Bain On July 16, William Barrow Dow Bain, FRPharmS, of “Aburi”, Backcroft Road, St Boswells, Roxburghshire TD6 0AE. Mr Bain registered in 1949.
Mrs HAZEL GUELDNER (secretary of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Scottish Borders branch): Bill Bain was originally from Dunfermline. After study at Glasgow university followed by National Service, he worked briefly for Unilever in Africa. He returned to work in Airdrie before coming to the pharmacy at Newtown St Boswells in 1956 with his pharmacist wife Helen, whom he had had married in 1950. Together they ran this and latterly the pharmacy at St Boswells for almost 40 years.
He was also an active member of the local church, being an elder for 42 years and treasurer for 31 years. We send our deepest sympathy to Helen — who was herself forced to retire from the register a few years ago due to ill health — and their son Iain.
Bebb On July 26, Carl Burcham Bebb, MRPharmS, of 16 Compton Place Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN20 8AB. Mr Bebb registered in 1935.
Benn On July 5, Joan Margaret Benn, FRPharmS, (née Blamires), of 27 Stockton Lane, York, North Yorkshire YO31 1BP. Mrs Benn registered in 1949.
Crang In a tribute to the late Walter Crang (PJ, July 10, p49), Mr A. G. HOPKINS writes: I was saddened to see the announcement of the death of Walter Crang of Ilfracombe. After many adventures, we met up at RAF Hospital Locking, and our chief worry was that we might get caught for the Far East. Walter had been sergeant dispenser on the RAF’s troopship Andes. Because of its superior speed it was alleged to be faster than any U-boat and went everywhere unescorted.
Walter went all over the world several times. At the end of each voyage they had “to pack up your medicines” — as C. V. Hammond’s book suggests —with all medical equipment and return it with the appropriate five copies to medical stores, Chessington.
Walter and I became great friends and, while awaiting demobilisation, sampled many of the ciders and beers of Somerset. Despite the then beer drought due to the war, Walter seemed to be able to conjure from mid-air a suitable hostelry around Cheddar when needed.
Cumming On July 15, Margaret Maya Cumming, MRPharmS, of 9 Old Granary, Harbour Terrace, North Berwick, East Lothian EH39 4JW. Mrs Cumming registered in 1968.
Harding On July 7, John Oliver Harding, MRPharmS, of 46 Sutton Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL3 7AW. Mr Harding registered in 1929.
Johnston On July 31, James Sutherland Johnston, MRPharmS, of 16 Buccleuch Court, Dunblane, Perthshire FK15 0AR. Mr Johnston registered in 1939.
Jones On July 13, Joan Constance Jones, MRPharmS, (née Pugh), of “Copper Beeches”, Normanton Road, Packington, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Mrs Jones registered in 1933.
Keeling On July 6, Marilyn Joy Keeling, MRPharmS, of 351 Fordhouse Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 2AA. Mrs Keeling registered in 1974.
Mrs SHEILA RICHARDSON writes: I first met Marilyn Keeling in 1982 when as a locum I worked at the Kings Norton branch of W. M. Brown. Marilyn subsequently went on to manage the branch at Hawkesley Square, where she remained until March, 1999.
Over the years we established a friendship and although we met infrequently we telephoned regularly. In more recent years, when I joined the company on a permanent basis, Marilyn and I used each other as a “second opinion” when another professional view of a problem was needed. On other occasions we commiserated with each other over the increased workloads and raised stress levels.
I will always remember her friendly voice and infectious laugh. The local Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education meetings will not be quite the same without Marilyn.
When her only child David was born in 1986, she took motherhood in her stride and he brought another dimension into her life. Marilyn and I then had children in common and had even more to chat about. Despite David’s eyesight problems, Marilyn was determined that he should have the same opportunities as any other child. In that, she more than succeeded.
Everyone connected with Hawkesley Square — from the patients, the local surgery, district nurses and particularly her staff — had the utmost respect for Marilyn. Nothing was too much trouble, and she genuinely cared for the local community. The business went from strength to strength under her management.
When Marilyn was first diagnosed with cancer six years ago typically she remained outwardly cheerful and throughout the ensuing treatment rarely complained. She was back in charge at Hawkesley as soon as she was able. In the spring of this year, when the disease return with a vengeance, she wisely decided to spend the time left with her family. However, Marilyn never lost her interest in the business and her friends at Hawkseley Square even towards the end. During visits Marilyn always wanted to know what was going on and to catch up on any news or gossip! She remained courageous until the end, seeming to accept the situation as it was.
All who came into contact with Marilyn will remember her with affection. She was kind, caring and fun to be around.
W. M. Brown has lost a well respected pharmacist but I shall miss Marilyn not only as a valued colleague but also as a friend, who died tragically at the early age of 47. It was a privilege to have known her.
Heartfelt sympathy goes to David her son, Albert her husband, and her father and brother.
Lemon On August 3, Philip Gordon Lemon, MRPharmS, of 16 Keswick Drive, Cherrytree, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 5HH. Mr Lemon registered in 1958.
Mr CARL BEDFORD writes: Having seen wartime service in the Fleet Air Arm, Philip Lemon was one of the last returning ex-servicemen to continue his pharmacy studies in the early 1950s, when I had the privilege, as a very young student at Leicester school of pharmacy, to be taken under the wing of this mature bon viveur with a great sense of humour and a fund of amusing stories. He was already married to Marian, whom he had met while she was serving in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Philip became “father” to our small group studying to take the “new” pharmaceutical chemist examination under the tuition of the illustrious Colin Gunn and his most able deputy Sidney Carter.
Philip’s sense of humour never departed him, despite the severe blow of gradually losing his sight due to a hereditary condition. Having completed his practical training in his father’s pharmacy at Ward End, Loughborough, Philip practised for the remainder of his working life at his own pharmacies in Moss Street and then Audley Range, Blackburn, where his reputation among the local community as their “family chemist” was second to none, and “tea and sympathy” were dispensed in equal measure to prescriptions.
The move of premises was occasioned by the Moss Street property suffering a disastrous fire on the eve of one of our regular visits from across the Pennines, with Philip saying on our arrival, as he ruefully contemplated the debris of his burnt out home and business, “we knew you were coming and wondered how to get out of your visit!”
With his sight continuing to fail, and no treatment being available, the time eventually came when the re-established business had to be sold and Philip and Marian, who had most ably supported him during his many years in practice, took off for a new life in southern Portugal where, as Philip used to say, “I can feel the sun on my face, which is a rare event during a Blackburn winter”. With his talking books, music, and visits from friends, family, and English neighbours in the Algarve, Philip made the best of his enforced retirement until diabetes and a series of strokes necessitated a return to the United Kingdom just over a year ago.
Although never old in spirit, Philip was very much one of that shrinking “old school” of pharmacists who have been so much a part of community health care in the suburbs of Britain’s industrial cities. He was an example to his contemporaries and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Our thoughts and sympathy go out to Marian and daughters Susan, Christine and their families.
Morgan Recently, Herbert Myrddin Morgan, MRPharmS, of “Ynyswen”, Bethlehem Road, Pwlltrap, St Clears, Carmarthen, Dyfed. Mr Morgan registered in 1945.
Nellies On July 29, John Nellies, FRPharmS, of 8 McKernan Court, 89 High Street, Sandhurst, Berkshire GU47 8HH. Mr Nellies registered in 1935.
Norman On August 2, Phyllis Mary Norman, MRPharmS, of “The Shrublands”, Station Road, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 2AS. Miss Norman registered in 1933.
Paul Recently, Joshua Paul, FRPharmS, of Flat 34, Solent Pines, Manor Road, Bournemouth, Dorset. Mr Paul registered in 1941.
Reid On July 19, Margaret Reid, MRPharmS, of 31 Strathendrick Drive, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G44 3HW. Miss Reid registered in 1928.
Robson On July 3, Norman Winston Robson, FRPharmS, of 22 Durban Crescent, Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS11 8AD. Mr Robson registered in 1940.
Snell On June 11, Murray Reynolds Snell, MRPharmS, of 33 West Way, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 2EH, aged 80 years. Mr Snell registered in 1941. In the 1940s and ’50s, Mr Snell worked in India and Pakistan for Allen & Hanburys, which later became part of the Glaxo group of companies. On returning to the United Kingdom in 1966, he set up Glaxo’s training department. Until his retirement in about 1980, he spent much of his time overseas, lecturing and presenting to Glaxo representatives. After retirement Mr Snell became a Samaritan at the local Watford branch and instituted many Samaritans training courses in the fields of drugs, both legal and illegal, and suicide. Additionally he visited local prisons.
Squire On April 7, Edward Charles Squire, MRPharmS, of 2 Old Hall Gardens, Coddington, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 2QJ. Mr Squire registered in 1934.
Weekley On August 12, Eric Charles Edward Weekley, MRPharmS, of “Hafod Wen”, 27 Cae Rex, Llanblethian, Cowbridge, South Glamorgan. Mr Weekley registered in 1954.
White On July 18, Patricia Elizabeth White, MRPharmS, (née Jones) of 27 Tanners Close, Brockworth, Gloucester GL3 4QW. Mrs White registered in 1953.
Williams On August 4, Arthur Williams, MRPharmS, of “Adwy Grange”, Tan Llan Lane, Coedpoeth, Wrexham, Clwyd. Mr Williams registered in 1965.