September 13, 2019

Dr A. F. Legge

There are four plaques in St Andrew’s Cathedral in Singapore commemorating the Sepoy (Singapore) Mutiny in 1915. On 15th February 1915 which was the last day of Chinese New Year, half of the 5th Native Light Infantry – which was then stationed at Alexandra Barracks – mutinied, killing dozens of British troops and civilians before the mutiny was finally put down 5 days later.

One of the officers who died of his wounds on 16th February was a Lieutenant (Dr) A. F. Legge, who had been mobilised for military duty in the Medical Company of Volunteers (Field Ambulance) that year. Dr Legge was the second medical superintendent of Moulmein Road Hospital (subsequently Middleton Hospital and Communicable Diseases Centre), having assumed duties in May 1914 from Dr W. Mayne Hitchins who was concurrently 2nd Assistant Health Officer of the Singapore Municipality.

One of the plaques in St Andrew’s Cathedral, listing Dr A. F. Legge

Dr Legge was the only superintendent/director of Moulmein Road/Middleton Hospital and Communicable Diseases Centre to have seen military action and died as a consequence.