The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7200 p787-788
1 June 2002

John Annesley Myers

John Annesley Myers, BPharm, LLB, DPA, FRPharmS, ACIS, MCPP, MInstPkg, of "Grangefield", Plot 2, High Street, Scotter, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, has died at the age of 86. He was a member of the Pharmaceutical Society's Council for a total of 21 years (1964–79, 1980–83 and 1986–89) and an elected member of the Society's Scottish Executive from 1983 to 1986.

"Jack" Myers registered in 1937 and gained experience in community practice, manufacturing and hospital practice before serving as a pharmacist in the Royal Navy from 1942 to 1946. He was chief pharmacist at Bradford Royal Infirmary from 1946 to 1958, chief pharmacist at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and associated hospitals from 1958 to 1972, regional pharmacist, South Eastern Regional Hospital Board from 1972 to 1974, and chief pharmaceutical administrative officer for Lothian Health Board from 1974 until his retirement in 1980.

At various times during his career he was a member of the standing pharmaceutical advisory committee of the Scottish Health Services Council, the Scottish representative on the English and Welsh hospital pharmacists committee and a member of the Scottish Hospital Pharmacists Consultative Committee.

He was a member of the Scottish Home and Health Department expert advisory group on sterile supply services and represented the SHHD on the pharmacy course committee of the Scottish Technical Education Council.

He served on the surgical dressings committees of both the British Pharmaceutical Codex (1964–68) and the British Pharmacopoeia (1973–78). He also served on the British Standards Institution technical committee on transfusion equipment for medical use.

He lectured at the Royal College of Nursing and the Queen Alexandra's Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh, and was an honorary senior lecturer for both Edinburgh University and Heriot-Watt University.

He was awarded the Pereira medal in 1940 and the Evans gold medal in 1978.

Blair On 14 January, Ian Francis Blair, MRPharmS, of PO Box 29069, Sandringham 2131, Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr Blair registered in 1954.

Buckley On 30 April, John James Buckley, MRPharmS, of 79 Richmond Road, London SW20 0PE. Mr Buckley qualified in Sydney, Australia, in 1926 and conducted a pharmacy in Katoomba, New South Wales, for 28 years. He moved to England and registered as a pharmacist in 1957 and purchased a pharmacy in Herne Hill, London. He disposed of this pharmacy in 1973 and worked as a locum for several years until full retirement.

Cleaver On 5 May, David Frederick Cleaver, FRPharmS, of 20 Tanyard Drive, Hale Barns, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 0BS. Mr Cleaver registered in 1952 (see Tribute).

Kay On 21 April, David John Kay, MRPharmS, of 3 Newlands Close, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 2QW. Mr Kay registered in 1949.

Kerr On 17 April, John Stewart Sharp Kerr, MRPharmS, of 7 Menzieshill Road, Ninewells, Dundee, Angus DD1 1PS. Mr Kerr registered in 1955.

Kramer On 6 December 2001, Judith Kramer, MRPharmS, of Automation Partnership, York Way, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5WY. Miss Kramer registered in 1976.

Lawson On 25 April, Judith Rosslyn Lawson, née Davis, MRPharmS, of 54 Casewick Lane, Uffington, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 4SX. Mrs Lawson registered in 1971.

Russell On 9 May, John Sneddon Russell, FRPharmS, of 4 Inch Crescent, Bathgate, West Lothian EH48 1EU. Mr Russell registered in 1933 and retired from the register in 2002. He was former chief pharmacist to the West Lothian group of hospitals.

Scott In May 2001, James Duncan Scott, MRPharmS, of 588 Plessey Road, Blyth, Northumberland NE24 4BN. Mr Scott registered in 1974.

Sidaway On 29 April, Josephine Rhoda Sidaway, MRPharmS, of Pharmacy, Llanbedrog, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 7NU. Mrs Sidaway registered in 1962.

Woolley On 3 May, David Victor Woolley, MRPharmS, of 1 Eastcombe Road, Weston-Super-Mare, Avon BS23 1UJ. Mr Woolley registered in 1950.

Tribute

Bannister In a tribute to the late Ronald Bannister (PJ, 11 May, p669), EDWARD MALLINSON writes:

I have no doubt there will be many, like me, who read of Ronald Bannister's death in The Journal with great sadness. I was fortunate to be one of what must have been thousands of pharmacists who were schooled by him in the intricacies of pharmacy practice and legislation while students at Bradford. Indeed it was often surmised during my undergraduate years that he must have taught a significant proportion of those on the Register of Pharmaceutical Chemists.

In a career that started a mere five years after the introduction of mandatory registration with the Pharmaceutical Society and when the art of compounding was as important as the science, he saw many changes in practice and in the profession of which he was so proud to be a member. Like the other practising pharmacists on the teaching staff at Bradford in the late 1960s and early 1970s he instilled into his students a sense of belonging and professionalism which will no doubt remain with us to our dying day. The legacy of his teaching career of over 40 years is one from which the profession will benefit for years to come. He will be sorely missed and I fear we will not see his like again.

Professor T. G. BOOTH writes:

I noted with sadness the report of the death of Ronnie Bannister. Ronnie was a warmly regarded member of the staff at the Bradford School of Pharmacy for over 40 years until his retirement in l979. He approached all the upheaval of the changes in pharmaceutical education with a wonderfully phlegmatic acceptance that was his attitude to life in general. His ready smile at both success and adversity was always a tonic for his colleagues and students alike.

I was privileged to be one of his students before I joined the staff and know my memories will be echoed by the thousands of other pharmacy students who passed through his hands. His lectures were models of clarity in both physiology and forensic pharmacy which were totally his responsibility in the early days. Patience was his hallmark coupled with a delightful sense of humour and, no doubt, aided by his perennial pipe-smoking.

In retrospect I now realise his ability to empathise with students was moulded by his many interests in life. These brought a pragmatic approach to the frequent crossroads pharmacy has faced in its relationship with government and the general public. Ronnie owned community pharmacies in addition to his academic involvement but he had other interests in horse-racing, golf, gardening and the breeding of bull terriers which were on occasions shown at Crufts. His wife Janet shared his interests and was a delightful and constantly cheerful companion.

Ronnie was one of academia's many gentlemen of the days gone by and will be remembered with affection.

Boorman In a tribute to the late Harry William Boorman (PJ, 18 May, p700), EDWIN JENKINS (former chairman of the Wessex Regional Pharmacists Committee) and JOHN FENNEL (former chief pharmacist, Basingstoke Hospital) write:

There are still a few colleagues of Bill Boorman who will remember his contribution to our profession. He spent almost the whole of his career in hospital pharmacy — 30 years as chief pharmacist, then group chief pharmacist to the Winchester hospitals, based at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. He was a valued member of the Wessex Regional Pharmacists Committee for 16 years.

In retirement, Bill attended Southampton University and gained a degree in social sciences. He then delved into the archives of Winchester, producing a treatise on "Health and Sanitation in Victorian Winchester" for the journal of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society. Also in retirement he was pleased to support his beloved late wife Margaret in taking over the Whitchurch pharmacy that was once home of Lord Denning who had a great appreciation of Margaret and Bill. On occasions, Lord Denning was known to have telephoned Bill if a medical matter was being raised in the House of Lords.

Our sympathy is extended to his children David, Felicity and Tony and also to his five grandchildren.

Cleaver In a tribute to the late David Frederick Cleaver (p787), W. A. JACKSON writes:

I was saddened to hear of the recent death of David Cleaver. He was a fine pharmacist with an inventive mind and a great sense of humour. We worked together in what I believe it is now fashionable to call community pharmacy for a number of years, and I found him to be unfailingly cheerful and helpful.

Pharmacy is the poorer for his loss.

Fullerton In a tribute to the late Kathleen Mary Fullerton, née Appleyard (PJ, 4 May, p629), JOAN BEANLAND, chairman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Slough branch, writes:

It was with regret that we noted the death of Kath Fullerton. Kath was a past chairman, previous committee member and good friend to many in the Slough branch.

We were first sad to hear of her illness, especially as it was only a few years ago that she lost her husband Eddie Fullerton, whom she had supported through many tribulations. During her treatment she used to call into the pharmacy at Wexham Park Hospital to chat to her friends and colleagues there. When her treatment was not successful, she returned home and passed away with her family around her.

ANGELA ALEXANDER writes:

My first experience of a British Pharmaceutical Conference was under the careful tutelage of Kath Fullerton, who had been keen for a BPC novice to accompany her. When I saw the size of her suitcase and the kit bag bulging with sports equipment, I realised that BPCs were not only about professional development but also about the social side of meeting with colleagues. Like many others in the Slough branch I shall miss seeing Kath at branch meetings.

PATRICIA HOARE writes:

My enduing memory of Kath Fullerton will be when she reinvented herself as an independent woman in her striking pink suit and her lovely smile.

We will all miss Kath and offer our sincere condolences to her family.