Orders, Decorations and Medals

A C.I.E., Boxer Rebellion group of four awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Elwes, Indian Medical Service
The Order of the Indian Empire, C.I.E., 2nd type breast badge in gold and enamels, complete with top suspension bar; China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (Lieutt., I.M.S.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver issue; U.S.A., Order of the Dragon (Capt., Indian Medical Service No.688) lacking Pagoda top suspension bar; together with a small portrait photograph of the recipient wearing his China medal, mounted in a gilt and red enamel frame, nearly extremely fine (5)

C.I.E. London Gazette 12 December 1911.
Lieut.-Colonel Frederick Fenn Elwes was born on 3 May, 1875; M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. 1898 and M.B., B.S.Hons. (London) 1898; Lieutenant, I.M.S., 27 January 1900; Surgeon to Governor of Madras, 1904; Professor of Medicine, Madras Medical College, 1913; Lieut.-Colonel, 27 July 1919; Principal of Medras Medical College, 1923-28; Hon. Surgeon to the Vireroy, 1926-28.
Frederick Elwes held the post of Principal of the Madras Medical College for 15 years and exercised a profound beneficial influence over a generation of Indian graduates. He was outstanding academically and in the athletic field, a distinguished runner especially in the 3 mile events. He held several residential posts before joining the Indian Medical Service in 1900. After his field service in China 1900 he transferred to the Civil Section of the I.M.S. and worked in the Pathology Department of the Madras Medical College. He was later appointed Physician to the Government General Hospital at Madras from which he was detached for a period as Personal Physician to the Governor of Madras and his staff. He proved a sound administrator, a lucid and engaging teacher and a most capable physician whose opinions were in wide demand in southern India. His clinical ability and sympathetic manner endeared him to patients and to students. Even after retirement, in 1928, his athletic ability was apparent especially in the tennis world where he was a regular player in the Riviera Tournaments. He was a member of the India Office Medical Board and worked for the Ministry of Pensions and other Government Departments. During later years he suffered from bilateral glaucoma and lost his sight. He was looked after by his wife Mary Aline Firth, O.B.E. whom he had married in 1905, and by his daughter. Lieut.-Colonel Elwes died at his home in Middlesex on 24 June, 1964.