Dr Colin E. Wright (Charing Cross Hospital Medical School 1953)

Provided by Mrs Dorothy Wright

Colin was accepted at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School in October 1948 and qualified MB BS in October 1953. He spent his pre-registration year at Charing Cross Hospital and East Ham Memorial Hospital after which he was called up for National Service. He was a Medical Officer in the RAMC stationed in Hong Kong serving a Field Regiment and in charge of the Ghurkas and their families. He enjoyed his stay in Hong Kong though he was not really suited to the military life.

On return to England in February 1957 he held hospital appointments at Westcliff Hospital for one year and at Winchesster for two years.

By this time Colin was married and had two daughters and a son on the way and wished to be settled permanently to eduucate his children. Thus he had a change of direction in his career and came into General Practice at South Ockendon, in Essex in January 1961. This was a varied practice, both urban and country with branch surgeries in Bulphan and West Horndon.

Colin was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1987 and officially retired in 1991, after thirty years full time service in the practice, but managed a further eight years of locums for his colleagues.

He was a member of St. Andrew's Church, Hornchurch for over fifty years serving as a bellringer; at one time Master of the band and teacher of the recruits including his three children. On one occasion he was invited to ring with collleagues on the bells of Imperial College Tower and decided it was quite an experience!

His other interests were gardening, particularly the growing of vegetables and Do-it-Yourself jobs, particularly anything to do with woodwork.

He managed to cope with the Parkinson's Disease for over twenty years, but sadly this turned to dementia for the last two years of his life. He remained at home, however, and seemed content to be in familiar surroundings. He died on 5th October 2008.