Sir Neville Howse

His horse fell so he carried the wounded man out under fire.

Neville Reginald Howse was born at Stogursey, Somerset, on 26 October 1863, the son of a surgeon. He trained at London Hospital and worked in anatomy before poor health prompted him to move to New South Wales in 1889. He practised at Newcastle and Taree, undertook further surgical study in England and established himself at Orange.

In January 1900 he joined the New South Wales Medical Corps for service in South Africa. Illness initially interrupted his work, but he returned to duty treating casualties with mounted troops. On 24 July, near Vredefort, Boer fire forced the British force back. A bugler was wounded while sounding the retreat and remained exposed as the troops withdrew.

Howse rode forward to reach him. When his horse was killed, he lifted the wounded man and carried him to shelter, then operated on his injured bladder. His Victoria Cross citation recognised the rescue under heavy crossfire (London Gazette, 4 June 1901; official museum transcription: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C136147). Briefly captured later in the campaign, he was released as a medical non-combatant. He returned to South Africa in 1902 before resuming civilian surgery.

Between wars Howse married Evelyn Pilcher, raised a family and served twice as mayor of Orange. In 1914 he organised medical support for Australia's expedition to German New Guinea. Preventive medicine, suitable equipment and vaccination were central to his preparations. He then joined the Australian Imperial Force and became the 1st Division's senior medical officer.

At Gallipoli he confronted inadequate evacuation arrangements. After the landing on 25 April 1915, he took personal charge of moving the accumulating wounded from the beach to ships. His later responsibility expanded to the medical services of the AIF overseas. He pressed for effective surgical and resuscitation teams, defended professional standards and sought a coherent Australian medical organisation within the larger Allied system.

Howse became a major-general and Knight Commander of the Bath in 1917, followed by KCMG in 1919. Elected to Parliament for Calare in 1922, he served as minister responsible for health, defence and repatriation. He advocated veterans' welfare, cancer treatment and public health, helping establish a national radium bank.

After losing his seat in 1929, Howse travelled to England for treatment. He died of cancer in London on 19 September 1930 and was buried at Kensal Green. His career connected the immediate rescue of one wounded soldier with the organisation of care for many thousands.