William David Doey
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7441.714-a (Published 18 March 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:714Data supplement
William David Doey
Former consultant ear, nose, and throat surgeon the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London (b Co Armagh, N Ireland, 1912—son of the manse; q the London Hospital 1937; FRCS, MA, DLO), died from a heart condition on 12 January 2004.
Following medical studies at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and the London Hospital, Bill Doey continued at the London Hospital as a house surgeon until the outbreak of the second world war.
In 1940 he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as squadron leader, ear, nose, and throat specialist, and served on medical boards and in hospitals in the United Kingdom. His wartime service also took him to mobile field hospitals in France, Belgium, and Holland.
From 1947 to 1977 he was consultant ear, nose, and throat surgeon at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London (founded by Sir Morell MacKenzie in 1865), and a lecturer at the Institute of Laryngology and Otology. He also held appointments at St Albans City Hospital and The West Herts Hospital.
During his medical career, and also in retirement, he visited numerous ENT centres in the UK and Europe through membership of the Royal Society of Medicine, and the ORL Club.
His interest in medical history led him to lecture at the Kopfklinikum, Würzburg, Germany, in 1971, where the three German doctors who had treated Crown Prince Friedrich (Queen Victoria’s son-in-law) during his fatal illness—cancer of the larynx—had practised. On Queen Victoria’s instructions, Sir Morell MacKenzie was also sent to Würzburg to assist these doctors in their hapless task. (Revised edition HNO Informationen—1987)"Sir Morell MacKenzie als Konsillarius bei dem Larynx Carcinom von Kaiser Friedrich III (1887-1888)."
Bill’s lifelong interest in fishing went back to boyhood days in N Ireland, and during his working life he and his wife, Mariamné, enjoyed many fishing holidays in the UK. After several holidays in Carmarthenshire in the 1970s they purchased an old farmhouse near Llandeilo, which was renovated for their retirement. They also landscaped a garden out of the former paddock.
In retirement he continued to enjoy fishing, gardening, music, languages, photography, and driving—he was a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. However, his passion for motor racing and fast cars belied his true nature, for he was always the most cautious and diligent driver!
He leaves his wife, Mariamné; three daughters, and four grandchildren. [Louise Doey]
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