William Babtie

Background

BABTIE, William was born on May 7, 1859. Son of John Babtie, Justice of the Peace.

Education

Baptie graduated from the University of Glasgow with an M.B. in 1880.

Career

He also received the LRCP and LRCS from the University of Edinburgh Medical School in 1880. He exposed himself to heavy fire to tend to the wounded including going with Captain Walter Norris Congreve to bring in Lieutenant Frederick Hugh Sherston (The Hon) Roberts who was lying wounded on the veldt. The full citation was published in the London Gazette on 20 April 1900 and reads:

At Colenso, on the l0th December, 1899, the wounded of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, were lying in an advanced donga close in the rear of the guns without any Medical Officer to attend to them, and when a message was sent back asking for assistance, Major W. Babtie, R A.M.C., rode up under a heavy rifle fire, his pony being hit three times.

"When he arrived at the donga, where the wounded were lying in sheltered corners, he attended to them all, going from place to place exposed to the heavy rifle fire which greeted anyone who showed himself. Later on in the day, Major Babtie went out with Captain Congreve to bring in Lieutenant Roberts, who was lying wounded on the veldt. This also was under a heavy fire.

Babtie was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in April 1901, and appointed Assistant-Director, Army Medical Service in that June. He was promoted to colonel in 1907, and appointed Inspector of Medical Services. In 1910 he was appointed Deputy Director-General of Medical Services and granted the temporary rank of surgeon-general.

The rank was made permanent in 1911. He was made a Companion of the Bath (CB) in the 1912 King's Birthday Honours. On 1 June 1914 he was appointed Honorary Surgeon to the King, holding the post until 7 May 1919.

Babtie was appointed Director, Medical Services for the British Indian Army in March 1914. He was responsible for medical provision on both the Mesopotamian campaign and the Dardanelles Campaign. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his services in the Dardanelles.

He was appointed Director of Medical Services at the War Office on 18 March 1916. He became Inspector of Medical Services with the temporary rank of lieutenant-general on 1 March 1918. However, he was severely criticised by the Mesopotamia Commission of Inquiry and received further criticism for similar failings at Gallipoli.

He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 1919 King's Birthday Honours.

Connections

Spouse 1903, Edith Mary,daughter of late W. H. Barry of Ballyadam, Co.

Father:

John Babtie

Spouse:

Edith Mary