Norman Talbot

Lieutenant-General Sir Norman Graham Guy Talbot, KBE, TD, FRCOG, FRCP (16 February 1914 – 27 February 1979) was a senior British Army officer who was Director General of the Army Medical Services between 1969 and 1973.

Early life Talbot was born on 16 February 1914 in Hastings, Sussex, England. His parents were the Reverend Richard Talbot and Ethel Maude Talbot (née Stuart). He was educated at Reigate Grammar School, a private day school in Reigate, Surrey. In 1932, he began studying medicine at King's College Hospital Medical School. He qualified MRCS, LRCP in 1937 and received his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB BS) in 1938. During his pre-registration year, he spent the first six months as a house anaesthetist and the latter six as a house obstetrician. These appointments were undertaken at King's College Hospital. In 1939, he was awarded the Diploma of Anaesthesiology (DA) by the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

With the outbreak of World War II, he would see active service. He transferred to the regular Royal Army Medical Corps on a short service commission as a lieutenant on 24 August 1939.

From 1944 to early 1945, he was Commandant of the British Increment to the Medical Mission to the National Liberation Army in Yugoslavia and Officer Commanding Gruno Military Hospital. He was then made Commanding Officer of No 154 General Hospital In December 1958, he travelled to Malta to take up the post of consultant He was promoted to brigadier on 1 July 1967. On 14 April 1968, he was appointed Commandant and Director of Studies at the Royal Army Medical College and was granted the acting rank of major general. He was promoted to major general on 22 August 1968. On 6 March 1969, he relinquished the appointment of Commandant and Director of Studies. On 5 April 1969, he was appointed Director General of the Army Medical Services and granted the acting rank of lieutenant general. He was promoted to lieutenant general on 26 July 1969. He was a Commissioner of the Royal Hospital Chelsea between 1969 and 1973.

Later life Following his retirement from the military, Talbot became medical director of the Margaret Pyke Centre. He held the position until 1978. On 11 January 1945, it was gazetted that he had also been Mentioned in Despatches "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy". He was awarded the Efficiency Medal (Territorial) on 12 August 1947. He was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Decoration (TD) on 20 June 1950. On 21 September 1951, his Efficiency Medal (Territorial) was cancelled having been awarded the Territorial Efficiency Decoration.

He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) on 19 April 1945 "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy". He was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 1969 Queen's Birthday Honours.