John Robert (Robin) Blackburne
Consultant surgeon Hull Royal Infirmary, Victoria Children's Hospital, and East Riding Hospitals 1945-74 (b Buenos Aires 1909; q London 1932; FRCS, DSc (Hon Causa)), died from bronchopneumonia on 16 July 2001. When he first went to Hull in 1936, he did general surgery in all the specialties except ophthalmology. He was a dedicated BMA man and served on several committees, both nationally and locally. Robin was called up to the Royal Army Medical Corps two days before war was declared. He served in France and Belgium and was evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk in 1940. He was subsequently posted to West Africa, but returned to the United Kingdom for the invasion of Europe, evacuating and treating casualties from the beaches at Arromanche. He was then posted to India and was later sent with a hospital ship for the invasion of Burma at Rangoon. When in 1945 the senior consultant surgeon at the Hull Royal Infirmary retired, Robin was out of touch in Sumatra, dealing with the repatriation of prisoners of war and internees. But the retiring surgeon applied for the vacancy in Robin's name, and he took up post in 1945, having concluded his military service as a lieutenant colonel. He served on the court and council of Hull University. As a young man, he was a useful tennis player, winning the singles championship as a student at Barts and in 1939 that of Hull and East Riding. His hobbies were travelling and, after retiring, silversmithing. His wife, Aase, died a week before his death after 64 years of marriage. He leaves four children and six grandchildren. [self written]
David John Gee
Emeritus professor of forensic pathology University of Leeds (b 1931; q King's 1954 (Jelf medallist); CBE, FRCPath, DMJ), d 5 June 2001. He served as medical officer to a Gurkha regiment in Malaya. He was a demonstrator in pathology at King's in 1957-9, was appointed assistant lecturer in the department of forensic medicine at Leeds in 1959, and was appointed professor and head of department in 1972. He was a lucid and fair but firm witness, and was involved in many major cases, including those of the “Moors Murders” and the “Yorkshire Ripper.” He was also actively involved in ongoing research projects for the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence. His interests outside medicine ranged from jazz to “green man” carvings on ancient abbeys and churches. He painted in oils and did much work on behalf of people with disabilities. He became ill in 1986. He leaves a wife, Eileen, and three children.
by M A Green
Barbara Cunningham King
Former consultant radiologist Guy's and associated hospitals (q London 1956; FRCR), died from a stroke on 3 November 2000. Her junior appointments were at Charing Cross and Beckenham Hospitals, but her radiological training was entirely at Guy's, and she remained there for the rest of her career. She was responsible for the early introduction of ultrasonography to Guy's. She also provided a general radiological service for southeast London, based at New Cross and St Olave's hospitals. This was especially congenial to her, as her family was an important light industrial employer in the area. She continued to live in the family home in Eltham until her retirement, when she moved to Middleton in Sussex. Barbara was an accomplished horsewoman and continued her interest in the British Horse Society and at Hickstead for many years. She was unmarried.
by Osmond Hoskins and Hugh Saxton
David Mander
Former general practitioner Hope Valley, Derbyshire (b 1920; q Sheffield 1945; DRCOG), d 8 May 2001. Of his many and varied interests, cricket loomed large in his undergraduate days. He was a keen chess player throughout life and loved languages, mathematics, and travel. He initially specialised in obstetrics, which was to hold him in good stead in his long career as a country doctor. He joined a practice in Hope Valley in 1948, at the start of the NHS, in which he was a great believer. In time he found many of his patients had been delivered by himself. The only part of his work that he did not appear to like was collecting fees and filling in forms. His long and happy retirement gave him the time and opportunity to visit his numerous and young relatives around the world. His gift for talking to young people was particularly evident within his family. He leaves a wife, Annelle; four children; and 12 grandchildren.
by Anthony Mander
John Leicester Sharp
Former general practitioner Dewsbury, Yorkshire, and Hazel Grove, Cheshire (b 1914; q Leeds 1938), d 25 May 2001. He was chairman of the Dewsbury division of the BMA in 1959-60. His interests included men's lacrosse, which he played at school, university, and county (Yorkshire) level. He also enjoyed painting and photography and was a member of the Medical Art Society, London. He leaves a wife, Madeline; two children; and four grandchildren.
by Madeline Sharp