RAMC Officers
Of the Malta Garrison
Michael Stanley Everest
25 July 1935 –

466911 Captain Michael Stanley Everest

MB BS (St Mary’s) FRCP (1985)

25 July 1935 [(Sidcup)] –

picnic
Capt Michael Stanley and Margaret Everest née Richardson, possibly in Gozo 1961.
Rugby team
Rugby matches during 1961 were played locally at the Marsa Sports Ground and Ta' Qali by British military service units (Army and Royal Navy) and the local civilian expatriate Overseas Rugby Club. Capt M S Everest played in the local civilian expatriate club and is shown back row, third from right.
Mtarfa Hospital
Mtarfa Military Hospital. The foundation stone was laid on 6 January 1915 by General Sir Leslie Rundle Governor and Commander-in-Chief Malta. It opened in June 1920 with accommodation for six officers and 190 other ranks, but in 1927 had beds equipped for only six officers and 119 men.

Captain Mike Everest graduated from St Mary’s Hospital Medical School, Paddington in 1958 and went on to complete House jobs in St Mary’s, Paddington General and St Mary’s Hospital from August 1958 until August 1960 completing the third House Job in neurology and studying for membership. In 1960, on his 25th birthday, he gained his membership of the Royal College of Physicians. He then worked at the London Chest Hospital. In 1985, on his 50th birthday, he was elected to the Fellowship of the RCP.

Having deferred National Service whilst training to be a doctor he elected to serve a Short Service Commission so that he could take his new wife Margaret (née Richardson), a fellow doctor, with him on posting. They were married on 19 September 1959. She served several periods as a locally employed civilian doctor, looking after service families, alongside him in Malta and throughout his service.

In August 1960 Captain Everest received a letter informing him that he was to report for duty having deferred his National Service in order to gain Royal College membership exams otherwise he would be posted as AWOL.

Captain Mike Everest served as a Specialist in Medicine in the David Bruce Military Hospital, Mtarfa under Colonel Frank Braddock Bagshaw. He was the last Army physician in the David Bruce Military Hospital as the RAMC left Malta in 1962 when the hospital was handed over to the Royal Navy in October 1962. He served alongside Capt Donald Munro who went to Benghazi and Capt David Ellis who also went to Tripoli.

The couple had three children, two of whom qualified as doctors, with their daughter, Ali Everest, serving a regular commission in the RAMC, retiring with the rank of Colonel.

Service Record

1960 Appointed to a Short Service Commission Lieutenant RAMC on probation. Entered the Medical College of the RAMC Millbank, London and for training at the RAMC Depôt in Ash Vale.

Sep 1960 Promoted Captain RAMC. Arrived from England.

Became the active Physician at the David Bruce Military Hospital, taking over from Col Frank Braddock Bagshaw L/RAMC who was promoted to Commanding Officer of the hospital.

1960–1963 Served in Malta and Tripoli. In Oct 1960 was joined in Malta by his spouse, Margaret.

1961 Physician David Bruce Military Hospital, Mtarfa.

Dec 1962 Posted to Tripoli to complete his commission.

Sep 1963 Returned to the UK on completion of his Short Service Commission to work at the Central Middlesex Hospital, working for Sir Richard Asher. Afterwards he returned to St Mary's Hospital.

May 1969 Appointed Consultant Physician Tunbridge Wells District Hospital, Kent.

24 July 1995 Retired from active NHS medicine age 60 years but continued to work for the Pension Appeal Tribunal. Resided with his family at Tunbridge Wells.

Bibliography