James Alexander (“Hamish”) Chalmers
Consultant obstetrician Worcester 1951-77 (b Inverness 1912; q Edinburgh 1934; MD, FRCOG), d 1 August 1998. After spending the second world war as a medical officer with coastal command he returned to Inverness as a consultant in 1946 and then moved to Worcester to set up the Dame Hilda Lloyd maternity department. Hamish introduced the obstetric vacuum extractor (ventouse) into British practice. His interest in the instrument extended to a world wide trawl of activities and publications, which led to the publication of an acclaimed monograph, The Ventouse. His enthusiasm led to numerous trips abroad—for example, to see Finderle in Yugoslavia, who had invented his own vacuum extractor in 1952, and later he developed a lasting friendship with Tage Malmström, whose instrument became more widely adopted. The final vindication of his life’s work came from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which has recommended the vacuum extractor as the instrument of first choice for operative vaginal delivery. His student memories of traumatic labours remained real; he once saw a woman die after 17 different applications of forceps. His legacy includes generations of grateful registrars who benefited from his direct supervision. Hamish was proud of his son Iain’s work in establishing the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit in Oxford. Predeceased by his wife, Lois, he leaves two sons; a daughter; and four grandchildren.
Norman Creighton
General practitioner Buckinghamshire (b Harefield 1913; q Guy’s 1936), died from prostatic carcinoma on 9 July 1998. After qualifying “when there were only three cures: quinine for malaria, vitamin C for scurvy, and mercury for syphilis,” Norman set up in general practice in Gerrards Cross. It was thought initially that he would not succeed as he was told that his Talbot 9 resembled a sardine tin and he really ought to wear a hat. In addition after two stillbirths in the first few weeks he nearly gave up himself. His scientific and logical reasoning prevailed, and he deduced that with better antenatal care these unnecessary early deaths might be prevented. He encouraged close liaison with district nurses which was unusual at the time. GPs were required to do all their own laboratory tests and he quickly trained his daughter to perform white blood cell counts, ESR estimations, and Fehling’s urinary tests. Refused entry to the Royal Army Medical Corps on health grounds he and the other remaining GP took on extra medical duties and spent alternate nights in the local emergency bus set up to respond quickly to local air attacks. A curiosity and enthusiasm in all things mechanical and innovative was kindled early in life and this translated into a fascination with chiropractic and osteopathy, which benefited his patients greatly. He would also inspire and entertain grandchildren with simple scientific challenges such as getting a whole egg into a milk bottle. In retirement he derived pleasure from gardening, in Britain and Menorca, where he was consulted from time to time, doing manipulations and being paid in melons. The only interruption was the onset of metastatic bladder cancer 12 years ago, for which he received chemotherapy and made an unexpected full recovery. He enjoyed being an exhibit at one of the Royal Society of Medicine’s short case shows. He leaves a wife, Jean; three daughters (one a GP); nine grandchildren (one in medical oncology); and nine great grandchildren.
by Marcia Hall
Thomas Hugh English
Former general practitioner Nantwich, Cheshire (b Singapore 1927; q Cambridge/The London 1954), died from cancer on 9 July 1998. Tom served as an officer in the Black Watch for three years. He was always at the forefront of improving general practice; was a representative at the BMA’s annual meeting for three years; and served on various committees of the Royal College of General Practitioners. After 13 years in the New Forest he worked in Jersey for a year before moving to Nantwich where he practised for 26 years. Tom was a generous host, a fine golfer, and a lover of music and the arts. He leaves a wife, Christine; a son and two daughters; and three grandchildren.
by John Harris
Roger Philip Golding
Retired principal medical officer Bristol prison (b Bristol 1933; q Oxford/Westminster 1958) died from the effects of chronic alcoholism on 10 July 1998. He joined his father in general practice in Bristol in 1959. The practice was among the first to undertake routine screening of 60 year old patients and the first in Bristol to have an attached practice district nurse, health visitor, and midwife. His growing interest in alcoholism and the care of chemically dependent people led him to become involved with the Avon Council on Alcoholism where he succeeded Gethin Morgan as chairman. At a time when relevant statutory services were fragmented he played an important part in ensuring that coordinated help was available in the voluntary sector. He subsequently became medical director of Broadway Lodge, a treatment centre for chemical dependency in Weston-super-Mare, and then moved to Bristol prison, where he prepared the way for the development of services for chemically dependent prisoners. When a major riot occurred he placed himself at personal risk in ensuring the safety of staff and tending to the welfare of prisoners who needed help. He developed post traumatic stress disorder and retired early. He continued his involvement with hockey and cricket for the Old Bristolians Club. He retained his love of good food, conversation, music, and the theatre, and was a great raconteur. He leaves a wife, Elizabeth; a daughter (a doctor); and a son.
by Robert Brown and Gethin Morgan
John Richard Hewett
Senior hospital medical officer in psychiatry Dykebar Hospital, Paisley (b Stourbridge 1915; q Glasgow 1940; DRCOG), died from a cerebral vascular accident on 20 July 1998. During the war he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in the Middle East, Ceylon, and India. After periods in general practice and house officer posts he specialised in psychiatry in 1953, working firstly in Glasgow and then Paisley until he retired in 1980. He was a well known figure to many of his psychiatrist colleagues. His patients thought the world of him, and he was affectionately known, not only to his close family and friends, as “Uncle Jack.” He never married.
by David Bradford
Arthur Richard (“Dick”) Kittermaster
Former consultant pathologist Kent and Sussex Hospital (b 1928; q Cambridge/St Thomas’s 1953; FRCPath), died from cerebral glioma on 10 July 1998. Dick was a well travelled infant by the time he was sent home to be educated as his father was a colonial governor and served in the Nyasaland protectorate. He was a good raconteur and had a good speaking voice which he used to advantage by winning the college reading prize. At Cambridge he excelled at all ball games and won blues for Eton fives. Subsequently, he and his partner achieved international fame to beat the invincible Peter May brothers. He was a competent fly fisherman and an active member of the Rye Golf Club, and played to a lowish handicap. One of his tasks was to induct new members. Dick was a prolific writer and took commissions on delicate subjects, such as A Medical View of Calvary. He leaves a wife, Liz, and three daughters.
by P M O Massey
Anthony Robert Lyons
Lecturer in orthopaedic and accident surgery Queen’s Medical Centre and University of Nottingham 1994-8 (b Cardiff 1964; q UCL 1987 (Riker elective studies first prize); FRCSEd), took his own life on 26 July 1998 as a result of depression. He did house officer posts in Birmingham, Nottingham, and Derby. Since his appointment at Nottingham he had become an internationally recognised expert on osteoporosis, published several research papers and chapters in books, and lectured at international conferences. He set up and ran the Nottingham limb of the international multicentre study of alendronate for preventing osteoporosis; initiated the study of the use of alendronate for treating mechanical loosening of hip replacements for which he won the Malkin prize for the best Nottingham orthopaedic research paper in 1997; and investigated the bone health of farmers and Gulf war veterans. Outside medicine he was a keen skier and mountaineer with experience in the United States, the French Alps, and the Himalayas. He was a qualified sailor and derived pleasure from his home, his garden, and walking his dogs.
by W Angus Wallace
Dominic William Andrew McCreadie
Formerly chief medical adviser and assistant director of the building division of the Common Services Agency 1977-87 (b Glasgow 1922; q Glasgow 1945; FRCP, FFPHM), d 19 August 1998. He worked in Kuwait from 1949 to 1962 where he was involved in building three hospitals and was medical director of two. As chief medical officer of the American Independent Oil Company he wrote the history of the Kuwait medical services from 1912-63. From 1963-93 he was involved in the building of all major hospitals, medical units, hospital upgradings, and over 200 health centres in Scotland. His PhD thesis was on planning for primary health care in Scotland. He published numerous papers on hospital building, served on national and international committees, and was World Health Organisation representative on radiology planning in developing countries. From 1965-82 he was principal medical officer, Scottish Home and Health Department. He advised several foreign governments, particularly in the Middle East. After retirement he and his wife wrote a biography on Alexander Roche, one of the Glasgow school of painters. His other interests included the philately of the Gulf states, examining in first aid, swimming, and gardening. He was a member of the Incorporation of Hammermen and a burgess of the City of Glasgow. He leaves a wife, Pat; two sons; and five grandchildren.
by Dominic McCreadie
Rosalie Ada Helen Paul
Former general practitioner London and Edinburgh (b Edinburgh 1924; q Edinburgh 1948), died from breast cancer on 23 May 1998, 10 years after the first diagnosis. After studying obstetrics in Edinburgh she worked at the Mothers’ Hospital in London run by the Salvation Army. There she came under the influence of Dr Gertrude Dodds who contributed to Rosalie’s independence of spirit. She believed in being involved with her patients and their illnesses in a way that has become unfashionable. Never a feminist in the modern sense, she held her own personally and professionally with her colleagues. Although small in stature, she was large in generosity both in professional time and energy.
by Henry H Gebbie
Anthony Ferrier Stallard
General practitioner Hereford 1946-74 (b Ipswich 1909; q St Bartholomew’s 1934) d 2 July 1998. In 1937 he sailed to China as a ship’s doctor, and on the outbreak of the second world war he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, becoming medical officer to 2nd Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps (60th). At the defence of Calais in 1940 he was taken prisoner; during five years of captivity he was held in several camps, working as medical officer. He developed a keen interest in ear, nose, and throat surgery, mainly because he was the owner of the only ENT instruments available. He also worked for British Intelligence, sending coded letters to England. He was awarded the MBE for his war work. As the son of a country parson and a devout Christian, a loving concern and unlimited patience were inbuilt in his character. His chief interests outside medicine were gardening, reading, surfing, and collecting antique weapons. Predeceased by his first wife, Molly, he leaves their two daughters; his second wife, Diana; and three grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service for Dr Vernon Hall, who died on 19 August, in the chapel of King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AN on Thursday 15 October at 2 30 pm.
by Serena Stallard