Sir David James Galloway (former Bidadari Cemetery)

Sir David James Galloway, Kt. Bach, M.D. , F.R.C.P, , (Edin) was born in Edinburgh in 1858 and graduated as medical doctor (M.D.) in Edinburgh University and elected to the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. He arrived in Malaya at the age of 27 on 15 February 1885 and took over the the practice of the Dr. John Robertson (father of Dr. Murray Robertson). Early in his Malayan Career he gained the confidence of the Sultan Abu Bakar and his family as their family physician. He was awarded the second class Crown of Johore in 1896. He was the person that accompanied Sultan Abubakar to England where the Sultan passed away. He brought back the embalmed remains back himself. 

In 1890, David James Galloway became the President of the Straits Medical Association and later President of the Malaya branch of the British Medical Association. In 1902 he entered the Legislative council and served until 1914 and again in 1920. He was nominated to the Executive Council (the first unofficial to get this position). On his resignation in 1929, he was allowed to retain the title of "Honourable" within Malaya in recognition of his services. He was knighted in the New Year honours in 1924 as Knight Bachelor 

Sir David James Galloway retired from practice and public life in 1931. Retired in Johore, he was still being a member of the Johore State Council at the age of 82. He passed away on 5 March 1943 at the age of 84. In the newspapers it was mentioned he died in Johore Bahru at the age of 85. Other accounts mentioned that he passed away in an apartment at 4 Meyer Flats, Singapore.

Sir David James Galloway

Galloway memorial lectureship / Galloway Memorial Fund

The Singapore Academy of Medicine instituted the award in 1960 in memory of Sir David James Galloway, known as the "Grand Old Man" of medicine in Malaya. 

Location of Tomb 

Sir David James Galloway memorial headstone can be found in the Bidadari Memorial Park.

To the Memory 

of 

David James Galloway 

Knight Bachelor, 

M.D. , F.R.C.P.E. 

One time member of the legislative council 

Straits Settlements 

and 

the Johore State Council 

Died 5 March 1943 

Age 84 . 

Tomb of Sir David James Galloway 

References

New Year Honours. (1924, January 2). Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle, page 7 

Sir David Galloway. (1935, February 15). The Singapore Free Press, page 2

82 years young. (1940, May 8). The Straits Times, page 8

Doctor may apply for memorial lectureship. (1966, April 13). The Straits Budget, page 15