Sir Neville Howse | |
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Minister for Defence | |
In office 16 January 1925 – 2 April 1927 | |
Prime Minister | Stanley Bruce |
Preceded by | Eric Bowden |
Succeeded by | William Glasgow |
Minister for Health | |
In office 24 February 1928 – 22 October 1929 | |
Prime Minister | Stanley Bruce |
Preceded by | Stanley Bruce |
Succeeded by | Frank Anstey |
In office 16 January 1925 – 2 April 1927 | |
Prime Minister | Stanley Bruce |
Preceded by | Herbert Pratten |
Succeeded by | Stanley Bruce |
Member of the Australian Parliament for Calare | |
In office 16 December 1922 – 12 October 1929 | |
Preceded by | Thomas Lavelle |
Succeeded by | George Gibbons |
Personal details | |
Born | Stogursey, Somerset, England | 26 October 1863
Died | 19 September 1930 London, England | (aged 66)
Resting place | Kensal Green Cemetery, London |
Political party | Nationalist |
Spouse |
Evelyn Pilcher (m. 1905) |
Children | Everil, Neville, Evelyn, John, Alison[1] |
Occupation | Doctor, soldier, politician |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Australia |
Branch/service | Australian Army |
Years of service | 1900–22 |
Rank | Major General |
Commands | Director General of Medical Services Australian Army Medical Corps |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Victoria Cross Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George Knight of the Order of Saint John Mentioned in Despatches |
Major General Sir Neville Reginald Howse, VC, KCB, KCMG, FRCS (26 October 1863 – 19 September 1930) was an Australian Army officer, medical doctor, and politician. He was the first Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces.
Howse was born in Somerset, England, and followed his father into the medical profession. He emigrated to Australia in 1889 and eventually settled in Orange, New South Wales. During the Boer War, Howse served with the Australian medical corps. He was awarded the VC for his rescue of a wounded man at Vredefort in July 1900, while under heavy rifle fire. During the First World War, Howse served in New Guinea, Gallipoli, and on the Western Front. He oversaw the medical services of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and finished the war with the rank of major-general. He was elected to parliament in 1922, and was subsequently appointed to cabinet by Stanley Bruce. He served as Minister for Defence (1925–1927), Health (1925–1927; 1928–1929), and Home and Territories (1928).