John Kevin Eltringham

Kevin Eltringham (26 May 1934 - 13 August 2009) was a larger than life figure. Qualifying from Birmingham in 1958, he joined the Royal Army Dental Corps, where he was a notable success, both as a dentist and as an administrator. His appointment as the first ever dentist to be appointed Adjutant to the General of the Royal Army Medical Corps at Milbank initially ruffled some military medical feathers, but he was soon more than accepted, and he left the army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Posted to Singapore in 1970 he met his lifetime companion Dr Ong. It was at their house in Billingford, converted from an ox pen, with its extensive grounds and inventive water features laid out by Kevin, that he died suddenly from a heart attack.

The service at the parish Church of St. Peter was attended by representatives from all the walks of life that made for Kevin's obvious enjoyment of living, the dental world, for after leaving the army he had founded one of the most prestigious of private practices in London, treating the great and the good, the local community of Billingford where he had been a stalwart of the church and village life, his Masonic friends, and friends from the Athenaeum, both of which latter organisations had been so much enjoyed by him, and to which he had added his own sparkle.

His character was complex. The bon viveur, who so much enjoyed his food and wine, and whose most excellent home-made pickles were served at the funeral reception, should be contrasted with the man who quietly ran one of the first clinics for HIV positive patients, who were being denied private dental care because of their illness. Referrals came mainly from St. Mary's Paddington. He also provided free dental treatment to several in the congregation of his London church, St. Paul's Knightsbridge, who were unable to afford fees.

His friends value the memory of his good company, and his family remember the brother and favourite uncle. For Dr Ong, the loss is much the greatest.