Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd
Auction 132 27-31 Mar 2023
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Pair: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID. Capt. A.Benjamin. Both medals impressed. Display mounted, toned very fine - good very fine.
Entitled to 1914-15 Star.
Together with S.U.S.U (Sydney University Student Union) badges for 1908-1909, reverse numbered 51 and inscribed A.Benjamin; 1909-1910, reverse numbered 68 and inscribed A.Benjamin; 1910-1911, reverse numbered 49 and inscribed A.Benjamin.
MID: Second Supplement to LG 27/11/1917, p12487.
Dr A.Benjamin, after graduating from the University of Sydney worked at Sydney Hospital and then set up practice at Casino, in rural NSW. He was the son of Mr Philip Benjamin of Sydney. After serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps in World War I he remained in England and set up a medical practice in various locations and then in Harley Street, London. He died in 1975.
In the University of Sydney Book of Remembrance the following details are recorded:- Benjamin, Alva. M.B., Ch.M.: Captain, R.A.M.C., Salonika. Sailing for London in July, 1915, as lieutenant and crossing to Salonika in February, 1916, served as Sanitary Officer, Western Area, from August, 1916, until July, 1918, when transferred as Sanitary Officer in charge of British units attached to Royal Serbian Army. Was also Surgeon Specialist, 41st General Hospital. Demobilised in London, August, 1919, and appointed to East Dulwich Infirmary. Promoted Captain, July 1916. Mentioned in Despatches. Renwick Scholar and Smith Prizeman. Early education at Darlinghurst Public and Sydney High Schools.
Post war Australian Dr Alva Benjamin was an orthodox physician who converted to homeopathy to become a physician and skin specialist at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, a lecturer on diseases of the skin at the Missionary School of Medicine, founder of the Hahnemann Society and president of LIGA (International Homeopathic League). He was a teacher of Dr Pichiah Sankaran who founded the Journal of Homeopathic Medicine. Dr Benjamin also gave many talks and wrote articles for various publications. With research.