Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The C.I.E. awarded to Colonel H. E. Shortt, Indian Medical Service, a pioneer of tropical medicine

The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, C.I.E., Companion’s 3rd type neck badge, gold and enamels, complete with full neck cravat in its Garrard & Co. Ltd. fitted case of issue, extremely fine £900-£1,200

Henry Edward Shortt, was born at Dhariwal, India, on 15 April 1887; M.B. Ch.B. Ab. 1910. Lieutenant I.M.S., 30 July 1910; Captain, 30 July 1913; Major, 30 January 1932; Lieutenant-Colonel, 30 January 1930. Served in the war of 1914-21 (despatches 5 April 1916 and 5 June 1919.). Noted for gallantry in the former despatch by General C. I. Fry, who stated: ‘Captain H. E. Shortt, I.M.S. In the operations from Mezera, on the left bank of the Tigris, on January 30th this Medical Officer displayed great devotion and courage in attending wounded in the open in the face of heavy fire at comparatively close quarters.’

In 1916 he joined the central reference laboratory at Basra, later moving to Baghdad, where he pursued his laboratory work. He qualified M.D. in 1936; DSc. 1938; K.H.P. 1941-44; Inspector-General of Civil Hospiatls and Prisons, Assam, 1941-44; retired 1944. Professor of Medical Protozoology, University of London, and Head of Department of Parasitology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Made a C.I.E in 1941; F.R.S. 1950; L.L.D. 1952. He died in his 100th year on 9 November 1987.

Sold with copied research including B.M.J. obituary and the following original documents:
Warrant of appointment for C.I.E, 1 January 1941; Doctor of Medicine degree certificate, 8 July 1936; Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene certificate, 20 July 1936; Major’s commission document, 1 April 1927; M.I.D. certificate, 7 February 1919; Royal Society Fellowship document, 17 March 1950; original newspaper article from The Statesman, 29 June 1915, mentioning his services on the Tigris quoted above.