1750 Surgeon Edmund John Erskine Risk
LM (Ed 1880) MRCS (Eng 1880) LRCP (Ed 1880)
6 Apr 1858 [Plymouth] – 7 Dec 1926
Colonel Edmund John Erskine Risk received his medical education at St Bartholomew's Hospital, where he won two scholarships and distinguished himself in rowing. In 1880 he obtained the diplomas MRCS (England), the LRCP (Edinburgh) and LM (Edinburgh).
He entered the Army Medical Service on 30 July 1881, and served throughout the Egyptian campaign of 1882, being present at the action at Tel-el-Mahuta, the capture of Mahsameh and both actions at Kassassin, receiving the medal and Bronze Star.
He was then sent to India, but in 1891 was invalided home with dysentery and malaria; subsequently he served in the Aldershot Command for three years, and in the West Indies for nearly six years. During the South African War of 1902, he was in charge of the surgical division at Elandsfontein and SMO Bulfontein. he was present at the operations in the Transvaal (April to May 1902) and received the Queen's Medal with two clasps.
After a period of service at Southampton and Ireland he became senior medical officer at Bloemfontein, Orange River Colony. In 1910, he was appointed assistant medical officer to the Northern Command in Ireland, and in from 4 February 1911 to 15 August 1911 was Commandant and Director of studies of the Royal Army Medical College, Millbank.
He retired in 1913 and died on 7 December 1926, aged 68 years. He left a widow and one daughter.
Service Record
30 July 1881 Commissioned Surgeon Army Medical Staff. On duty at Aldershot.
1882 On duty at Dublin. Left for Malta in July 1882.
5 Aug 1882 Arrived from Dublin.
16 Aug 1882 Embarked for Egypt. Was present at the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir. He took part in the action at Tel-el-Mahuta, the capture of Mahsameh and both actions at Kassassin, receiving the Medal and Bronze Star.
14 Oct 1882 Embarked for India from Alexandria on Euphrates.
1891 Invalided to England from India with dysentery and malaria.
30 July 1893 Promoted Surgeon-Major.
30 July 1901 Lieutenant Colonel RAMC.
11 Oct 1899–31 May 1902 Anglo–Boer War.
1902 Served in South Africa where he was in charge of the surgical division at Elandsfontein and SMO Bloemfontein Orange River Colony. He was present at the operations in the Transvaal (Apr to May 1902). He received the Queen's Medal with two Clasps.
28 Sep 1904 Retired but worked at the Military Prison Aldershot.
1910 Assistant medical officer Northern Command Ireland.
4 Feb 1911–15 Aug 1912 Commandant and Director of Studies Royal Army Medical College.
9 Mar 1911 Promoted Colonel RAMC.
27 Mar 1913 Reduced to half-pay.
20 Aug 1913 Retired.
Bibliography
- Drew R., 1968. Entry No: 6869. Medical Officers in the British Army 1660 – 1960. Volume 1: 1660 – 1898. London: Wellcome Historical Medical Library.
- RAMC/PE/3/27/Drew. Manuscript for Drew's Roll.
- Succession Books Vol XVI, Returns of statement of service of RAMC Officers.
- Deaths in the Services. Br Med J (1926), 1199 (Published 18 December 1926).