John Lewis Winkler

John Winkler was one of the first general practitioners in the NHS. Born in London’s East End, he fought Oswald Mosley’s Fascist Blackshirts in the Cable Street riots in the 1930s and served his country in the Royal Air Force. He practised for more than 50 years as a general practitioner and a dedicated family doctor, until well into his 80s.

John wanted to be an English teacher, but it was his father’s idea for him to train to be a doctor. Science did not come naturally to him, but he persevered and was always grateful to his friends for pushing him through. He studied at the Royal London Hospital, where he got his first job. He joined the Royal Air Force …