Summary

Australian uniform with accessories, Australian Army Medical Corps 1914-18. Lieutenant-Colonel John Hodgson Nattrass, 2nd Field Ambulance, Australia. The uniform is of a style worn 1910-1922.

John Hodgson Nattrass (1870-1943) was born near Ballarat, and graduated with a medical degree from the University of Melbourne in 1898. During his university years, he entered the University Officers' Corps of Instruction, and later joined the Army Medical Corps. He served as Captain, Major and then Lieutenant-Colonel. Meanwhile, he worked as a Resident Medical Officer at the Melbourne Hospital, the Children's Hospital and the Women's Hospital. He subsequently purchased a practice in Victoria Street, North Melbourne. His research work with Professor W.A. Osborne into autoplastic ovarian transplantation gained him an M.D. Degree. After working and studying in Britain in 1910, he returned to Melbourne and became a gynaecologist. He was subsequently appointed a surgeon at the Women's Hospital. With the outbreak of World War I, at the age of 44, he was rejected for service abroad. Instead he contributed to the war effort by serving as Senior Medical Officer at the Queenscliff Forts. Subsequently, he became Senior Medical Officer at Broadmeadows Camp, Acting Officer Commanding No.5 Australian General Hospital, Principal Medical Officer, Camp Headquarters' Staff; and Assistant Principal Medical Officer, Third Military District (Victoria). His 'specially meritorious service to Australia' earned him a mention in Orders.

Physical Description

Uniform comprising: Khaki serge jacket Trousers (Lt. Col. insignia) Edward 7th buttons Cord breeches Khaki shirt with two detachable collars Tie Brown leather gloves Black patent leather boots with box spurs Slouch hat (1903 pattern) chocolate felt band Field service cap black leather peak with gold braid Khaki soft cloth cap (officer pattern rising sun badges 1903-14 on both hat and cap) Two Sam Brown belts (brown leather) Field service sword scabbard (brown leather, plate chape and locket) with sword frog Wooden riding crop with plated metal grip Khaki canvas shoulder pack Water bottle covered with thick khaki felt with leather shoulder sling Pair of nickel silver officer spurs

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