Author(s): Colleen Turbet Williams

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Australian veterinary surgeon, Charles Turbet was an officer of the British Colonial Service who spent most of his working life in ‘The Colonies’. Alongside other animal husbandry techniques, he taught the local population how to care for animals both in health and disease, and how certain breeds of animals could be better bred to suit the particular environment. Officers of the British Colonial Service have often been maligned for being overbearing and stuffy; indeed some were but most were dedicated,well educated men who loved their jobs. The tropical conditions were often difficult with no air conditioning or refrigeration; the risk of sudden death and disease were always a possibility. Local languages and customs were learned and practised as it was often the adventurous and curious who ventured out to Britain’s colonies. Charles Turbet was such a man.