Harold Gilbert
BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7380.107/g (Published 11 January 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:107Data supplement
Harold Gilbert
Former general practitioner Newcastle upon Tyne (b 16 April 1920; q Durham 1943), d 18 October 2002.
Harold Gilbert was the second son of Polish Jewish immigrants to Newcastle upon Tyne. He was one of four children, but, unlike his brothers, he did not go into the family business but decided on a career in medicine.
He was educated at Newcastle Royal Grammar School, when it was situated in the West End of Newcastle. When in his teens he was sent to Lausanne University and studied for a short while under Pierre Gilliard, the tutor of the haemophiliac Tsarevich. He therefore had links with the history of the whole of the 20th century, and indeed he was a keen local historian.
He attended medical school at Durham University, which was then situated at Newcastle upon Tyne. The onset of the second world war curtailed his studies and he graduated in 1943.
As well as house jobs he was put on fire watch duties at the local hospitals for air raids. He then joined the Royal Army Medical Corps with the 8th Army in Italy. This was shortly after the Salerno landings and eventually he ran a large medical unit in Naples and reached the rank of captain. The end of the war saw him witness the downfall of Mussolini and finally he ended up in Austria looking after prisoners of war.
He married Norma in 1947 and lived in Gosforth. They were married for 50 years and celebrated their golden wedding shortly before he was suddenly bereaved in 1997.
He was a dedicated, caring GP in partnership in the West End of Newcastle for more than 40 years. He witnessed the inception of the health service and practised in a poverty stricken area of the city.
He was a shipping medical officer on the River Tyne and attended many foreign boats on the river.
He was a keen obstetrician and performed many home deliveries, and he was part of the original obstetric home flying squad set up by Farquhar Murray to deal with home confinements in Newcastle. He was one of the founders of the GP unit for deliveries at the Newcastle General Hospital.
He retired in 1987 but continued as a part time medical officer at the Benefits Agency. However, his retirement was not inactive because he had many hobbies. He was a keen photographer. He enjoyed reading above all else. Another interest was travelling the world, and in his late 70s he visited China, India, South Africa, and the upper reaches of the Amazon. He played golf and bridge.
He is survived by his two sons: Peter, who is a GP in Gateshead, and Jeffrey. He was thrilled to know that there was going to be a third generation of Gilbert doctors: his grandson Andrew, currently a fifth year medical student in Edinburgh.
He was diagnosed three years ago as having pulmonary fibrosis and he succumbed to a long, distressing final illness.
He passed away in his chair peacefully—a man of the 20th century who had made it to the 21st. [Peter Gilbert]
See more
- Introductory AddressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 1-4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.1
- Report of the Meeting of the Eastern Branch of the Provincial Association at Bury St. Edmond'sProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 10-13; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.10
- Mr. Warburton's Bill for the Regulation of the Medical ProfessionProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 13-15; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.13
- An Atlas of Plates, illustrative of the Principles and Practice of Obstetric Medicine and Surgery, with descriptive LetterpressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4
- A Practical Treatise on the Diseases peculiar to Women, illustrated by Cases, &cProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4-5; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4-a