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Reginald Eccles Smith, O.B.E., M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S.Ed.

Mr. Reginald Eccles Smith was in practice in Stour- bridge, Worcestershire, for almost forty years and died at his home on September 27, aged 76.

He was born at Driffield, Yorkshire, and attended Bridlington Grammar School, proceeding from there to Leeds University, where in 1909 he graduated M.B., Ch.B. with honours. He was a prizeman in surgery. In 1910 he became house-surgeon at Leeds General Infirmary, and later assistant medical officer at Leeds City Fever Hospital. After this he held surgical posts at Stockton-on-Tees Hospital and Northampton General Hos- pital. In 1913 he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

After this he went to sea, serving as a ship surgeon on the South American run. Joining the Royal Navy at the outbreak of Aar, he served at Gibraltar, Gallipoli, and Salonika. While serving aboard H.M.H.S. Rewa he met the lady who was later to become his wife, Miss Margery Turner, a senior nursing sister in the hospital ship. They were both aboard when she was torpedoed in the Bristol Channel in 1918. For his services during the war he was appointed O.B.E. (Mil.). After the war he became a surgical specialist at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth.

Eccles Smith went to Stourbridge in 1923, entering into partnership with the late Dr. George Meldon. He was an honorary surgeon to the Corbett Hospital for twelve years. During 1931-4 he served as chairman of the Dudley and Stourbridge Branch of the B.M.A. An outspoken man, firm in his convictions, he was very much a disbeliever in the National Health Service, from which he withdrew in 1951.

He was survived by his wife and three sons. All the sons were members of the medical profession. Two made their homes in New Zealand and one in Australia.-J. J. K.