Stanley Arthur Mason
BMJ 2004; 329 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7473.1048-f (Published 28 October 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;329:1048Data supplement
Stanley Arthur Mason
Former senior anaesthetist King’s College Hospital, London (b 1917; q London 1941; FFA RCS, DA, FRCA), died from uraemia and chronic osteoarthritis on 29 July 2004.
The death is announced of Dr Stanley A Mason, past president of the Association of Anaesthetists. During the second world war he was an anaesthetist to a field surgical unit of 9th Beach 21st Army Group, 3rd Army, which landed on Gold Beach on 6th June 1944. During the dive bombing of Caen, while they were operating in a quarry outside the city they were bombed in spite of the Red Cross clearly shown on their tent. The surgeon he was working with was killed and all other ranks were injured or burnt. He was the only one of the unit who escaped injury and was mentioned in dispatches for devotion to duty under enemy fire. After refitting, the unit was reformed with new personnel and followed the battle for Normandy through the Falaise Gap, where he not only operated on British and German soldiers, but also on members of the local French Resistance. He recalls vividly helping a wounded Dutch soldier and was amazed at the interest shown in this man’s recovery. When questioned further it materialised that their only interest was to see him fit enough to face an execution squad.
After following the battle as far as the Rhine, he was sent overseas to join the battle still raging in the Far East. He joined No. 6 Indian Beach Medical Unit based in Coconada (S. India) and prepared for the assault in Malaya and in September 1945 they landed on the beaches. The Japanese had already surrendered and were waiting on the beach to give themselves up. He worked in a makeshift hospital in Serembam based at the King George School. He remained there until the early months of 1946, when he was posted to Penang to the military hospital. By this time, he was a full anaesthetic specialist, having attended a specialist course while briefly in Singapore.
He eventually returned to the UK in December 1946 and having started his career at King’s College Hospital, returned to the anaesthetic department there. In 1947 he passed the diploma in anaesthetics and assumed the role of a demob-registrar. His training was now complete. In 1947 he married and in 1948 he visited Holland to advise them on intravenous anaesthesia for ear surgery. He was appointed to the board of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons representing the members. In 1949 he was appointed to the staff at King’s. His new role as a consultant allowed him to expand his practice and he developed an interest in cardiothoracic work. In 1954 he was invited to join the medical team under the Columbo Plan and he went to India. He visited many medical centres, advising and lecturing on modern anaesthetic practice. In March 1955 he was appointed to the south east cardiothoracic unit based at the Brook Hospital. He eventually became senior anaesthetist at King’s and chairman of the medical committee of the hospital. His long relationship with the Association of Anaesthetists started in the late 1960s. He held the position of treasurer for four years, finally becoming president in 1978.
In the 1970s, he joined the council of the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund, eventually becoming the honorary treasurer, a position he held for 12 years, carrying on during his retirement in Somerset.
Among his major achievements in anaesthesia was his pioneering work in open heart surgery, liver transplant, intensive care units, and kidney and finally lung transplantation. He made further visits to Holland demonstrating safety in anaesthesia in paediatric tonsillectomy. He also paid a further teaching visit to India in 1969-70.
He finally retired in 1981 on the occasion of the association’s golden jubilee. In 1994 he was honoured with a French medal for services rendered to the French, which was presented to him by the mayor of St Martin des Bocages.
In retirement he and his wife, Marjorie, moved to Somerset, where they were both active in village and church affairs. He was made an honorary member of the Association of Anaesthetists in 1983. This coincided with the untimely death of his eldest son, Christopher, who was a graduate of King’s and a general practitioner in Maghull near Liverpool.
Stanley was a liveryman of the Society of Apothecaries, a freeman of the City of London, and senior lecturer emeritus of London University.
He is survived by his wife, three sons, four daughters in law, and 10 grandchildren. [Jeremy Mason]
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