Some News from the Blogmaster

I discovered Malcolm Forsythe lurking in my garden on Saturday afternoon, and found he had paid £5 for the privilege of visiting it, along with seven other gardens in Winchelsea, open for the National Gardens Scheme charities, and attracting about 1000 visitors. He has heard that Simon Brook is acutely ill in Addenbrooke's, and may not be able to get to our reunion. Let's all hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Terence English has published his autobiography, which I haven't seen yet, but am looking forward to reading. possibly as an e-book on the Kindle I have been promised for my forthcoming birthday.

I've been invited to do a year of Friday morning allergy clinics at Guy's, (maternity leave cover), starting in August, but have stipulated that I shall need to get away promptly on 9 September. I showed Malcolm the application form that Guy's sent me. The guidance notes, running to four A4 sides, gave a stern warning about the poor impression created by bad presentation, followed by a succession of howlers, including references to "short-listening" and the news that "the disclosure of a criminal record will not atomically debar you from appointment". (That would be the nuclear option I suppose).

I'm eating with Tony Bron tomorrow, Monday 27 June, at the RSM, so hope to persuade him to contribute to the blog.
LY

Peter Nicklin

Many of you may remember that I had a spot of bother actually qualifying and so it was not until 1962 that I finally made it. Nevertheless I have been assured that it will be alright to submit my history to all you 1961-ers, as I am sure I will asked again for the 1962-ers. Sadly I will not be able to join in the celebrations this year.

I was born in Zanzibar and brought up in Malawi and Zambia and it was always my intention to get back to Zambia as soon as I could. This I did in 1964, joining a mining company where I was one of ten doctors. Here I stayed for eleven years, getting thrown into anaesthetics, getting married and having two children.

The Zambian economy is dependent largely on copper and, when it became clear that the industry was going into decline, it was also clear it was time to go. And where did I go? Back to Guys. This for six months so as to get a DA. I realised, though, that anaesthetics was not for me and, instead, I pursued general practice.

I have nothing against Gosport and, indeed, I had a happy two years there but I am not sure I could have stuck it for the rest of my working life. So when an offer came for work in Mombasa, g.p.cum anaesthetist, I moved again, with my family, to my beloved Africa. And here I have been ever since, 34 years, even taking out Kenyan citizenship. After seven years at the coast I moved inland to a huge hydro-electric scheme and a most enjoyable job, unfortunately ending when the dam was built. Then four years at a private hospital at the foot of Mount Kenya. Then back to Mombasa, sort of, where I joined Starline Cruises as their ship's doctor on a lovely little ship, the Royal Star, for five years.

A life at sea is no place for a happily married life and unfortunately mine crumbled. I thought I had better put roots down somehere and what better than a horticultural company in Naivasha. I married the ship's photographer, had two more children (now 10 and 8), left the rose farm after four years, returning to general practice (in Naivasha) where I have been for the past decade.

So no chance of retirement just yet. My g.p. work includes doctoring for three small flower farms, a tourist hotel and a prep. school but this still leaves time for golf. I live at the local golf club, the first tee being no more than 25 metres from my front door. I should really be better than I am, at golf that is, but, although I have had both knees replaced and can happily stroll through 18 holes, both my shoulders are now packing up, severely restricting both backswing andfollow-through.

My multi-talented wife is amazing; pianist, artist and cook. She has set up a small company called Life Beads Kenya, employing sixteen people, either physically handicapped or else HIV positive, making all kinds of beadwork as well as leather and basketwork, upholstering and uniforms. She has a website: http://www.lifebeadskenya.org or click on link at right

if anyone might wish to know more.

So, that's about it. Sorry I can't be with you at the bash in September. I'm actually in England at this very moment (June), on a short visit to my not-so-well brother, and to make a second trip in a year is not possible. If anyone of you might be visiting Kenya and passing through Naivasha then we would love to see you:
e-mail pm@lifebeadskenya.org
tel. +254 733 715482
address Naivasha Sports Club, PO Box 1869, Naivasha 20117, Kenya

Edward (Eddie) Young

After a long drought, at last some fresh activity on the blog. Eddie has sent a brief biography, and also the class picture above featuring some of us in our first year at Guy's. Eddie is far right, second row down. Click on the picture to enlarge it, as usual.

Here is Eddie's contribution:

I loved the blogs of Mike Steyn and Professor Bill, from each end of the globe. I didn’t get so far. I arrived at Guy’s in 1955 from my home in Reading, got a job in Reading in 1970, and 26 years later retired there at 60. Fifteen years on I’m still there. If we had a competition to choose a ‘Doctor stick-in-the-mud’, I reckon I’d be in there with a good chance.

I met my wife Sally in 1961 when she was a student nurse at Pembury, and I was there with my flat-mate Gwyn Daniel doing my second house job. He married one of Sally’s nursing friends Wendy Dive, and in 2003 we went to their ruby wedding celebrations in Wales. In 2004 they came to Reading for ours.

I toyed with the idea of General Practice, but after jobs in obstetrics and paediatrics settled on anaesthetics, by chance getting a consultant post at Reading while an SR at Oxford. That was the end of my globe-trotting. I loved the job, the department, and the people, and I stayed there until I retired in 1996.

Two of our children took a medical road – Alison (staff nurse, cardiac ICU Oxford) and Tim (consultant neurologist, Queen Square / Whittington). The others chose different paths: Hazel is head of HR (we called it personnel) at Brighton University, and Edward is deputy private secretary to the Queen.

Retirement didn’t bring carpet slippers. Our feet have hardly touched the ground. Sorting out the kids was bad enough – now it’s grandchildren – four, with number five on the way

I did the last of my seven London marathons just after I retired, and occasionally do a 10K with Hazel in Brighton. It’s good for the weight, and keeps me out of the pub (for a bit).

We’re looking forward to September!

David Stevens

David has sent this class photograph which shows several of those attending our reunion in September, including two of the organisers, Malcolm Forsythe and Penny Hewitt.

Memories of Guy's Hospital ca 1961

I thought a section specifically for our memories of notable personalities and or incidents from our early days at Guy's might encourage more of you to contribute. The first four contributions are from Christopher Mallinson, the rest from me. Let's have lots more please.

1) Russell Brock became even more frenzied than usual and was
found to be thyrotoxic.For reasons obvious to him he chose prompt surgical
treatment and that by Guy Blackburn.That evening as the anaesthetic wore off GB
stood at the bedside of RB ,by then a Peer and PRCS.His Lordship spoke :
"Blackburn.Blackburn.I suppose you realize that you had the life of a great,a
great,I say a great surgeon in your hands today?"
Wagging his head and his first two fingers as he did, GB replied,
"Oh no Russell. TWO great surgeons. (CM)

2) Jim Willis ,the way out cool Drug Psychiatrist was walking across the park on
Derby Day with his young daughter Emma.GB was swaggering towards them in full
morning dress with carnation and topper,as did several consultants on that day
just to show us the wider world .
"Ah Willis.There you are .Not changed for Epsom yet? And this is your charming
little girl?How are you my dear? You are certainly going to be hotly pursued in
a year or two I can see.Good day to you both."
He swept on.
Jim cringed with dismay at this macho display Emma being a junior Pankhurst at
the time.
"Oh My Gawd "breathed Emma.Long silence...'"But he is the real thing,Isn't he
Dad?" (CM)

3) In the early days of CPResuscitation Willie Mann professed
himself against it on principle."I mean to say, I wouldn't know whose name was
now on the bed" (CM)

4) A very old story came from Michael Price who said the only demonstration of
research on the wards at Guy's he ever saw as a student in the 30's was on a
Hurst ward round when Daddy Poulton opined that rectal oxygen would certainly
help ulcerative colitis. Hurst insisted that he try this at once. The sounds
coming subsequently from behind the curtains were loud and variable from each
end of the patient.Clinical Research was stillborn at Guy's at that point and Dr
Poulton took a holiday until his black eye had settled.The only occasion that
Michael ever saw of a patient striking a member of the staff. (CM)

5) Scene: Medical OP clinic. Grateful patient: Dr Kauntze, you've done a miracle, you and God. Suave cardiologist: Come madam, surely we needn't apportion the credit. (LY)

6) Scene: Traffic lights in Borough High Street. Chauffeur in full uniform pulls up in Rolls Royce next to Noel Glover sitting in driver's seat of his similar Rolls. Chauffeur winds down passenger side window , (only really posh cars had electric windows then). Noel Glover winds down his window to see what the chauffeur wants. Chauffeur: Doesn't your governor make you wear a cap? (LY)

7) Scene: Examination Hall, Queen Square. Examiner Professor Sir Hedley Atkins, at the end of an impressive Final FRCS viva by a female candidate, keen to know what her career plans were: What are you doing after this? Candidate, blushing slightly: Well sir, I was thinking of going home (LY)

Michael Steyn

I remember my time at Guy’s with much pleasure for the freedom and fun I had after leaving boarding school and home. I made long lasting friendships which have endured to this day even though I have lived in Australia since 1968.
I live in Newcastle Australia’s largest regional city on the coast 160km north of Sydney.
I wasn’t a very serious student and studying came second to having a good time in sport and social life.
I wonder if I would be accepted as a medical student in today’s highly academic and competitive world. I think not.
I was fortunate to do my resident terms at Orpington in Kent (beautiful pubs in country Kent) and work with two great physicians Neville Southwell and John Williams and Michael Fearnley in Physical Medicine as it then was. The medical registrar at the time went on to become Professor of Psychiatry in Edinburgh and we have always been in touch and visited one another.
I did O & G at Guy’s with G.F. Gibberd and Tom Lewis and got the job because I was the only applicant. The registrar, on exchange from Cape Town, went on to become Professor of Obstetrics at Groote Schuur and we have always been in touch and visited each other.
As was popular in the late 50’s and early 60’s in 1964 I went to sea as a ship’s surgeon on the New Zealand run and became known as Sir Gin Steyn. I met on board my lovely wife Babs’ and we were married in New Zealand in 1965. She never managed to emigrate on that occasion.
Returning to the UK I spent two and a half years in general practice in Hayling Island (beautiful golf course) before realising that the NHS and “X” years to parity were not for me. I left the practice and did six months anaesthetics in Portsmouth. Babs and I and our two young boys emigrated to Australia in 1968 as ten pound Poms. (I always remind my Aussie friends of their generosity when the opportunity arises).
I spent my first four months as an assistant to Peter Rikard-Bell , a job organized for me by Jimmy Good liffe. I expect they are both remembered by most in our year. I then moved further in to the country (bush) to practice with a friend from Bart’s who I had met in Portsmouth and later he joined my practice in Newcastle in the mid 70’s..
Two years practice in the bush was very demanding, full on, great fun and a wonderful experience and my anaesthetics came in very useful. Babs and I with our now three boys moved to Newcastle where we have been since 1971. I retired in 2001.
Never having been very academic and always interested in eating, drinking, golf and wine collecting I nevertheless had 30 very rewarding years in General Practice and have always enjoyed the freedom relaxed life style and great weather in Australia. In my early years in practice in Newcastle I was involved in O&G and also had Visiting rights at the local hospital where I could admit and look after my own medical patients.
I have been visited by Guy’s friends and old school friends and I have visited them in the UK, Kenya and South Africa. Living in Australia subjects people here as to what has been described as the “Tyranny of Distance” or geographical isolation, New Zealand is even further away, and this prevents one from being as close to friends and family as one would like.
I have maintained my interest in medicine, am a director of a private hospital nearby and I seldom miss browsing the BMJ and keeping up with medical politics.
Babs and I are always delighted to welcome overseas visitors and please let us know if you would like to visit.
Our details:- mbsteyn@bigpond.net.au Tel: 0249522747 or Aus. Country Code + 61 2 49522747

Further news:-
My dear friend from school and Guy’s, Mike Simpson (see picture outside the King’s Head) died in Portugal in 2006 and I am in touch with his widow Maria.
Clive Barrett lives 80 kms away, still working part time, and we talk from time to time and he sends his apologies and good wishes.
John Grime who had polio before he arrived at Guy’s now has the post polio syndrome, lives in Sydney and is physically unable to travel as is Jeremy Hallpike with chronic asthma and avascular necrosis in his foot who lives in Adelaide, they both wish to be remembered.
Michael Rallings lives in Sydney and may be coming with Brenda.
My very good friend Peter Nicklin who started with us but qualified a little later went home to Kenya and lives in Naivasha near Lake Naikuru (of pink flamingo fame). He has a young second family aged 10 and 9, has his nose to the grindstone and is unable to come and sends his best wishes.





The location is a beach we go to every year on the south coast of NSW which unlike the north and central coasts is renowned for its peacefulness and lack of people.

I am catching beach worms for fishing.

I have a stinker, which is old smelly fish in a stocking attached to a pole which is dragged along the sand until a worm pops up its head thinking it may get a feed. I then stick the pole in the sand and with a small piece of equally smelly bait in my left hand I encourage the worm to stick it's head out of the sand and with the pliers I have in my right hand I grab it and gently pull it out, that is if doesn't escape. One has to be quick, the experts don't use pliers they catch the worm between finger and thumb. I was a late starter so I am happy to use the pliers


Here is a photo taken outside the King's Head of Lawrence Youlten, John Robertson, myself, Steve Haynes,David Smith and Mike Simpson,(see above). You can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them

More Class Photographs

I came across these two pictures, to supplement the one sent by Simon Brook, of many of the participants in our reunion celebration They are of the Pre-Clinical classes of October 1958 and of January 1959. More contributions still awaited. There should be one here shortly from Michael Steyn. Where are the rest of you?