Richard Luce (surgeon)

Richard Harman Luce in 1928

Major-General Sir Richard Harman Luce KCMG CB FRCS (13 July 1867 – 21 February 1952) was a medical doctor who during World War I served as the Director of Medical Services of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He was elected MP for Derby in 1924.

Sir Richard Luce, as he became, was for many years the senior surgeon and later the consulting surgeon to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. He had studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, gaining a first class honours in natural science. As a student at Guy's Hospital in London, he qualified in 1893. He later made his home in Derby.^[1]

Life and career

Sir Richard was born at Halcombe, Malmesbury, the second son of Colonel Charles Richard Luce and Mary Visger, daughter of Harmon Visger.^[1] He was a brother of Admiral John Luce.

Sir Richard was appointed Surgeon-Lieutenant in the 1st Volunteer Battalion the Sherwood Foresters, (Derbyshire Regiment), 27 October 1897.^[2] While in the Territorial Force Reserve, Army Medical Service, he was appointed to the Honorary Colonelcy of the Royal Army Medical Corps of the Territorial Force in the North Midland Territorial Division, 5 November 1913.^[3]

Sir Richard served in the First World War in Egypt, Gallipoli and Palestine, 1914–19 as Assistant Director, Deputy Director and Director of Medical Services^[4][5] and, in 1918–1919, he was made a Major-General, becoming Director of Medical Services in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.^[6] His war service was illustrious, being mentioned in dispatches and he was invested with the C.B. (military) on 3 June 1916,^[7] the C.M.G. in 1918 and he was knighted with the K.C.M.G. in 1919.

At the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, he built up a reputation as an operating surgeon, where he was active in promoting plans for new building work. He was also a surgeon to the Derbyshire Children's Hospital, as well as Ripley and Wirksworth cottage hospitals.^[8]

In 1924, Sir Richard was elected as a Conservative MP for his adopted town of Derby.^[9] He was Mayor of Romsey, 1935–37.^[6] He wrote books about Malmesbury Abbey^[10] and Romsey Abbey.^[11] He also published a Paper (RAMC/2031) in the Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 1936–1937, on "War experiences of a Territorial Medical Officer (ADMS, 2nd Mounted Division, Egypt, 1915–1919)" with photographs.^[12]

Sir Richard retired to Romsey, where he died in February 1952, and was buried in the churchyard of Romsey Abbey.^[6] He was described in his obituary^[13] as being a man who had "exceptional energy and enthusiasm but was always courteous, modest and kindly in demeanour".^[14]

His great-great-niece is actress and comedian Miranda Hart.

References

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Sir Richard Luce