This page consists - for the ranks of Assistant Surgeon, Surgeon and Staff Surgeon - of the contents of the
"Remarks" column of registers, now in ADM 104, originally maintained by the Medical Director General's
office, and - for the rank of Deputy Inspector General - of records, now in ADM 105, kept by the Junior Naval Lord to help settling questions of promotion. These remarks consist mainly of summaries of - or references to -
correspondence with, or about, the officer in question. Text in red
is my expansion of abbreviations. Text between {...} is uncertain.
| Date |
Remark |
[my note] |
| Assistant
Surgeons Register 3 (ADM 104/23), folio 18 |
| 16 September 1840 |
Commander The Honourable Joseph Denman
HMS Wanderer, & senior officer had selected Mr Loney
for the Persian as Acting Surgeon for his good conduct
while under his command which had merited his warm
approbation. Commander Denmans letter this date. 2676v.
Physician General for Medical Officer JSB {??} |
|
| 13 November 1840 |
I beg to recommend Mr John Read residing
at Athlone, Ireland. WB 2676v |
I cannot find an Assistant Surgeon John
Read in subsequent Navy Lists |
| 16 September1840 |
Mr James Gordon, Surgeon HMS Wanderer
bore favourable testimony to Mr Loney's conduct. Certificate.
Mr Hobart 9/2921 |
|
| 29 April 1842 |
Requested to be superseded in the
Dolphin & appointed to the Niger Expedition |
|
| 20 July 1842 |
Acquainted that the Niger Expedition so
far as regards the Navy had been entirely broken up. 2610
& 2609 Case |
|
| 5 May 1842 |
Enclosed copy of Certificate to good
conduct from Commander E. Littlehales of HMBg Bonnetta.
1634 Case |
HMBg = Her Majesty's Brig |
| - December 1842 |
Commander Littlehales, late of the
Dolphin, bore strong testimony to Mr Loney's good conduct
while serving under his command |
|
| 14 December 1842 |
Let this be registered, observing also
that Commander Littlehales called upon me &
personally recommended the gentleman in question in the
strongest manner. Inform Commander Littlehales that due
attention will be paid to his recommendation. WB 3552
case |
|
| 14 December 1842 |
Mr Loney addressed a Memorial to the
Earl of Haddington stating his claims & praying
Promotion. {Amsfor York} |
Thomas, Earl of Haddington, First Lord
of the Admiralty, 8 September 1841 - 12 January 1846 |
| 16 December 1842 |
Mr Loney has an actual service of 3 Yrs
0 m 9 wk 4 d, the greater part of which has, as he
stated, been spent on the Coast of Africa. I believe Mr
Loney a zealous and attentive officer, and that he has
performed his duties in a satisfactory manner, but there
is nothing in his services which would justify me in
recommending him in an especial manner to the Board in
preferment to others of much longer standing &
equally good character and service. WB 13572v |
|
| 3 January 1844 |
Stated that an opinion prevailed than an
Assistant Surgeon of a Marine Infirmary cannot be
promoted, & begged to be informed on the subject |
|
| 5 February 1844 |
Informed by Sir William Burnett that the
opinion was not a correct one. P case |
|
| 27 January 1845 |
Informed the Director General that he
had repeated his Memorial to the Earl of Haddington for
Promotion which, if it had no other effect, would prove
to his Lordship his unwillingness to remain any longer in
a position which may retard the same. Dr Loney to be
removed when an opportunity offers and Mr Derryman
appointed to the vacancy |
James Nathaniel Derryman was appointed
per 6 March 1845 |
| 25 January 1845 |
Memorialized the Earl of Haddington
praying Promotion or an appointment which might the
soonest lead to it. Is there anything in this Assistant
Surgeons service, his seniority being 1839, that would
make it right to procure him early promotion {A} Director
General to report. |
|
| 28 January 1845 |
The Director General reported Dr Loney's
case, See copy of Minute Report, Book 1, fol 24 |
|
| 24 March 1845 |
Stated the circumstances under which he
charged a Bill for £ 8 towards the establishment of a
Sick Mess Fund on board the Rolla. 154 |
|
| 29 July 1845 |
Prayed their Lordships would confirm him
in the rank of Surgeon, from the date of acting Commision
to Pantaloon. Director General G2802 |
|
| 14 October 1845 |
I beg to state that Dr Loney entered the
service on the 29 November 1839 and has been in active
employment 5¾ years. He has been favourably recommended
by the Honorable Joseph Denman and Commander Littlehales,
and as Dr Loney volunteered his services for the Coast of
Africa, and left a shore appointment at the Royal Marines
Division at Woolwich to proceed to that station, I beg to
recommend him to their Lordships favourable
consideration. He is of excellent character and good
abilities WB {250} |
|
| Promoted 1 November 1845.
Captain Hamiltons Memo this date. Transferred to Surgeons
Register 3, Fol 223 |
William Alexander Baillie Hamilton,
Second Secretary to the Admiralty: 28 Jan 1845 - 22 May
1855 |
| Surgeons
Register 3 (ADM 104/17), folio 223 |
| Brought from Assistant
Surgeons Register 3, Fol 18 |
|
| 11 May 1846 |
Found to be labouring under Dyspepsia
and General Debility and recommended to return to England
for the reestablishment of his health. Report of survey
held at the Hospital at Ascension. 11 July 1846 |
|
| 11 January 1847 |
Certificate of having performed the
capital operations of surgery at the School of Anatomy,
Peter St, Dublin. cert case |
|
| 22 February 1847 |
Volunteered his services in case any
medical officers should be sent out to Ireland to
alleviate the distress there |
This letter in letterbook |
| 22 February 1847 |
Informed that a note had been made of
his offer of services. 5213 case |
This letter in letterbook |
| 5 March 1847 |
Desired to hold himself in readiness to
proceed to Ireland. 5305 |
This letter in letterbook |
| 6 March 1847 |
Was ready to proceed at once. 5560 case |
|
| 14 April 1847 |
Directed verbally to proceed to Ireland
under the directions of the Relief Association (verbal
Party 15 April 1847) Donegal district |
|
| 30 July 1850 |
Enclosed an order from Commander Morrell
to take charge of sick at the Green Mountain, Ascension,
together with a certificate of his having performed that
duty from 12 May to 30 June '46 & requested that
record might be made of such service as sea time 16
1/1859 |
|
| 27 January 1851 |
Dr Loney appears to be entitled to the
time served as shown by the certificates {assayed} WB
7/1859 |
|
| 6 February 1851 |
The above time allowed as service time
19/1859 |
|
| 11 March 1851 |
Reprimanded for having written a most
improper & disrespectful letter to the Director General
regarding the admission of his brother (a candidate) into
the Naval Medical Service 19/5362 |
|
| 9 August 1851 |
Applied to be appointed to
"Apollo" should she be commissioned per lieu of
"Ceylon" at Malta 20/1998 |
|
| 11 August 1851 |
Informed that his request could not be
complied with & that he should make such applications
through his captain 20/1998 |
|
| 12 August 1851 |
Applied for a convict ship 20/2057 |
|
| 19 January 1852 |
Requested his appointment to Hydra might
be cancelled, health unequal to service in tropics, at
same applying for an appointment on Home or Mediterranean
station 20/4486. |
|
| See report book 2. Folio 377
for further remarks |
I have not yet discovered if this
document has been preserved |
| 28 July 1855 |
Their Lordships expressed their displeasure at the course he had persued in the case of a patient of "Hydra" whom he had ordered to be sent to Hospl at the Cape of Good Hope as his captain had objected thereto and cautioned him to be more circumspect in his conduct in future |
ADM 104/31 p 177 |
| Staff
Surgeons Register (ADM 104/29), folio 30 |
| See Surgons' Register for
remarks previous to 1867. |
|
| 14 January 1867 |
Correspondence between Dr Loney and Dr
Magill Assistant Surgeon Haulbowline Hospital as to the
use of boats 36/289 |
Assistant Surgeon Martin Magill,
appointed to Haulbowline 2 September 1862 |
| 5 February 1867 |
Applied for a week's leave stating that
Dr Moore, Surgeon of "Black Prince", would
render any assistance that was necessary. Approved if
M.D.G. sees no objections G.H.S. |
Black Prince was Rear Admiral Charles Frederick's flagship at Queenstown from May 1866 to October 1867 (replacing Hastings); Surgeon George Moore was
appointed to this ship per 19 May 1866 |
| 9 February 1867 |
I see no objection but I would recommend
that the Hospital be left in sole charge of the Assistant
Surgeon Dr Magill, during Dr L's absence. A Bryson DG,
36/848 |
|
| 30 March 1867 |
Lord Churston applied for Dr L to be
promoted to Deputy Inspector & retained at
Haulbowline Hospital. M.D.G. to report on his claims H.C.
|
Sir John Buller Yarde-Buller (1799-1871), elevated to the peerage as Lord Churston of Churston Ferriers in 1858, had been a conservative MP for South Devon 1834-1858; at the time of his elevation the Times described him as "one of the wealthiest commoners and largest landowners in the west of England". Reason for elevation unclear, presumably political |
| 3 April 1867 |
D.G. in reporting his services concluded
"He is a good Medical officer but I do not consider
his claims for promotion an equal to several other Staff
Surgeons who are above him in seniority. He was appointed
to Haulbowline Hospital in Oct '65 AB DG 36/1915 |
|
| 25 January 1868 |
Candidate for appointment as Deputy Inspector
General at Plymouth Hospital vacant by death of Dr
Beith |
This was DIG Robert Beith; Henry J. Domville CB, MD was appointed to replace him per 5 February 1868 |
| 28 January 1868 |
Own receipt AB 540/37 |
|
| 9 September 1867 |
Applied to Mr Corry for promotion.
M.D.G. to report if this officer has any special claims
to promotion G.H.S. |
Henry Thomas Lowry Corry, First Lord
of the Admiralty, 8 March 1867 - 17 December 1868 |
| 20 September 1867 |
See Dr Mackay's report referring to
D.G.'s former remarks. Copy case |
|
| 27 April 1868 |
Requested a fortnight's leave |
|
| 30 April 1868 |
No objection. AB D.G. 37/2440. Grant
G.H.S. |
|
| 3 December 1868 |
Is candidate for appointment of Deputy
Inspector General Hong Kong N.S. 6317/37 |
Staff Surgeon Robert Pottinger was appointed 8 December 1868 |
| - Dec 1868 |
Board's minute on report of survey on Mr
J.H. Jackson, Paymaster R.N. surveyed at Haulbowline Hospital:
M.D.G. for information observing that this scarcely
appears a satisfactory report JCDH |
James Huggard Jackson, Paymaster per 13 November 1854 |
| 16 December 1868 |
I quite concur in thinking this report
unsatisfactory, & would suggest in similar cases that
Dr L be desired to report his own opinion as to the
officer's fitness for service or otherwise. AB D.G.
37/6497 |
|
| 15 June 1869 |
Requested to state by whose authority he
had surveyed Dr J Young Staff Surgeon invalided from
Galatia 38/2749/2802 |
James Young, Surgeon per 22 January
1867, Staff Surgeon per 4 July 1868; Staff Surgeon
Alexander Watson appointed to Galatea per 24 March 1869 |
| 16 June 1869 |
Replied that the survey and the report
were unauthorised, and stated that presure of private
affairs prevented Dr Young returning to Haulbowline, or
undertaking the journey to London. FC 38/2802 |
|
| 18 June 1869 |
Board & D.G. disapproved of the
survey by Dr L without having obtained his authority
according to the custom of the service. Letter book &
38/2802/2968. Survey need not be repeated. Admiralty Order
26 June '6{4} |
|
| 6 July 1869 |
Not to insert irrelevant material in Medical
Returns 38/3143 |
|
| - Oct 1869 |
Correspondence on misunderstanding
between Dr Loney & Mr Paris, Storekeeper at
Haulbowline, resulting in both being superceded 38/4922
38/6148 |
John Rose Paris, Naval and Victualling
Storekeeper, and Accountant at Haulbowline, appointed 22
October 1866. The "case" reference in Digest ADM 12/830 (which only records "both officers removed") is L.538, but unfortunately this has not been preserved in the corresponding dossier ADM 1/6090 |
| 18 October 1869 |
Stated that he preferred serving in the
hope of promotion to accepting the reported retirement |
|
| 30 October 1869 |
Granted leave on Full Pay till
"Revenge" is ready to receive crew from
"Zealous". A.O. 38/5226 |
|
| 15 December 1869 |
Explained reasons for not giving up
charge of Haulbowline Hospital to his successor Dr Morgan
until completion of survey |
|
| 17 December 1869 |
M.D.G. cannot approve of his conduct
38/6095 |
|
| 13 Jan 1870 |
Dr Loney to be placed on half Pay from
11 Nov '69, the date of Staff Surgeon joining AO
39/249/78 |
|
| 16/18 December 1869 |
Dr L forwards two letters on the subject
of disrespectful conduct of certain persons when he was
leaving Haulbowline |
Summary in Digest ADM 12/830, part 41-18: "Dr Loney complains of having been insulted on his leaving yard. Charged Mr Paris, storekeeper, of being ringleader, and illuminating his house on the occasion. Mr Paris is leaving the yard so no enquiry is necessary in his case" |
| 20 December 1869 |
See D.G.s remarks in letter book |
|
| 4 January 1870 |
Rear Admiral Forbes, Commander in Chief
at Queenstown forwarded a report of enquiry by Capt
Seecombe of "Mersey" concluding by stating he
had not thought it necessary to take any further steps in
the matter as the charges could not be brought home to any
person. 38/6148/6093 |
Captain John Seecombe of Mersey; this ship was the flagship of Rear Admiral Claude H.M. Buckle, Commander-in-Chief at Queenstown per 28 October 1867, and Rear Admiral Arthur Forbes who succeeded him 16 November 1869 (until in his turn succeeded by Rear Admiral Edmund Heathcote on 20 May 1871). Summary in Digest ADM 12/830: "Captain Seecombe reports result of his enquiry - unable to fix blame on anyone - considers the charge frivolous and vexacious" |
| 2 February 1870 |
Sir John Bowring M.P. applied on behalf
of Dr Loney for his promotion to Deputy Inspector General.
Case. Explained that his claims will be considered with
those of others |
I think there must be an error here. Sir John
Bowring (1792-1872), who was born and died in Exeter, had
been a radical MP for Kilmarnock from 1835-1837 and for
Bolton 1841-1849, but had been out of parliament for more
than twenty years by 1870. His son, Edgar Alfred
Bowring, was, however, liberal MP for Exeter between 1868 and
1874 |
| 17 February 1870 |
Director General does not consider Dr
Loney entitled to full pay from 16 Nov to 10 Dec '69
39/801/249 (see other page) |
|
| 17 February 1870 |
Dr Loney explains omission of the
conduct of Mr Allan Assistant Surgeon in his certificate
39/731 |
|
| 15 February 1870 |
Requested full pay from 11 Nov to 10 Dec
'69, as altho' his successor had arrived at Haulbowline
he was still in charge of stores |
|
| 1 March 1870 |
See DGs notation as to the rule in these
cases, alluding to Dr Burke's case at Malta Hosp, where a
week was considered by the DG. Grant a week. Board's memo
on 39/801/749 |
|
| 31 March 1870 |
In answer to a note from him with regard
to his conduct at Haulbowline Hospital the DG said that
he could hold out no hope of promotion |
|
| 30 May 1870 |
Asked in private note that his claims
for promotion vice Rae retired might be submitted to 1st
Lord |
Deputy Inspector General James Rae, with seniority
4 July 1859; I have not been able to discover if his had
a posting prior to his retirement |
| 2 June 1870 |
Answered that his services would be
considered with those of others. Case |
|
| 2 July 1870 |
Applies to Lord John Hay for promotion
to Deputy Inspector General |
Captain John Hay, Lord John
Hay, was Junion Naval Lord between 18 December 1868 and 3
May 1872 |
| 11 July 1870 |
Claims will be fully considered together
with those of others when any vacancy occurs 39/4248 |
|
| 26 July 1870 |
Applied for appointment to Channel Fleet
|
|
| 27 July 1870 |
Informed that appointment referred to
has been filled up but his claims for the Flying Squadron
will be considered with those of others when appointments
are made. Note case |
|
| 18 November 1870 |
Services reported to Board as eligible
for promotion to Deputy Inspector General. See copy |
|
| 21 June 1871 |
Requested to state his authority for
assuming the title of MD 40/3548 |
|
| 18 October 1871 |
Stated that MD had been attached to his
name about 30 years ago by Admiralty authority |
|
| 27 November 1871 |
Remove title of MD 40/7501 |
|
| 17 August 1871 |
Commodore Commerell
Commander in Chief Cape forwarded correspondence
& result of enquiry as to charges brought against
this officer by Lieut Ward RM as to treatment by him
while on the sick list & refusal to send him to hospital
& stated that in his opinion Dr Loney had not failed
in his duty with regards to Lieut Ward |
John Edmund Commerell K.C.B. V.C. was Commodore on the Cape of Good Hope station from 16 February 1861 - 1 October 1873. Lieut John E.B. Ward RM had been Lieutenant of Marines in Glasgow when William Loney was serving in that ship |
| 20 October 1871 |
Commander in Chief East Indies informed
that my Lords disapproval of Lt Ward's not complying with
the Staff Surgeon's directions while on sick list &
that the result of the enquiry showed that the charges
against Dr L were frivolous and without foundation
40/7977 |
Rear Admiral Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby, C-in-C East Indies from 2 September 1871 to 30 September 1874 |
| 17 June 1872 |
Expresses himself hurt at the omission
of his name in the Statistical Report in connection with
the Medical reports from Haulbowline Hospital for the
year 1869 41/4705 |
|
| 14 September 1872 |
Services submitted to Board with those
of 3 others for selection for vacancy in Deputy Inspector
Generals list. See Guard Book |
|
| Promoted to the rank of
Deputy Inspector General with seniority of 18 Sept 1872 |
|
| Transferred to Deputy
Inspectors' folio p 105 |
This document has apparently not
been preserved |
| Register kept by the Junior Naval Lord (ADM 105/76), folio 167 |
| 5 January 1875 |
Rear Admiral Shadwell expresses his high opinion of his valuable services in connection with Hong Kong Hospital |
Shadwell was Commander-in-Chief on the China station during most of William Loney's time at Hong Kong. This letter in letterbook |
| 15 February 1875 |
Informed by their Lordships that the change in his appointment (from Hong Kong to Haslar) was made in the usual course and that they were glad to receive the expression of his readiness to continue on foreign service |
|
| 18 February 1875 |
Board express their satisfaction at receiving as favourable report. Admiral Mundy directed to acquaint Deputy Inspector General Loney on his arrival at Haslar |
This refers to Shadwell's report of 5 January; Mundy's letter in letterbook |
| 26 August 1876 |
Note to Sir M Lopes as to his being given rank of Inspector General on retirement |
Sir Lopes Massey Lopes, Bt., Civil Lord of the Admiralty from 4 March 1874 to 12 May 1880 |
| 26 August 1876 |
Note to Sir M Lopes as to his being given rank of Inspector General on retirement |
|
| 26 June 1877 |
Forwards statement of services &c & asks that he may be granted the substantive rank of Inspector General on retirement |
|
| 28 June 1877 |
MDG as to his conduct during his service |
|
| 4 July 1877 |
DG remarks that his conduct during his service has not on all occasions been quite satisfactory owing to misunderstandings having arisen as to his duties. He is a Medical officer of considerable ability & has always showed zeal in the dischage of his duty, but DG is unable to concur in the estimate he has formed of himself and does not consider his case one of exceptional or special promotion to substantive rank |
|
| 4 July 1877 |
In answer to a question as to his being granted Honorary rank on retirement DG has no objection but thinks he is deserving of it |
|
| 9 July 1877 |
Placed on Retired List from 3 July 1877, with Honorary rank of Inspector General on retirement. Substantive rank refused |
|
| 22 March 1878 |
Draws attention to the hardships of his case; & prays to be promoted to the substantive rank of Inspector General |
|
| 2 April 1878 |
Informed that their Lordships are unable to comply with his request |
|
| 26 June 1878 |
Services sent to Board as a candidate for a Good Service pension (See Services Book) |
|
| 5 July 1878 |
Applies for a Good Service Pension as a compensation for the grievances he has suffered through the Regulations of 1874 |
|
| 13 July 1878 |
DG considers there are several officers more deserving of a Good Service Pension than Dr Loney & refers to the opinion expressed by him on a former application from this officer - in 4 July 1877 |
|
| 1 May 1878 |
Applies to be appointed Honorary Surgeon to the Queen |
Reply to this letter in letterbook |
| 16 February 1878 |
With referencece to a letter to Lord Walter Kerr asking for a "solution" for unrequited services the DG sent a copy of the report of July 1877 stating that he concurred in it and that from personal experience at Haulbowline Hospital he was able to state that no fresh improvements were effected in that establishment under Mr Loney's "beneficial rule" |
Lord Walter Kerr was a Lieutenant in Emerald, when William Loney served in that ship; in February 1878 he was on half pay between two stints as Flag Captain to Rear Admiral Beauchamp Seymour |
The Victorian Royal Navy
