Medical Officers
Of the Malta Garrison
Carmelo Ellul
1822 – 1874

Assistant Surgeon Carmelo Ellul

10 Jan 1822 – 25 July 1874 [Malta]

Dr Carmelo Ellul was recommended for a commission in the RMFR dated 23 August 1849, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Surgeon Giovanni Montanaro RMFR on 8 May 1849.

The Garrison Commander, Lieutenant-General Robert Ellice, had recommended Dr Ferdinando Montanaro, son of the deceased, to the post of assistant surgeon RMFR. However, Governor Richard More O'Ferrall objected to the sons of medical men stepping into vacancies occasioned by death or retirement of their fathers. Lord Grey, Secretary of State, insisted that the vacancy be filled by competition from those who had passed the qualifying examination, had a knowledge of English, and had obtained the approval of the Principal Medical Officer.3

Dr Ellul was appointed by Moore O'Ferrall, after a Medical Board found him to be the best qualified out of the four candidates who had applied for the post. He was approved by the PMO Staff Surgeon James M S Barry as being in every way competent to fill the vacancy.1

In December 1849, the Government introduced an Ordinance for the Regulation of Medical Officers in the Public Service. Up till then, vacancies in the medical service were filled by seniority rather than by ability. The Ordinance proposed for the two highest offices to be filled by election subject to confirmation of the Governor. The whole profession was invited to compete for vacancies without reference to previous service. All appointments to the public service were henceforth to take place by competition through an examination. The Governor hoped that senior positions would no longer be occupied by incompetent persons who had merely stepped over in the place of a deceased senior.

Service Record

Malta 23 Aug 1849 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.

Malta 1850 On duty with Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.

Malta 1851 On duty with Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.

Malta 1852 On duty with Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.

Malta 1853 On duty with Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.

Malta 13 Oct 1854 Left for Constantinople on board the transport Fury, following a call for medical aid from the hospital at Scutari.

19 Nov 1854 Returned from Scutari.

Malta 1855 On duty with Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.

Malta 1856 On duty with Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.

Malta 1857 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Regiment. At Cottonera.

Malta 1858 On duty with Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.

Malta 1859 On duty with Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.

Malta 1860 On duty with Royal Malta Fencible Regiment.

Malta 25 Jan 1861 Commissioned assistant surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery, when the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment was converted into a gunner regiment. PMO Malta reported that he was: "Very attentive to his duties".

Malta 1862 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 1863 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 1864 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 1865 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 1866 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 1867 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 1868 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 1869 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 1870 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 1871 Assistant Surgeon Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 4 Nov 1872 Surgeon-Major Royal Malta Fencible Artillery. Assistant Surgeon Dr Carmelo Ellul, was highly spoken of by the PMO, Inspector General of Hospitals Innes. He had qualified for promotion and had passed the necessary examinations in Apr 1867. Ellul was advanced to the vacancy vice Surgeon-Major Ludovico Bernard deceased.

Malta 1873 Surgeon-Major Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

Malta 25 July 1874 Died at his residence at Floriana, from enteric fever. Was described as one of Malta's most learned and skilled physician.

Bibliography