William Stephen
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7434.291-e (Published 29 January 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:291Data supplement
- William Stephen
Former principal medical officer HM Prison Service (b Fraserburgh 10 February 1918; q Aberdeen 1942; MRCPsych 1971; surgeon lieutenant commander Royal Navy), died from an intracranial haemorrhage on 10 December 2003.Bill was of small stature yet of engaging personality. He served during the second world war on destroyers patrolling the French coastline and protecting landing craft on D Day. Demobbed he took hospital work in Devon for a while, there meeting and marrying his first wife, Joan-Mary, and having three children, Richard, Patrick, and Jane. Fortuitously meeting at Devonport an ex-fellow commander, one destined to become director of prison medical services, Bill also joined and contentedly remained in that same service until he retired in 1982. Meanwhile, however, his first wife had died from a chronic illness and a few years later he had met and married again an unattached lady, Carol. Together they had settled in a village in Sussex, where they happily remained until the time of his death.
Always a gentleman, Bill was interested in ordinary folk and their joys and troubles. He sought no aggrandisement and was content with his fortune in life. He was never slow to put his hand in his pocket and a generous host. He was well known and much liked throughout the prison service and in the village where he latterly lived. He was slow and meticulous in behaviour, making a feature of never hurrying, possibly connected with the fact that he had an incipient valvar heart problem.
He was a very human gentleman who now is sadly missed by all who knew him. [John Topp]
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