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| 17 Apr 2019 | |
| History |
Col. S. C. Philson JH (1874-78) was the eldest son of William Philson, M.D., of Cheltenham, and husband to the daughter late Brigade Surgeon Lt.- Col. J. H. Condon. Philson trained in Medicine, becoming a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1885, and, proceeding to India, took part in the Burmese and Chin Hills Expeditions of 1889 and 1890, for which he received the frontier medal and three clasps. In 1902 he was placed in medical charge of the special camp at the Alexandra Palace for Colonial troops who came to England to represent the Overseas Dominions at the King Edward's coronation. For this he received the King Edward Coronation Medal, and later, the Coronation Durbar Medal. In August 1916, he was appointed Assistant Director Medical Services, Karachi Brigade, to reorganise the medical arrangements there after the 'troop train tragedy.' In recognition of his work in Karachi and his ‘meritorious services in connection with the war’ he would be posthumously appointed as a Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (CIE). Philson died on November 4th 1918 whilst staying at Ambari, his mother-in-law's tea-garden, whilst on a short and much-needed holiday. A friend wrote: "A better fellow and a better Commanding Officer never stepped, and it was one of the saving clauses of service in Karachi having him to serve under." To find out more about Tonbridge and The Great War, visit our online archives at: www.tonbridgeschoolheritage.co.uk Or, contact Archivist, Bev Matthews at: E: beverley.matthews@tonbridge-school.org |
