Donald Sinclair (veterinary surgeon)
Encyclopedia
Donald Vaughan Sinclair (22 April 1911 – 28 June 1995) was a British veterinary surgeon
(graduated Dick Vet 1933
) made famous as the eccentric character Siegfried Farnon in the semi-autobiographical books of James Herriot
(Alf Wight), later adapted for film and television as All Creatures Great and Small.
, Yorkshire
, and in July 1940 hired Wight to run it while he (Sinclair) was undertaking his war service in the Royal Air Force
. However, Sinclair had deliberately misrepresented himself as being younger than he was in order to join up, and it was quickly discovered that his reflexes were not fast enough for him to continue with pilot training. He could have been redeployed within the service, but the fact that he was a veterinary surgeon (a reserved occupation
) meant that he was considered more useful to the war effort by resuming his peacetime profession. The severe national food shortage meant that proper veterinary treatment of farm animals received a very high priority, and so within four months of joining the RAF he received a compulsory discharge and returned to Thirsk.
on 28 June 1995 at his home Southwoods Hall, near Thirsk
, two weeks after the death of his wife Audrey (née Adamson), to whom he had been married for fifty-three years. His brother Brian
('Tristan
' in the books) had died several years earlier, and his friend and partner, Alf Wight, only four months previously.
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
(graduated Dick Vet 1933
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
The Royal School of Veterinary Studies, commonly referred to as the Dick Vet, is the veterinary school of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.Professor Elaine Watson has been head of the school since 1 August, 2003 .-History:...
) made famous as the eccentric character Siegfried Farnon in the semi-autobiographical books of James Herriot
James Herriot
James Herriot was the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf Wight , an English veterinary surgeon and writer, who used his many years of experiences as a veterinarian to write a series of books of stories about animals and their owners...
(Alf Wight), later adapted for film and television as All Creatures Great and Small.
Royal Air Force service
In 1939 he bought an existing veterinary practice at 23 Kirkgate, ThirskThirsk
Thirsk is a small market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. The local travel links are located a mile from the town centre to Thirsk railway station and to Durham Tees Valley Airport...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, and in July 1940 hired Wight to run it while he (Sinclair) was undertaking his war service in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. However, Sinclair had deliberately misrepresented himself as being younger than he was in order to join up, and it was quickly discovered that his reflexes were not fast enough for him to continue with pilot training. He could have been redeployed within the service, but the fact that he was a veterinary surgeon (a reserved occupation
Reserved occupation
A reserved occupation is an occupation considered important enough to a country that those serving in such occupations are exempt - in fact forbidden - from military service....
) meant that he was considered more useful to the war effort by resuming his peacetime profession. The severe national food shortage meant that proper veterinary treatment of farm animals received a very high priority, and so within four months of joining the RAF he received a compulsory discharge and returned to Thirsk.
Literary caricature
When Wight's first book was published, Donald was apparently most offended by his portrayal, saying "Alfred, this book is a real test of our friendship." (He never called Wight 'Alf'.) Things calmed down, however, and the pair continued to work together until they retired. Opinion is divided as to whether Sinclair was as eccentric in reality as Siegfried was portrayed in the books, but it seems likely that even if his character was exaggerated, he was unique. One recurrent theme in Herriot's stories was Siegfried's criticism of James' flaws, such as forgetting appointments or leaving tools behind after calls, only to find that Siegfried is found guilty of the same things. Sinclair always refused to accept he was eccentric. However, former clients and colleagues, as well as Alfred Wight's own son in the book The Real James Herriot, stated that Sinclair's character in the novels was considerably toned down and that Sinclair was more eccentric than the Herriot books portrayed.Death
Sinclair took his own life by an overdose of barbiturateBarbiturate
Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system depressants, and can therefore produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to total anesthesia. They are also effective as anxiolytics, as hypnotics, and as anticonvulsants...
on 28 June 1995 at his home Southwoods Hall, near Thirsk
Thirsk
Thirsk is a small market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. The local travel links are located a mile from the town centre to Thirsk railway station and to Durham Tees Valley Airport...
, two weeks after the death of his wife Audrey (née Adamson), to whom he had been married for fifty-three years. His brother Brian
Brian Sinclair
Wallace Brian Vaughan Sinclair , universally known as Brian, was a British veterinary surgeon who worked for a time with his elder brother Donald and Alf Wight...
('Tristan
Tristan Farnon
Tristan Farnon may refer to:* Tristan A. Farnon, American web-comic author* Tristan Farnon, character in the works of James Herriot, based on the real-life Brian Sinclair...
' in the books) had died several years earlier, and his friend and partner, Alf Wight, only four months previously.