Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Surgeon Major M. O’C. Drury, Royal Army Medical Corps, who had been mentioned in despatches for his service in Burma 1885-86, and was the Army Medical Officer in Charge of the Langman Hospital, Bloemfontein, South Africa during the Boer War. On his medical staff was one Dr Conan Doyle, who went on to mention him in his book Memories and Adventures

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Surgn. M. O’C. Drury. Med: Staff.) cleaned; Khedive’s Star, dated 1884, unnamed as issued, generally very fine or better (2) £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from an Africa Collection.

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Maurice O’Connor Drury joined the Army Medical Service as a surgeon in July 1880, and advanced to surgeon major in July 1892. He served in the Sudan Campaign of 1885 (Medal with clasp, and Khedive’s Star), and then with the Burmese Expedition 1885-86 (Mentioned in Despatches, Medal with clasp). He was appointed to the military command of the Langman Hospital in January 1900:

‘This hospital, which consists of one hundred beds, with marquees and thirty-five tents, has left in the Oriental for South Africa. The hospital, unlike other civil ones, is not a base-hospital, but is going to “the front,” where its services are greatly needed.

The greatest thought and care have been bestowed on its equipment, and no expense spared to provide, not only the most complete outfit of surgical appliances, medicines, stretchers, etc, but also innumerable comforts and nourishments that will so much help to alleviate the sufferings and hasten the recovery of the sick and wounded.

Mr Archie L. Langman (Lieutenant Middlesex Yeomanry), son of the donor, will accompany it as Treasurer.... Mr Robert O’Callaghan, F.R.CS., of Harley Street, Surgeon to the French Hospital in London, is Surgeon-in-Chief, and is a specialist of repute in abdominal surgery. As gunshot-wounds of the abdomen have been very frequent and serious during the present war, his services will be of special value to our soldiers at “the front.” Mr C. Gibbs, F.R.C.S., of Harley Street, Assistant Surgeon Charing Cross Hospital, is Surgeon.... Dr. Conan Doyle is Physician.... Major M. O’C. Drury, R.A.M.C., who has been appointed by the War Office as the Army Medical Officer in charge of the Langman Hospital....

The staff of this hospital was inspected by the Duke of Cambridge on Feb. 21 at the headquarters of the St. George’s Rifles, Davies Street, Portman Square. On the entry of the Duke of Cambridge, the staff was called to order, by Major O’C. Drury, R.A.M.C., the military officer in command. The Duke carefully inspected the men, and the medical officers were presented to him. The Duke then, in a short speech, congratulated the staff on having the opportunity of serving their Queen and Country in South Africa...’ (The Sketch, 7 March 1900)

The same publication also followed the progress of the hospital in Bloemfontein, and published photographs of Drury showing Lord Roberts around the hospital, and Dr Conan Doyle attending to the sick. The latter recalled his time there, and Drury, thus:

When we were complete we were quite a good little unit... We were compelled to have one military chief, as a bond with the War Office, and this proved to be one Major Drury, a most amusing Irishman who might have come right out of Lever. To leave service and to “marry a rich widow with a cough” was, he said, the height of his ambition. He was a very pleasant companion in civil life, but when it came to duties which needed tact and routine he was rather too Celtic in his methods, and this led to friction and occasional rows in which I had to sustain the point of Mr Langman. I have no doubt he thought me an insubordinate dog, and I thought him - well, he has passed away now, and I remember him best as a very amusing companion.’ (Memories and Adventures by Arthur Conan Doyle refers)

Drury resided at Cynghordy Hall, Carmarthenshire, and was killed in a shooting accident there in December 1906. He was climbing over a fence, when he slipped and fell with his gun going off in the process.

Drury also features as a character in Kieran McMullen’s Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Boer War Waggon, a copy of which is included with the lot.

Sold with copied research, including photographic images of recipient.