Assistant Apothecary Joseph Portelli
1750 – 6 Feb 1834 [Malta]
Apothecary Joseph Portelli of Valletta was another Maltese medical man who found work at the British military hospital. His 32 years' service with the Order of St John had been abruptly terminated by the arrival of the French. Portelli ran an apothecary shop in Valletta, with his son Gavino Patrizio.
Service Record
Malta Feb 1807 On duty at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1808 Assistant Apothecary.
Malta 14 Nov 1808 "Inspector of Army Hospitals Knight has stated that he has no hesitation in recommending Mr Portelli to be appointed Hospital Mate for General Service, upon the supposition that Dr W Franklin takes on himself the responsibility of Mr Portelli being properly qualified for the situation."1
Malta 1809 On duty at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1810 Hospital Mate at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1811 On duty at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1812 Hospital Mate at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1813 On duty at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1814 Hospital Assistant at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1815 On duty at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1816 On duty at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1817 Hospital Assistant at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1818 On duty at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1819 On duty at the Military Hospital Valletta.
Malta 1820 Hospital Assistant.
Malta 1821 Hospital Assistant.
Malta 1822 Employed in the pharmacy on a daily rate of pay of 7s 6d.
Malta 1823 Employed in the pharmacy.
Malta 1824 Employed in the pharmacy.
Malta 1825 Employed in the pharmacy.
Malta 2 Mar 1826 Staff Assistant Surgeon.
Malta 1827 Employed in the pharmacy.
Malta 1828 Employed in the pharmacy.
Malta 24 May 1829 Retired to half-pay.
Malta 6 Feb 1834 Died at Malta "aged 84 years holding at the time the rank of Assistant Surgeon to the Forces of which life, 32 years were devoted to the service of the ancient government of the Order of St John in a medical capacity, and another 36 years in a like capacity to the British government – a total of 68 years".2
Bibliography
- Entry No: 4060. Johnston W. Roll of Commissioned Offices in the Medical Service of the British Army. Vol 1 (20 June 1727-23 June 1898), Aberdeen (1917).
- 1TNA:WO 4/406 Secretary-at-War, Out-letters Medical Department May–November 1808.
- 2TNA:WO 1/506 f 505, 1843–47, War Department Colonial Office Military in-letters. Joseph Portelli.