Neville Howse

Major General The Honourable Sir Neville Howse VC, KCB, KCMG, FRCS
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	(1863-10-26)26 October 1863 Stogursey, Somerset, England
Died	19 September 1930(1930-09-19) (aged 66) London, England
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	Second Boer War First World War Asian and Pacific theatre Gallipoli campaign Western Front
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).