Page 74 - Eclipse - RVC Alumni Magazine - Autumn 2020

In Memoriam
The RVC is very proud of its community and we pay tribute to all those no longer with us who have devoted their lives to the College and their profession.
FRANK DOBSON
blood transfusion in 1999. His action was based on the expert scientific advice at the time and his advocacy enabled him to persuade his cabinet colleagues to commit the substantial necessary funds. He similarly overcame opposition from civil servants to bringing forward a vaccination campaign against Meningitis C. The new vaccine, which had resulted from a collaboration between drug companies to address a public health issue was ready a year earlier than expected. At the time the disease was affecting 1,500 people per year, mainly children and young adults, killing 150 and leaving many more significantly disabled. Despite there being no allocated budget, Frank heeded the advice of the Government’s chief scientist at the time (Prof David Salisbury) to vaccinate as many children as possible, persuading the drug company Wyeth to accelerate vaccine production to enable this policy to be implemented.
In opposition, Frank also played a significant part in ensuring Government policy did not hinder science. He was a very active advocate of the ensuring that policy (specifically the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, 1989) enabled research using human embryos that facilitated the treatment of infertility, advanced understanding of congenital diseases and led to novel tests to detect abnormalities in embryos. This bill led to the establishment of The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority which has ensured the ethical use of human embryos in research has been allowed in the UK, scientific work which continues today to underpin important discoveries in biomedical science.
Frank was an MP from 1979 until 2015. He greatly respected the academic institutions within his Holborn and St Pancras constituency and recognised the importance of the new knowledge that universities generate through their research. He served on the governing bodies of the RVC and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). He had a keen interest in the ‘One Health’ approach in biomedical sciences and was always delighted about and highly supportive of the collaborations the College established with the LSHTM addressing emerging zoonotic diseases.
Frank had a long political career and definitely contributed significantly to public
health through his actions as a politician. His wit, insight and passion for biomedical science in particular ensured he provided wise guidance and advice to the College over many years.
He will be greatly missed.
ROGER COURTNEY MARTIN (1963)
By Mathew Martin and Tom Carr
Obituary, published in Vet Record, Vol 187, 21 August 2020, p160
Roger Courtney Martin, BVetMed, MRCVS, (b) 1938, (q) London 1963. Died 17 July 2020.
A countryman vet who loved his job so much that he claimed never to have done a day’s work.
Roger Martin, who has died aged 81, always took a cheerful and practical approach to his work, which won him legions of faithful customers — and lifelong friends — particularly among the farming community.
Roger was born into a long line of Vale of Evesham market gardeners and seemed destined for a life in the fields and orchards. However, at a young age he declared his intention to be a ‘dog doctor’ and won a place at Prince Henry’s Grammar School.
He always maintained that academic studies never came easily to him, but he achieved the grades necessary to take up a place at the Royal Veterinary College, London. While at the college he met his future wife, Wendy, who worked there as a histologist.
By Stuart Reid
Frank Dobson, former MP and long- standing friend of the RVC, sadly passed away in November 2019. The RVC benefited from his wise guidance during his time on the College’s Council (2004-2016).
The following obituary is adapted from the nomination submitted by Professor Elliott for a College honour for Frank, one he was unable to receive in the summer of 2019 due to his failing health.
Frank Dobson was a remarkable individual. In his political career, his open-minded approach to ensuring policy was informed by the highest quality of science and his boldness in making decisions based on that science whilst Health Secretary undoubtedly protected public health.
As Health Secretary, he was responsible for the introduction of leucodepletion as a precaution to protect against the transmission of new variant CJD through
74