Figure 1. Figure 1. ca. 1885-1895 histological preparations by Ernest R.W. Spratly.
Ernest Richard Woody Spratly, 1867 - 1898
by Brian Stevenson
last updated May, 2022
Ernest Spratly was a medical doctor and surgeon in Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, near Liverpool, England. He produced a number of well-made microscope slides of histological/pathological material (Figures 1-3). While some slides may have been prepared for educational purposes during his medical training, the custom-printed labels and overall fine finish on those shown in Figure 1 suggest preparation for a fine, personal reference library or exchange with colleagues.
Figure 1.
Figure 1. ca. 1885-1895 histological preparations by Ernest R.W. Spratly.
Figure 1.
Figure 2. Section of lipoma nasi, stained with logwood, prepared by E.R.W. Spratly (see Figure 1). Photographed with a 10x objective lens and C-mounted digital SLR camera on a Leitz Ortholux II microscope.
Figure 1.
Figure 3. "Portion of wall of cystic tumour of jaw of 16 years duration", stained with picrocarmine, prepared by E.R.W. Spratly (see Figure 1). Photographed with a 10x objective lens and C-mounted digital SLR camera on a Leitz Ortholux II microscope.
Ernest Richard Woody Spratly was born during the late summer of 1867, in Birkenhead. He was the only child of Samuel and Anna Maria Spratly. Mother Anna a year later, at the age of 34, possibly a consequence of a second pregnancy.
Ernest's father, Samuel, was a well-off physician. The 1871 census shows Ernest and Samuel having two domestic servants and a coachman (who presumably drove Samuel to his house calls). Samuel's widowed mother and two unmarried sisters also lived with them. The 1881 national census found 13 year-old Ernest at a boarding school in Droylsden, Lancashire.
Spratly underwent medical training in London. He received his Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians, then membership in the Royal College of Surgeons in 1889.
In 1890, he joined the crew of the passenger ship Orotova as surgeon. They sailed between Liverpool and Australia.
Ernest may have made only one trip on the Orotava. By the time of the March, 1891 census, he was working as a "surgeon's assistant" in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
By 1894, Spratly had established his own practice in Rock Ferry. He married Honor May Shannon there in 1894. He also joined the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, of the Army.
I have not found any information to link Ernest Spratly to a microscopical society. However, he was elected vice president of the newly-formed Rock Ferry Camera Club in 1895.
Spratly resigned his Army commission in 1897, then moved to Dunedin, South Africa. He died there on April 12, 1898, when only 30 years old.
Resources
Crew list of the Orotova (1890) accessed through ancestry.com
England census and other records, accessed through ancestry.com
The Hospital Gazette and Students' Journal (1885) "Pass List … E.R.W. Spratly, Liverpool". Vol. 13, page 257
Kelly's Directory of Liverpool and Birkenhead (1894) "Spratly Ernest Richard W. 455 N. Chester rd.", page 315
Kelly's Directory of Liverpool and Birkenhead (1896) "Spratly Ernest Richard W. L.R.C.P. Lond. 455 New Chester rd. Rock Ferry, B'head. & Bromboro' Pool S.O.", page 879
The Lancet (1889) "Royal College of Surgeons of England. The following gentlemen, having passed the necessary examinations, were at the ordinary meeting of the Council on the 1st inst. admitted Members of the College …Spratly, Ernest Richard Woody, L.R.C.P.Lond., Rock Ferry", page 296
The Lancet (1897) "1st Volunteer Battalion the Cheshire Regiment: Surgeon-Lieutenant E.R.W. Spratly resigns his commission", page 767
Photography (1895) "Rock Ferry - A meeting of amateur photographers was held at Rock Ferry, Cheshire, on the 20th December, 1894, at which there was a large attendance. It was decided to form an amateur photographic society, and that it be called the “Rock Ferry Camera Club." The following officers were elected: Mr. Samuel Cross, president; Dr. E.R.W. Spratly, vice-president: Mr. R.G. Armstrong, hon. treasurer; Mr. R. Martin Smith, jun., Cavendish Park, Rock Ferry, hon. sec.; and a committee of six members. Meetings will be held fortnightly from the 21st of January, 1895, at St. Peter's Hall, New Chester Road", Vol. 7, page 6
Probate of the will of E.R.W. Spratly (1898) "Spratly Ernest Richard Woody of Dun-Edin Beaufort-west Cape Colony South Africa died 12 April 1898 Probate London 17 November to Honor Mary Spratly widow Effects £978 6s 3d", accessed through ancestry.com