Barron In a tribute to the late John Barron (PJ, December 18/25, 1999, p977), Mr C. V. HAMMOND writes: John Barron began his army service when he was called up in February 1942 to serve with the 5th Battalion of the Black Watch (Highland Division) stationed at Forres, Moray. After his initial training, in June, 1942, he sailed overseas, arriving in Suez that August and spent the next two months preparing for the El Alamein offensive. In October of that year John was wounded in the early stages of that battle, spending the next 10 months in hospital and at a convalescent depot in Palestine.
In August, 1943, he returned to the Infantry Base in Egypt, was found to be no longer A1 and transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps. This transfer took nearly four months to take effect, but during that time John was involved in a train crash near Gaza, the effects of which landed him in hospital in Aleppo. His transfer to the RAMC came through in December, 1943, and for the first eight months in the RAMC he was a general duty private at No 63 General Hospital (Cairo), followed by one month at No 4 General Hospital (Qassasin).
John's promotion to sergeant dispenser finally came through in September, 1944, with a posting to No 19 General Hospital (Fayid), where he remained until his return home to the United Kingdom in June, 1946.
Although his experiences could not have brought back happy memories, I was grateful that he was able to let me know about them for my book about those times and for his support during the task of preparation.
Burton In a tribute to the late Keith Robert Burton (PJ, October 30, 1999, p706), Mr R. W. HORNE writes: l met Keith Burton on our first day at the "Square" in 1957, and finding that we had much in common, we remained friends throughout our lives. Keith spent his professional life in the pharmaceutical industry, initially with Wellcome at Dartford, then with Sandoz in Leeds and latterly as chief pharmacist with Cupal (now Seton Scholl International) in Blackburn from 1975.
The driving force in Keith's life was his Christian faith, and with his wife Yvonne he founded and led Crusader groups (inter-denominational bible classes for children and teenagers) in Dartford, Ilkley, Blackburn and Skipton, and they were also involved in Christian work in schools They even found time to adopt two Vietnamese orphans to supplement their own family of five.
Keith retired in 1998, and he and Yvonne took a prolonged holiday, touring several European countries before purchasing a site near St Malo and building their new home. Sadly they had only a short time to enjoy it before Keith died in September after a short illness.
Coltman Recently, Leonard Coltman, MRPharmS, of 342 Brandesholme Road, Bury, Lancashire BL8 1EX. Mr Coltman registered in 1939.
Mr ANWER PATEL (managing director, Gorgemead Ltd [Cohens Chemists]) writes: I knew Mr Coltman for over 20 years, and he will be sadly missed. He worked with us when we were just a fledgling company. He was always ready to work whatever hours were needed and was greatly valued as a member of the Cohens team and also as a good friend.
Although semi-retired, Mr Coltman was always ready to locum for us. Our staff remember him with fondness, for his kindness, his reliability and his passion for chocolate cake! The staff from head office and all our branches send their deepest condolences to Mr Coltman's family.
Coughtrey On December 3, 1999, Ernest James Coughtrey, MRPharmS, of 10 Wharncliffe Road, Shipley, West Yorkshire BD18 2AD. Mr Coughtrey registered in 1947.
Cox On December 5, 1999, Harry Cox, MRPharmS, of 138 Bramcote Lane, Wollaton, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG8 2QQ. Mr Cox registered in 1938.