John Michael Tomlinson

Born in 1918 Michael came from a dental family. His father Henry Harrison Tomlinson, qualified LDSRCS at the University of Liverpool Dental School in 1904 and served for a time as a lecturer in dental anaesthesia. In his practice in Rodney Street he shared rooms with Dr Lloyd, father of Selwyn Lloyd who became Speaker of the House of Commons.

Michael's Uncle John William Tomlinson qualified LDSRCS at Guys Dental School in 1893 and later practised in Rock Ferry on the Wirral. Between them the names of J. W. and Michael Tomlinson appeared in the Dental Register for a span of one hundred years.

Educated at Braeside Preparatory School and Wrekin College Michael entered the University of Liverpool Dental School in 1937. After graduation in 1942 Michael served in the Royal Navy, firstly on HMS Ganges and later in Australia. During this period he undertook a course on maxillo-facial surgery run by Gillies at East Grinstead. This was to serve him in good stead later, when appointed consultant dental surgeon at Clatterbridge Hospital, on the Wirral. During this appointment he served for a time as Secretary of the Medical Board.

On demobilisation in 1945, Michael continued in his fathers' practice in Rodney Street, and also undertook his sessions at Jacobs Biscuit Factory in Aintree, Liverpool, an early example of an industrial clinic attached to the welfare department of a large company. He also continued his father's NHS and private practice at his home in Neston, Wirral until his retirement in 1978.

A renowned yachtsman, Michael raced in the Fastnet race on no fewer than five occasions. In 1955, in his yacht Rondinella (designed by Peter Brett) he was second in his class. In 1956 in the Channel Race, in gale force 10 conditions, he was winner overall – a remarkable feat.

In his last Fastnet race in 1969, in Pellegrina (also designed by Peter Brett), he came first in the Beta division. He was a member of the Irish Cruising Club and in 1971, in Pellegrina he won the Round the Island Navigation Trophy. Michael served for many years as Commodore of the Royal Dee Yacht Club. He was a member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and also of the Athenaeum, Liverpool.

In 1996, Michael was the author of a book 'Derbyshire Black Marble' published by the Peak District Mines Historical Society, which gives a fascinating insight into the activities of some of his forebears and their involvement with this unique material.

Michael died on the 25 August 2000 and our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife Molly, who crewed him on so many notable occasions.

P. D. B.

Karl Wongtschowski

The death took place peacefully recently at the age of 102 of one of this country's leading orthodontists – Karl Wongtschowski. Born in Germany his first great love was music, playing the violin extremely well.

His father wanted him to become a musician, but Karl realised that he could never attain the standard of eminent musicians around him and took up dentistry instead, specialising in orthodontics. He straightened the writer's dentition in Berlin in the 1930's. He emigrated to England when the Nazis blocked his career and set up practice in London, immediately attracting referrals. However, he did not neglect his violin, forming his own trio, and was a frequent attender at concerts, especially at the Wigmore Hall, and operas, sometimes travelling to Berlin to see a particular opera.

Shortly before he died, he sponsored a concert at Wigmore Hall and several of its staff attended his cremation and a memorial service.

After retirement he became interested in psychotherapy and devoted as much energy and applied knowledge in that subject as he did in dentistry and music.

He had a very strong personality, but when his only son died 20 years ago., allegedly unnecessarily, it affected him deeply. His precious violin is now appreciated and played by a good friend, another psychotherapist, Dr Hilbert, in Heidelberg

L. A. & R. O. L.

Death notice

Dennis Small, a BDA member since 1940, died on December 4 2000 at Battle, East Sussex after a professional life in the Royal Army Dental Corps, the Colonial Medical Service (Hong Kong) and the Community Dental Service (Shropshire). He was one of the founder members of the Asian Pacific Dental Federation in Tokyo (1955) and represented the International Dental Federation in Rome (1957), Stockholm (1963), Tel Aviv (1966) and Soeul (1967).