Col. James L Marjoribanks Surgeon in Bombay Hospital and Port Health Officer Aden/Research on Malaria

[Cynthia B McLaglen]

Lt. Col James L Marjoribanks was in the Indian army in the 19th century and the turn of the 20th century, and in WWL; and  was a  linguist, like his brother George Marjoribanks. He met and married his wife Betty or Elizabeth in India, when she went out with a friend, and met his camp, in Nasik. They Married in India in 1907. He had studied and researched Malaria, as this disease, as well as Cholera and Diphtheria  and other illness were the cause of many millions of deaths, not only amongst the general population, but amongst the army personal. James spoke French, German, Italian,, Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, Gurkhali, Farsi and Arabic and many dialects. He could read the Koran and had many discussions with Islamic friends about it. He would have been responsible for the health of soldiers, and operated where necessary; and was often asked at the turn of the 19th century, to help with difficult births, and with women's health at the Rajah's residence, helping with caesarean operations. After the Port of Aden the First World War began and he was involved with supporting injured troops at the Battle of Basra, where the Turks were massacred by the Arabs.

[charlie962]

15 minutes ago, Cynthia B McLaglen said:

Battle of Basra, where the Turks were massacred by the Arabs.

??

 

Welcome to the Forum Cynthia but I am puzzeled by this. The 1914 Battle of Basra was the British against the Turks.

 

Charlie

[charlie962]

I note that JL Marjoribanks was connected WW1with the Hospita/troop ship Assaye which has been the subject of a number of threads on this Forum

[Cynthia B McLaglen]

 

To charlie962,

 You noted that Col J.L Marjoribanks was connected WWl with the Hospital/troop ship Assaye . I have only just joined this forum and would like to know how I can retrieve the information of, "a number of threads" please tell me how to access them.

 The story oft told by my mother, Jim Marjoribank's daughter, was that he walked into a town in the Levant, with his team, to help the troops, and to his horror, found Turks massacred and their bodies shoved down all the wells, which was the only source of fresh water. The consequence of this deliberate act was to pollute all the water, leaving nothing to drink and no water to help clean wounds or wash or anything. This was done by the Arabs (with a possible connection to Lawrence). When I try to find tis event with "Basra", I cannot find it. Perhaps it was a different town which the Turks had taken, and then the Arabs came after them, and took it back, and then left the mess. I am doing research on my Grandfather who was devastated by this experience and never fully recovered, as he was unable to help anyone, or do much, with a situation like this. Cynthia McLaglen

[Cynthia B McLaglen]

3 hours ago, charlie962 said:

??

 

Welcome to the Forum Cynthia but I am puzzeled by this. The 1914 Battle of Basra was the British against the Turks.

 

Charlie

Don't forget Lawrence and the Arabs. The Turks were the enemy, but the killing was very complete and savage in some towns, as the Arabs did not want them there. Cynthia B McLaglen

[charlie962]

3 hours ago, Cynthia B McLaglen said:

Lawrence and the Arabs.

That was not Mesopotamia but Palestine. However it is true that the Arabs did not want the Turkish or the British in either country.

[charlie962]

4 hours ago, Cynthia B McLaglen said:

"a number of threads" please tell me how to access them.

Nothing simpler than typing "Assaye" in the search box top right, although you will then have to sift through to distinguish mere references in a thread from discussion!

 

Discovery National Archives have a 1917 War Diary here for the Ship (lucky to have saved even this !) which can be downloaded free at the moment if you register. Might have something in it of interest ?

 

Charlie

 

[MaureenE]

He appears only very briefly in the July 1918 Indian Army List

https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.285012/page/n121/mode/2up?q=Marjoribanks

 

The heading to this List appears to indicate that at that point of time he was in the British Army as it states "Officers of the British Service Serving in India". Or perhaps it means he was attached to the British Army? Perhaps someone can explain.

https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.285012/page/n113/mode/2up?q=Marjoribanks

 

 At the British Library, there are files you could request for a fee.

Reference IOR/L/MIL/9/420/27-34 , part of Papers of candidates for the Indian Medical Service  Creation Date: 1897-1899.  Note, the contents of this file may possibly be included in the following file.

 

Reference: IOR/L/MIL/14/69014 , part of Indian Army Records of Service Creation Date: 1897-1948 

Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel 

Regiment: Indian Medical Service 

Date of commission: 28 Jul 1897

Search the British Library Archives and Manuscripts catalogue 

http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=IAMS_VU2

 

There is also  IOR/R/20/A/1365

"File 28/10A Personnel Files: Lt Col J L Marjoribanks, IMS, Port Health Officer and Medical Officer, European General Hospital" in Aden, 1922-1923

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/b354225c-0c9c-4e70-9463-b34c88f15721 . This may possibly be included in the Service record above

 

Also see FIBIS Fibiwiki page Indian Army List online https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Indian_Army_List_online

FIBIS Fibiwiki page Doctor https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Doctor

FIBIS Fibiwiki page  British Library https://wiki.fibis.org/w/British_Library

 

Cheers

Maureen

Edited 30 August , 2020 by Maureene

[charlie962]

From the Indian Medical Gazette:

 

[Matthew B.]

From : "The Roll of the Indian Medical Service 1615 - 1930" by D. G. Crawford, page 499

 

"Marjoribanks, James Leslie. b, 14 Nov. 1874. M.B C.M. 1896; M.D. 1904; Ed. S. Lt 28 July 1897. Capt 28 July 1900. D.P.H., R.C.P. and S. Ed 1904. Major 28 Jan 1909; Lt-Col 28 Jan 1917. S. List 9 Nov 1922. R. 28 Nov 1925"

 

I believe the Ed. refers to Edinburgh where qualified.

 

I hope that helps.

 

Matthew

[charlie962]

19 hours ago, Matthew B. said:

I believe the Ed. refers to Edinburgh where qualified.

Yes, and it was the Edinburgh University Roll of the Great War that gave the Assaye connection.

 

Charlie