Alfred Searle Head, veterinarian, was the son of George Searle Head and his wife Fanny Elizabeth. He qualified (MRCVS, London) in 1897 and came to South Africa as a civil veterinary surgeon attached to the British Army Veterinary Division during the Anglo-Boer War. He served from 1901 to 1903 and rose to the rank of Captain while acting as Veterinary Officer to the Inniskilling Dragoons. He was known for keeping excellent records which showed, for example, that of the 4290 horses kept by his regiment, 4170 received treatment, only 166 for wounds. Returning to England after completing his tour of military duty he published an excellent article in 1903 on "The wear and tear of horses during the South African war". He was honoured as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). In April 1906 he married Mabel Headley.

List of sources:

FamilySearch: Alfred Searle Head. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJHB-6PB4 AND https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N1NM-958

Head, A.S. The wear and tear of horses during the South Africa war. Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics, 1903, Vol. 16 (4), pp. 300-311.

Posthumus, P.J. Past Veterinarians in South Africa, Vol. 1, 10th edition, [1992].

Compiled by: D.W. Verwoerd

Last updated: 2024-10-18 10:23:55