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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Medical Staff Officer — Brigade Surgeon - Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Archibald de Lautour

Medical Staff Officer.

Brigade Surgeon - Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Archibald de Lautour , V.D., Principal Medical Officer of the Otago Volunteer District, is descended from an old and very distinguished French military family, who during the Reign of Terror in the time of the French Revolution, were compelled to flee, and since then have resided in England. Colonel de Lautour is a son of the late Edward de Lautour, who was for many years a Judge at Calcutta. He was born in Noacolly, Bengal, in 1849, educated at Cheltonham College, studied medicine at King's College, London, and was one of those students who, “having completed with distinction their course of studying,” were admitted to the rank of associate of King's College. London, on the 3rd of June, 1873. This certificate was signed by the Right Rev. Dr. Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1875 Dr. de Lautour settled in Oamaru, to follow the practice of his profession. At the same time he entered the Defence Forces of New Zealand and was appointed surgeon to the I Battery of Artillery Volunteers, on the 27th of July, 1875. He was promoted Surgeon-Major on the 13th of March, 1888, Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel on the 12th of August, 1895, and is now, in 1903, the Principal Medical Officer of the Otago District. In 1896 he received the volunteer decoration for twenty years' continuous service as an officer in the volunteers. During his visit to England, in 1897, he passed the proficiency examination at the War Office, London, a distinction held by very few in New Zealand. At the time of the South African war Colonel de Lautour, with the traditional military spirit of his regret, were not accepted; but two of his sons served with the Fifth, Seventh and Eighth Contingents in South Africa. Colonel de Lautour is a vice-president of the Volunteer Ambulance School of Instruction, London, and the only holder of that honour outside the United Kingdom.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.Surg.-Lieut.-Col. H. A. de Lautour.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Surg.-Lieut.-Col. H. A. de Lautour.