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I read with great interest Mr David Crosbys account of his meeting
with Sir Gordon Gordon Taylor in the late 1950s.
In 1942 I was doing my pre-medical studies at the University Tutorial
College in London. One afternoon I caught the train at Victoria Station in
order to visit my parents in herne Bay. As usual the train was packed with
troops and I took refuge in a first class carriage. Shortly before the
train departed a most distinguished looking naval man entered my carriage
wearing if my memory is correct the uniform of a Surgeon Rear Admiral.
Seeing me reading a textbook of Biology, he enquired what I was studying.
When I told him that I hoped to study medicine, he suggested that before
making a decision on medical school, I had a look at the Middlesex
Hospital medical School.
In due course the train arrived at Gillingham where he told me he was
operating at the Royal Naval Hospital. On leaving the train he gave me his
card and advised me as to contacting the medical school secretary.
In 1943, I commenced my studies at the Middlesex and a few days later
received a charming letter from him wishing me well and saying that I
woulnd never regret joining the Middlesex. In January 1949 I qualified and
a few days later receiveda letter of congratulation from him, this despite
the fact that I had not had contact with him throughout my studies. I
later learned that i was one of several 'Gordon Taylor Discoveries'. I
feel his great surgical ability was matched by his outstanding character.
Gordon Taylor Discoveries
I read with great interest Mr David Crosbys account of his meeting
with Sir Gordon Gordon Taylor in the late 1950s.
In 1942 I was doing my pre-medical studies at the University Tutorial
College in London. One afternoon I caught the train at Victoria Station in
order to visit my parents in herne Bay. As usual the train was packed with
troops and I took refuge in a first class carriage. Shortly before the
train departed a most distinguished looking naval man entered my carriage
wearing if my memory is correct the uniform of a Surgeon Rear Admiral.
Seeing me reading a textbook of Biology, he enquired what I was studying.
When I told him that I hoped to study medicine, he suggested that before
making a decision on medical school, I had a look at the Middlesex
Hospital medical School.
In due course the train arrived at Gillingham where he told me he was
operating at the Royal Naval Hospital. On leaving the train he gave me his
card and advised me as to contacting the medical school secretary.
In 1943, I commenced my studies at the Middlesex and a few days later
received a charming letter from him wishing me well and saying that I
woulnd never regret joining the Middlesex. In January 1949 I qualified and
a few days later receiveda letter of congratulation from him, this despite
the fact that I had not had contact with him throughout my studies. I
later learned that i was one of several 'Gordon Taylor Discoveries'. I
feel his great surgical ability was matched by his outstanding character.
Dr Jack Cantor
Retired GP
Faversham Kent
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests