Pre 1914, Medical Staff Bicorn Hat and Case, WHITE, Australian Army Medical Corps

Overview

Regulation pattern British Staff Officer bicorn hat. Black felt with black lace braid, a brass "Army Medical Staff" button affixed to a gold bullion flash over a black cockade. Bullion tassels at each end of the bicorn folds. Black metal plume holder on crown of hat but regulation black feather plume for Medical Staff is not present. Standard pattern carrying case with maker's and name plate. Overall condition of hat and case - FAIR

Historical information

Colonel Arthur Thomas White CMG, MID, Assistant Director of Medical Services, 3rd Australian Division, from East Fremantle, Western Australia.
A 54 year old medical practitioner prior to being appointed a Lieutenant Colonel in the AIF on 30 September 1914, he embarked for overseas with the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital from Fremantle aboard HMAT Kyarra (A55) on 14 October 1914. While serving at Gallipoli, he was taken ill and invalided to England for medical treatment in November 1915. After returning to Egypt in March, he later returned to England in July and proceeded to France in November 1916. He was promoted to Colonel on 8 June 1917 and was then Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatch of 7 November 1917 (MID) for “distinguished and gallant service and devotion to duty in the field during the period February 26 to 20/21 September 1917”. Colonel White was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) on 1 January 1918 for “conspicuous ability and careful preparation in ensuring the marked success of the Division medical services particularly during the Messines Operations. He served with distinction at Gallipoli and in Egypt”. Later that month, he transferred to England and returned to Australia where his appointment was terminated on 18 May 1918.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-32-54-238
Inscriptions and markings

Leather sweat band and red silk lining with maker's logo "Hobson and Sons" present but not attached. Carry case has Hobson and Son maker's logo and identity plate for Surg. Major AT White, West. Australian Medical Staff. Arthur Thomas White enlisted as a Surgeon in the Medical Branch on 24 April 1889 rising to the rank of Major. On 1 July 1907 he became part of the Australian Army Medical Corps. During world War 1 her commanded the 2nd Australian Stationery Hospital, was awarded the Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG) . He retired as a Colonel on 22 October 1922.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Organisation Details
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Bicorn 1
Bicorn 2
White
Hat
Example with medical Staff back plume
In wear

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