Two letters from Erzerum.

Abstract

The following letters were written by James Denniston MD, a Scottish doctor, who on the outbreak of war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire in 1877 volunteered for service with one of the numerous medical missions despatched to Turkey by the Stafford House Committee, a committee established in December 1876 by the Duke of Sutherland and others for the relief of suffering among the Turkish soldiery. Following his arrival in Constantinople, Denniston was posted, as part of Lord Blantyre's section, to Erzerum, where he was to remain for nearly five months, witnessing the worst of the fighting and the final surrender of the town, which, on the conclusion of an armistice, was commenced on 17 February 1878. Denniston was born in Greenock, on the west coast of Scotland, on 5 June 1854. After studying in Edinburgh, he attended Glasgow University, where he qualified as an MD in 1875. Following his return from Turkey, he practised medicine for some years in Dunoon, where he founded a cottage hospital, and in Bowden, Cheshire. In 1890, however, when his health deteriorated, as a result of the tuberculosis which he believed he had contracted in Turkey, he was obliged to give up his practice and take a long sea voyage, as ship's doctor, on the Torrens, a three-masted sailing ship, bound for Australia. In 1894, on the return leg of a second such voyage, he died of pneumonia, and was buried at sea. The Stafford House Committee, in the 16 months or so of its operation, raised more the ?43,000 for the relief of the Turkish soldiery. Contributions included a gift of ?6,000 from the Duke of Portland, ?5,300 from the inhabitants of Hyderabad, ?3,357 from Lord Blantyre, a member of the committee, ?1,100 from a committee organised by Lord Stanley of Alderley, ?1,000 from the Earl of Sheffield, and numerous smaller donations from societies, clubs, working men's clubs and individuals. In addition to such contributions, money was raised in a variety of ways, including amateur and professional concerts, recitals and lotteries. The Duke of Sutherland offered Stafford House (now Lancaster House), one of the most splendid residences in London, for a concert, organized by Mr Borthwick, who guaranteed to raise ?250. A concert was given at St. James' Hall, under the patronage of the Earl of Dunmore, and a performance of the 'Assault on Plevna' at the Canterbury Music Hall, under the patronage of the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, and attended by the Duke of Teck and Princess Mary, Duchess of Teck. The 'Inseparables', in a 'dramatic entertainment', raised ?49. 10s., Beerbohm Tree, the actor-manager, in a 'dramatic performance', raised ?7.17s, while Henry Irving, the great actor-manager, gave a recitation. Finally, Mrs Pratt raised ?23 from an amateur concert held at Ryston Hall, Norfolk; and Mrs Mills organized a lottery with jewellery, china and lace as prizes, contributed by, among others, Lady Augusta Cadogan. The money raised by the committee was spent primarily on the despatch of 50 surgeons to