MINI BIO

His father a surgeon, Howse qualified in 1886.  His 3 brothers also became doctors.  After immigrating to Australia in 1889 he set up a practise in Orange, NSW.
 

During the Boer War, Howse served with the Australian medical corps. He became Australia’s first VC after riding out to save a fallen soldier at Vredforte in Jul 1900.

During WW1, Howse served in New Guinea, Gallipoli, and on the Western Front.  He oversaw the medical services of the AIF and finished the war with the rank of Major General. 

Jun 1915, he was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for his work treating and evacuating the wounded following the landing at Gallipoli.

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1 Jan 17 was appointed Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (KCB).  June 1919, he was made Knight 
Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) quickly followed by appointment to Knight of the Grace of the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. 

Following the war, he was appointed Director General of Army Medical Services.  Elected to parliament in 1922, he served as Minister for Defence (1925–1927), Health (1925–1927; 1928–1929), and Home & Territories (1928).

After losing his seat in 1929 he returned to England for a holiday and was diagnosed pancreatic cancer.  He died 19 Sep 1930 and was survived by his wife Evelyn Gertrude, two sons and three daughters. He was buried beside his father at Kensal Green Cemetery in London.