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BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL

14 FEBRUARY 1976

OBITUARY NOTICES

Major General A SACHS CB, CBE, MSC, MD, FRCP, FRCPATH,

late RAMC (Ret) Major-General A Sachs died in the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, on 23 January. He was 71. Albert Sachs was born in South Africa on 18 May 1904 and educated at Pretoria High School and Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated in medicine in 1926. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1927 and the following year was posted to India, where, with brief interludes in Britain, he continued to serve until 1941. From the outset Sachs showed his passion for pathology and seized the many opportunities which Indian service afforded. He was soon investigating an outbreak of meningococcal meningitis among Indian recruits and collaborating in a study of sandfly fever. Active service followed on the North-west Frontier, where he took part in the Mohmand operations in 1933. Returning to Britain in 1934, he published observations on relapsing fever and passed the specialist course in pathology with distinction. Back in India as DADP in Quetta, he energetically followed up the work pioneered by Large on the antigenic structure of the non-mannitefermenting dysentery organisms with which their names are now associated. After the outbreak of the second world war Sachs served in Britain before proceeding to the Middle East in 1942 as ADP 10th Army, serving in Africa, Italy, and Iraq. He became ADP Central Mediterranean Force in the rank of colonel in 1945. After a difficult assignment in India during partition he returned to Britain in 1947 and in 1949 was appointed director of pathology in the rank of brigadier. His responsibilities, besides those of clinical pathology, embraced the medical aspects of atomic, bacteriological, and chemical warfare, immunology, and transfusion, to all of which he made substantial contributions. He conducted the field trial of TAB vaccines and with Mollie Barr investigated the prevention of tetanus in the wounded, leading to a revision of Army practice. In 1953 he was promoted major-general and appointed DDMS Eastern Command. Retiring from the Army in 1956, he was appointed consultant pathologist to the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, where he took a leading role in the development of the new burns unit and published several papers on the pathological aspects of tissue transplants and the immunoprophylaxis of infection in burns. Sachs was devoted to the Corps and much in demand as a speaker on its history and

outstanding personalities. He was appointed CBE in 1952 and CB in 1955. He became honorary physician to the King in 1951 and to the Queen on her succession. He was honorary colonel to 44 (Home Counties) Infantry Division TA Medical Services and colonel commandant Royal Army Medical Corps from 1964 to 1969. Perhaps his most endearing qualities were his unquenchable enthusiasm, love of his fellow men, and, to the end, his courage. Known to three generations as "Bertie," he had many interests. He was a freeman of the City of London, a Patternmaker, and a fine swimmer. The warm friendship and lavish hospitality dispensed by Bertie and his wife Olga, who survives him, will long be remembered by their world-wide circle of friends.-MHPS.

R W H WELSH MD

Dr R W H Welsh, medical officer at St Luke's Hospital, Guildford, died on 13 December after a short illness. He was 77. Richard William Hepburn Welsh was born at Umtata, Transkei, South Africa, on 1 June 1898, the son of a doctor. His education at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, was interrupted by service in the first world war. At the age of 17 he sailed to England to enlist in the Royal Field Artillery. He was commissioned and fought in France from 1917 to 1918, being the sole survivor of his battery. After the war he went to Aberdeen University and graduated in medicine in 1925, proceeding MD in 1929. After hospital posts at Grahamstown and Johannesburg and a few years in private practice at Witbank he became in 1930 a principal in a busy general practice at Pretoria. There he worked for 34 years and developed a special interest in paediatrics, being on the honorary staff of Pretoria General Hospital. In the second world war he joined the South African Medical Corps. Promoted to major, he became second-in-command of the 16th Field Ambulance and worked with it in North Africa in 1941-2. He was mentioned in dispatches. In 1964 he retired to England, settled at Guildford in Surrey, and was appointed to the staff of St Luke's Hospital as medical officer at the day hospital. He held this post for about 11 years and was still active and in charge at the time of his death. When a student at Aberdeen he was a halfmiler and a fine inside three-quarter. He was a keen golfer and in South Africa fished his own trout stream in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains. The closeness of his family bonds was a source of deep happiness to him, which was shattered when his wife Eve died in 1956 after a motor accident. Andy, his second wife, helped him to rebuild it and they created at Guildford a home where old and new friends were warmly welcome. Dr Welsh is survived by his wife and daughter and by his two sons, who are surgeons.-RS.

H BLACK MB, CHB, MRCGP

Dr Hugh Black, who was formerly in general practice at Paisley, died on 26 December. He was 71. Hugh Black was born at Galston, Ayrshire, on 1 May 1904 and educated at Kilmarnock Academy and Glasgow University, graduating with commendation in 1927. After hospital posts and short locums he entered general practice at Paisley and worked with great dedication to his patients over the next 42 years. He was also active in medical politics and brought his alert mind to the aid of many committees. His ability to see problems clearly and his willingness to fight with great tenacity for what he thought was right are remembered by his fellow committee members. He was an outstanding chairman of the local medical committee, a position he held for almost 10 years. He was also a member of the board of the Royal Alexandra Infirmary for many years. To the Renfrewshire Executive Committee he was able to bring his experience and standing, allowing him to exert considerable pressure for the wellbeing of patients and doctors alike. He was a past chairman of the Association of Scottish Executive Councils. Towards the end of his career he took part in many prolonged discussions in the GMSC Scotland and elsewhere on the reorganisation of the NHS. Some of the final decisions were not to his satisfaction and the passage of time served to show his fears to be justified. Shortly before his retiral he was made a Fellow of the BMA. In spite of the passing years Hugh Black kept pace with the changes in medical knowledge and developments in general practice. However, he never forgot the role of the family physician as adviser and friend to his patients. Many grieve his passing and have their own stories to tell of his skill and kindliness. He is survived by his wife Peg and his daughter and son, both of whom are doctors. KLMcG.

W SILLAR MC, BSC, MB, CHB, FRCSGLAS, FRCSED

Mr William Sillar, consultant orthopaedic surgeon to the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, died suddenly on 25 January. He was 61. RBW writes: Bill Sillar graduated in medicine from Glasgow University in 1939. A few weeks later the second world war began and he was an early volunteer for Army service. In France with the BEF he knew the agony of capture by the enemy, the exhilaration of escape, and the double agony of serious illness in enemy-occupied territory. He never forgot the French family who sheltered him during this testing time. When later he made his way down to the Franco-Spanish border and reconnoitred a possible escape route it was

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characteristic of him that he made the information available to others whom he considered in greater need. He did escape to Britain but was soon back in the thick of war in Africa and then in Italy. He diverted from ordinary soldiering to become a soldiers' surgeon, and the rest of his life was devoted to the surgical care of the injured and afflicted. Soon after the inception of the NHS he was appointed first surgeon in charge of casualty at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow. At that time still a general surgeon, he soon concentrated on the surgery of trauma and orthopaedics and established a first-class orthopaedic and accident service in the southwestern district of Glasgow. Largely by his individual effort the first accident and emergency purpose-built department was opened at the Southern General Hospital in 1964. He was plagued by recurrent ill health and on many a day was by far the most sick man in his busy outpatient department, but none would have guessed it. His operating lists were long and exhausting, his outpatient clinics very large. He was an enthusiastic teacher of undergraduates and postgraduates. Outside the hospital he played a prominent part in the setting up of the movement "Action for Disaster." He travelled widely in Britain and abroad to further his knowledge. Bill Sillar had a great capacity for friendship and his circle of friends was global. As a youth he had been intensely interested in the Boy Scout and Rover Scout movement and there he demonstrated a capacity for lasting friendship that can have few equals and to the end of his life kept in touch with many of his fellow scouts and rovers of early days. He is survived by his wife Catriona and by three daughters and a son.

A McN WYLLIE BSC, MD, DIPPSYCH

Dr A McN Wyllie, former physician superintendent of the Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen, and the House of Daviot, Pitcaple, near Inverurie, died at his home on 8 January. He was 69. Andrew McNae Wyllie was a graduate of Glasgow University, taking the BSc with honours in pathology in 1928 and the MB, ChB with honours the following year. He was the most distinguished medical graduate of the year when he won the Brunton memorial prize. His first appointment was as clinical assistant at the then Glasgow Royal Asylum. Shortly afterwards he moved to Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries, as pathologist and assistant physician. In 1937 he was appointed the hospital's deputy physician superintendent. In 1943 he became physician superintendent at the Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen. At that time he was the youngest man ever to be appointed to the post. During the war years he held the rank of major in the RAMC. He was a man of vast talents and completely dedicated to hit* work. His large frame and commanding presence inspired respect, confidence, and loyalty in all who came into contact with him. The welfare of his patients was paramount, his prodigious memory serving to retain, with uncanny accuracy and warmth, all

that was significant in their problems even long after they had been discharged from his care. Former students in Aberdeen will remember him as one of the most outstanding lecturers

in the medical course. He could make the driest subject spring to life through his commanding delivery, his vivid turn of phrase, and his startling two-handed display with chalk on the blackboard. Those who worked with him and had the privilege of his friendship will remember him for his cheerful willingness to help and advise, his sound judgment, and his absolute integrity. After 28 years he retired in September 1971 to live with his wife at Kirklea, Oyne. He was a most devoted husband and father. A deeply religious family man, he never departed from the conviction that ail men were part of an extended family, to whose welfare he dedicated his life. Dr Wyllie is survived by his wife and four children, who are all honours graduates. -AHI.

MAUREEN E M TAYLOR MB, CHB, BAO, DCH

Dr Maureen E M Taylor, who formerly worked at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, died suddenly at Houston, Texas, on 14 November. She was 34. Maureen Evelyn Margaret Taylor was born on 8 December 1940 and educated at the Methodist College and at Queen's University, Belfast, where she graduated in medicine in 1966. After a house appointment she became senior house officer at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and took the diploma in child health. She then returned to the Royal Victoria Hospital and played an active part in the cardiac resuscitation unit. In 1971 she married Alan Crockard, a neurosurgeon, and together they looked forward to a life of dedication to medicine. Though she was stricken by an illness that left irremediable cardiac damage and on many occasions it was feared that she would not recover, her indomitable spirit prevailed. She became interested in dermatology and for three years was senior house officer in the skin department of the Royal Victoria Hospital. In 1973 she went to London with her husband and worked in St John's Hospital for Diseases of the Skin. After a year they went to Chicago, where she took part in research into immunofluorescence in dermatology. We all looked forward to her coming home to Belfast in December last year to continue this work, but while attending a meeting at Houston, Texas, alone from her husband, she died suddenly. Dr Taylor's death is a tremendous loss to her family and to her patients, colleagues, and friends.-JMB.

A B HEWLETT MRCS, LRCP

in the RAMC, for part of the time in India. Throughout his life he was a great reader and observer and could discuss with authority a wide range of non-medical subjects. In the 'thirties he took up painting and some of his work was exhibited at the Royal Academy. In his young days "AB" was a good rugby footballer, year after year representing King's and playing in the scrum. He will be sorely missed by his many friends, but most of all by his devoted wife Louise. She has the great sympathy of us all.-WID.

Sir TUDOR THOMAS DSC, MD, MS, FRCS

RDO writes: It was while serving in the RAMC in Africa that Tudor Thomas (obituary, 7 February, p 345) acquired an interest in ophthalmology, and in 1923 he was appointed honorary assistant surgeon to the ophthalmic department of Cardiff Royal Infirmary. The first corneal graft performed on man by him in London was on a case under the care of Mr Ormond at Guy's. That was on 15 November 1930. Between 1930 and 1933 he carried out corneal grafting at Moorfields and the Central London Ophthalmic Hospital and firmly established himself as a pioneer in that branch of surgery. His scientific contributions on corneal grafting and keratoplasty, with emphasis on technical considerations, were numerous, and he was especially proud of the way he established the eye bank in 1950. He was awarded the Doyne memorial medal at the Oxford Ophthalmological Congress, of which he was master in addition to being president of the Ophthalmic Society of the United Kingdom. It was a rare distinction to hold both offices. He served on numerous committees, including the Porritt Committee reviewing the NHS. But one must never forget his devotion to the BMA. One well remembers the time and energy which he and his wife Bronnie spent organising the various committees to make the 1953 Annual Meeting the great success it was. Three years later he became high sheriff of his native county of Breconshire and the same year he received his well-deserved knighthood. Tudor was a Welsh-speaking Welshman. He was made a member of the Gorsedd when the National Eisteddfod was held at Ystradgynlais, his birthplace, in 1954. He will also be remembered for the part he played as chairman of the Wales Appeal Committee for the Welsh College of Nursing Headquarters, now called Ty Maeth, in Cardiff and adjacent to the University Hospital of Wales. He was also founder and first president of the Cardiff Medical Old Students' Association, and donated a magnificent badge of office. He was truly a great man and an asset to our profession.

Dr A B Hewlett, formerly chief assistant in the ENT department at King's College Hospital, died on 24 January. He was 74. Allan Beale Hewlett qualified at King's in 1925, and from 1926 until his retirement A memorial service for the late Mr Arthur worked in the ENT department at King's Dickson Wright (obituary, 17 January, p 159)

College Hospital. He was house surgeon, then registrar, and later chief assistant. Everyone connected with the department loved working with him. He was a man whom consultants consulted when in difficulties, for his clinical judgment was outstandingly good. During the second world war he served with distinction

will be held in the church of St Martin in the Fields, London WC2, on Wednesday, 18 February, at 11.30 am. There will also be a memorial meeting at 6 pm on Monday 15 March at the Medical Society of London, Lettsom House, 11 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London Wl.

Major General A Sachs.

404 BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 14 FEBRUARY 1976 OBITUARY NOTICES Major General A SACHS CB, CBE, MSC, MD, FRCP, FRCPATH, late RAMC (Ret) Major-Genera...
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