Douglas Francis Freebody

Douglas Francis Freebody

Douglas Freebody was born in Woolwich on 19 April 1911 and educated at the City of London School.

Douglas trained at Guy’s, where he represented the hospital at hockey and boxing. His early general surgical apprenticeships with several eminent London surgeons gave him the confidence and skills to embark on anterior spinal surgery later in his career. During the second world war he was seconded to Botley’s Park, where he gained experience in bone grafting techniques, which he applied to the fractured spines of war casualties. National service with the Royal Army Medical Corps took him to Egypt and Palestine, where he ran the orthopaedic services at Fayid and Bir Yaacov. After release from the army in 1948 he received a "mention in dispatches" for distinguished service.

After the war he was appointed to Kingston Hospital, where he developed his operation for spondylolisthesis using an iliac bone graft via an anterior transperitoneal approach. His fusion rates were exceptional. Douglas demonstrated his anterior spinal fusion technique in most parts of the world. He was a meticulous surgeon and a most caring doctor. His trainees gained by learning from the dedication of a man whose job was his joy. He made an important contribution to orthopaedics and to spinal surgery.

Douglas Freebody was a dignified man with a great sense of humour. He was a delightful host and raconteur. He loved his family, his home, and his garden, where he was an expert on orchids.

He is survived by his wife, Yvonne, his children and grandchildren. [Barrie Parker]