Description
The superb South Africa 1877-79 medal group to Fleet Surgeon Evelyn Richard Hugh Pollard HMS Boadicea.
Evelyn Richard Hugh Pollard was born, 17 Aug 1855, in Rostrevor, County Down, Ireland to George Augustus and Anne Pollard. He joined the Royal Navy as a Surgeon in May 1878.
South Africa Medal with 1879 clasp. 14 Oct 1878 he was Surgeon aboard HMS Boadicea. He served as medical officer with Boadicea’s contingent to the naval brigade ashore during the Zulu War, accompanied the Eshowe Relief Column and was present at the Battle of Gingindlovu where he tended to the wounded. He was the naval medical officer with the column that relieved Eshowe, and he later served at Fort Chelmsford prior to the second Invasion of Zululand. He accompanied Crealock’s Column to Port Durnford; Pollard served ashore from 19 Mar to 27 Jul 1879, and was entitled to this South Africa Medal with “1879” clasp.
Fleet Surgeon Zulu Medal Group
His service summary records, – “Praised by Captain F.W. Richards for coolness on expedition on destruction of Batanga villages 22nd March 1880”. This was an Anti-Slavery expedition off the East Africa Coast
Following his intense South Africa service, in Apr 1881 he was appointed Surgeon on HMS Tamar (Troop Ship, Particular Service). 11 Aug 1881 Surgeon on HMS Zephyr (Gun Boat, China Station).
Egypt Medal with Tel-el-Kebir clasp and Khedive’s Star. 28 Jun 1882 Surgeon on HMS Alexandra (Flag Ship, Mediterranean) for service with Royal Marine Light Infantry Battalion during the war in Egypt. He was present at Kassasin and at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir for which he as entitled to the Egypt Medal with “Tel-el-Kebir” clasp and the Khedive’s bronze star.
Further appointments were as follows – 18 Nov 1882 Promoted to Staff Surgeon for services in Egyptian War, 14 Dec 1882 Appointed Staff Surgeon on HMS Albatross (Composite Screw Sloop, China Station), 22 May 1889 Appointed Staff Surgeon on HMS Ruby (Cruiser 3rd Class, Training Squadron), 11 Apr 1891 Promoted to Fleet Surgeon. 1894 serving as Fleet Surgeon on HMS Orlando (Cruiser 1st Class, Flag Ship, Australia Station). 20 Apr 1895 appointed Fleet Surgeon to HMS Excellent (Gunnery Ship, Portsmouth). 8 Jun 1897 Fleet Surgeon to HMS Renown (Battle Ship, North America and West Indies) and was serving on board during the Naval Review at Spithead in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 26 Jun 1897. 23 Aug 1899 Promoted to Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals and Fleets. 31 May 1900 Deputy Inspector General to HMS Victoria and Albert (Royal Yacht, Portsmouth). 1904 He was serving as Deputy Inspector General, Royal Naval Hospital, Port Royal, Jamaica. 7 Mar 1904 Promoted to Inspector General of Hospitals and Fleets. 1906 He was serving as Inspector General of Hospitals and Fleets at Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham.
8 Aug 1899 Married Mary Emma Johnson at All Saints’ Church, Ryde, Isle of Wight. At the high society wedding of his son, on the Isle of Wight reported in the Isle of Wight County Press Saturday 12th August 1899, guests included Vic-Admiral John “Jacky” Fisher K.C.B. and Sir T.C. Hope KCSI, CIE. and Her Highness Lady Brooke (Ranee of Sarawak).
9 Oct 1906 Pollard died, age 51, at the Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham, Kent with his Obituary appearing in the British Medical Journal the next day 10th November 1906. On the 13th Oct 1906 he was buried, with full military honours, at the Gillingham Cemetery, Kent.
BMJ Obituary 10th November 1906
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Please note all photos are digital only, no originals. There is a very good website to the Pollard family which holds all of the digital photos of the family, see the link http://www.waddington.family/erhp/
