John Chalmers Halliday

John Halliday died peacefully at the Alexandra Hospital, Cheadle on 10th May 2002 aged 54, after a long and courageous fourteen-month battle with cancer. Born in Altrincham, Cheshire, John was educated at North Cestrian and Altrincham Grammar Schools, before studying dentistry at Manchester University. He graduated in 1970, and held associateships in Altrincham and Bramhall.

John conscientiously served his patients with his good-humoured and sympathetic approach

While working in Altrincham he met Sheila, whom he married in 1976. In 1975, John opened a new practice at Congleton, Cheshire in partnership with David Brigg who had been a fellow student at Manchester. The practice flourished, and John conscientiously served his patients with his good-humoured and sympathetic approach for over twenty-six years, many of them becoming personal friends. Sadly ill health forced his early retirement in February 2001 and he is greatly missed by both patients and staff at the practice.

John had a great many varied interests outside dentistry, amongst them ornithology, all kinds of wildlife, fine wines and classic cars. His classic MG was always immaculate, and gave him great enjoyment participating in owner's club events and rallies. He read extensively and had an amazing insight into wide-ranging issues. John Halliday is survived by his wife Sheila and at a service in their home village of Gawsworth the church was packed with friends, colleagues and neighbours coming together to celebrate a full life ended prematurely. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle man, and greatly missed by all. 

David Brigg

John Patrick Gallagher

John Gallagher died suddenly in his dental practice on 30th May 2002 at the age of 70. For several months prior to his death he had quietly suffered the gradually worsening symptoms of aortic stenosis, heart failure and ischaemic heart disease.

He was born in Pomeroy, County Tyrone on 12th June 1931. He grew up in Port Stewart, County Londonderry. In his youth John was a somewhat fearless individual who enjoyed high diving off rocks and promontories into the sea near his home. He attended St. Columbs College where he excelled in several sports including rugby. After school, John entered Queen's University Belfast to study medicine. As a student he represented Queen's University in rugby and was captain of the boxing team. After completing his second MB exam, following the death of his father in 1954, he decided to change from medicine to dentistry. He graduated BDS in 1958 and was awarded the annual hospital prize in dental surgery for his performance on graduation. He started his career as a dental house surgeon at The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. After several thoroughly enjoyable years, he left the hospital service to work in practice. Having worked in practice near Belfast he moved to England in 1962. He first worked as an associate at a practice in Brockley, Southeast London. Following this he started work as an associate in Otford, Kent and in 1964 purchased his own practice in Orpington, Kent. He initially divided his time between the two practices but as his Orpington practice became established he left the Otford practice. Many of his patients from Otford were then prepared to travel the extra ten miles to see him. He worked tirelessly as a single-handed practitioner providing NHS treatment to all his patients. He enjoyed his work so much that he did not want to retire and only retired from NHS practice after his seventieth birthday. Many of his patients wrote to the family after his death to acknowledge his kind caring service over thirty-six years. He had been the family dentist for three generations of a significant number of his patients' families.

John had a keen desire not only to serve his patients, but also his profession, his community and his country. As a dental student he joined the territorial army. As a young dentist he enjoyed parachuting and skydiving and was the proud wearer of the red beret when he served as an "ever ready" Territorial Army parachute medic. John progressed up the ranks of the Royal Army Dental Corps (V). Prior to his retirement from the territorial army in 1986, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was acting commanding officer of 257 General Hospital Unit (V) based at the Duke of York Headquarters, Chelsea. He was awarded the Territorial Decoration for his service.

He will be remembered by many for his service on the Bromley LDC. He was a member of the British Dental Association until he died. He served on the committee of the Bromley and Beckenham Section of the BDA as chairman from 1989 to 1990 and honorary secretary from 1991 to 1993. He subsequently served as the Bromley and Beckenham section southern counties council representative from 1993 until his death. He was very keen to promote dentistry and to support his colleagues through the BDA and LDC. John will be remembered by his local dental colleagues as a witty raconteur and amiable host. He was often called upon to propose a toast of thanks to the after-dinner speakers at the monthly BDA section meetings. His charm and wit were also put to good use at the committee table on several occasions.

As well as his activities promoting dentistry, John was keen to serve the wider community and to this end served as a Justice of the Peace at Bromley Magistrates Court for 14 years until he retired from the bench in 2001. He had a reputation for kindness and fairness and was well respected by his colleagues on the bench. In his later years John enjoyed playing golf and played regularly with a group of friends including several dentists. The group made many memorable golfing expeditions to courses in Britain and Europe, especially France which John particularly enjoyed as he was a fluent French speaker. John leaves behind his beloved wife of thirty-seven years Maura and his children James, Shauna, Patricia and three grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and patients.

James Gallagher

Death Notices

HUIA MASTERS PICKARD (Pick) died recently aged 93. He qualified from the Royal Dental Hospital, London in 1932, where, after a career as a general surgeon and medical officer in the war he took on a teaching post.

VINCENT EDWARD TAYLOR died recently aged 69. After qualifying in Newcastle he worked at the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital in Sheffield where he was a full-time NHS consultant specialising in dental radiology.