Special Collections

Sold on 30 March 2011

1 part

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A Collection of Medals to Veterinary Surgeons and the Army Veterinary Corps

Lot

№ 306 x

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30 March 2011

Hammer Price:
£370

Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (Capt. O. A. O’Neill, Natal Vet Corps) extremely fine £250-300

11 Natal Medals with clasps awarded to the Natal Veterinary Corps.

Osbourne Anthony O’Neill was born on 25 September 1869 and qualified as a M.R.C.V.S. (Edinburgh) on 24 May 1893. During 1897-1901 he served with the Southern Rhodesian Civil Veterinary Department, and during 1902-06 he was employed with the Natal Government Veterinary Department. During the latter period he served as a part-time Veterinary Officer with the Natal Veterinary Corps and in 1905 was promoted to the rank of Captain. He resigned his commission in September 1906. In December 1914 he was commissioned a Captain in the Australian Army Veterinary Corps and embarked for overseas service aboard H.M.A.T.
Vestalia at Sydney on 19 December 1914. In late 1915 he served in Gallipoli. Due to malaria and debility he resigned his commission in January 1917. In 1921 he was living in Madagascar. His name was removed from the Register of Veterinary Surgeons in 1955. With a quantity of copied service papers relating to his W.W.1 service.