Sir Robert Alexander Chermside, M.D., was the third son of Dr. Chermside, of Portaferry, co. Down, and was bred a surgeon. In 1810 he entered the medical service of the army as assistant surgeon to the 7th Hussars. He served in Spain, France, and Flanders, and was present at the battle of Waterloo, immediately after which he was promoted to the surgeoncy of the 10th Hussars. He graduated doctor of medicine at Edinburgh in 1817 (D.M.I. de Aqua frigida), and was admitted a Licentiate of the College of Physicians 16th April, 1821; shortly after which he settled in Paris where he was held in high esteem, was generally consulted by the English residents in that city, and was physician to the British embassy. He also held the appointment of physician extraordinary to the duchess of Kent.

In recognition of his war services he was, on the 31st July, 1835, created a knight commander of the Guelphic Hanoverian Order; he was also a knight of St. John of Jerusalem; a knight of the Red Eagle of Prussia (conferred for services to the Prussian troops in the campaign of 1815), and a knight of the Legion of Honour of France. Sir Robert Chermside was admitted a Fellow of the College of Physicians 27th April, 1843, and he died at Oxford 8th September, 1860.

William Munk