Frock Coat

Navy frock coat worn by Dr Simon Gage Britton, the surgeon was believed to be present at Lord Nelson’s deathbed and later became a physician at Barnstaple Infirmary. From the age of 14 years Simon Gage Britton, worked with various surgeons and anatomists, including Sir Humphrey Davy, to study medicine, in 1800 he went to St Bartholomew’s Hospital. In October 1803 he joined the navy as a Surgeon’s Mate on HMS Pickle, performing amputations and treating serious burns. This work would take place below the waterline on the Orlop deck which would have been dark, hot and at risk from enemy fire.
He finally qualified fully as a surgeon in 1805 and returned to sea. This was the time of the Battle of Trafalgar and he was on the Victory working with the ship’s surgeon William Beatty. It is believed that he was with Lord Nelson as he lay dying after being fatally shot. Captain Hardy and William Beatty were so impressed with his work that he was promoted to Ship’s Surgeon and moved on to various other ships until 1814 when he retired. He then became a medical practitioner in Bristol for nine years, marrying in 1816. He and his wife moved to Barnstaple and lived in Newport where he practiced medicine from his home for six years.
By 1831 the local Barnstaple Infirmary was in need of more physicians and it was suggested that Dr Britton would be a suitable candidate, However this was not popular with the existing doctors. They believed that his qualifications and experience were made up and that he was “a horse doctor from Bristol”. Firstly, a few doctors resigned, followed by a mass walk out. However, Dr Britton was eventually voted in with a majority of 10 votes. The doctors who had left formed the Barnstaple and North Devon Dispensary, while Dr Britton practised successfully with the Infirmary for 25 years. Britton died in Barnstaple on March 6th, 1856 and was buried at Ilfracombe Holy Trinity Church where a memorial still exists.