Owen Edward Pennefather Lloyd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Owen Lloyd
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| Birth name | Owen Edward Pennefather Lloyd |
| Born | 1 January 1854 County Roscommon, Ireland |
| Died | 5 July 1941 (aged 87) St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex |
| Buried |
Kensal Green Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Unit | Royal Army Medical Corps |
| Battles/wars | Kachin Hills Expedition |
| Awards | |
Sir Owen Edward Pennefather Lloyd (born January 1, 1854 – died July 5, 1941) was a brave Irish doctor and soldier. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage a soldier can get in the face of the enemy. This special medal is given to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces.
Contents
A Brave Doctor's Story
Owen Lloyd was born in County Roscommon, Ireland. He went to school at Fermoy College and then studied at Queen's University, Cork (now University College Cork). In 1878, he joined the British Army Medical Service, which later became the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC).
Early Military Service
As a young doctor, Lloyd served in several conflicts. He was part of the Zulu War in 1879. He also served in the Transvaal War from 1881 to 1882. After these experiences, he was sent to Burma (now Myanmar). He held the rank of Surgeon-Major at this time.
Courage in the Kachin Hills
In Burma, Surgeon-Major Lloyd joined the Kachin Hills Expedition. On January 6, 1893, something very brave happened that earned him the Victoria Cross.
Saving a Wounded Officer
During an attack by Kachin fighters on a place called Sima Post, the commanding officer, Captain Morton, was wounded. Captain Morton had left the fort to visit a small guard post nearby. When Surgeon-Major Lloyd heard that Captain Morton was hurt, he immediately ran out to help him. This was very dangerous because there was heavy enemy gunfire all around.
Lloyd was joined by another brave soldier, Subadar Matab Singh. When they reached Captain Morton, Lloyd sent Subadar Matab Singh back to get more help. Lloyd stayed with the wounded Captain Morton, even though the enemy was very close, only ten or fifteen paces away, and still shooting.
Bringing Captain Morton Back
Soon, Subadar Matab Singh returned with five more soldiers. Together, they helped carry Captain Morton back to the fort. Sadly, Captain Morton died a few minutes after they got him to safety.
The enemy's gunfire was very intense during this rescue. Three of the soldiers who were part of the guard post were killed. Bugler Purna Singh, who had gone with Captain Morton from the fort, also showed great bravery. He supported Captain Morton in his arms when he was wounded and was shot while helping to carry him back.
After the Rescue
After Captain Morton's death, Surgeon-Major Lloyd took command of the fort. His actions that day showed incredible courage and dedication to his fellow soldiers.
Later Career and Awards
Sir Owen Lloyd continued his important work as a medical officer.
- In 1894–95, he worked with a team that decided the border between Thailand and Laos. This happened after the Franco-Siamese War.
- From 1898–99, he helped with another border commission on the Burma frontier.
- Later, he became the main medical officer in India and then in South Africa.
- He served in World War I and was mentioned in official reports for his good work.
- From 1922 to 1924, he was a Colonel Commandant of the RAMC, holding the rank of major-general.
Lloyd received other important honors for his service. He became a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1910. In 1923, he was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB), which meant he could use the title "Sir." He passed away in St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, on July 5, 1941.
Where to See His Medal
Sir Owen Lloyd's Victoria Cross medal is a very special item. You can see it on display at the Army Medical Services Museum in Aldershot, England.
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