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BETTS, Lionel Oxborrow
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( Lieut - Col) Lionel Oxborrow Betts OBE
Lieutenant-Colonel Lionel Oxborrow Betts OBE a Medical practitioner from Semaphore served with the 13th Australian Field Ambulance A.A.M.C. on the Western Front (France), Nord Region, Lys Area (France) and Bailleul. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A10 Karroo on 11 February 1915. Lieutenant-Colonel Betts was Awarded an OBE and received a Mention in Despatches. Lieutenant-Colonel Betts was the first President of the Semaphore & Port Adelaide RSL.
| Date of birth | 27th April 1886, Alberton Son of William Henry Betts & Elizabeth nee Fosdike |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Medical practitioner |
| Address | Maitland, South Australia |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 28 |
| Next of kin | Mrs B E Betts, Maitland, South Australia |
| Enlistment date | 11-Nov-14 |
| Rank on enlistment | Captain (Medical Officer) |
| Unit name | 13th Field Ambulance / 14th Australian Field Ambulance |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/14/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A10 Karroo on 11 February 1915 |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | Australian Army Medical Corps (A.A.M.C) |
| War Service | Western Front (France), Nord Region, Lys Area (France), Bailleul |
| Fate | Returned to Australia 8 May 1919 |
| Died | 19/1/1943 |
| Resting | St George's Cemetery, Magill, South Australia. |
| Promotions | Major |
| Unit: No 2 Comd Depot | |
| Promotion date: 14 November 1916 | |
| Temporary LTCOL | |
| Promotion date: 27 March 1918 | |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) | Mention in Despatches |
| Recommendation date: 6 October 1917 | |
| Companion of the British Empire. (Awarded Order of the British Empire) | |
| Recommendation date: 26 November 1917 | |
| Medals | OBE |
| Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67 | |
| Date: 3 June 1919 | |
| OBE (Military) | |
| Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 91 | |
| Date: 23 July 1919 | |
| British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1914-1915 Star |
Lionel Oxborrow Betts OBE had attained great eminence in his profession. Born at Streaky Bay, he attended Way College and graduated in 1908. He began to practice at Maitland in 1909 and remained until the outbreak of the first world war. He served for five years overseas and in 1917 was awarded the OBE.
On his return at the close of the war he practiced at Semaphore where he remained until 1926, when he went to Liverpool to study orthopedic under Sir Robert Jones. On his return to Adelaide in 1928 he became a bone specialist.
He married Miss Beatrice Mills, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs S. Mills, of Beetaloo, They had a son and a daughter - Dr. W.J. Betts and Mrs J. Cohn, both of Adelaide.
Dr Betts was a keen stud stock master and his Ryeland and Corriedale sheep studs were widely known throughout this and the eastern states. His Talungabee Ryeland flock founded in 1932 was regarded as one of the best in Australia. Championship honors and many class prizes were gained by rams and ewes at the Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne shows. The Corriedale flock was established in 1929 and although not so prominent in the interstate show rings the type and quality of the sheep have been highly regarded in South Australia.
ID number E01969
Collection Photograph
Object type Black & white - Glass original whole plate negative
Photographer Unknown Australian Official Photographer
Place made Western Front: Western Front (France), Nord Region, Lys Area (France), Bailleul
Date made 11 March 1918
DescriptionInformal portrait of the officers of the 13th Field Ambulance on horseback. Left to right: Major (Maj) L. O. Betts OBE; Maj C. Morlet DSO; Lieutenant Colonel H. K. Fry DSO, Commanding Officer; Maj T. C. C. Evans DSO; Honorary Captain J. I. Anderson, Quartermaster. Also identified are the two men standing on the steps, extreme left: Private (Pte) R. A. Stevens; Pte R. E. Hatt. The rear of the building was occupied by the 13th Australian Field Ambulance as a Divisional Rest Station.
Conditions near 13th Australian Field Ambulance
ID number E02055
Collection Photograph
Object type Black & white - Glass half plate Paget transparency (positive)
Photographer Hurley, James Francis (Frank)
Place made Western Front: Western Front (Belgium), Ypres Area, Ypres
Date made October 1917
DescriptionStretcher bearers of the 13th Field Ambulance resting at a dressing station on Westhoek Ridge. Left to right: unidentified; 13318 Private (Pte) T. R. Mappin (sitting); unidentified; Pte N. A. O'Dwyer; Pte Steele; Lance Corporal L. C. Ludbrooke; unidentified; 9690 Pte T. D. A. E. Lloyd Jones; 10030 Pte W. Jack; 9323 Pte C. McD Stoddart; Pte G. W. Dore (right of tree); two unidentified; 185 Sergeant O. Kirkby; two unidentified. This is an original Paget Plate negative. The same image is available in colour and is held at P03631.176.
Opperating room 13th Australian Field Ambulance
ID number E02375
Collection Photograph
Object type Black & white - Glass original half plate negative
Photographer Unknown Australian Official Photographer
Place made France: Picardie, Somme, Amiens Harbonnieres Area, Bussy
Date made 4 June 1918
DescriptionMedical operation in progress in an advanced dressing station of the 13th Australian Field Ambulance. Left to right: Staff Sergeant A. Weymouth; Private (Pte) W. W. Gillen; Lance Corporal (LCpl) H. H. O'Donnell; unidentified patient; Pte T. R. Mappin (forewood); LCpl R. A. Stevens.
Dressing Station on the Franvillers Bonnay Road
ID number E02771
Collection Photograph
Object type Black & white - Glass original whole plate negative
Photographer Unknown Australian Official Photographer
Place made France: Picardie, Somme, Corbie Albert Area, Franvillers
Date made 16 July 1918
DescriptionThe interior of the Operating Theatre of the 14th Australian Field Ambulance Model Dressing Station on the Franvillers Bonnay Road.
Prime Minister W. M. Hughes Visits 14th Australian Field Ambulance
ID number E03299
Collection Photograph
Object type Black & white - Glass original half plate negative
Photographer Unknown Australian Official Photographer
Place made Belgium: Wallonie, Namur, Le Mesnil
Date made 14 September 1918
DescriptionThe Right Honourable W. M. Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia, shaking hands with Private (Pte) W. J. Wilson of the 14th Australian Field Ambulance. Identified: Lance Corporal (L Cpl) Benham (1); unidentified (2); Pte Gregorinka (also identified as Pte W. J. Wilson) (3); 14494 Driver (Dvr) J. R. McCourt (4); L Cpl W. J. Coutts (5); Dvr L. J. Jennings (6). All are members of the 14th Field Ambulance.
Post War
Overseas Study
Dr. L. O. Betts, who is about to leave for Britain and the Continent on research work has been a stanch supporter of rowing and football in the Port Adelaide district, and has always been a good athlete. The seaport has always been fortunate in its medical men from a sporting point of view.
News Friday 16 July 1926
Victorian Lacrosse players in Adelaide today
Members of the State team from Victoria to take part in the carnival in Perth passed through Adelaide this morning. Left to Right-Dr. L. 0.Betts (former South Australian captain and official of local association), •who met the team at Adelaide, Mr. II. R. Balmer (manager of Victorian side), and J. L. Beattie (Victorian captain).
News Tuesday 27 August 1929
L O Betts Memorial Medal
The L O Betts Memorial Medal was established in 1971 by Mrs Beatrice Betts, widow of the second President of Australian Orthopaedic Association. The medal is awarded for outstanding contribution to the science and practice of orthopaedics or to AOA. The L O Betts Memorial Medal is an accolade of the highest order of the Association.
Do you have old Photos, articles or stories of any Service Men of Semaphore & Port adelaide?
