Henry John Andrews
Temporary Captain, Indian Medical Service
- Register No.
- 32 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Temporary Captain (register: Temp. Captain) all Captains →
- Unit
- Indian Medical Service all Indian Medical Service VCs →
- Date of action
- 22 October 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Waziristan Campaign
- London Gazette
- 9th September 1920 on this day → all of 1920 →
- Born
- in 1871 at London
- Died
- 22nd October 1919 at Khajeri Post, Waziristan, India
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Delhi Memorial, India
Digest of citation
On 22 October 1919 at Waziristan, North-West India, Captain Andrews, the senior medical officer in charge of the Khajeri Post, heard that a convoy had been attacked in the vicinity and that men had been wounded. He at once went out under heavy fire and established an Aid Post under condition which afforded some protection to the wounded but none to himself. He was subsequently compelled to move the Aid Post, but continued to attend the wounded. Finally when a van was available, he collected the wounded, under fire, and put them into it. He was killed whilst stepping into the van on the completion of his task
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
ANDREWS, Henry John, (Reg. No. 32)
Temporary Captain Indian Medical Service London Gazetted on 9th September 1920.
Born in 1871 at London.
Died on 22nd October 1919 at Khajeri Post, Waziristan, India.
Memorial at Delhi Memorial, India.
Digest of Citation reads: On 22 October 1919 at Waziristan, North-West India, Captain Andrews, the senior medical officer in charge of the Khajeri Post, heard that a convoy had been attacked in the vicinity and that men had been wounded. He at once went out under heavy fire and established an Aid Post under condition which afforded some protection to the wounded but none to himself. He was subsequently compelled to move the Aid Post, but continued to attend the wounded. Finally when a van was available, he collected the wounded, under fire, and put them into it. He was killed whilst stepping into the van on the completion of his task.
Additional information: He also held the MBE. He was an officer in the Salvation Army for over thirty years. The Salvation Army Commissioner, who was in charge in India when Captain Andrews arrived said that the Salvation Army owed him a debt of gratitude for the wonderful medical work that he had carried out on members of the Army's Bombay Staff when he'd arrived thirty years previously. He pioneered work with only a pen-knife and razor as surgical tools at Nagercoil, his surgery being a converted bathroom and from these humble beginnings he created a creditable hospital. After leaving Nagercoil he went to Anand in Guzerat to do further medical work. It was after this that he qualified with Honours. Hr returned to India and went to Moradabad where he created another medical centre which came to be one of the finest hospitals in India. The Military Command in India held Captain Andrew's Hospital to be a model one , especially its administration and the handling of Indian troops.
Additional information
He also held the MBE. He was an officer in the Salvation Army for over thirty years. The Salvation Army Commissioner, who was in charge in India when Captain Andrews arrived said that the Salvation Army owed him a debt of gratitude for the wonderful medical work that he had carried out on members of the Army's Bombay Staff when he'd arrived thirty years previously. He pioneered work with only a pen-knife and razor as surgical tools at Nagercoil, his surgery being a converted bathroom and from these humble beginnings he created a creditable hospital. After leaving Nagercoil he went to Anand in Guzerat to do further medical work. It was after this that he qualified with Honours. Hr returned to India and went to Moradabad where he created another medical centre which came to be one of the finest hospitals in India. The Military Command in India held Captain Andrew's Hospital to be a model one , especially its administration and the handling of Indian troops.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Delhi Memorial, India
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