Epsom college 1855-1899: general practitioners, medical officers of health, some dental surgeons, and military doctors

Russell Vivyan Steele (1888-1959) [Epsom College 1900-1905] was the son of Russell Steele, surgeon, of Reigate, Surrey, and brother of Dr Basil Lyndon Steele [Epsom College 1910-1919]. He received his medical education at University College Hospital, Newcastle and Durham University, and went into general practice at Devizes, Wiltshire (1919-1921), before taking up a practice in Regent’s Park, London. He was a Freeman of the City of London, a Yeoman of the Society of Apothecaries, and a member of the Royal United Services. He was also the commissioner of the St John Ambulance Brigade for the central area of London and, in 1951, was created a Knight of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem. In 1915, Russell Steele received a commission in the R.A.M.C. and saw service in Flanders, France, and at Salonika, where he experienced trench warfare. He was an acknowledged authority on military history and military uniform.

Arthur Leslie Hanworth Rackham (born 1888) [Epsom College 1898-1907. Rugby XV. MacFarlane Cup] was the son of Dr A. R. Rackham, of North Elmham, Norfolk, and father of Arthur Dennis Rackham [Epsom College 1939-1943]. He won a Junior Scholarship to the Middlesex Hospital, and went into general practice at North Elmham, Norfolk. During the First World War he served as a Major in the R.A.M.C.

Gerald Laurence (born 1888) [Epsom College 1901-1906. prefect. Rugby XV. Cricket XI] was the son of F. G. Laurence J.P., of Maidstone, Kent, and brother of Stuart Laurence [Epsom College 1903-1906]. He received his medical education at the Middlesex Hospital, and went into general practice at Wellington, Shropshire, where he was Surgeon for the Wellington Cottage Hospital and Dispensary. During the First World War he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C.

William Henry Price Saunders (1888-1921) [Epsom College 1902-1907. Rugby XV] was the son of Dr E. A. Saunders, J.P., of Pembroke Dock, South Wales, and brother of Dr Edward Argent Saunders [Epsom College 1899-1904]. He received his medical education at the Middlesex Hospital, and went into general practice at Pembroke Docks, South Wales. He was previously a Casualty Officer at the Middlesex Hospital.

Philip Withers Green (1888-1949) [Epsom College 1901-1906] was the son of Dr A. W. Green, of Doctor’s Commons, London. He was awarded an Entrance Scholarship to St Mary’s Hospital, and was later appointed Demonstrator in Biology at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School. He then emigrated to Johore-Bahru, on the Malay Peninsular. During the First and Second World Wars he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. (1914-1919; 1941-1945).

James Stuart Leslie (born 1888) [Epsom College 1901-1907] was the son of William Leslie, of Calcutta. He received his medical education at the London Hospital, and went into general practice at Muswell Hill, North London. Sometime later he was appointed Clinical Assistant Surgeon at the London Hospital. During the First World War he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. He then emigrated to Australia where he was employed as a Surgeon at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales.

Edward George Huxley Cowen (born 1888) [Epsom College 1902-1905] was the son of Dr George Cowen, of New Malden, Surrey, and brother of Hugh Francis Durbin Cowen [Epsom College 1904-1906]. He received his medical education at Charing Cross Hospital, and after a career with the R.A.M.C., entered general practice at Belmont, Surrey. No further details known.

Augustus Cecil Renton (1888-1927) [Epsom College 1900-1905. Rugby XV] was the son of Dr W. M. Renton, of Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham, and brother of Eric Stuart Renton [Epsom College 1903-1909], and Dr Horatio Borrowman Renton [Epsom College 1905-1912]. He received his medical education at Edinburgh University, and went into general practice at Chester-le-Street, where he was Medical Officer and Public Vaccinator, as well as Medical Officer to the Chester-le-Street Poor Law Institution. During the First World War he served as a Major in the R.A.M.C., as Registrar at the No. 1 British General Hospital in Amara, and Hamadan in Mesopotamia. He was a member of the Edinburgh University Hockey XI, and an International Trialist for the Scotland Hockey XI.

Ernest Haines Walker (born 1889) [Epsom College 1903-1908. prefect. Captain of Cricket XI] was the son of Dr E. G. A. Walker, of Ightham, Kent. He received his medical education at St Thomas’s Hospital, where he won the Jenks Scholarship, and went into general practice at Torrington, Devon. He was Medical Officer of Health for the Torrington Rural District Council and Honorary Surgeon at Torrington Hospital. Previously, he was Medical Officer of Health for Wrotham, Kent, and Surgeon for Sevenoaks Hospital. During the First World War he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. (1914-1918), as a Specialist in Operative Surgery at the Dartford and Brighton War Hospitals.

Claude de Boudry Thomson (1889-1959) [Epsom College 1901-1905] was the son of George Thomson, dentist, of Harley Street, London. He received his medical education at the Middlesex Hospital, and went into general practice at Queen’s Park, Willesden, where he was appointed Senior Anaesthetist at the Willesden General Hospital. He was Chairman of the Willesden Division of the British Medical Association (1934-1935), and a member of the Middlesex Local Medical Committee.

John Livingston Hamilton (1889-1957) [Epsom College 1900-1903] was the son of D. L. Hamilton, F.R.C.S., of Timsbury, near Bath, and brother of George Hamilton [Epsom College 1904-1906], and father of Dr Michael Hamilton, M.D. [Epsom College 1937-1940]. He received his medical education at Downing College, Cambridge, and the London Hospital. He then went into general practice at Shoreditch and Clerkenwell, where he was Public Vaccinator for the South West District of the Shoreditch Union. In 1928 he moved to a practice in Chingford, Essex, and was a Medical Referee for the Ministry of Pensions. During the First World War he served as a Colonel in the R.A.M.C, in Egypt, Palestine and Syria, and was wounded. In 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross and mentioned in dispatches. He was a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Essex (1950-1957), and Chairman of the North-East Essex Division of the British Medical Association.

Lionel Page (1889-1929) [Epsom College 1900-1907] was the son of Dr G. S. Page, of Bristol, and brother of Guy Frederick Page [Epsom College 1900-1903]. He received his medical education at Bristol Royal Infirmary (Bristol University), where he won the Murchison Scholarship of the Royal College of Physicians. He went into general practice at Redland, Bristol, where he was Surgeon for the Bristol Dispensary, and Public Vaccinator for the Bristol Union. He was also the Medical Officer for Shepherd’s Medical Institute, Bristol.

Joe Edward Ashby (1889-1948) [Epsom College 1904-1907] was the son of Dr John Ashby, of Haupsthwaite, Yorkshire, and brother of Harold Crowther Ashby [Epsom College 1906-1908], and John Ashby [Epsom College 1911-1912]. He received his medical education at Charing Cross Hospital, and went into general practice at Edgware, Middlesex.

Henry Barton Owens (1889-1921) [Epsom College 1904-1907] was the son of Dr C. A. Owens, of Long Stratton, Norfolk. He received his medical education at the London Hospital, and went into general practice at Paulerspury, Towcester, Northamptonshire. At the start of the First World War Henry he went overseas with the first expeditionary force in the First Cavalry Division, before being attached to the 4^th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards. He was twice mentioned in dispatches. Among the many battles that he was engaged in was the retreat from Mons, Ypres and the Somme. He died of acute septicaemia in 1921. He was 32 years old.

Thomas Vicars Oldham (1889-1957) [Epsom College 1902-1907] was the son of Dr H. F. Oldham, of Morecambe, Lancashire. He received his medical education at King’s College, Cambridge and Trinity College, Dublin, and went into general practice at Harrow, Middlesex. At the outbreak of the First World War he joined the R.A.M.C. and served as a Major in the Middle East, having previously taken part in the Gallipoli landings. After the war he joined his father in general practice at Morecambe, where he was elected Chairman of the Lancaster Division of the British Medical Association (1929-1930). During the Second World War he rejoined the R.A.M.C. and served throughout the War at Newport, South Wales.

Ralph Franklin Eminson (1889-1958) [Epsom College 1905-1906] was the son of Dr T. B. F. Eminson, of Scotter, Lincolnshire, brother of John Franklin Eminson [Epsom College 1899-1903], Robert Astley Eminson [Epsom College 1905-1909], and Dr Clarence Franklin Eminson [Epsom College 1909-1912]. He won an Open Scholarship to Charing Cross Hospital, and in the M.B., B.S. Examination won the gold medal for surgery. He then went into general practice at Scotter, Lincolnshire, and later at Scunthorpe. During the First World War he served in the British Expeditionary Force in Flanders, as a Captain with the R.A.M.C., and was awarded the D.S.O. (1918). He was mentioned in dispatches for his conspicuous gallantry, his devotion to duty and rescue work. The citation read: “When two companies who had made a counter-attack and reached a village, were obliged to fall back 150 yards, suffering heavy casualties, whom it was impossible to rescue owing to the accurate machine-gun and rifle fire from the village, this officer went himself, regardless of fire, and in full view of the enemy, across ‘No Man’s Land’ many times, and carried and assisted the wounded, who otherwise would have been left”. He was Chairman of the Scunthorpe Division of the British Medical Association (1937-1938), and a member of the Executive Council for the County of Lindsey.

Richard Irving Dacre (1889-1947) [Epsom College 1903-1907] was the son of Dr John Dacre, of Clifton, Bristol, and father of Dr Arthur John Irving Dacre [Epsom College 1940-1943]. He received his medical education at Bristol Medical School, and served as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the R.A.M.C. (T.A.) as a Medical Officer attached to the 6^th Gloucestershire Regiment. He held the 1914-918 Star, General Service and Allied Victory Medals, and the Territorial Decoration and Territorial Efficiency Medal. He was mentioned in dispatches (1918). His son wrote: “My father was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps when he retired and he had a special career note as having served as a Medical Officer in every unit of the British Army during his time of service.” After leaving the R.A.M.C. he went into general practice at Bristol.

John Forbes Connell (1889-1914) [Epsom College 1902-1907. prefect. Rugby XV] was the son of Colonel D. V. O’Connell R.A.M.C., and brother of Geoffrey Bryan O’Connell [Epsom College 1906-1910]. He received his medical education at St Mary’s Hospital. At the commencement of the First World War he joined the R.A.M.C. and served at the Connaught Hospital, London, before moving to France where he was Medical Officer in charge of the 2^nd Highland Light Infantry with the British Expeditionary Force. He was killed at the battle of Aisne in 1914, while attending a seriously wounded comrade. He was only 25 years old. His commanding officer wrote: “I have never seen anyone pluckier; he was just as cool under fire as he was at any other time.” He was an excellent rugby player and while at medical school was vice-captain of the London Welsh Rugby XV.

Algernon Randolph Upton (1889-1929) [Epsom College 1901-1907. prefect. Rugby XV. Captain of Cricket XI] was the son of Dr H. C. Upton, of Hove, Sussex, and brother of Victor Crowther Upton [Epsom College 1899-1900]. He received his medical education at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and went into general practice at Hove, Sussex. He was at one time a Surgeon in the Indian Medical Service. During the First World War he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. (1915-1917).

Wilfred Egerton Milligan (1889-1945) [Epsom College 1904-1908] was the son of Dr William Milligan, of Lytham, Lancashire, brother of Dr Donald Samuel Eccles Milligan [Epsom College 1904-1909], Dr William Hubert Milligan [Epsom College 1904-1909], and Captain Robert Grenville Henderson Milligan, R.N. [Epsom College 1904-1905]. He received his medical education at St Thomas’s Hospital, and went into general practice at Lytham St Anne’s, Lancashire. During the First World War he served as a Surgeon in the Royal Navy (1914-1918).

Geoffrey Stanhope Robinson (born 1889) [Epsom College 1904-1906] was the son of Dr William Robinson, of Sunderland. He received his medical education at Exeter College, Oxford, where he took First Class Honours in the B.A. (Physiology) Examination, and St Bartholomew’s Hospital. He went into general practice at Sunderland, and was Assistant Surgeon at the Royal Infirmary, Sunderland. He was an Honorary Lieutenant in the R.A.M.C.

Rupert Bannatyne Hick (1889-1950) [Epsom College 1899-1908] was the son of Dr Henry Hick, of New Romney, Kent, and brother of Godfrey Macdona Hick, L.D.S. [Epsom College 1902-1904]. He received his medical education at St Mary’s Hospital, and went into general practice at Peckham Rye, London, and later at Swindon, Wiltshire, where he was Medical Officer for the Great Western Railway. He was President of the Wiltshire Branch of the British Medical Association (1946-1947), Secretary of the Swindon Division of the British Medical Association (1939-1945), and served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. during the First World War, in India and Mesopotamia (1916-1920).

Henry Parks Whitworth (1889-1918) [Epsom College 1901-1908] was the son of Dr William Whitworth, of St Agnes, Cornwall, and brother of Dr William Cuthbert Whitworth [Epsom College 1899-1905]. He received his medical education at Guy’s Hospital. In 1914, he took a commission in the Special Reserve of the R.A.M.C. and was promoted to Captain six months later. He was attached to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, and in 1918, he died of wounds received. He was aged 29 years.

Richard Trevor Vivian (1889-1916) [Epsom College 1901-1906. Cricket XI] was the son of Dr R. T. Vivian, of Winchmore Hill, North London, and brother of Dr Harold Sugden Vivian [Epsom College 1895-1900], and Dr Charles St Aubyn Vivian [Epsom College 1895-1901]. He received his medical education at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. During the First World War he served with the R.A.M.C., and was reported missing in 1916, believed to have been killed in action. He was aged 27 years.

Edward Athol Clarence Langton (1889-1937) [Epsom College 1903-1907] was the son of Dr Herbert Langton, of Brighton. He received his medical education at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and was then appointed Medical Officer in the East African Medical Service, at Entebbe, Uganda. During the First World War he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C.

Phillip Henry Henson (1889-1930) [Epsom College 1904-1907. head prefect. Captain of Hockey XI. Watts Science and Modern History Prizes] was the son of J. R. Henson, solicitor, of Hornsea, Yorkshire. He received his medical education at the London Hospital, and went into general practice at Normanton, Yorkshire. He later emigrated to Fort Victoria, Southern Rhodesia. During the First World War he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. (1914-1918).

Richard Chaloner Cobbe Clay (born 1890) [Epsom College 1902-1908. Rugby XV] was the son of Dr Chaloner Clay, of Fovant, Wiltshire, and brother of Vivian Hastings Clay [Epsom College 1904-1909]. He received his medical education at the Westminster Hospital, where he was an Entrance Scholar, and then joined his father in his general practice at Fovant, Wiltshire. [This is the oldest general practice in Wiltshire and was founded by his grandfather in 1855].

Harold Percy Gabb (1890-1964) [Epsom College 1904-1907] was the son of Dr J. P. A. Gabb, of Guildford, Surrey, and brother of Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Alwyne Gabb, O.B.E., M.C. [Epsom College 1898-1904}. He received his medical education at University College Hospital, and went into general practice at Guildford, Surrey. During the First World War he served as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the R.A.M.C.

Herbert Grantham Dodd (born 1890) [Epsom College 1901-1907] was the son of Dr A. H. Dodd, of Hove, Sussex. He received his medical education at Guy’s Hospital and Durham University, where he won the Gibson Prize. He went into general practice at Hove, Sussex, and was Anaesthetist for the Brighton and Hove Providential Dental Hospital, and Honorary Anaesthetist for the Carr-Burton Hospital, Hove. During the First World War he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. (1914-1918). He was a member of the Brighton and Hove Medico-Chirurgical Society.

Austin Charles Giles (born 1890) [Epsom College 1902-1907] was the son of Dr Oswald Giles, of Sleaford, Lincolnshire, and brother of Oswald Bissill Giles [Epsom College 1901-1905]. He received his medical education at Edinburgh University, and went into general practice at Sleaford, Lincolnshire. During the First World War he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. (1914-1918) and was later promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel.

Lionel Everard Owen (1890-1940) [Epsom College 1902-1906] was the son of Dr J. M. Owen, of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, brother of Dr John Howard Owen M.D. [Epsom College 1902-1903], and Norman Howell Owen [Epsom College 1902-1904]. He received his medical education at Guy’s Hospital, and went into general practice at Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.

Arthur Gerald Phillips Wills (born 1890) [Epsom College 1902-1905] was the son of Dr A. T. Wills, of Brewood, Staffordshire. He received his medical training at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, St Thomas’s Hospital and the Royal Dental Hospital. He went into general practice at Hanover Square, London. During the First World War he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. (1916-1918).

Kenneth Christopher Crosbie (born 1890) [Epsom College 1903-1909. Rugby XV. MacFarlane Cup] was the son of Frank Crosbie, of Gloucester Terrace, London. He received his medical education at Edinburgh University, and went into general practice at Skipton, Yorkshire, where he was Public Vaccinator for the Grassington, Kettlewell and Arncliffe districts.

James Ernest Scanlan (1890-1942) [Epsom College 1905-1909. Ann Hood Exhibition] was the son of Dr A. E. Scanlan, of Middlesbrough. He received his medical education at St Mary’s Hospital, and went into general practice at Middlesbrough, where he was also Assistant Surgeon to the North Riding Infirmary (1919-1930). During the First World War he served as a Surgeon Lieutenant in the Royal Navy on Northern Atlantic Patrol (1916-1918).

James Ewen Robertson-Ross (1890-1953) [Epsom College 1905-1907. Modern History Prize] was the son of John Robertson-Ross, of Walton on Thames, Surrey. He received his medical education at the Westminster Hospital, and went into general practice in Drayton Gardens, London. He was Chairman of the Ministry of Pensions Specialist Final Board for the London Region. During the First World War he served as a Surgeon Lieutenant in the Royal Navy (1914-1919).

Reginald Norman Porritt (1890-1947) [Epsom College 1903-1908. prefect] was the son of Dr Norman Porritt, of Huddersfield. He received his medical education at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and the London Hospital. He served as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the R.A.M.C., but later left the Service and went into general practice at Penzance, Cornwall.

Herbert Gregory Winter (1890-1945) [Epsom College 1904-1909. Rugby XV. Watts Science Prize] was the son of Major H. E. Winter R.A.M.C. He received his medical education at the London Hospital. He served in the R.A.M.C. during the First World War and was mentioned in dispatches. No further details found.

Duncan Westlake Pailthorpe (born 1890) [Epsom College 1904-1909. head prefect. Rugby XV. Captain of Cricket XI] was the son of J. E. Pailthorpe, Clerk to the Harbour Board, Southampton. He received his medical education at Charing Cross Hospital, served in the R.A.M.C., and was awarded the M.C. and Bar. He was a member of the Middlesex County Rugby XV.

Donald Samuel Eccles Milligan (1890-1917) [Epsom College 1904-1909] was the son of Dr William Milligan, of Lytham, Lancashire, brother of Dr Wilfred Egerton Milligan [Epsom College 1904-1908], Dr William Hubert Milligan [Epsom College 1904-1909], and Captain Robert Grenville Henderson Milligan [Epsom College 1904-1905]. He received his medical education at St Thomas’s Hospital. During the First World War he served as a Lieutenant in the R.A.M.C. and, in 1917, was killed in action. He was aged 27 years.

Reginald Heber Leigh (born 1890) [Epsom College 1902-1909. prefect. Captain of Rugby XV. Cricket XI] was the son of Dr R. H. Leigh, of Winberg, South Africa. He received his medical education at King’s College Hospital. He served in the R.A.M.C. as a Lieutenant-Colonel. No further details found.