William Loney R.N. - Admiralty correspondence

Abbreviations: [M]DG = [Medical] Director General; WB is William Burnett, MDG 9 June 1832 - 30 April 1855; AB is Alexander Bryson, MDG 21 January 1864 - 15 April 1869

Date	Remark [my note]
Assistant Surgeons Register 3 (ADM 104/23), folio 18
16 September 1840	Commande]r The Honoura]ble Josep]h Denman HMS Wanderer, & senior officer had selected Mr Loney for the Persian as Actin]g Surgeo]n for his good conduct while under his command which had merited his warm approbation. Commande]r Denmans letter this date. 2676v. Physicia]n Genera]l for Medical Officer JSB {??}
13 November 1840	I beg to recommend Mr John Read residing at Athlone, Ireland. WB 2676v [I cannot find an Assistant Surgeon John Read in subsequent Navy Lists]
16 September1840	Mr James Gordon, Surgeo]n HMS Wanderer bore favourable testimony to Mr Loney's conduct. Certificate]. Mr Hobart 9/2921
29 April 1842	Requested to be superseded in the Dolphin & appointed to the Niger Expedition
20 July 1842	Acquainted that the Niger Expedition so far as regards the Navy had been entirely broken up. 2610 & 2609 Case
5 May 1842	Enclosed copy of Certificate to good conduct from Commande]r E. Littlehales of HMBg Bonnetta. 1634 Case [HMBg = Her Majesty's Brig]
- December 1842	Commande]r Littlehales, late of the Dolphin, bore strong testimony to Mr Loney's good conduct while serving under his command
14 December 1842	Let this be registered, observing also that Commande]r Littlehales called upon me & personally recommended the gentleman in question in the strongest manner. Inform Commande]r Littlehales that due attention will be paid to his recommendation. WB 3552 case
14 December 1842	Mr Loney addressed a Memorial to the Earl of Haddington stating his claims & praying Promotion. {Amsfor York} [Thomas, Earl of Haddington, First Lord of the Admiralty, 8 September 1841 - 12 January 1846]
16 December 1842	Mr Loney has an actual service of 3 Yrs 0 m 9 wk 4 d, the greater part of which has, as he stated, been spent on the Coast of Africa. I believe Mr Loney a zealous and attentive officer, and that he has performed his duties in a satisfactory manner, but there is nothing in his services which would justify me in recommending him in an especial manner to the Board in preferment to others of much longer standing & equally good character and service. WB 13572v
3 January 1844	Stated that an opinion prevailed than an Assistant Surgeon of a Marine Infirmary cannot be promoted, & begged to be informed on the subject
5 February 1844	Informed by Sir William Burnett that the opinion was not a correct one. P case
27 January 1845	Informed the Director General that he had repeated his Memorial to the Earl of Haddington for Promotion which, if it had no other effect, would prove to his Lordship his unwillingness to remain any longer in a position which may retard the same. Dr Loney to be removed when an opportunity offers and Mr Derryman appointed to the vacancy [James Nathaniel Derryman was appointed per 6 March 1845]
25 January 1845	Memorialized the Earl of Haddington praying Promotion or an appointment which might the soonest lead to it. Is there anything in this Assistant Surgeons service, his seniority being 1839, that would make it right to procure him early promotion {A} Director General to report.
28 January 1845	The Director General reported Dr Loney's case, See copy of Minute Report, Book 1, fol 24
24 March 1845	Stated the circumstances under which he charged a Bill for £ 8 towards the establishment of a Sick Mess Fund on board the Rolla. 154
29 July 1845	Prayed their Lordships would confirm him in the rank of Surgeon, from the date of acting Commision to Pantaloon. Director General] G2802
14 October 1845	I beg to state that Dr Loney entered the service on the 29 November 1839 and has been in active employment 5¾ years. He has been favourably recommended by the Honora]ble Joseph Denman and Commander Littlehales, and as Dr Loney volunteered his services for the Coast of Africa, and left a shore appointment at the Royal Marines Division at Woolwich to proceed to that station, I beg to recommend him to their Lordships favourable consideration. He is of excellent character and good abilities WB {250}
Promoted 1 November 1845. Captain Hamiltons Memo this date. Transferred to Surgeons Register 3, Fol 223 [William Alexander Baillie Hamilton, Second Secretary to the Admiralty: 28 Jan 1845 - 22 May 1855]
Surgeons Register 3 (ADM 104/17), folio 223
Brought from Assistant Surgeons Register 3, Fol 18
11 May 1846	Found to be labouring under Dyspepsia and General Debility and recommended to return to England for the reestablishment of his health. Report of survey held at the Hospita]l at Ascension. 11 July 1846
11 January 1847	Certificate of having performed the capital operations of surgery at the School of Anatomy, Peter St, Dublin. cert case
22 February 1847	Volunteered his services in case any medical officers should be sent out to Ireland to alleviate the distress there [This letter in letterbook]
22 February 1847	Informed that a note had been made of his offer of services. 5213 case [This letter in letterbook]
5 March 1847	Desired to hold himself in readiness to proceed to Ireland. 5305 [This letter in letterbook]
6 March 1847	Was ready to proceed at once. 5560 case
14 April 1847	Directed verbally to proceed to Ireland under the directions of the Relief Association (verbal Party 15 April 1847) Donegal district
30 July 1850	Enclosed an order from Commande]r Morrell to take charge of sick at the Green Mountain, Ascension, together with a certificate] of his having performed that duty from 12 May to 30 June '46 & requested that record might be made of such service as sea time 16 1/1859
27 January 1851	Dr Loney appears to be entitled to the time served as shown by the certificate]s {assayed} WB 7/1859
6 February 1851	The above time allowed as service time 19/1859
11 March 1851	Reprimanded for having written a most improper & disrespectful letter to the Director Genera]l regarding the admission of his brother (a candidate) into the Naval Medical Service 19/5362
9 August 1851	Applied to be appointe]d to "Apollo" should] she be commissione]d per lieu of "Ceylon" at Malta 20/1998
11 August 1851	Informed] that his request coul]d not be complied with & that he should] make such applications through his captain 20/1998
12 August 1851	Applied for a convict ship 20/2057
19 January 1852	Requested his appointmen]t to Hydra might be cancelled, health unequal to service in tropics, at same applying for an appointmen]t on Home or Mediterranea]n station 20/4486.
See report book 2. Folio 377 for further remarks [I have not yet discovered if this document has been preserved]
28 July 1855	Their Lordships expressed their displeasure at the course he had persued in the case of a patient of "Hydra" whom he had ordered to be sent to Hosp^l at the Cape of Good Hope as his captain had objected thereto and cautioned him to be more circumspect in his conduct in future [ADM 104/31 p 177 ]
Staff Surgeons Register (ADM 104/29), folio 30
See Surgons' Register for remarks previous to 1867.
14 January 1867	Correspondence between Dr Loney and Dr Magill Assistant] Surgeon] Haulbowline Hospita]l as to the use of boats 36/289 [Assistant Surgeon Martin Magill, appointed to Haulbowline 2 September 1862
5 February 1867	Applied for a week's leave stating that Dr Moore, Surgeon] of "Black Prince", would render any assistance that was necessary. Approved if M.D.G. sees no objections G.H.S. [Black Prince was Rear Admiral Charles Frederick's flagship at Queenstown from May 1866 to October 1867 (replacing Hastings); Surgeon George Moore was appointed to this ship per 19 May 1866]
9 February 1867	I see no objection but I would recommend that the Hospital] be left in sole charge of the Assistant] Surgeon] Dr Magill, during Dr L's absence. A Bryson DG, 36/848
30 March 1867	Lord Churston applied for Dr L to be promoted to Deputy] Inspector] & retained at Haulbowline Hospita]l. M.D.G. to report on his claims H.C. [Sir John Buller Yarde-Buller (1799-1871), elevated to the peerage as Lord Churston of Churston Ferriers in 1858, had been a conservative MP for South Devon 1834-1858; at the time of his elevation the Times described him as "one of the wealthiest commoners and largest landowners in the west of England". Reason for elevation unclear, presumably political]
3 April 1867	D.G. in reporting his services concluded "He is a good Medical] officer but I do not consider his claims for promotion an equal to several other Staff Surgeons who are above him in seniority. He was appointe]d to Haulbowline Hospital] in Oct '65 AB DG 36/1915
25 January 1868	Candidate for appointment as Deputy] Inspector] General] at Plymouth Hospita]l vacant by death of Dr Beith [This was DIG Robert Beith; Henry J. Domville CB, MD was appointed to replace him per 5 February 1868]
28 January 1868	Own receipt AB 540/37
9 September 1867	Applied to Mr Corry for promotion. M.D.G. to report if this officer has any special claims to promotion G.H.S. [Henry Thomas Lowry Corry, First Lord of the Admiralty, 8 March 1867 - 17 December 1868]
20 September 1867	See Dr Mackay's report referring to D.G.'s former remarks. Copy case
27 April 1868	Requested a fortnight's leave
30 April 1868	No objection. AB D.G. 37/2440. Grant G.H.S.
3 December 1868	Is candidate for appointmen]t of Deputy Inspecto]r Genera]l Hong Kong N.S. 6317/37 [Staff Surgeon Robert Pottinger was appointed 8 December 1868]
- Dec 1868	Board's minute on report of survey on Mr J.H. Jackson, Paymaste]r R.N. surveyed at Haulbowline Hospital]: M.D.G. for information observing that this scarcely appears a satisfactory report JCDH [James Huggard Jackson, Paymaster per 13 November 1854]
16 December 1868	I quite concur in thinking this report unsatisfactory, & would suggest in similar cases that Dr L be desired to report his own opinion as to the officer's fitness for service or otherwise. AB D.G. 37/6497
15 June 1869	Requested to state by whose authority he had surveyed Dr J Young Staff] Surgeon] invalide]d from Galatia 38/2749/2802 [James Young, Surgeon per 22 January 1867, Staff Surgeon per 4 July 1868; Staff Surgeon Alexander Watson appointed to Galatea per 24 March 1869]
16 June 1869	Replied that the survey and the report were unauthorised, and stated that presure of private affairs prevented Dr Young returning to Haulbowline, or undertaking the journey to London. FC 38/2802
18 June 1869	Boar]d & D.G. disapproved of the survey by Dr L without having obtained his authority according to the custom of the service. Lette]r book & 38/2802/2968. Survey need not be repeated. Admiralty] Order] 26 June '6{4}
6 July 1869	Not to insert irrelevant material in Medica]l Returns 38/3143
- Oct 1869	Correspondence on misunderstanding between Dr Loney & Mr Paris, Storekeeper at Haulbowline, resulting in both being superceded 38/4922 38/6148 [John Rose Paris, Naval and Victualling Storekeeper, and Accountant at Haulbowline, appointed 22 October 1866. The "case" reference in Digest ADM 12/830 (which only records "both officers removed") is L.538, but unfortunately this has not been preserved in the corresponding dossier ADM 1/6090]
18 October 1869	Stated that he preferred serving in the hope of promotion to accepting the reported retirement
30 October 1869	Granted leave on Full Pay till "Revenge" is ready to receive crew from "Zealous". A.O. 38/5226
15 December 1869	Explained reasons for not giving up charge of Haulbowline Hospita]l to his successor Dr Morgan until completion of survey
17 December 1869	M.D.G. cannot approve of his conduct 38/6095
13 Jan 1870	Dr Loney to be placed on half] Pay from 11 Nov '69, the date of Staff Surgeon joining AO 39/249/78
16/18 December 1869	Dr L forwards two letters on the subject of disrespectful conduct of certain persons when he was leaving Haulbowline [Summary in Digest ADM 12/830, part 41-18: "Dr Loney complains of having been insulted on his leaving yard. Charged Mr Paris, storekeeper, of being ringleader, and illuminating his house on the occasion. Mr Paris is leaving the yard so no enquiry is necessary in his case"]
20 December 1869	See D.G.s remarks in letter book
4 January 1870	Rear] Admiral] Forbes, Commande]r in Chief at Queenstown forwarded a report of enquiry by Capt Seecombe of "Mersey" concluding by stating he had not thought it necessary to take any further steps in the matter as the charges could not be brought home to any person. 38/6148/6093 [Captain John Seecombe of Mersey; this ship was the flagship of Rear Admiral Claude H.M. Buckle, Commander-in-Chief at Queenstown per 28 October 1867, and Rear Admiral Arthur Forbes who succeeded him 16 November 1869 (until in his turn succeeded by Rear Admiral Edmund Heathcote on 20 May 1871). Summary in Digest ADM 12/830: "Captain Seecombe reports result of his enquiry - unable to fix blame on anyone - considers the charge frivolous and vexacious"]
2 February 1870	Sir John Bowring M.P. applied on behalf of Dr Loney for his promotion to Deput]y Inspecto]r Genera]l. Case. Explaine]d that his claims will be considered with those of others [I think there must be an error here. Sir John Bowring (1792-1872), who was born and died in Exeter, had been a radical MP for Kilmarnock from 1835-1837 and for Bolton 1841-1849, but had been out of parliament for more than twenty years by 1870. His son, Edgar Alfred Bowring, was, however, liberal MP for Exeter between 1868 and 1874]
17 February 1870	Director Genera]l does not consider Dr Loney entitled to full pay from 16 Nov to 10 Dec '69 39/801/249 (see other page)
17 February 1870	Dr Loney explains omission of the conduct of Mr Allan Assistant] Surgeon] in his certificate 39/731
15 February 1870	Requested full pay from 11 Nov to 10 Dec '69, as altho' his successor had arrived at Haulbowline he was still in charge of stores
1 March 1870	See DGs notation as to the rule in these cases, alluding to Dr Burke's case at Malta Hosp, where a week was considered by the DG. Grant a week. Board's memo on 39/801/749
31 March 1870	In answer to a note from him with regard to his conduct at Haulbowline Hospital the DG said that he could hold out no hope of promotion
30 May 1870	Asked in private note that his claims for promotion vice Rae retired might be submitted to 1st Lord [Deputy Inspector General James Rae, with seniority 4 July 1859; I have not been able to discover if his had a posting prior to his retirement]
2 June 1870	Answered that his services would be considered with those of others. Case
2 July 1870	Applies to Lord John Hay for promotion to Deputy] Inspector] General] [Captain John Hay, Lord John Hay, was Junion Naval Lord between 18 December 1868 and 3 May 1872]
11 July 1870	Claims will be fully considered together with those of others when any vacancy occurs 39/4248
26 July 1870	Applied for appointmen]t to Channel Fleet
27 July 1870	Informed that appointment referred to has been filled up but his claims for the Flying Squadron will be considered with those of others when appointments are made. Note case
18 November 1870	Services reported to Board as eligible for promotion to Deputy] Inspector] General]. See copy
21 June 1871	Requested to state his authority for assuming the title of MD 40/3548
18 October 1871	Stated that MD had been attached to his name about 30 years ago by Admiralt]y authority
27 November 1871	Remove title of MD 40/7501
17 August 1871	Commodore Commerell Commander] in] Chief] Cape forwarded corresponden]ce & result of enquiry as to charges brought against this office]r by Lieut Ward RM as to treatment by him while on the sick list & refusal to send him to hospita]l & stated that in his opinion Dr Loney had not failed in his duty with regards to Lieut Ward [John Edmund Commerell K.C.B. V.C. was Commodore on the Cape of Good Hope station from 16 February 1861 - 1 October 1873. Lieut John E.B. Ward RM had been Lieutenant of Marines in Glasgow when William Loney was serving in that ship]
20 October 1871	Commande]r in Chief] East Indies informed that my Lords disapproval of Lt Ward's not complying with the Staff Surgeon's directions while on sick list & that the result of the enquiry showed that the charges against Dr L were frivolous and without foundation 40/7977 [Rear Admiral Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby, C-in-C East Indies from 2 September 1871 to 30 September 1874]
17 June 1872	Expresses himself hurt at the omission of his name in the Statistical Report in connection with the Medical] reports from Haulbowline Hospital] for the year 1869 41/4705
14 September 1872	Services submitted to Board with those of 3 others for selection for vacancy in Deputy] Inspector] Generals] list. See Guard Book
Promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General with seniority of 18 Sept 1872
Transferred to Deputy Inspectors' folio p 105 [this document has apparently not been preserved]
Register kept by the Junior Naval Lord (ADM 105/76), folio 167
5 January 1875	Rear] Admiral] Shadwell expresses his high opinion of his valuable services in connection with Hong Kong Hospital [Shadwell was Commander-in-Chief on the China station during most of William Loney's time at Hong Kong. This letter in letterbook]
15 February 1875	Informed by their Lordships that the change in his appointmen]t (from Hong Kong to Haslar) was made in the usual course and that they were glad to receive the expression of his readiness to continue on foreign service
18 February 1875	Boar]d express their satisfaction at receiving as favourable report. Admiral] Mundy directed to acquaint Deputy] Inspector] General] Loney on his arrival at Haslar [This refers to Shadwell's report of 5 January; Mundy's letter in letterbook]
26 August 1876	Note to Sir M Lopes as to his being given rank of Inspector] General] on retirement [Sir Lopes Massey Lopes, Bt., Civil Lord of the Admiralty from 4 March 1874 to 12 May 1880]
26 August 1876	Note to Sir M Lopes as to his being given rank of Inspector] General] on retirement
26 June 1877	Forwards statement of services &c & asks that he may be granted the substantive rank of Inspector] General] on retirement
28 June 1877	MDG as to his conduct during his service
4 July 1877	DG remarks that his conduct during his service has not on all occasions been quite satisfactory owing to misunderstandings having arisen as to his duties. He is a Medical] officer of considerable ability & has always showed zeal in the dischage of his duty, but DG is unable to concur in the estimate he has formed of himself and does not consider his case one of exceptional or special promotion to substantive rank
4 July 1877	In answer to a question as to his being granted Honorar]y rank on retirement DG has no objection but thinks he is deserving of it
9 July 1877	Placed on Retired List from] 3 July 1877, with Honorar]y rank of Inspector] General] on retirement. Substantive rank refused
22 March 1878	Draws attention to the hardships of his case; & prays to be promoted to the substantive rank of Inspector General
2 April 1878	Informed that their Lordships are unable to comply with his request
26 June 1878	Services sent to Boar]d as a candidate for a Good Service pension (See Services Book)
5 July 1878	Applies for a Good Service Pension as a compensation for the grievances he has suffered through the Regulations of 1874
13 July 1878	DG considers there are several officers more deserving of a Good] Service] Pension than Dr Loney & refers to the opinion expressed by him on a former application from this officer - in 4 July 1877
1 May 1878	Applies to be appointed Honorary Surgeon to the Queen [Reply to this letter in letterbook]
16 February 1878	With reference]ce to a letter to Lord Walter Kerr asking for a "solution" for unrequited services the DG sent a copy of the report of July 1877 stating that he concurred in it and that from personal experience at Haulbowline Hospita]l he was able to state that no fresh improvements were effected in that establishment under Mr Loney's "beneficial rule" [Lord Walter Kerr was a Lieutenant in Emerald, when William Loney served in that ship; in February 1878 he was on half pay between two stints as Flag Captain to Rear Admiral Beauchamp Seymour]