Jeffery Philip Davies

Jeff Davies died on 23rd July 2000, aged 92. He was born over his father's pharmacy shop in Havant in October 1907. His father qualified LDS RCS Eng in 1911 and moved to Magnolia House, where he set up a family dental practice, presently run by grandson Jack.

Jeff was educated at Steyning, Sussex and Bishop's Stortford College, Herts. He represented the College at rugby football and water polo. Preceded by his sister, he qualified at the Royal Dental Hospital in June 1929, still only 21. He enjoyed student life immensely. He joined and took an active part in the HAC. During the General Strike of 1926 he even drove a London double decker bus.

In 1933, he married Ruth Enticknap. They had three sons. Particular interests were golf, sailing and tennis, but his first love was rugby. He was a founder member of Havant RUFC, later to become its President. He became a freemason, round tabler and later in life, joined Rotary and Probus. On qualifying, Jeff had a short spell in Oxfordshire before practising in North End, Portsmouth. At the outbreak of war he joined the RADC and was posted to various centres across the south of England.

After the war, he moved back to Havant. He was appointed Hon. Dental Surgeon to the War Memorial Hospital and held a part-time appointment at the Dental Clinic at the old Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, before its redevelopment. He quickly became a familiar figure travelling to and from work sitting very upright on his bicycle, a rose in his button-hole when the season permitted.

Jeff was an energetic member of the BDA Portsmouth and District Section, some of whose meetings were held at Magnolia House before the advent of postgraduate centres we know today. He became Hon. Treasurer of the Southern Counties Branch from 1952 to 1959 and was elected President in 1965. He served on the LDC and GDSC. He was elected Chairman of the Hants FPC — unusual for a dental practitioner. He was elected a BDA Life Member in 1978. A member of the FDI, he attended a number of the annual conferences, memorably those in Bulgaria, Israel and Paris.

On retirement, Jeff's facial appearance slowly metamorphosed from clean-shaven to hairy wisps on the cheeks to handle-bar moustache to a full set — perhaps a symptom of an eccentric streak that lurked below the surface throughout his life. In 1988 his wife died, ending a 55 year old partnership. It came as a desperate blow.

Jeff is remembered fondly by those who knew him well; he was possibly best known for his integrity and good humour.

Although no longer having any direct connection with the Davies Pharmacy founded by his father, Jeff purchased sundry items on a regular basis, at a discount. On a recent occasion, another customer became aware of this arrangement and inquired how she might qualify for a discount. Jeff quickly responded — “Madam, there are three conditions to be satisfied. One, you must be 90 years old; two, your name must be Davies; and three (pointing to the ceiling) you have to have been born in the room upstairs”.

W. J. D.

Ronald Lawton

Ronald Lawton came from a family who strangely polarized between the cotton trade and dentistry. His father chose the former, setting up business in India, Brazil and finally, Denmark, where Ronald was born in 1908. After his father's premature death in 1918, the family returned to England, where he attended Dulwich College. He completed his training in 1931 with BDS LCS RCS at King's College.

After working as a senior dental house surgeon at King's, and trial runs in school clinics and private practice, he finally set up his own practice in Leamington Spa in 1934.

He spent the war years as a captain in the Army Dental Corps — four of these years being spent in India. Having had no preliminary military training, he found that his training in the Cadet Corps was invaluable when he was seconded to a Guard's Depot. At Catterick, the Major (regular army) was anxious that the dental centre do more fillings than the No.1 dental centre at Woolwich. Quality of work inevitably suffered, so the dentists decided to work to rule, limiting fillings to 400 a month (still above the regulation 250).

In India, working conditions were often primitive, for instance, when he was working in the jungle, he was allowed a camel tank of water every other day, his wash basin was canvas, and a packing case served as a bracket table. Not only did Ronald have problems with lack of hygiene, but surprisingly, with army regulations. If these regulations hindered the treatment of his patients, he contravened them with a clear conscience, believing that the interests of his patients were paramount — an attitude he carried through his working life.

He returned to England in 1946 once more picking up the reins of his Warwickshire practice. Marriage to Joanna and children — Lydia, Andrew and Simon — followed soon after.

In the 50's and 60's he served on several diverse committees. He was the 1948 chairman of the BDA Coventry section and the first chairman of the South Warwickshire section. In his spare time, he gained presidencies of the local Round Table, Catenian Association and 41 Club.

The family moved to Hassocks in Sussex in the 70's where he briefly had a practice in Ditchling before moving to Wallingford in 1977. Ronald never quite got the hang of retirement, doing locum work until he was 70. From this time until his death he was a tireless worker for the community – particularly for Age Concern, a work centre for the disabled and as a 'tea lady' for the local hospital. He was often feted as a very ancient volunteer, much to his embarassment. When he decided that his useful work in this life was complete, 'he left' on the 8th May 2000, aged 92. He was a good man. He did no harm.

L. M. L.

Derrick James Neill

Derrick Neill who died on 7th July 2000 was born on 14th March 1922. In 1941, at the age of 19 he joined the Royal Air Force where he was commissioned as an Observer and appointed to serve with 150 Squadron, Bomber Command, which was equipped with Wellington bombers and engaged on intensive night raids on the heavy industrial centres of the Ruhr. After a full tour of some thirty missions, he was posted to serve operationally in North Africa. He returned to the UK to undertake a further tour of operational duties in Europe. He was demobilised in 1946 having been promoted to Squadron Leader, and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1943.

In October of 1946, he entered Guy's Hospital Dental School as one of the first intakes of ex-servicemen qualifying LDS in 1952 and FDS in 1956. After a house surgeon appointment, he entered practice in the West End, but was soon attracted to an academic career and in 1954 returned to the Prosthetics Department at Guy's. In 1959, he was appointed a senior lecturer and began a long and painstaking study of chewing patterns employed by denture wearers. This work was written up in the form of a thesis, for which, in 1966, he was awarded the MDS degree.

In 1961 Neil was appointed Head of the Department of Dental Prosthetics and with the support of his colleague, Robert Nairn began a series of radical changes in the teaching and practice of prosthetic dentistry. Jointly with his colleagues, he published three textbooks, 'Complete Denture Prosthetics', 'Partial Denture Prosthetics' and 'Restoration of the Partially Edentate Mouth'. He contributed numerous articles and papers to national and international journals.

Derrick Neill contributed much to the life both of Guy's and his profession. He served as Sub-Dean of the Dental School for seven years from 1969 to 1976 and as a member of the Council of Governors from 1980 to his retirement in 1987. He held examinerships in London and at other universities in the UK and abroad, was a council member of the Odontological Section of the Royal Society of Medicine, a Fellow of the International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopaedics, President of the British Society for the Study of Prosthodontics and a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Prosthodontics.

In 1952, Derrick Neill married Iris Jordan, and later adopted two children, James and Caroline. Sadly, Iris died of malignant disease and Derrick was left with the task of bringing up two young children and coping with the demands of his job. It was indeed a great source of joy to his many friends and colleagues when, in 1971, he married Catherine Daughtry.

Derrick Neill was a very private and somewhat reserved person. However, beneath that exterior was a warm heart and an attractive dry sense of humour. He was a man of great integrity and his extremely high sense of moral values was clearly evident in all he undertook. He had many interests outside his work; these included the City, opera, golf, bridge, bowls and a fond love of cats.

He enjoyed a very happy home life in Sevenoaks. To Catherine, Caroline and James, his many friends and colleagues will wish to extend their deepest sympathy.

M. N. N.

Ian Alexander James Whyte

Ian Alexander James Whyte B.D.S. died suddenly on the morning of 26th May 2000, the result of a heart attack.

Ian was born on 1st November 1957, the first son of Jim and Lexie Whyte. He was educated at Tullyallan Primary School and then Dunfermline High School, where a mixture of academic ability and sporting prowess saw him elected head boy. A keen sportsman, Ian was a valued member of 1st Rugby XV and also played Scottish junior representative rugby.

Trauma to his front teeth, due to rugby, and extensive restorative treatment brought about an early interest in dentistry. This turned into a determination to study the subject and in 1976, Ian matriculated in dentistry at Dundee University. His easy-going manner and sense of fun made him popular both with fellow students, and less conventional technique at soccer earned him the nickname of 'Bruise'. His single-mindedness and determination to succeed was evident as a student, and after much hard work, matched by just as much hard play, Ian graduated in July 1981.

There was never any doubt that Ian wanted to pursue a career in general practice and he joined Eilertsen and Raymond as an associate in Dingwall, Ross-shire. His friendly and cheerful disposition ensured his popularity with patients from day one. He embraced life in the Highlands and made the most of the sporting facilities developing interests in skiing, canoeing, wind-surfing and running.

His love of skiing resulted in him meeting Pamela, his wife to be, while on holiday in Switzerland. They married in 1983 and had three children, Jemma, Kirsty and Ross. In 1985, having gained much experience in Dingwall as an associate, Ian achieved his ambition when he opened his own practice in Inverness. As with everything he did, Ian went at this with great enthusiasm and made a success of the venture. The last few years had been difficult for Ian. He suffered from a debilitating illness which caused great distress for himself and his family, as well as considerable professional problems.

Ian will be mourned as a husband, father, son, brother and friend who loved life. His intelligence and knowledge allied to a great sense of humour will be sadly missed by family, friends and former patients alike.

A. M. T.