Medical Services

Attached To: War Office - D.A.D.G.A.M.S.

Enlistment Location:

Also Served: Various - see below

Outcome: Continued to serve after the war

Date Died: 9th July 1946
Age Died:

Where Buried and/or Commemorated:

Awards: MiDx3

Gazette Reference: 29/5/1917, 10/7/1919, 25/2/1918
 


Other Information:

William received his medical training at The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, qualifying L.R.C.P. & S.I., L.M. in 1898. He took up a commission at the rank of Lieutenant within the Medical Service on 27th July 1899, then saw active service in South Africa from 1899 to 1902, receiving the Queen’s South African Medal & 3 clasps and the King’s South African Medal & 2 clasps, as well as being mentioned in despatches [L.G. 16/4/1901]. On 27th July 1902 he gained promotion to the rank of Captain. From 1902 to 1905, and again from 1908 to 1914 he served in India, during which time he gained promotion to the rank of Major on 27th April 1911. In May 1914 he took up the post of Deputy Assistant Director-General Army Medical Services in the War Office, with the branch dealing with organization, mobilization and preparation of the medical services for war. On the outbreak of war this post became redundant, with the result of William becoming Deputy Assistant Director-General, at the War Office, in the branch dealing with personnel. On 14th October, and again on the 25th to 27th October 1914 he became involved in special duties. He entered the war in France on 19th October 1914 becoming Senior Medical Officer at Calais. On 1st March 1915 he gained promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On 5th January 1917 he was appointed Knight Commander Order of St John of Jerusalem, and on 14th July 1917 was awarded the French Legion of Honour, Croix d’Officer. From 1918 to 1919 he took up the post of Assistant Director-General Army Medical Services at General Headquarters, and from 1st June 1918 to 13th April 1919 served under the rank acting Colonel. During this time, on 3rd June 1918, he was appointed Companion Order of St Michael and St George. Also in 1919 he received the Indian Service Medal with clasp, and North-West Frontier (India) medal, and returned to India, serving there until 1923. During this time, on 3rd June 1919 he gained the rank of Brevet Colonel; was stationed at Army Headquarters, India; and on 1st March 1920 was appointed Honorary Surgeon to His Excellency the Viceroy of India. Returning to the UK in 1924, he took up the post of Commanding Officer at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, but returned to India in 1925 and remaining there until 1929. During this time he gained promotion to the rank of Colonel on 26th December 1925; served as Assistant Director Army Medical Services at Head Office, Baluchistan District from 1925 to 26; and as Deputy Director Army Medical Services & Director of Hospital Org AHQ(1) from 1927 to 1929. He gained promotion to Major General on 16th September 1929 and returned to the War Office as Deputy Director-General from 1929 to 1933, during which time he was appointed King’s Honorary Surgeon on 1st May 1930, and Companion Order of the Bath on 2nd June 1931. On 9th December 1933 he retired but due to war breaking out again was re-employed in rank of Colonel on 17th April 1940. He served as Deputy Director Army Medical Services at Fortress Headquarters, Gibraltar from 1940 to 1941. Due to ill health he retired again on 30th July 1941, with his rank being restored to Major General. William died at Broadoak, Sussex.


 
 
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