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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 179

The Bronze Memorial Plaque awarded to Surgeon D. W. K. Moody, Royal Navy, a well-respected surgeon and author of several papers relating to beri-beri amongst Naval crews he served as ship's surgeon of HMS Natal and was killed when she exploded at Invergordon in 1915

Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Douglas Whimster Keiller Moody), in its card slip of issue, with condolence slip, good very fine

Douglas Whimster Keiller Moody was born at Dunifties on 5 April 1873, the son of William J. Moody. Studying at Aberdeen University he earned his M.B. in 1900 and M.D. in 1902 before becoming the House Surgeon of Peterborough Infirmary. Leaving there he joined Addenbrooke Hospital, Cambridge as Second House Surgeon before becoming the Medical Officer for P&O liners.

Whilst at sea he contributed to the study of Beri-Beri, penning two books on the subject A Critical Treatise on Beri Beri and Beriberi among the Lascar Crews on Board Ship as well as many articles. Volunteering for service at the start of the war, Moody initially held no official rank but worked as a Surgeon at Haslar until September 1915.

Finally commissioned into the Royal Navy as a Surgeon he was posted to H.M.S. Natal that same month, serving aboard her until December 1915. Captain Beck of Natal was hosting a Christmas Party on 30 December 1915, to which Moody was doubtless invited, when unstable ammunition in her hold detonated causing her to sink with appalling speed. The death toll reached 390 men, women and children, many of whom were aboard for the festivities, tragically Moody was amongst them. The Peterborough Express published a short note in its issue of 5 January 1916 stating:

'Amongst those who perished in the explosion of HMS Natal last week was Dr. Moody. Who was temporary house surgeon of Peterborough Infirmary for some months in 1913.'

De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour quotes the somewhat more moving testimony of a survivor remembering the Doctor, it states:

'Dr. Moody was highly respected throughout the ship. He was an efficient officer, a good friend and a gallant gentleman.'

Moody is commemorated upon the Chatham Naval Memorial; sold together with copied research.

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Estimate

Starting price
£40