Esmond Bowen, who died on 7 April, was born on 6 December 1922, the son of an infantry officer. He entered Birmingham University Dental School in 1941, where he joined the Home Guard obtaining a TA Commission in 1943. On qualifying LDS in 1946, he took a House Officer appointment under the famous Ralph Broderick DSO, MC, who encouraged Esmond to join the RADC, which he did in June 1947. He was married to Elsie Midgley in 1948, followed by postings to the Far East, UK and Kenya (during the latter he always slept with a pistol under his pillow). He developed an interest in orthodontics, claiming that he was taught to bend Adams cribs by Prof Adams himself. During his postings at Aldershot he represented the Army at rifle shooting, instructed student hygienists and established the RADC museum which became a world-class collection concerned with the history of British military dentistry. A stickler for the accurate interpretation of Dress Regulations, his ability to spot any item of uniform which was not being worn correctly was legendary!

A man of integrity who loved his family, the Army and his Corps.

Esmond and Elsie were active Christians and were involved with the welfare of RADC personnel, frequently opening their home to all. After posts with increasing responsibility as Assistant Director at MOD in 1974 and then in BAOR, Esmond returned to the UK in 1978 to become Director Army Dental Service. During his four-year tenure he defended the Corps vigorously against manpower and equipment cuts and encouraged his officers to join the BDA and undertake postgraduate study.

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of St John in 1976, Honorary Dental Surgeon to The Queen in 1977 and CB in 1982. After retirement he was Colonel Commandant RADC from 1982 to 1987, a task which he relished, visiting many RADC units worldwide. He was also chairman of the BDA Armed Forces Committee.

For many years, Esmond and Elsie lived at Andover where he was an active fund raising member of St Mary's Church. Tragically, Elsie died as result of a road traffic accident in 1996 and Esmond's subsequent courage in facing motor neurone disease alone was remarkable. He is survived by his loving sons and daughters, Neil, John, Stephanie and Vanessa and their families. An older daughter, Marilyn died in infancy.