No 494 Staff Assistant Surgeon Charles John Kirwan LRCSI (1853)
20 Dec 1829 – 19 Dec 1894
Staff Assistant Surgeon Charles John Kirwan qualified in 1853 as a Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He entered the Army Medical Department in March 1855 and served in the Eastern Campaign. He was at the siege of Sebastopol from 14 to 30 June 1855 including the assault of 18 June.
In 1858, Staff Assistant Surgeon C J Kirwan was in medical charge of the Left Wing 13th Light Infantry Regiment during the suppression of the Indian Mutiny. He was actively employed in the Azimghur and Gorruckpore Districts and southern borders of Oude. He was present at the Battle of Amorah on 25 April 1858, the action of Thelga, the assault and capture of Nugggur and various actions of the Sarun Field Force. He was twice mentioned in despatches (medal).
In 1860, Staff Assistant Surgeon Charles John Kirwan served in the North China Campaign in medical charge of the Depôt Hospital at Odin Bay, Gulf of Pechili (medal).
Service Record
20 Mar 1855 Appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon, (Commission antedated from 7 December 1855).
27 May – 5 Sep 1855 Served in Turkey and the Crimea. He received the Crimea Medal with clasp and the Turkish Medal.
1856 On duty in Mauritius.
1857 Moved to the Cape of Good Hope.
8 Jan 1858 Appointed Assistant Surgeon 1st/13th (1st Somersetshire) (Prince Albert's Light Infantry) Regiment.
May 1858 Serving with the 13th Light Infantry in Calcutta. Wrote Notes on the Transport of Troops by Sea
.
2 Jan 1860 Exchanged with Staff Assistant Surgeon Thomas Michael O'Brien.
1860 – 1863 Served in India.
1864 On duty in Mullingar.
1865 Moved to the Curragh.
24 Oct 1865 Reduced to half-pay.
9 Mar 1867 Restored to full-pay vice Staff Assistant Surgeon Richard Wolseley promoted on the Staff. Was posted to Malta.
Malta 12 Oct 1867 Arrived from England.
Malta 1868 On garrison duty.
Malta 4 Feb 1869 On duty at Valletta. Left Malta on a medical certificate.
3 Apr 1869 Retired on half-pay. The vacant post of Staff Assistant Surgeon was filled by Assistant surgeon Langer Carey from the Royal Artillery.
Bibliography
- Entry No: 5471. Johnston W. Roll of Commissioned Offices in the Medical Service of the British Army. Vol 1 (20 June 1727-23 June 18 98), Aberdeen (1917).
- RAMC/PE/3/27/Drew. Manuscript for Drew's Roll.
- Succession Book Vol 9. Returns of service of medical officers in the Regular Army.