Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse undated (Surgn. Major W Hemphill. 50th. Regt.); together with an erased New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 to 1866, traces of brooch mounting to reverse of first with suspension re-affixed, rank partially corrected/ enhanced, edge bruising, nearly very fine; the erased medal better (2) £300-£400

William Hemphill was born in Castlederg, Co. Tyrone, on 16 February 1830 and qualified M.D. from the University of Glasgow in 1851. He entered the Army Medical Department as an Assistant Surgeon on 14 July 1854 and served with the 48th Foot in the Crimea from 21 April 1855, being present at the Siege and Fall of Sebastopol. He was appointed Assistant Surgeon to the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot on 13 July 1858, and was advanced Staff Assistant Surgeon on 9 April 1861. He served On Duty with the 50th Foot in New Zealand 1864-66, and was advanced Staff Surgeon on 1 February 1867, and Surgeon Major on 14 July 1874. He retired with the honorary rank of Deputy Surgeon-General on 22 July 1879 and died at Southend-on-Sea, Essex, on 20 February 1898.

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