Brian Westgarth Lacey
BMJ 2006; 333 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.333.7560.204-c (Published 20 July 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;333:204Data supplement
Brian Westgarth Lacey
Emeritus professor of bacteriology Westminster Hospital, London (b 9 January 1913; q Middlesex Hospital, London, 1938), d 29 May 2006.Brian was one of four children from a prominent Cambridge family. All three brothers, Jack, Brian, and Denis, became doctors, but Marjorie, the eldest sister, became, in later years, secretary to the infamous spy Kim Philby.
Brian was educated, firstly in Newcastle, then at King Edward’s in Oxford, and then at his beloved Perse in Cambridge, where he said he spent some of the happiest years of his life. He kept in touch with many friends, including the actor Marius Goring.
Brian undertook his medical training at the Middlesex Hospital in London and graduated from there in 1938 just before the outbreak of war.
Within a week of war being declared he was drafted into the Medical Corps, becoming second in command of medical services in the Middle East and rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel at the age of 32.
During this time he met his future wife, Leckie Clark, a lieutenant in the Queen Alexandria Nursing Corps.
After the war he joined the pathology department at Westminster Hospital, where he became professor of bacteriology. His main interests included the use and abuse of antibiotics, pertussis immunisation, and autoantibody markers for disease. He was recognised as an inspirational teacher and lamented the decline in time set aside for medical students and young doctors to practise and perfect the true art of medicine. A whole generation of microbiologists are indebted to his leadership and teaching skills.
On his retirement in 1978 he became emeritus professor of bacteriology. It was not long before he was back at work, becoming the director of the London Clinic, from where he finally retired in 1986.
During his life he had many hobbies and interests, the most enduring being sailing, recruiting both family and students to crew for him while sailing all around Europe.
Sadly in 2002 his wife, Leckie, died, leaving him to endure his latter years alone and without his soul mate.
He died peacefully in his sleep on 29 May 2006 and will be remembered as a unique human being: a little eccentric, generous with time, money, and advice, and sometimes the typical absent-minded professor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. [Jamie Martin]
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