Anthony John Luther RAMC CB (1864 - 1937)

Born 17 May 1864 in 9 Waterloo Road, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Rita Shirley (Sly) Luther — married about 1908 in Hunters Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Died 11 Dec 1937 at age 73 in Surrey North Western, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Anthony Luther RAMC CB was born in Ireland.

Early Life

Anthony was born on 17 May 1864.^[1] He was the son of John Fitzmaurice Luther and Jane Mary Litton.

His birth was announced in the Dublin Evening Mail^[2]:

BIRTHS

Luther — May 17, 9, Waterloo-road, the residence of her father, Daniel Litton. Esq., the wife of Rev. John Fitzmaurice Luther, of Kilaan House, Woodlawn, county of Galway, a son.

Anthony was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He graduated as a doctor of medicine L.R.C.S.I. (1884)^[3] and L.R.C.P.I and L.M. (1885).

Family

He married Rita Shirley Sly on 7 October 1908 at St John's Church, Woolwich in Hunters Hill, New South Wales, Australia^[4][5]. Rita's cousin Ida Tassey Mowbray had already married Anthony's younger brother Guy and both were granddaughters of Queensland's second Premier Arthur Macalister CMG.

They had issue:

• Gordon John Luther (1909-1952) born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
• Sheila Helen Nancy b. 22 July 1913 at St Mary, Potchefstroom, Transvaal, South Africa^[6]

Occupation

Anthony's military career^[7][8]:

• 27 July 1887: Entered the Medical Staff Corps of the British Army as Surgeon Captain^[9]
• 13 Mar 1896: Posted to Malta Garrison
• 22 Mar 1897: Embarked for Crete
• 24 Nov 1897: Returned from Crete
• 6 Apr 1898: Embarked for Egypt
• 1898: Served on the Nile Expedition in Sudan
• Sept 1898: Present at the battle of Ordurman (see Khedive’s Sudan medal with Khartoum clasp below)
• 27 July 1899, promoted to Major in RAMC^[10]
• 1909: Posted at Ceylon (birth of son)
• 19 Feb 1912, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in RAMC^[11]
• 14 September 1912: Departed Southampton for Capetown, South Africa^[12]
• 1913: Posted at South Africa (birth of daughter)
• 1 Mar 1915, Promoted to Brevet Colonel^[13]
• 15 July 1915 to 28 Nov 1917, Assistant Director of Medical Services^[14]
• 28 Dec 1917, to be Companion of the order of the most honourable order of the bath (CB) for valuable services rendered in connection with Military Operations in the field. Listed as being with the South Africa Force^[15]
• 29 Nov 1917 to 3 Jan 1918, Deputy Director of Medical Services^[14]
• 21 Mar 1919, Retained on active list as supern.^[16]

In 1898 his confidential report stated^[7]:

"Distinguished himself by his professional zeal at Crete not only amongst the troops but also in voluntary duties amongst the natives. An excellent medical officer in every way, possess tact, good address, and genial manners"

Queen's Sudan; 1914 Star; British War; Victory; Khedive’s Sudan

Anthony was awarded the following medals (left to right in the above picture)^[8][17]:

• Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (Captain A. J. Luther R.A.M.C.)
• 1914 Star (Lt: Col: A. J. Luther R.A.M.C.)
• British War Medal (Col. A. J. Luther.)
• Victory Medal, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Col. A. J. Luther.)
• Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (Capt. A. J. Luther R.A.M.C.)

In the 1930 medical directory he is listed as working in Whitehall, London ^[18].

Death and Legacy

He passed away in 1937 at the age of about 73.^[19]

DEATHS

LUTHER— December 11, 1937, at Camberley, Colonel Anthony J. Luther, C.M.G., O.B.E., son of Rev Canon Luther, Ballyorgan, Killmallock.^[20]

Anthony was buried at Hanwell Cemetery, Middlesex on 15th Dec 1937^[21]

His will was proved on 25 January 1938 at London to his neighbour, Ellen Mabel Babington (Olympian and wife of Stafford Charles Babington).^[22] Effects: £2465 15s. 8d. Resworn £2690 18s. 8d.

Census and Residence

• In July 1913 they were living in South Africa where their daughter Sheila Helen Nancy was baptised^[6]
• 1911 Census (Irleand): Living with his wife Rita, one year old son Gordan and three servants in Kilcommon More North (Kilcommon, Tipperary), Ireland. Aged 46.^[23]
• c1922: Living at Oteley House, Salisbury Park, Wrexham, North Wales. As listed on medal card, with last date on card being 1922^[17]
• 1932 Electoral Register: Living in Firwood Drive, Camberley, England with his wife and Son^[24]. He was neighbours to Mr and Mrs Babbington, who are also listed in his will.

Research Notes

• Departed Ireland on ship "TSS North Wall" in August 1886^[25]
• A photo of one regiment of the Malta garrison leaving for the Sudan in April 1898 is here

Sources

1. ↑ "Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 18 March 2020. Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FRQG-B5X
2. ↑ Dublin Evening Mail 18 May 1864, Pg 1, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/
3. ↑ Irish Times | Monday 22 December 1884 | page 6, column 9 | https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001683/18841222/137/0006

   ROYAL COLLEGE SURGEON’S IN IRELAND. At a meeting of the Court of Examiners held on the 8th of December and following days undernamed gentlemen having passed their final examinations for the Letters Testimonial and having taken the declaration were admitted Licentiates of the college,viz ..... Anthony J Luther ....

4. ↑ The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Sat 12 Nov 1904, Page 9, SOCIAL GOSSIP, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/84140301?searchTerm=luther
5. ↑ The Bundaberg Mail and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1892 - 1917), Fri 23 Oct 1908, Page 2, MARRIAGE BELLS, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215294506?searchTerm=luther%20sly
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} "South Africa, Church of the Province of South Africa, Parish Registers, 1801-2004." Database with images. FamilySearch. https://FamilySearch.org : 11 January 2021. William Cullen Library, Wits University, Johannesburg. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVSH-N47Q
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Archived website | https://web.archive.org/web/20210618052440/https://www.maltaramc.com/ramcoff/l/lutheraj.html
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Medal Auction, Noonans Mayfair, Lot 357, 16 April 2020, https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/archive/lot-archive/results/365479/
9. ↑ British Army Lists, 1892, https://www.fold3.com
10. ↑ British Army Lists, 1902, https://www.fold3.com
11. ↑ British Army Lists, 1912 October, https://www.fold3.com
12. ↑ Ancestry.com | Union-Castle shipping lists | Ship: Galician
13. ↑ The London Gazette, Publication date:2 March 1915, Issue:29086, Page:2101, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29086/page/2101
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} British Army Lists, 1918 October - Part 1, https://www.fold3.com
15. ↑ The London Gazette, Publication date:28 December 1917, Supplement:30450, Page:2, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30450/supplement/2
16. ↑ The London Gazette, Publication date:21 March 1919, Supplement:31250, Page:3871, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31250/supplement/3871
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} The National Archives, Medal card of Luther, Anthony John, https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D3744133, Ancestry Sharing Link
18. ↑ UK & Ireland, Medical Directories, 1845-1942, pp 2200, Ancestry Sharing Link
19. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. From "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006." Database. findmypast. http://www.findmypast.com : 2012. Citing General Register Office, Southport, England. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVHG-13K9.
20. ↑ Weekly Irish Times 25 December 1937, Pg 23, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/
21. ↑ Find My Past, Westminster Burials, https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBPRS%2FWSMTN%2FBUR%2F0773760
22. ↑ "England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957." Database. FamilySearch. https://FamilySearch.org : 1 April 2020. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Great Britain. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPLN-ZGJJ
23. ↑ "Ireland Census, 1911." Database. FamilySearch. https://FamilySearch.org : 27 December 2018. National Archives of Ireland, Dublin. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QYKH-VR2M
24. ↑ Surrey, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1962, Parish of Frimley (west ward), Ancestry Sharing Link
25. ↑ Dublin Evening Mail | Friday 06 August 1886 | page 2 | https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000433/18860806/057/0002

    Departures from North Wall Station by the London and North-Western Company's Express Passenger Steamers - Mr Anthony Luther, M D

See also:

• http://fitzmaurice-family.com/Luther_Family_Descendants_of_the_FitzMaurices.html
• Obituary of Rita Shirley Sly contains a short biography