The role of a Royal Naval surgeon
Many newly qualified medical professionals chose to serve in the armed services before establishing themselves in private practice; for others, it became their lifelong career. The Royal Navy offered the opportunity to see the world and to gain greater experience in medicine and surgery.
A major attraction of serving as a Royal Naval surgeon was the ability to progress through the ranks and an increase in salary with each promotion; another was the pension or gratuity awarded upon retirement. There was a defined career structure starting with assistant surgeon (originally ‘surgeon’s mate’), surgeon, staff surgeon and fleet surgeon.
Applicants for assistant surgeon posts had to prove that they had served an apprenticeship, but did not necessarily need a medical degree. They had to pass an examination that could not be taken before the age of 20. Assistant surgeons were required to serve for three years before applying for promotion to surgeon.
Surgeons and assistant surgeons could find themselves serving in Royal Navy hospitals in the UK and abroad; on vessels carrying convicts and emigrants; or on HM ships, naval brigades and shore parties. At sea, there was always one surgeon and one assistant surgeon per ship. Their duties included dealing with injuries; dispensing medicine and treating diseases and ailments; and advising the captain on healthcare issues. They were helped by ‘loblolly boys’. These seamen and marines volunteered or were instructed to do the work, and were named after the porridge that they fed to invalids.