Douglas Bamford was born in Bolton Lancashire on August 2, 1934. He attended Bolton Grammar School and then Downing College Cambridge University where he obtained his MA. He then entered medical school via The London Hospital Medical College from which he graduated MB BChir in 1959. Following house officer roles at The London Hospital Doug entered general practice in Sheffield. However, his real medical interest lay in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and he accepted a senior house officer role at Edgeware General Hospital. He completed his registrar training at Edgeware and The London Hospital and became a member of the RCOG in 1965. He was a lecturer in Anatomy at London Medical College; and was appointed Senior Registrar at The London Hospital during which time he acquired his FRCS Ed in 1968.
Doug was appointed to his consultant position in Bath in 1972. He quickly won the respect of his medical colleagues and established himself in the local medical community as a dynamic force and leader and served on numerous hospital and health service and RCOG committees representing Wessex Region at the RCOG. He was awarded his FRCOG in 1978.
Doug was a much loved consultant in Bath. He was a skilled clinician and superb surgeon and soon established a busy private practice. He was a gentle man, kind and compassionate and with a keen wit which endeared him to his colleagues, patients and staff. He was a favourite of his nursing and midwifery colleagues, his junior medical staff and students. He was never too busy to help others with any of their concerns or difficulties.
Doug had a cracking sense of humour to which I was exposed every day of the two and a half years I spent as his registrar in the 1970’s. I remember a very late night/early January morning encounter with Doug when we were summoned on a Flying Squad mission to Paulton. It was midwinter and 2 am. Doug picked me up in his slightly beaten up old Triumph Spitfire with a hole in the passenger side floor covered with a ‘Bluey’ continence sheet to keep the road slush out. The roof was open because it was not working properly, freezing cold (it had been snowing), with a sky full of stars and Doug was urging me that it was a lovely night for a drive in the country as we trundled along behind the ambulance bound for this lonely farmhouse in the wilds of Somerset. Doug was in his element giving the relatively new antipodean registrar the real life experience of English Obstetric Practice.
There was much laughter when Doug was around. It was one of the most satisfying times of my professional life and I was indeed blessed to have been exposed to such a wonderful mentor at a very early time in my career. Our friendship endured despite 12,000 kms and almost 50 years of living in different countries.
Upon his retirement in 1996 Doug was an enthusiastic member of the RCOG Retired Fellows and Members Society, which was chaired by Harvey Wagman, a life-long friend with whom he trained in London.
Doug was a keen golfer and together with his wife Eryl spent many great golfing holidays and memories with their friends in the South West especially.
Doug was a wonderful family man. He and Eryl were married in February 1964. They had one child, Nikki, and Doug was a devoted father and husband. Nikki has blessed Doug and Eryl with three grandchildren and three great grandchildren and they have been a source of great pleasure in his retirement years.
Doug Bamford died on October 13th 2024, after a long illness which he endured with great courage and determination. He is survived by Eryl, Nikki, his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
I am greatly indebted to Doug’s family and the Wagmans who have helped me craft this testimony.
Written by Don Cave FRCOG; FRANZCOG