Gardiner In a tribute to the late John Frederick Gardiner (PJ, May 27 p797), JACQUI HYLANDS-WHITE writes: It was with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Fred Gardiner, a most amicable and popular pharmacist.
Born in Ebbw Vale, he studied at Bristol, qualifying in 1942. For the remainder of the 1939-45 war he served with the Royal Air Force. Fred came to Melksham, Wiltshire, in 1951 and opened a pharmacy on the outskirts of the town. In 1956, he transferred to premises at Bank Street, right in the town centre. This pharmacy was situated adjacent to the hairdressing salon run by his wife, and the two premises shared a common fascia, "Gardiner's Hairdressing and Dispensing Chemist" - an unusual combination.
Fred established a high professional reputation and enjoyed a great rapport with the local doctors, patients and customers. (I have never worked in another pharmacy where so many doctors dropped in for a chat.)
I first encountered Fred when I was called to provide emergency locum cover in the early 1980s. I was amazed to learn that this was Fred's first day of absence due to sickness in 35 years. This perfectly demonstrated his incredible strength of character and sense of duty.
He sold his business in 1986 and spent 14 years of happy retirement with his wife.
Also worthy of note is that Fred was a founder member of Helksham Rotary club and was actively involved from 1964 right up until his death.
Fred will be missed by all who knew him and my sympathy goes to his dear wife Joan, to whom he was married for 57 years.