In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19
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In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19
INTRODUCTION
President’s introduction: in tribute to
colleagues who have died from COVID-19
On one hand, this is a publication that the colleagues they worked with. They
ideally should never have needed to are role models for us all.
be produced. On the other, it is good
we have the opportunity to celebrate As the progression of the vaccine
the lives of the physicians who died programme offers us hope for the
during the pandemic. future, unfortunately 2021 has already
seen more of our membership lose their
When we first published this collection of
lives to COVID-19, and we will of course
obituaries in December 2020, I worried
continue to update this memorial, as well
that more tributes would unfortunately
as reflecting on the best way to honour
still need be written. I hope that this
their memories in the months to come.
updated edition, republished in June
2021, includes all of our members
We will also be creating a permanent
and fellows who have sadly died from
memorial to all of the members and
COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. If you are
aware of anyone we may have missed, fellows that have died from COVID-19,
please let us know. which will be in the grounds of our
Regent’s Park home. Other memorials will
Although such a collection of obituaries be created around the world for doctors
represents a huge loss to our physician and other emergency care workers, but
family, reading through them is ours will be dedicated to those who are
remarkably inspiring as well. So much has members of the RCP family. We will
been achieved by each and every one of unveil this when, hopefully, the worst
our colleagues celebrated here that our of the pandemic is over, and we will
memories of them and the legacies they announce further news when we can.
leave behind are all positive. I am proud
that they were members and fellows of For the moment though, let’s celebrate Professor Andrew Goddard
the RCP and that they all changed the the lives of our colleagues in the pages RCP president
lives of the patients they cared for and hereafter. May they rest in peace.
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19 1
Contents Matteo Adinolfi 3 Mohankumar Adiseshiah 5 Medhat Atalla 7 Nigel Baber 8 Tapan Banerjee 10 William (Bill) Cattell 11 Bruno Cheong 13 Judith Darmady 14 Michael Udoh-aka Eshiett 16 Alfred William (Bill) Frankland 18 Anthony (Tony) Gershlick 20 Kenneth Goldman 22 John Griffin 23 Martin Mansell 24 Victor Miller 26 John Norris 28 Sivaramakrishna Iyer Padmavati 30 Jacob Plange-Rhule 32 Alfa Sa’adu 34 Anton Sebastianpillai 36 Tariq Shafi 38 David Slattery 39 David ‘Brailsford’ Tong 41 Peter Tun 43 In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19 in 20202
Matteo Adinolfi MRCP
10 December 1928 – 26 April 2020
PhD(1954), MD(1966), MRCP(1997)
Matteo Adinolfi was medical school, where he and his
international colleagues developed
born in 1928 in Asmara, brush. This allowed use of only a
laser microscopy in prenatal
Eritrea, to Attilio, a bank diagnoses of chromosome disorders few cells to make the diagnosis of
manager, and his wife and single cell gene defects. For the various genetic anomalies. Their
initial paper was published in The
Maria (née Sellitti), who next 30 years, Adinolfi worked as a
Lancet in 1995. A similar technique
consultant, teacher, and researcher
had fled there from Italy is now used to detect fetal cells in
at Guy’s and at University College
to escape fascism. Attilio Hospital, and in Lambeth, Southwark, maternal blood, allowing for a fully
had been able to arramge and Lewisham Area Health Authority. non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of
fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
a transfer to the bank’s In 1983, he was appointed professor
of developmental immunology at the This has been a revolution in
Eritrean branch. prenatal diagnosis, and Matteo
University of London, and in 1994 he
went to the Galton Institute at UCL. certainly contributed to it. I had the
Adinolfi remembered attending privilege and honour to contribute
a local school with a handful of to some of their projects. Matteo
His colleague Eric Jauniaux recalled:
other Italian children, and enjoyed was a true gentleman, modest
trips to the seaside. In his teens, ‘ I first met Matteo soon after I was but enthusiastic, greater than life,
he developed a lifelong passion appointed at UCL in 1995. I was a and dedicated to his work. I had
for Russian novels. On a visit back very young senior lecturer then and the opportunity to meet him and
to Naples in 1943, the family was he was already a scientific celebrity. his wife socially and have great
trapped by the advancing war and Although we did not work in the memories of these events and,
unable to return to Africa. Attilio same department, he had a well- of course, of his fantastic Italian
joined the navy. Matteo, his mother, established research relationship dishes.’
and two sisters fled the bombing with Charles Rodeck, pioneer in
of Naples, taking shelter in the fetal medicine. Together they Rodeck recalled:
surrounding hillside. They fled from established collaboration on the
one hill to another, foraging for food, use of transcervical trophoblastic ‘ After retiring from Guy’s, Matteo
and finding shelter where they could. cells for the early diagnosis of relocated to the Galton Lab (as it
Matteo was half starved and severely genetic anomalies. This was an then was) at UCL. I had returned
ill with gastroenteritis; the experience incredibly difficult technique that to UCL as head of the department
motivated him to become a doctor. Matteo had managed to develop of obstetrics and gynaecology a
and perfect. In the 1990s it was few years earlier and needed a
Adinolfi read medicine at the considered as a possible alternative collaborator in genetics to work
University of Naples and worked to invasive prenatal diagnostic on prenatal diagnosis. It was ideal
there until 1962. In the same year, techniques, such as amniocentesis that our interests overlapped so
he moved to London and joined and placental biopsy or chorionic much. Genetic analytic techniques
the haematology research unit villous sampling, which Rodeck had become so sensitive and
at the Wright Fleming Institute, had pioneered. In brief, instead sophisticated that we were able to
as well as practising at St Mary’s of having to put a needle inside do research on single cell analysis
Hospital. In 1966 he was awarded the uterus of a pregnant woman for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.
his doctorate in immunology at the at risk of a genetic anomaly, their He would drop into my office
University of London and became technique consisted of gently frequently, wearing his jaunty
a senior lecturer at the paediatric harvesting placental cells from the cap, and liven up the day. He and
research unit at Guy’s Hospital and cervix of the patient using a simple his co-workers collaborated with
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-193
my research fellows and trainees, types of printing techniques and, printing techniques, and read modern
and were helpful to and much more recently, how to make metal literature and poetry, which was
appreciated by the latter. It was sculptures. My collages, etchings, another lifelong passion.
a very productive period. What a linocuts and sculptures are shown
remarkable life he had. Those roots in galleries (and even sold) at least He published hundreds of scientific
in Naples, the early years in Africa, twice a year. Sometimes I suspect papers and contributed to many
and then a hugely distinguished they have made me more ‘famous’ books.
career in London.’ than my scientific papers, at least
among my friends.’ He leaves his wife, Jennifer, and three
Throughout his career, Adinolfi
children – Carlo, Nora, and Marina –
mentored many students. According He and other scientists founded from his first marriage to Annetta De
to Terry Gibson, consultant the popular 407 Art Club at Guy’s Giorgio, which ended in divorce. His
rheumatologist at Guy’s: ‘Matteo was Hospital, inviting doctors and nurses second wife, Camille Guthrie, died in
rarely without a retinue of students as to join. He met his wife, Jennifer
he walked along the corridors.’ 1975.
Williams, an artist, at an etching class
at the City Literary Institute in 1978
Adinolfi was also a talented artist. Rebecca Wallersteiner
and they married in 1985. The couple
In his youth, he had been tempted participated in artist book fairs and
to attend art college. He explained: This obituary was originally
shared creative projects.
published online by the BMJ:
‘A large part of my time has been,
and is still, spent doing artwork Adinolfi retired in 2004, aged 76, www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.
and attending evening art classes, which provided him with more time m3309
where I have learned different to create, learn different types of
Examples of Matteo’s artwork. Left: To the galaxies (1976). Right: Al concerto (1996).
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-194
Mohankumar Adiseshiah FRCP
20 May 1941 – 24 April 2020
MBBS(1965), FRCS(1969), MA(1977), MS(1978), FRCP(1998)
Mohankumar Adiseshiah
(known by all as Mo) was
born in Madras, (now
Chennai) India in 1941.
His father, Malcolm
Adiseshiah, was an
internationally renowned
UNESCO educationalist.
His mother Helen (nee
Paranjoti) was the
daughter of a prominent
clergyman.
Mo attended La Martiniere College
in Lucknow prior to moving to the
UK, where he attended Wandsworth
School in south London. From there,
he was successful in obtaining an
entrance state scholarship to Kings
and in Cambridge. He later spent Huntingdon Hospital to a full district
and Westminster Medical School.
time as a research fellow in Toronto general hospital with the help of the
and as a lecturer in Hong Kong. He then local MP, Sir John Major.
Mo graduated from Westminster
Medical School in 1965 and was was particularly influenced in his
training by Harold Ellis, Charles Drew, Mo returned to the Middlesex
awarded the Arthur Evans memorial
David Bailey and G B Ong in Hong Hospital and UCH in 1982, serving
prize in surgery. He subsequently
Kong, and Ronald Baird in Toronto. with enviable distinction in many
became a fellow of both the Royal
He was awarded an MA (Camb) in capacities in the hospital and
College of Surgeons in 1969 and the
university, until his retirement.
RCP. 1977 and MS (London) in 1978.
As clinical director for surgery, he
On return to the UK he was
redefined vascular surgery as an
Following house officer posts at the appointed as a consultant surgeon
emerging subspecialty of general
Westminster and St George’s he in Huntingdon and a lecturer in
surgery and oversaw the transition
commenced his surgical training at Cambridge. Typical of Mo, he threw
of the service to the current excellent
University College Hospital London himself energetically into upgrading UCLH main campus.
He maintained a commitment
to surgical research throughout
Mo loved to travel. A visionary surgeon his career and published widely.
from the start, he understood that we However, his most enduring legacy
is undoubtedly his pioneering role in
can only see as far as our horizons. the early development of minimally
invasive endoluminal stent graft
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-195
repair, as an alternative to open horizons. His professional travels was also passionately concerned
surgery. He was a very early convert, took him to every continent. As about the plight of the Palestinians
cobbling together homemade early a regular invited faculty member in Gaza.
prototypes, and patenting the UCL at international meetings, he Surviving a major stroke in November
technique in 1995. He stuck with this contributed tirelessly. He served 2018, the cruellest blow to a surgeon
new technique through its, at times on the Council of the Vascular who had saved countless others from
underwhelming ‘endo-gloominal’ Society and published over 100 the same fate, he regained some
infancy while training, publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals,
quality of his life only to be taken by
and participating in defining trials for including book chapters and national
COVID-19.
what is now the global default aortic newspaper articles. He chaired the
operative approach. To Mo and his medical committee and was a trustee
small band of pioneering colleagues, of St Luke’s Hospital for the clergy. Mo was a wise, compassionate and
the vascular community owe a wealth generous man and is survived by
of gratitude. Mo adored cricket, rugby union his wife Maria, six children and two
(Saracens) and the theatre, being granddaughters.
Mo loved to travel. A visionary responsible for a number of raucous
surgeon from the start, he understood productions while at medical school. Irving Taylor
that we can only see as far as our He played squash and the violin. He
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-196
Medhat Atalla MRCP
3 January 1958 – 22 April 2020
MB ChB(1981), MSc(1987), MRCP(2005),
FRCP(Edin)(2017)
A greatly respected and much-loved doctor, his colleagues describe him as a
gentleman, whose smile would light up a room.
Medhat was born 1958 in Egypt and, Dr Andrew Oates, consultant how Medhat held his ward teams in
as a boy, was the country’s 100 and geriatrician and clinical director, very high regard and viewed them as
200 metre freestyle and breaststroke had known Medhat since he was family.
champion. He was the eldest of a specialist registrar in geriatric
three siblings, and his father was medicine. He remembers him as an Dr Rekha Ramanath, consultant
Mr Soby Atalla, a vice minister in the extremely hardworking colleague, geriatrician, colleague and close
Department of Electric Ministry in who was very enthusiastic about his personal friend, wrote of Dr Atalla:
Egypt. work and a quick learner, reflecting:
‘ To me, he was a very special friend
‘He was a truly wonderful person to
and a fantastic colleague. We
Medhat obtained his Bachelor of have in the department.’
worked together for the last ten
Medicine and Surgery degree from
years in perfect harmony. He was a
the prestigious Ain Shams University Nursing staff fondly remember
gentleman, and addressed me and
in Cairo in 1981, before going on his personal approach to his work.
all his colleagues by our surname.
to practise medicine across three He was very meticulous, and he
He grinned cheekily every time I
continents: Africa, Asia and Europe. reminded the staff to record lying
reminded him to call me Rekha,
A hugely distinguished health and standing blood pressures at all
rather than Dr Ramanath. He worked
professional, Dr Atalla had been a times, and was known for chasing
until he developed symptoms of
consultant physician and geriatrician colleagues with an observations sheet
COVID-19. He came to me when he
at Doncaster Royal Infirmary since in-hand to ensure it was competed –
needed assistance and considered
2011, a fellow of the Royal College which always made them laugh.
me part of his close-knit family. I was
of Physicians (Edinburgh) and also
privileged to be with him, holding his
an examiner for MRCP(UK) PACES Holding a special place of affection
hand, while he took his last breath.’
examinations – a role he enjoyed among them, staff nurses always kept
immensely. at least one tendon hammer hidden
Above all else, Dr Medhat Atalla will
on the ward at all times, available
be missed, forever honoured and
In early 2020, Medhat began for his specific use. Reflecting upon
remembered by all of us at Doncaster
exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, their much-missed colleague, they
and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals.
and unfortunately his condition remember most his great ability to
He was a truly special doctor and a
deteriorated rapidly. Diligently cared make everyone comfortable, how his
uniquely gentle, gentleman – may he
for by the same nurses and doctors smile would light up the room, and
rest in peace.
he worked alongside, he passed how he provided the best care for his
away peacefully, surrounded by his patients while also taking care of the
colleagues and friends. staff – he was their trusted friend. This tribute has been jointly
written by staff at Doncaster
Dr Atalla was greatly respected and Dr Victoria Barradell, consultant and Bassetlaw Teaching
loved by all who knew him, and a geriatrician, remembers his constant Hospitals Trust.
number of colleagues have shared willingness to bend over backwards
their memories of him. to help his colleagues, describing
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-197
Nigel Baber FRCP
6 March 1945 – 18 January 2021
BSc(1966), MBChB(1969), MRCP(1972),
FRCP(1990), FFPM(1992), FRCPE(1997),
DipClinPharm(Hon)(1998)
A courteous doctor and father, who applied his phenomenal memory in the fields of
clinical pharmacology and medicines’ regulation.
My Dad, Dr Nigel Scott Baber The lady to whom I refer is, of my Ordinary Level examinations I
(hereafter ‘Nigel’), was a very special course, my mum. couldn’t remember a single word
man, with whom I have shared many of my set texts – except that one of
pleasant times. My mum and I are Nigel had a varied career, becoming Pliny’s letters contained the Latin
missing him greatly. His absence, too, first a member of the Royal College for the phrase ‘What is the point of
will be felt by others – both within our of Physicians (of London) and, later, all this?’ – this showed how much
family and beyond. a fellow of this institution, a fellow stronger my father’s memory was
of the Royal College of Physicians of than mine. In his period as a manager
Born in Oxford, Nigel spent most his Edinburgh, a fellow of the Faculty of at the Medicines Control Agency –
formative years in Banbury – with the Pharmaceutical Medicine, a fellow of later the Medicines and Healthcare
rest of these in Westcliff-on-Sea, while the British Pharmacological Society, products Regulatory Agency, Nigel
his father – who worked for Barclays and the recipient of a diploma in was finickity for detail – and would
bank – travelled to the bank’s clinical pharmacology (honoris causa) not give way to pressure from
office in nearby Rochford. While in from the Society of Apothecaries of companies, politicians or regulators
Banbury, Nigel attended Overthorpe London. He was initially a hospital to licence, or renew the licence of,
Preparatory School, progressing to doctor, then a GP, then a clinical a pharmaceutical product that he
Banbury Grammar School and thence pharmacologist – working for three of considered to be risky. If he had still
to the University of Birmingham the world’s leading pharmaceutical been working there during this period
– where he qualified as a medical companies over a period spanning of the COVID-19 pandemic, only the
doctor. Nigel was a keen cricketer, more than 20 years. Then Nigel put safest vaccines would have passed his
and was an opening batsman for his pharmacological expertise at the assessment.
the Grammar School – practising for service of the government, working
many hours with his father in the as a medical regulator for several Nigel wrote many published papers
long, narrow garden of his home. He years. Before his full retirement, Nigel during his career, and was on the
was also hard-working, sensitive and was employed by the University Editorial Board, then the Executive
ambitious, with his focus on training of Hertfordshire as an expert in its Editorial Board, and then the Editorial
in medicine being to an extent due biosciences division. Management Board for the British
to his admiration for local general Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
practitioner Dr Wharton. Nigel’s exceptional memory was a He held the post of reviews editor
strong asset in the management on the Editorial Management Board,
In the latter days of his time at of medicinal products and in the and enjoyed this work greatly.
Banbury Grammar School, one of determination of safety requirements He also contributed chapters to a
Nigel’s friends was Brian Voakes in the licencing of medicines. He leading pharmacology textbook,
– whose family had moved to outperformed me while we went thus forerunning me as a writer of
Adderbury from Ireland. Nigel fell through my set texts for Ordinary- monographs.
in love with one of Brian’s sisters, level Latin, by quoting fluently the
later proposing to her successfully translation of passages from his Nigel had a lifelong interest in
and marrying her in St John the Ordinary Level Latin examination woodwork. Over many years, he
Evangelist Catholic Church, Banbury. 24 years earlier. As 24 years after constructed wardrobes, cupboards,
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19 8
me at home, which was taken many
years ago by Nigel in Arkengarthdale,
In his retirement years, Nigel took up with a book entitled ‘Yorkshire Dales’
in my hand. This is some of the most
the specialist hobby of wood carving. majestic scenery in the whole UK,
which we shared together. It, and our
Several of his impressive wood carvings time together there, is forever etched
in my mind.
are located in our home.
Nigel managed the demands of
cabinets, radiator covers, an oak District, the Yorkshire Dales, the career, family and hobbies as well as
table, a cross-bow, and legs for a Yorkshire Moors, the Pentland Hills, he could – although he was never
snooker table – among other items. the Cheviot Hills, the Brecon Beacons a pram-pusher or a school-runner.
He didn’t even like catching the bus,
In his leisure time, he was often and the Black Mountains. ‘Shall we go
although he did take the train to and
found in his work-shed making a walking, son?’ was always the call, to
from central London in his time as a
mortise-and-tenon joint or planing which I often had a mixed response
government regulator.
a piece of wood. In his retirement – being of a more settled disposition
years, Nigel took up the specialist than he. One of the memories that
Nigel was well-travelled, both in
hobby of wood carving. Several of his I would like to share with you is of a
association with his professional
impressive wood carvings are located 17-mile walk that we did in July in the
work during his time as a clinical
in our home – one in my study which Pentland Hills, where purple-flowering
pharmacologist and also with the
is kindly labelled ‘Teacher, Scholar, heather abounded, the sun shone, family. With his work, he went to
Musician’ and dedicated to me in the and we did not see another person places to which I have not been
form of a large ‘G’. all day. This was pure bliss. There and am unlikely to go – including,
was no scrambling or climbing – just for instance, Egypt, Iran and Saudi
For a few years during my youth, strenuous walking for much of the Arabia. But he was always a lover of
Nigel sang tenor in the Wilmslow day in the beautiful, largely-unknown central and southern Europe – and
Opera Group. Later, he sang bass in scenery. Another is the rush along the especially of Italy. He longed to take
the Stevenage Choral and Hertford River Ure to the bridge at Wensley – a retirement property in Tuscany
Choral Societies. For most of the latter which is flat, so much speed can be or Umbria, where he enjoyed the
time, he and I would travel together gained. We did this at least twice, scenery and the way of life.
– as choral singing is an interest that chatting of this and that. A third is the
we shared. walk over the ridge from Swaledale I remember Nigel as a friend and
into Arkengarthdale – where companion as well as father, especially
Nigel and I also shared an interest magnificent views open up over the in my adult years. In the time ahead,
in rambling. He and I have together northern Pennines, and the traffic on he will be very much missed.
been up hill and down dale on the the A66 can be seen snaking its way
Pennine Way, the fells of the Lake across the vista. There is a picture of Graeme Baber
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-199Tapan Banerjee FRCP
3 November 1940 – 31 July 2020
MBBS(1965), MRCP(1973), FRCP(1991),
FRCP(Edin)(1994)
‘Dr Banerjee exmplified all the best attributes of a physician, putting the care of his
patients and the support of his trainees and colleagues at the heart of his work.’
Dr Tapan Kumar Banerjee was born Sri Aurobindo Seva Kendra (a not- Goddard, president of the RCP, wrote
as Chandrashekhar Kumar Banerjee. for-profit hospital), and the Apollo in a letter: ‘He exemplified all the best
He resolved, at quite a young age, to Gleneagles Medical Centre. He was attributes of a physician, putting the
jettison his formal birth name and be also associated with the US Consulate care of his patients and the support
known by his simpler nickname, on the in Calcutta as its chief medical adviser. of his trainees and colleagues at the
grounds that it sounded less ornate. Dr Banerjee kept alive his association heart of his work.’
This, in many ways, would foreshadow with the RCP in London by serving as
his personal and professional world an international adviser for several Professor Andrew Elder, former
view. As an obituary in India’s years. He was also appointed as one president of the RCP in Edinburgh
Statesman newspaper observed, of the first Indian examiners for the and former medical director of
Dr Banerjee was ‘among the last of MRCP PACES examination, examining PACES, issued a statement describing
a dying breed in this world of super- in Calcutta and Chennai. He played a Dr Banerjee as ‘a tremendous
specialisations, an old-school physician pivotal role in bringing and conducting ambassador for medicine, for his city
who trusted his vast experience of the PACES examination in Calcutta, and for his country.’ Among colleagues
medicine and his immense diagnostic which has since hosted examinees in Calcutta he had mentored, noted
skills to offer sound and sensible advice from eastern India, Bangladesh and surgeon Dr Sanjay De Bakshi stated:
to his patients.’ South-East Asia. ‘ I first met Dr Banerjee as a young
resident surgeon at Sri Aurobindo
Dr Banerjee obtained his MBBS degree Dr Banerjee’s patients included Seva Kendra, and was immediately
from Sir Nil Ratan Sircar Medical prominent personalities in India, such taken under his very comforting
College in Calcutta. He subsequently as film stars, international cricketers, and protective wing. This caring
passed his MRCP examination and artists, politicians, civil servants mentorship was unstintingly
became a fellow of the RCP in London and diplomats. He also tended to extended to me when I returned
and Edinburgh. Prior to working hundreds of patients from modest from my 4-year stint in the UK with
in India, Dr Banerjee worked as a backgrounds for little or no fee. an FRCS. Dr Banerjee went that extra
house officer at Selly Oak Hospital A popular raconteur, he was a mile to teach a young surgeon how
in Birmingham, registrar at Bedford member of various prestigious social to set up surgical practice in Calcutta
Hospital, senior registrar at Ipswich clubs, such as the Bengal Club (where and never lose the spirit of honesty,
Hospital, and consultant physician at he became its 107th president in integrity and empathy, something he
Sunderland Royal Hospital. During this 2000), the Tollygunge Club and the himself never ever compromised on.’
period, Dr Angus Buchanan, consultant Calcutta Club. At the Bengal Club,
physician at Bedford Hospital, he advocated for a relaxation in the Dr Banerjee was survived by his wife
ranked as one of Dr Banerjee’s most membership criteria for doctors (who Binita, sons Arnab and Arpan, and
important mentors. he felt were subject to unfairly high older brother Dr Dilip Banerjee, a
scrutiny) and succeeded in admitting senior consultant in England, who
On returning to India, Dr Banerjee many colleagues. was fortunate to have made a quick
worked in Calcutta as a senior recovery after contracting COVID-19.
consultant physician at the Calcutta Dr Banerjee passed away while still
Medical Research Institute, the in active practice. Professor Andrew Arpan Banerjee
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-1910William (Bill) Cattell FRCP
25 March 1928 – 11 April 2020
MBChB(1951), MRCP(1956), MRCP(Edin)(1956),
MD(1964), FRCP(Edin)(1969), FRCP(1971)
William (Bill) Ross Cattell Unit and Bill subsequently followed
him as lecturer to help to start a
was a highly regarded
renal service. In 1960, they set up a
nephrologist who regional dialysis unit for acute renal
helped to set up the first failure.
haemodialysis service for
At Barts, Bill became involved in
acute renal failure at St
several animal research projects,
Bartholomew’s Hospital including an investigation of renal
(Barts). function in dogs with obstructive
jaundice, which led to an MD. He
Subsequently, he set up a new renal was awarded a Rockefeller Travelling
unit between Barts and St Leonard’s Fellowship and spent a year working
Hospital, with routine haemodialysis in AS (Bud) Relman’s laboratory in
for chronic renal failure being Boston. When he returned to Barts
undertaken at St Leonard’s. Bill had in 1964 as senior lecturer, he started
a strong commitment to research two major research projects on which
throughout his career, and was much of his reputation rests. The first,
widely recognised for his pioneering on urinary tract infection, was done
studies on urinary tract infection and in collaboration with Francis O’Grady,
renal radiology. He was an excellent professor of microbiology at Barts. therapy, Barts became a regional
teacher and mentor, and was much Their theoretical work on the kinetics dialysis centre in 1965, and Bill was
liked by his patients for his direct of urinary tract infection and their appointed as consultant at both
approach and clear explanations. clinical studies on the management Barts and St Leonard’s Hospital in
of urinary tract infection led to better Shoreditch. He set up a renal unit
Bill’s youth was spent on a farm understanding and management of between the two hospitals, with
near Nairn in northern Scotland. He this common problem. regular haemodialysis being carried
was educated at Inverness Royal out at the new St Leonard’s unit.
Academy and studied medicine in In the second project, on renal In addition, where possible, patients
Edinburgh, where he obtained five radiology, he worked with the were trained to undertake self-
first class merits. Several of his junior radiologist Dr Ian Kelsey Fry. Their supervised haemodialysis at home.
medical posts were in chest medicine studies of the renal excretion of
and he did his National Service in the iodinated contrast medium led to a At that time, demand for dialysis
Suez Canal Zone. He claimed that an better understanding of the factors in end-stage renal failure exceeded
army assessment found him to have affecting the intravenous urogram, supply in the UK. This could be
an IQ of 90, significantly below the and resulted in improved radiological stressful for staff, as could the fact
median – but never revealed what he practice. Bill published over 120 peer- that they were rapidly having to
got up to the night before the test. reviewed papers, and a large number learn management of a relatively
of invited articles and book chapters. new type of treatment. Bill promoted
His interest in renal medicine and He co-authored a book on renal a strong team spirit, with regular
in research was stimulated by imaging and edited one on urinary renal unit meetings at which
working as registrar to Professor tract infection. everyone was encouraged to speak
Max Rosenheim and Dr AG Spencer openly. He was ahead of his time
at University College Hospital. Dr After dialysis for chronic renal failure in that he also arranged for Trevor
Spencer moved to the Barts Medical developed into an established Silverstone, professor of psychiatry,
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-1911tired for 15 years!’ That entreaty
turned the tide.
Bill had a strong commitment to During his career, Bill was involved
research throughout his career, and in NHS administration at both
district and regional levels. He was
was widely recognised for his pioneering a member, and later secretary,
of the Renal Association. He was
studies on urinary tract infection and also a member of Council of the
renal radiology. European Dialysis and Transplant
Association, and a member of the
Medical Research Society, and of the
to attend occasional meetings to work was taken over by a new renal Association of Physicians of Great
discuss issues causing concern to staff unit at the Barts site. An academic Britain and Ireland.
and to provide support. department of nephrology was
established and its laboratory, After retiring from practice, Bill
Further developments included which had a special interest in was honorary librarian at the Royal
the establishment of ‘satellite’ immunoassay, was run by Dr Anne Society of Medicine (RSM) and was
haemodialysis units, and of Dawnay. These research facilities also a member of the Committee
continuous ambulatory peritoneal were used by many young scientists of the Royal Society of Medicine
dialysis. In 1971, Dr Laurence and physicians preparing for higher Retired Fellows Society. He enjoyed
Baker was appointed as consultant science degrees and MDs. having more time to visit the theatre
and honorary senior lecturer and and art exhibitions in London,
thereafter he and Bill operated a Over time, and helped by the and was particularly pleased to
1-in-2 consultant on-call rota, which appointment of Dr (later Professor) be able to spend more time at his
Bill must have considered something Anthony Raine in 1988, the Barts home in Gissing in Norfolk. He was
of a luxury. Nephrology Department came to predeceased by his first wife, Ann
be recognised both nationally and Beardwell, with whom he had three
A successful renal transplantation internationally. Obtaining funding for children, Ross, Sarah and Caroline.
programme at Barts started towards Anthony Raine’s appointment took With his second wife, Pat Gordon, he
the end of 1971, with the surgical all of Bill’s ingenuity. In the crucial had two children, Kate and Alex. He is
work mainly provided by members meeting at Barts, it seemed that the survived by Pat, his five children and
of the Barts Urology Department: proposed third consultant post might ten grandchildren.
John Wickham, Bill Hendry and not be funded. However, Bill came up
Hugh Whitfield. In the 1980s, the St with the plea: ‘Please give us a third Laurence Baker
Leonards Renal Unit closed and its consultant – I am tired, I have been and Judith Webb
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19 12Bruno Cheong FRCP
1 February 1957 – 27 April 2020
MBChB(1980), MRCP(UK)(1983), FRCP(2016)
A respiratory physician who treated all his patients with compassion, dedication and the
human touch.
Dr Bruno Cheong became a member – was everybody’s friend, and in cause. Continuously keeping up to
of the RCP in 1983, a mere 3 return everybody was Bruno’s friend. date, he contributed to the teachings
years after qualifying from Cardiff of his peers at all levels. He embraced
University. On a cold and crisp Bruno joined the public health diversity of approach and understood
November evening in Birmingham, service on the island in 1989, when its value with an open mind, never
where he was working at the time the system was on the way towards patronising non-UK graduates. His last
as an senior house officer in internal major reform. He was an eminent role was as consultant in charge of the
medicine, he celebrated the passing physician who treated all his patients Medical Unit at Flacq Hospital, now re-
of the MRCP examination at a local with compassion, dedication and the named Dr Bruno Cheong Hospital.
Chinese restaurant – on the menu: human touch, which demarcated him
roast duck, steamed sea bass and from his peers. He also contributed Despite his heavy workload, Bruno
lemon meringue, washed down immensely through all the meetings always found time for friends and
with a pint of shandy. Joining the and seminars with the policymakers family. His wife of 30 years and two
royal college was a much-coveted at the Ministry of Health. Bruno grown-up children were his pride and
milestone, and he would proudly be served as president of the Mauritian joy. Bruno was a member of several
elected a fellow in 2016. Medical Consultants Association social groups, which included golf
from 2011 to 2012 and was still the outings, a local circle of gourmet
Making swift progress from junior active vice president of the Mauritian doctors and a group of ten childhood
doctor to registrar and research Respiratory Society. friends who have known each other
registrar in respiratory medicine, for 52 years, called the Kravats. They
he developed an interest in the Accruing over 30 years of service to gathered yearly, spouses included, for
treatment of asthma. Several the healthcare system in Mauritius, dinner (steamed fish and roast duck
publications later, the completion of Bruno worked tirelessly in several major always on the menu!).
his registrar training in Penarth, south hospitals throughout the island. His
Wales, led to an overseas opportunity daily routine was an arduous 12-hour Bruno’s death brought great
for a year as consultant physician in day, combining a thriving private consternation and grief among the
Saudi Arabia. The return home to his practice with his work in the hospital medical fraternity and his patients
roots came in 1989 – his life mission setting. He would often say that his alike, as he sadly lost his personal
was about to begin. hospital work was where he felt most battle against COVID-19. Bruno, we
intellectually stimulated and made his will miss you – but memories of good
Bruno was born on the paradise best contribution to society. moments shared will last.
island of Mauritius. His humble
beginnings, growing up in the back Espousing the merits of evidence- Bruno is survived by his wife Sandra,
of his parents’ hardware store, the based medicine, he flew the flag for a talented artist; his daughter Julia, a
third of five children, are the backdrop the RCP with pride and distinction. junior doctor for the NHS and his son
to a life of early challenges, shaping While understanding the importance Oliver, a graphic designer.
a man who would become a hero to of guidelines, he was a practical and
so many. While he was an obviously realistic clinician who was not afraid to Harold Hin, Farouk Bholah
stellar student, Bruno – the one with challenge dogma: he spoke his mind and Julia Cheong
the sunny disposition and easy smile and would always fight for a good
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19 13Judith Darmady FRCP
28 September 1935 – 28 April 2020
MRCS(1961), LRCP(1961), DCH(1963), FRCP(1979),
FRCPCH(1996), OBE(2010)
A fireball of energy, Judith Darmady was a doctor who made a difference to the
lives of children in the UK and around the world.
Following a career as a consultant Following junior posts at Portsmouth She was devoted to her work; one
paediatrician, she became involved in and Southampton, she worked at the of her patients wrote: ‘Dr Darmady
an orphanage in Romania, which led Cleveland Clinic in the USA between always went beyond the line of
her on to global charity work. 1964 and 1966. duty, arriving on the ward early in
the morning and popping in late at
Judith Darmady was born in She returned to the UK as a night to check on her patients. She
London in 1935, and at an early senior lecturer in child health at is kind, caring and loving, giving the
age moved down to a small village Southampton General Hospital reassurance and encouragement so
near Salisbury. Her father, Michael and was involved in research as greatly needed when you are very ill.’
Darmady, was a pathologist working a fellow at the Institute of Child
initially at Salisbury Hospital, then an Health, Hammersmith. One of her She did not marry or have children
RAF doctor at RAF Wroughton during interests was cholesterol in infancy. of her own, but had 22 Godchildren.
the Second World War. Frustrated She was incredibly sociable and loved
by seeing many of the repatriated having friends around.
wounded soldiers dying of acute
renal failure, he led the construction While she was still working at
and clinical use of the first artificial Her drive and Basingstoke Hospital, she answered
kidney machine in the UK. determination, an appeal from the Romanian
Orphanage Trust for a consultant
Judith was educated at Goldophin along with her paediatrician specialising in caring
School, where she initially struggled, for children with special needs. She
probably due to dyslexia. She was later charm, were was given a 6-month sabbatical to go
thrilled to become a governor at the
school. She was determined to be a
perfect skills for to Romania to help with one of the
many orphanages that were a legacy
doctor, partly because of her father’s fundraising. of Nicolae Ceauşescu’s regime of
work, but also after being involved with promoting population growth.
medical care when her brother John The unintended consequence was the
had a serious head injury. She was appointed as a consultant abandonment of children who were
paediatrician to Basingstoke Hospital deemed ‘incurable’ after failing tests
She won a place at St Bartholomew’s in 1972, where she worked for 23 aged 3 years old.
Hospital Medical College, London, years. Her contract was one of the
and joined a relatively small number first in the UK to include community On her arrival at Ungureni, a village
of women there at that time. The paediatrics sessions. She gained in the north of the country, she was
male and female students had expertise in disability, cystic fibrosis faced with children who were so
separate common rooms, and so and childhood cancer. undernourished that their ages could
she had to arrange to play bridge not be determined, and toddlers with
with male students in the corridor. In 1996 she became a founding legs and arms tied to beds. She got
She qualified in 1961 and found her fellow of the Royal College of to work straight away, and she set up
calling, specialising in paediatrics. Paediatrics and Child Health. the Ungureni Trust on her return to
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19 14the UK. Her drive and determination,
along with her charm, were perfect
skills for fundraising.
The trust paid for physiotherapists,
special needs teachers, occupational
therapists, nurses and junior doctors.
The transfer of knowledge benefited
the children, the specialists and the
Romanian carers. The trust set up
models of good practice and then
continued to support the children
by establishing houses for disabled
teenagers and teaching basic skills to
allow them to be more independent.
When she retired, she devoted much
time to Romania and many other
In 2010, her extensive charity work said that she would never go to an
charities. In India she travelled the was recognised with the award of airport without bumping into someone
Lifeline Express, the world’s first an OBE. In 2012, she was a runner she knew. She had been about to go
hospital train, and in Ecuador she up for The Times’ Sternberg Active to Romania the day she first became
evaluated proposals for premature Life Award, which honours the
baby units. She was also a trustee unwell in November 2019.
achievements of people aged over 70.
of the Parthenon Trust, and on their
behalf she travelled the world to visit She loved travelling, both for her Simon Williams
the projects they were supporting. charity work and on holidays. It was
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19 in 202015Michael Udoh-aka Eshiett FRCP
27 October 1954 – 24 November 2020
BMBCh, FRCPI, FRSTMH, MSc, LLB, FRCP(2001)
Dr Eshiett wrote his I worked for a year and a half at the
own eulogy, included in Qua Iboe Mission Hospital, Etinan,
the order of service for from where I left to undertake my
his funeral, which took postgraduate medical education in
place in December. This the UK.
is reproduced here with
the kind permission of his In the UK, I trained in general internal
family. medicine, neurology, rehabilitation
medicine, tropical medicine and
My name is Michael Udoh-aka hygiene at some of the best hospitals
Eshiett. I am from Ukana Ikot Ideh in and medical institutions in the world,
Essien Udim local government area, including the postgraduate Medical
School, Edinburgh; the institute of
in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Neurology, London; the School of
Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and
I was born to Chief Udo-aka Eshiett
Guy’s and St George’s Hospital,
and Madam Grace Odo-aka Eshiett
London. My main area of practice is
on Wednesday 27 October 1954.
in the subspecialty of neurological
I had my primary school education
rehabilitation. This is because,
at Central Annang County Council interviewed and offered a post as a
apart from being a fascinating and
School in Ukana Ikot Ideh. If I am consultant physician/neurologist at
fast-growing subspecialty, it is a
not mistaken, it was one of the first the University of Calabar Teaching
‘hands-on’, interdisciplinary and
colonial primary schools in the then Hospital, I was shocked to see the
multi-agency specialty, with the
Eastern Nigeria, and boasted famous widest scope for research, covering all provost who interviewed me and
pupils, including the late chiefs types of brain injuries and diseases offered me the job visit me at home
Ibanga Udo Akpabio and Akpan such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, in Ikot Ekpene two days later, to seek
Ekukinam Bassey. Parkinson’s disease, epilepsies, as well my advice on how he could return to
as traumatic brain injuries. the UK before going back to Nigeria.
I completed my secondary school It dawned on me that things might
education at Holy Family College, My aim was to return to Nigeria not be indeed as I was made to
Oku Abak, after a year’s interruption immediately after my specialisation understand. On careful enquiry, I
by the Nigerian Civil War. From and extensive training, in order to discovered that facilities for training
secondary school, I took and help train our doctors and those medical students and doctors were
passed an entrance examination in healthcare-related professions, not only in short supply, but the
to read pre-med/medicine at the as well as delivering high-quality, existing ones were out-modelled
University of Nigeria, Nsukka. After evidence-based medical services to and unfit for purpose. In my naivety
my house job at St Luke’s Hospital, our people. I noted the large number and enthusiasm to go back and
Anua, Uyo, I did my National Youth of Nigerians who travelled to the UK help, these things were never in my
Service Corps (NYSC) [a non- and other European countries to be contemplation at the time. I am
military national service programme treated by Nigerians working here in happy to say that my UK mentors
completed by Nigerian university Europe, at an enormous expense to and trainers were incredibly pleased
graduates] at St Camillus’ Hospital, our third-world economy. to see me return to the UK to
Uromi and the General Hospital, practise what I spent years training
Ugbuaja, both in Ishan in the then However, things do not always work for. The rest is now history.
Bendel State of Nigeria. After NYSC, out the way we want. After being
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-1916I have been a consultant physician Assembly of the World Mission. Eshiett, Levi Turner, Evander Eshiett,
and neurologist in rehabilitation It was my brain child to form the Evie-Rose Eshiett – as well as a host
medicine in the north-west of Nigerian Medical Forum with some of family in Nigeria and around the
England for over 22 years now, during friends from the former south-eastern world.
which time I have led, directed and State of Nigeria in the late 1980s/
chaired various clinical developments early 1990s here in the UK, with the The saint returns home
in three hospitals I now cover. In aim of improving medical education by Teresa Eshiett
addition, I am involved in training in Nigeria. With the generosity Mike, my husband, my best friend
undergraduate and postgraduate of British medical institutions, we and my prayer partner. Please forgive
medical students and medical received medical books, journals, me, for I am so short of words at
doctors undertaking their specialty equipment etc, which we shipped a time like this. You were such a
subspecialty training. I am also a to Nigeria to be distributed to the wonderful man; a good husband,
medical undergraduate examiner for medical schools during the Abacha father and grandfather. I am not sure
the University of Manchester, and regime, when those items were I can really express just how much
an external postgraduate medical very much in short supply. We even I will miss you, my brother and my
membership examiner for the Royal secured the franchise to publish the hero. I used to feel like a queen when
College of Physicians of Ireland. Nigerian, and later West African you were by my side. Your ability to
edition of the world renowned British make everyone feel comfortable,
I am a fellow of the Royal College Medical Journal in Nigeria. I was also secure and loved were your greatest
of Physicians of London, Republic involved in running medical training strengths.
of Ireland and the Royal Society workshops for doctors in Benue State,
of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Nigeria, under the sponsorship of the It has been nearly 43 years since we
I belong to many professional British government in 2001. So, in a got married, and I look back over
organisations including the small measure, we played our part in those years with so much happiness,
Association of British Neurologists trying to improve medical education but it still feels like yesterday.
and British Society of Rehabilitation in Nigeria from our base in the UK.
Medicine. I am a member of the I was broken the day I lost my rock of
Specialty Training Subcommittee of After making my marks on the support, but God will put the pieces
the RCP, the Society for Research in sand of time, I decided to take my back in place. I go to bed and night
Rehabilitation, the UK Research Ethics retirement on 30 March 2018. I and say ‘Let us pray’, only to discover
Committee, among others. I was met my wife and partner, Teresa that you are not with me. I wake up
made an ambassador of peace by Michael Eshiett (née Teresa Daniel in the morning and stretch my hand
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Enang), now a social worker, while out for us to pray, but all I hold is an
Foundation Trust in 2017, the trust I we both studied at the University of empty bed.
worked for and retired from. Nigeria. We got married soon after
graduating, on 13 May 1978. I am My steadfast rock that helped me
Outside medicine, I am a law graduate survived by my wife, my daughter Mrs through thick and thin. You supported
and have completed by part-time bar Otobong M Turner, my sons Michael and loved us all, and were always
vocational training. I am a student Eshiett Jr and Eminimo M Eshiett there to help us navigate through
member of the Inner Temple Inn of and 11 beautiful grandchildren: Sean life’s challenges.
Court, a member of the Chartered Rodden, Ayesha Turner, Tamia Turner,
Management Institute and an Tia Eshiett, Louie Turner, Alesha
ordained minister of the Pentecostal Ashiett, Theo Eshiett, Savannah
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19 17Alfred William (Bill) Frankland
FRCP
19 March 1912 – 2 April 2020
MD(1938), FRCP(1995), MBE(2015)
Bill Frankland, who died
earlier this year – aged 108
and still writing papers
– gave unstinting and
unselfish commitment
to allergy, to medicine
and to humanity over a
career spanning 85 years,
including decades of work
after his official retirement.
Dr Frankland with HRH The Princess Royal, patron of The Not Forgotten
He was an inspiration to generations Association, at their annual Buckingham Palace garden party for war
of allergists worldwide. veterans and members of the armed forces, in 2015.
Bill was a twin. Born prematurely, Indian and even Japanese service in allergy: immunoglobulin E (IgE)
weighing 1.4 kg, he was not expected personnel. Such was his reputation, was unknown when he began, and
to survive. However, both he and especially in the treatment of non-sedating antihistamines and
his brother Jack, who became a dysentery, diphtheria and malaria, steroids were yet to be introduced.
clergyman like their father, lived that local civilians sought his opinion. His prodigious memory for detail
long lives. Aged nine, Bill caught Despite suffering appalling privation made him an excellent source of
tuberculosis; the doctor who treated and being unable to talk about his advice. His curiosity and willingness
him made rather a poor impression, experiences until he was over 100, Dr to learn about other fields, such as
leading Bill to try to do better in his Frankland bore no malice towards his botany, entomology and psychology
own career as a doctor. He read erstwhile captors. His father had once remained sharp until his death.
natural sciences at Queen’s College, explained, after Bill had claimed to Like all good allergists, he knew
Oxford, before qualifying in medicine hate his brother Jack, that hate did the importance of listening to the
in 1938 at St Marys Hospital, London. nobody any good – least of all the patient – and of clear explanation of
At the beginning of the Second hater. That childhood lesson set the the facts.
World War in 1939, he was mobilised, tone of Bill’s subsequent life.
appointed as medical officer to the In the 1940s, allergen desensitisation
Warwickshire Regiment and sent to After the war, he returned to St (allergen-specific immunotherapy)
Singapore, where he became medical Mary’s Allergy Department (now was a mainstay in the treatment of
officer in charge of Tanglin Military renamed the Frankland Clinic), respiratory allergies, having been
Hospital. having developed an interest introduced in 1911. In St Mary’s
because of his own hay fever. Inoculation Department the scale
When Singapore fell in February 1942, The detective work involved gripped was prodigious: in 1945 under
Bill was captured and spent 3 and half him for the rest of his long life. His Dr John Freeman, some 6,000
years as a prisoner of war, including activity, in contrast to that of one patients were given pre-seasonal
some time in the infamous Changi of his consultants, Sir Alexander pollen vaccine, produced at a
Prison. While interned there, he tended Fleming, was mainly clinical, rather pollen farm in Woking, Surrey. The
the sick, regardless of their nationality: than in the laboratory. Bill’s career principle had earlier been extended
his patients included British, Australian, spanned a time of great advances to include animal dander and
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-1918distinguished clinician in the field of
allergy each year.
In the great tradition of self-
On retiring from the NHS in 1977,
experimentation, Bill used himself for Bill was asked by Maurice Lessof,
an experiment on induction of allergy, professor of medicine at Guy’s
Hospital, to help in their allergy clinic
using Rhodinus prolixus, a biting on a voluntary basis, which he did
for 20 years. His fitness, memory and
insect that can induce anaphylaxis. mental agility remained excellent,
and Bill communicated easily with all
generations, earning his nickname
mould spores. It is now thought increasing local reactions, then to
‘the grandfather of allergy’. He
that the Inoculation Department severe anaphylaxis. Fortunately, after
remained active until his last years:
was the source of the momentous two adrenalin injections, he survived.
reading journals, participating in
contamination in the 1920s of a Unwisely, he then undertook exercise,
medical meetings, giving medico-
Petri dish in Fleming’s laboratory. necessitating more adrenalin and
legal advice, offering clinical advice,
Bill, having read about double-blind, provoking an interest in late phase
making TV and radio appearances
placebo-controlled trials, proceeded reactions. Bill also initiated a pollen
and writing papers.
to demonstrate the efficacy of grass trap on the roof of St Mary’s Hospital
pollen immunotherapy for seasonal and made pollen counts available to
Bill was made an MBE in 2015, one
allergic rhinitis in a landmark study. fellow allergists and the press.
among many other honours. He
In a similar trial, to the dismay of
delighted in his honorary fellowship
some of his senior colleagues, he Bill was involved in the formation
of Queen’s College, Oxford, and
clearly demonstrated the lack of of the British Allergy Society, the
efficacy of bacterial vaccines in forerunner of the British Society for particularly enjoyed their specially
asthma treatment. Bill’s research on Allergy and Clinical Immunology brewed Frankland Ale. The publication
antihistamines demonstrated efficacy (BSACI), which now has almost 1,000 of his biography, From Hell Island to
in allergic rhinitis, but not asthma, members. As the first secretary, he Hay Fever, won him a new audience
and found that 20% of subjects gave enrolled 30 founder members and of admirers.
a placebo response. helped to organise an initial meeting
in 1948 at St Mary’s with Sir Henry His home life was very happy: in 1941
Bill was also the first to identify Dale and John Freeman as speakers. he had married Pauline Jackson,
what is now called local allergic whose letters helped to sustain him
rhinitis in subjects who are skin-prick He was later BSACI president, during his incarceration. On his return
test negative, but who respond president of the European Academy from Singapore, Bill was asked if he
positively to nasal allergen challenge. of Allergy and Clinical Immunology wanted to see a psychiatrist and
In the great tradition of self- (EAACI), secretary general of the replied, ‘No. I want to see my wife’.
experimentation, Bill used himself for Asthma Research Council and vice Pauline died in 2002. Bill leaves four
an experiment on induction of allergy, president of the International children, ten grandchildren and six
using Rhodnius prolixus, a biting Association for Aerobiology. great-grandchildren.
insect that can induce anaphylaxis. BSACI has instituted the William
Repeated self-inflicted bites led to Frankland award, which honours a Glenis Scadding
In tribute: Remembering RCP members and fellows who died from COVID-19 19You can also read
