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‘Nelson Turner Dak Bungalow’Nelson Turner Dak Bungalow’

The High Court of Sikkim Museum which was once the High Court of Sikkim Museum which was once the Chief Justice’s bungalow was bungalow was
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established in 1910 and its first occupants were Civil Surgeons appointed to Sikkim. established in 1910 and its first occupants were Civil Surgeons appointed to Sikkim. stablished in 1910 and its first occupants were Civil Surgeons appointed to Sikkim.
The first Civil Surgeon appointed to Gangtok was Assistant Surgeon 2The first Civil Surgeon appointed to Gangtok was Assistant Surgeon 2 class John
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Nelson Turner (b,1871), a member of the Indian Subordinate MedicalNelson Turner (b,1871), a member of the Indian Subordinate Medical Service, and Service, and
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not a qualified doctor. Turner took up his post in August 1909, and remained in Sikkim not a qualified doctor. Turner took up his post in August 1909, and remained in Sikkim ot a qualified doctor. Turner took up his post in August 1909, and remained in Sikkim
until early in 1920, by which time he was a Senior Assistant Surgeon who had been until early in 1920, by which time he was a Senior Assistant Surgeon who had been ntil early in 1920, by which time he was a Senior Assistant Surgeon who had been
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given the honorary rank of Captain during the First World War. When Turnegiven the honorary rank of Captain during the First World War. When Turneiven the honorary rank of Captain during the First World War. When Turner arrived in
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Gangtok, the three government dispensaries Gangtok, the three government dispensaries were at Gangtok (which had inat Gangtok (which had in-patient
facilities), Chidam and Rungpo.facilities), Chidam and Rungpo.

On the 1st of November 1922, John Turner was replaced by Dr. John Charles Dyer as On the 1st of November 1922, John Turner was replaced by Dr. John Charles Dyer as n the 1st of November 1922, John Turner was replaced by Dr. John Charles Dyer as
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Gangtok Civil Surgeon. He was an AngloGangtok Civil Surgeon. He was an Anglo-Indian and Senior Assistant Surgeon of the d Senior Assistant Surgeon of the
Subordinate Medical Service. As a fullySubordinate Medical Service. As a fully-qualified medical practitioner, Dyer was of qualified medical practitioner, Dyer was of
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higher professional status than Turner, and he was a well regarded medical officer higher professional status than Turner, and he was a well regarded medical officer igher professional status than Turner, and he was a well regarded medical officer
who had accompanied Sir Charles Bell to Lhasa in Novembwho had accompanied Sir Charles Bell to Lhasa in November 1920, and and remained
there for several weeks. When Dyer left Sikkim in January 1928, his replacement was When Dyer left Sikkim in January 1928, his replacement was When Dyer left Sikkim in January 1928, his replacement was
Sub-Assistant Surgeon Dr. Kenneth Percival Elloy DCM. He was born in 1884 and Assistant Surgeon Dr. Kenneth Percival Elloy DCM. He was born in 1884 and Assistant Surgeon Dr. Kenneth Percival Elloy DCM. He was born in 1884 and
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retired in 1939. He also served in France, Mesopotamia and Palestine in retired in 1939. He also served in France, Mesopotamia and Palestine in tired in 1939. He also served in France, Mesopotamia and Palestine in World War I.
He remained in Gangtok until February 1932. He remained in Gangtok until February 1932.

Dr. Elloy was replaced by Dr. W.Dr. Elloy was replaced by Dr. W. St A. Hendricks as Civil Surgeon. He was an AngloSt A. Hendricks as Civil Surgeon. He was an Anglo-
Indian. He was also a member of the IMS, the first officer Indian. He was also a member of the IMS, the first officer of the higher service to hold f the higher service to hold
the Civil Surgeon position.

Post merger this bungalow came to be used as Chief Justice’s residence till 2016. This low came to be used as Chief Justice’s residence till 2016. This low came to be used as Chief Justice’s residence till 2016. This
residence is now converted as High Court of Sikkim Museum.residence is now converted as High Court of Sikkim Museum.

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