Charles Finnigan
Charles Joseph Finnigan, C.B., L.D.S.[1](1901-1967) was a Scottish dental surgeon who became Surgeon Rear-Admiral (D) in the Royal Navy. He served as Honorary Dental Surgeon to the Queen from 1955 to 1960.
Life
Finnigan was born on 3 April 1901 at Lawside House, Dundee. His father was Andrew Finnigan, a Spirit Dealer, and his mother was Margaret Breslin. They were married on 26 Sept 1890 at Lochee, Dundee.[2] He was educated at Harris Academy, Dundee.[3] He graduated at St. Andrews University in 1923 having qualified as a dental surgeon.[4] Shortly after graduation in 1923, he joined the Royal Navy as a dental surgeon. In 1937, he married Milifred Kathleen Dudgeon in Hong Kong and they had a son John A. Finnigan who also entered the Royal Navy. He died on July 27, 1967 at the Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital, London, at the age of 66.[4] His photographic portrait is available at the National Portrait Gallery, London.[5]
Naval career
- Before World War Two he served as dental surgeon on the following vessels: H.M. Ships, Delhi, Norfolk, Dorsetshire and Achilles, and also on the China Station.[4]
- 1929 — Appointed Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander[4]
- 1932-33 — HMS Dorsetshire[6]
- 1933 — HMS Achilles[6]
- 1936 — Appointed Surgeon Commander[4]
- 1937-39 — RN Hospital, Hong Kong[6]
- 1939-45 — Served in the United Kingdom, Africa, Italy and Malta. Made acting Surgeon Captain while on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet, and served as Fleet Dental Surgeon.[4]
- 1949 — Confirmed in the rank of Surgeon Captain and served on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
- 1955 — Made Honorary Dental Surgeon to the Queen
- 1957-60 — Appointed Surgeon Rear Admiral and Deputy Director General, Dental Services at the Admiralty.
- 1960 — Retired from the Royal Navy and made Companion of the Order of the Bath (C.B.)[4]
References
- ↑ L.D.S. = 'Licentiate in Dental Surgery' - awarded by Royal Colleges of Surgeons in England, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Ireland - see Dental degree under 'United Kingdom & Ireland'.
- ↑ Birth certificate available at General Register Office for Scotland, Edinburgh: http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
- ↑ His name appears as notable pupil at this school.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 His 'Obituary' in the British Dental Journal, (London: British Dental Association), Volume 123, no. 4, 5th Aug. 1967, p.192.
- ↑ National Portrait Gallery: http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp97091/charles-joseph-finnigan (Accessed 16/05/2013)
- 1 2 3 Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/locreg/FINNIGAN.shtml (Accessed 16/05/2013)