Sherwood George William Rainsbury
Former general practitioner Manchester (b Nottinghamshire 21 July 1915; q Sheffield 1943), died from a heart attack on 5 May
2005.
After qualifying he worked at Sheffield Children’s Hospital during the Blitz. He joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
and became a surgeon lieutenant on active service with the Atlantic convoys and D Day landing. He spent six months at the
Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield, prior to going into general practice at his father’s practice in Nottinghamshire before
coming to Manchester shortly before the start of the NHS. He had a large singlehanded practice in north Manchester, retiring
in 1985. He took part in Sir Richard Doll’s survey of smoking habits and use of prophylactic aspirin in ischaemic heart disease.
He was a beekeeper and show judge. He was a keen supporter and member of Chester Zoo from its inception. He was also interested
in mill engines, model engineering, naval and military history, classical music, and natural history. In retirement he became
a qualified horologist and member of the Antiquarian Horological Society. He is survived by his wife, Joan; his son; his daughter;
and six grandchildren. [David Shreeve]
