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Auction: 7012 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 1015

The South Africa 1877-79 Medal to Staff Surgeon Sir H.F. Norbury, Later Director General of Naval Medical Services [K.C.B.], Honorary Surgeon to Their Majesties King Edward VII and King George V South Africa 1877-79, one clasp, 1877-8-9 (H.F. Norbury, Staff Surgn. R.N., H.M.S. "Active"), toned, extremely fine, and a rare clasp to Royal Naval personnel, with photograph of recipient Estimate £ 650-750 Sir Henry Frederick Norbury, K.C.B., M.D., F.R.C.S., R.N. (1839-1925); educated at Oundle School; studied medicine at St. Bart´s, London and the University of Malta; M.R.C.S 1860; appointed Surgeon in the Navy, 1860; M.D. 1870; Staff Surgeon 1872; appointed to the corvette H.M.S. Active on the Cape and West Africa stations, October 1876; and whilst on her books he was landed in Medical charge of the Naval Brigade during the Kaffir War, 1877-78; served in the Transkei as Senior Medical Officer of six different columns of troops and was present in numerous skirmishes and in action at Quorra River and the Battle of Quintana (M.I.D. and strongly recommended for promotion); during the Zulu War of 1879 he was again landed and in charge of the Active´s Naval Brigade and served as Principal Medical Officer of Colonel Pearson´s Column being present at the Battle of Inyezane, January 1879, and the relief of the garrison of Ekowe (M.I.D. several times); joined General Crealock´s Columns as Principal Medical Officer to the entire Naval Brigade and advanced to Port Durnford (Twice M.I.D.); Fleet Surgeon, July 1879 (C.B. July 1879; he also won the Gilbert Blane Gold Medal); appointed in charge of the Naval Hospital at the Cape of Good Hope, August 1879; he held the latter position for three years, during which time he was made M.D. of the University of the Cape; after a brief period at Impregnable training ship for boys, he was promoted Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets, April 1887; transferred to the department of the Director General to assist the then incumbent, Sir James Dick, 1890; Norbury spent five years in this capacity before being promoted Inspector General of Hospitals and Fleets, 1895 (Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John); he succeeded Sir James Dick as Director General of Naval Medical Services, 1898 (K.C.B.); elected Honorary Fellow of the Royal Naval College of Surgeons, 1900; retired 12.11.1904, having been Honorary Surgeon to both King Edward and King George and having written The Naval Brigade in South Africa (a photocopy of which is included with the lot). Approximately 5 medals with ´1877-8-9´ clasp awarded to Naval Brigade Officers (Norbury, Lieutenant Craigie, Lieutenant Hamilton - all on Active and Commander E.H. Davis and Lieutenant Cockran on Bodicea. Approximately 111 ´1877-8-9´ clasp award to the Royal Navy.

Sold for
£3,600