A Great War ‘Gallipoli’ D.S.O. group of four awarded to Surgeon Captain A. F. Fleming, Royal Navy, commanding 1st Field Ambulance, R.N.D., at Anzac Cove

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Staff Surg. A. F. Fleming. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Surg. Lt. Commr. A. F. Fleming. R.N.) minor chips to the wreaths of the first, otherwise good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

Dix Noonan Webb, December 2000.

D.S.O. London Gazette 6 September 1916: ‘In recognition of services with the Royal Naval Division in the Gallipoli Peninsula.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 5 November 1915.

Aloysius Francis Fleming was born in Ireland in 1876, and educated at Queen’s College, Cork, and Clongowes (L.R.C.P. and S.Edin., L.R.F.P.S.Glas.). He was appointed Surgeon in the Royal Navy in May 1903. In December 1914 the Medical Unit of the Royal Naval Division was first put into training at Crystal Palace and from them, the complements of three Field Ambulances were selected, command of the 1st Field Ambulance being given to Staff Surgeon Fleming. He accompanied the 1st Field Ambulance, Royal Naval Division, to the Dardanelles, and landed with the Marine Brigade of the R.N.D. at Anzac Cove on the evening of the 28th April, 1915. He was mentioned in General Sir Ian Hamilton’s despatch, dated 22nd September, 1915, and awarded the D.S.O. He became Surgeon Commander in 1919 and retired with the rank of Surgeon Captain. He died in St Mary’s Hospital on 7 July 1944.