WW1 - Rare Medal Group to a `Surgeon / Lieutenant` A.H HARKNESS Royal Navy

 " WoW "

1914 - 1915 STAR SURG. A.H. HARKNESS R.N.

Victory Medal SURG. LT A.H. HARKNESS. R.N.

British War Medal 1914 - 1915 SURG. LT A.H. HARKNESS. R.N.

( All Prints of Documents and Photo In Description Included )

WW1 - Rare Medal Group to a `Surgeon Lieutenant` (With Provenance) in the `Royal Navy`

This unusual British group of three full size medals were awarded to 'Arthur Herbert Harkness' F.R.C.S. (1889 - 1970), who served in the Royal Navy as a Medical Officer throughout the four years. This gentleman had a very full and distinguished life, and I will mention some of the highlights. I have also attached his obituary, which is definitely worth the read ( see photo's ). He was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in 1889. He was an excellent sportsman who excelled at rugby. He played for Natal and nearly became a Springbok. 'Harkie', as he was known, left South Africa at the age of 20 and enrolled as a medical student in London. He qualified in 1914 and then joined the Royal Naval Reserve, where he was appointed Surgeon Lieutenant on the submarines and the famous Q Boats. On returning to Plymouth, he was put in charge of thousands of sailors suffering from venereal diseases, an experience which would determine his future career. During his long life he suffered from several serious illnesses, which rendered him unfit for service in WW2, much to his regret, but he saw plenty of service during the bombing of London, when he was attached to a First Aid post at the National Heart Hospital. He was bombed out of his own house in May 1941. Mr. Harkness went on and had a long and very distinguished medical career. He wrote many original papers and articles, culminating in his book, which was published in 1950 and was acclaimed as a classic throughout the world. The following year the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons awarded him a Fellowship. The medals are in good condition with their ribbons.