Was at one time in the HEICS and in the Government Emigration Service, where he was awarded a Gold Medal for his services. He was for ten years Surgeon Superintendent of HM’s General Infirmary and Lunatic Asylum, Cape of Good Hope. He was presented by the Royal Humane Society with their Silver Medal for saving life, how or when does not appear. He contributed various papers to the *Lancet*. After leaving the Cape he lived at Skipton-in-Craven, Yorkshire, where William Birtwhistle, MRCS, also had his residence, as well as Richard Birtwhistle (qv). Another William Birtwhistle was then in practice at Pontefract, and two others of the same surname appear in “the College Examination Book” before 1785. John Birtwhistle died in retirement at Primrose Cottage, Rosebank Road, Bow, E, on April 11th, 1863.