The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7494 p348
22 March 2008

Society summary

DEATHS

TRIBUTES

Dowland On 31 January, Irene Rosina Pamela Dowland (née Marriott), MRPharmS, aged 73, of 5 Ryecroft, Warblington, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2SJ.
Mrs Dowland registered in 1957.


Jolliffe On 6 March, Oonagh Mary Jolliffe, aged 72, of Waldron, 36 Glebe Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 9NJ.
Mrs Jolliffe registered in 1961 and retired from the Register in 2007.


Owen On 12 March, Evan John Owen, aged 94, of Neuadd Esless, Esless Lane, Rhostyllen, Wrexham, Clwyd LL14 4DG.
Mr Owen registered in 1936 and retired from the Register in 2004.


Pipe On 2 March, Arthur Percival Pipe, aged 97, of 138 Westbourne Road, Penarth, South Glamorgan CF64 3HH.
Mr Pipe registered in 1936 and retired from the Register in 1996.

Tributes

Grainger In a tribute to the late Herbert Searle Grainger (PJ, 15 March 2008, p321), ANN LEWIS, former secretary and registrar of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, writes:

It was with much sadness I learnt of Herbert Grainger’s death. He will be remembered with great respect and fondness by his many friends and colleagues. He was an inspiration for many and we should celebrate his life and achievements.

Bert was one of the few hospital pharmacists who served as President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and it was through this common bond that I came to know him, but his work had influenced me from the early days of my career.

He was chief pharmacist at the Westminster Hospital in London from 1948 to 1964 and it was during this time that he became co-author with F. Dudley Hart of a book, ‘Drugs, actions, uses and dosage’, published by the Pharmaceutical Press in 1963. The book was arranged by action and presented as a pocket book for ready reference.

As a young pharmacist when clinical pharmacy was in its infancy, I found this extremely useful. It was the forerunner of subsequent clinical texts and Bert’s work at the Westminster laid the foundations for the development of clinical pharmacy.

Bert served on the Council and was President of the Society from 1961–62 when I began my student days. Some two years later he moved to Strasbourg to become secretary to the European Pharmacopoeia Commission. He was bilingual in French and English — a requirement for the post — and he played a key role in setting up and establishing this important reference book which is used worldwide.

In recent years we met on a number of occasions and enjoyed sharing tales of pharmacy and other matters. Bert was an excellent raconteur with a great sense of humour and always a twinkle in his eye. He was also very much a family man. Indeed, it was his family who persuaded him, in his retirement, to write another book, ‘An apothecary’s tale’ in which he recounts his experiences, including his time as President and in Strasbourg. The book also provides some insight from a social perspective of the issues and values of the day; I treasure the signed copy which he gave me.

Correction (29 March 2008) The wife of the late Herbert Grainger died not long after their diamond wedding anniversary, and not their golden wedding anniversary as stated.

He suffered a blow when he lost his wife Muriel not long after they had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. However, he threw his energy into his many interests and developed a new hobby, painting. Although he had become frailer of late I was delighted that he was able to be at Lambeth for my retirement reception last September (2007).

Much is said these days about leadership. Bert Grainger was a man of vision and conviction, a true leader whose qualities were recognised in this country and overseas. His daughters Susan, Ursula and Margaret have been a great support to him, our thoughts and sympathy go to them and his family at this time.