Andrew Henderson Torrance

Andrew Henderson Torrance

Former general practitioner Hugglescote, Leicestershire (b Ibstock, Leicestershire, 10 April 1918; q St John’s College, Oxford, 1943; FRCGP 1982), d 10 March 2004.

After he graduated in medicine from St John’s College, Oxford, in 1943, Andrew’s first job was at Leicester Royal Infirmary. In 1946, he and his young bride, the former Dr Lorna Lawrence Duncan, whom he met at Leicester RI, bought a two handed practice at Hugglescote, Leicestershire. This was just a couple of miles from where he was born and where his father was colliery manager, before subsequently becoming National Coal Board area manager. He expanded the practice, finally retiring in 1988.

Andrew was a strong supporter of the Medical Society, being Leicestershire president in 1987 and secretary of West Leicestershire for 25 years. He was a fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners and a serving brother of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

Outside of medicine, he was a supporter of the local scout group (treasurer for 25 years), a dinghy sailor (commodore and membership secretary), Abbeyfield House treasurer and administrator for 15 years, secretary of the Leicestershire branch of Oxford University Society for 15 years, a former chairman of school governors, and a keen freemason. His wife died in 1984: he leaves three children and eight grandchildren. [Keith Torrance]