William Sutherland Macdonald
Encyclopedia
William Sutherland Macdonald MC, MB, CHB, DPH (30th May 1897 - 21st December 1990) was a British soldier and doctor.
, Scotland in 1897. Educate at George Watson College, University of Edinburgh
he graduated with an MB ChB in 1921.
However, his studies were interrupted by the First World War in 1918, and he enlisted as an officer in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
and latterly The Border Regiment. He was awarded the Military Cross
in 1917 for gallantry.
After the War, Macdonald trained in General Practice, and was a GP in Leeds
for over 30 years, having a practice in the relatively deprived areas of Hunslet
and Beeston. He made many friends and was popular here, due to his occasional gifts to impoverished patients. He was Chairman of the Leeds Division of the British Medical Association
from 1938-41, and held various senior positions within the organisation throughout his life, as well as being a Magistrate
and a lecturer at the University of Leeds
With the advent of the National Health Service
in 1945, he became senior Principal Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health
.
Life
WS Macdonald was born in InvergordonInvergordon
Invergordon is a town and port in Easter Ross, in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.-History:The town is well known for the Invergordon Mutiny of 1931. More recently it was also known for the repair of oil rigs which used to be lined up in the Cromarty Firth on which the town is situated...
, Scotland in 1897. Educate at George Watson College, University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
he graduated with an MB ChB in 1921.
However, his studies were interrupted by the First World War in 1918, and he enlisted as an officer in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland....
and latterly The Border Regiment. He was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
in 1917 for gallantry.
After the War, Macdonald trained in General Practice, and was a GP in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
for over 30 years, having a practice in the relatively deprived areas of Hunslet
Hunslet
Hunslet is an inner-city area in south Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is south east of the city centre and has an industrial past.Hunslet had many engineering companies based in the district, such as John Fowler & Co...
and Beeston. He made many friends and was popular here, due to his occasional gifts to impoverished patients. He was Chairman of the Leeds Division of the British Medical Association
British Medical Association
The British Medical Association is the professional association and registered trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. The association does not regulate or certify doctors, a responsibility which lies with the General Medical Council. The association’s headquarters are located in BMA House,...
from 1938-41, and held various senior positions within the organisation throughout his life, as well as being a Magistrate
Magistrate
A magistrate is an officer of the state; in modern usage the term usually refers to a judge or prosecutor. This was not always the case; in ancient Rome, a magistratus was one of the highest government officers and possessed both judicial and executive powers. Today, in common law systems, a...
and a lecturer at the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
With the advent of the National Health Service
National Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
in 1945, he became senior Principal Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health may refer to:*Ministry of Health *Ministry of Health *Ministry of Health *Ministry of Health...
.