PRESCOTT, JOHN JOSEPH WHITWORTH,
Lieutenant, was born 5 September 1875, son of G Prescott, The Hermitage,
Merrion, Dublin. Was educated at RCSI, Meath Hospital, Dublin; Charing
Cross Hospital, and Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital; entered the Army as
Lieutenant, Royal Army Medical Corps, on 27 July 1899; served in the South
African War, 1899-1902, and was present in the operations in Natal, 1899.
Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso; operations of 17 to 24
January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations 5 to 7 February 1900, and
action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900),
and action at Pieter's Hill; operations in Natal, March to June 1900,
including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); operations in the Transvaal,
July to 29 November 1900; operations in the Transvaal 30 November to 31 May
1902. Was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 and 22 February 1900],
received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, King's Medal with two clasps,
and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London
Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "John Joseph Whitworth Prescott, Lieutenant, Royal
Army Medical Corps. In recognition of services during the operations in
South Africa". The Insignia were sent to South Africa, and presented by HRH
the Duke of Cornwall and York 14 August 1901. He was promoted Captain 27
July 1902; became Adjutant, Territorial Force, 27 November 1908. Qualified
as Specialist in Ophthalmology, and obtained accelerated promotion to Major
on 27 April 1911; became Lieutenant Colonel 1 March 1915. He served in the
European War from August 1914, and was mentioned in Despatches by Field
Marshal Sir John French. He organized the Northumberland War Hospital, and
commanded it to 25 September 1915, when he proceeded to Gallipoli, as OC,
17th Stationary Hospital, until the evacuation of the Peninsula;
subsequently commanded the same hospital in Egypt, Taj Mahal War Hospital,
Alexandra War Hospital, and Cumballa War Hospital, Bombay, and later was OC,
34th General Hospital, Deolali. Lieutenant Colonel Prescott was brought to
the notice of the Government of India [Indian Gazette of September 1918].
Appointed Honorary Surgeon to the Viceroy from 5 November 1918.
