Letters from the Crimea: Writing Home, A Dundee Doctor

In 1854, Dr David Greig, a newly qualified doctor from Dundee, volunteered and set sail on the Vectis to serve as an army surgeon in the Crimean War.

He was only 22 years old at the time. His collection of letters a single, leather-bound volume discovered by chance during a house clearance in Dundee tells of his medical and personal experiences in a savage war zone.

Much has been written about Florence Nightingale s role with both extremely negative and overwhelmingly positive accounts of her actions in Scutari being depicted in books, film and documentaries alike.

Dr Greig details his own, very interesting impressions of the lady with the lamp in several letters.Letters from the Crimea is a unique, first-hand insight of one man s life during an important Victorian war, documenting Dr Greig s progress from a callow youth to respected surgeon, culminating in his career as a leading doctor in his home city of Dundee.

On his return from the war he became a leading doctor at Dundee Royal Infirmary with his offspring following in his medical footsteps: