Malcolm was born in 1935 in Guildford but grew up in Moreton in Marsh during the Second World War. Surviving nearby Luftwaffe bombs he was made of stern stuff. His father had left the family farm in Horsforth, Leeds, to become a municipal engineer and surveyor, and Malcom inherited his love of the countryside, architecture and a Yorkshire spirit.
After the War, Malcolm’s family moved to Headington, Oxford. He passed the 11+ exam, and went to Magdalen College school, which was a direct grant grammar school at the time. He excelled at Chemistry, winning the Daubeney prize.
He studied Medicine at Hertford College, Oxford, from 1955 and was taught by Miles Vaughan Williams. When not studying, Malcolm enjoyed rowing for the College 1st VIII. In the holidays he would earn money delivering cars from the BMC factory in Cowley to garages across the UK and then hitch hike back home. He had wonderful memories of his travels across Europe with his friends.
In 1958, Malcolm transferred to St Bart’s Hospital, London, to complete his clinical studies, specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. His post-graduate training was undertaken in a variety of hospitals including The Royal Berkshire, The Royal Liverpool and The John Radcliffe - where he trained under Professor John Stallworthy. He also worked in the Oldham Royal Infirmary with Patrick Steptoe (who together with Robert Edwards, pioneered successful in vitro fertilisation).
Malcolm married Rita, a nurse from Oxford and they had a daughter, but sadly, the marriage was dissolved. In Oldham, Malcom met Marlene, a midwife and health visitor who worked with Steptoe and later the SSAFA, helping the British Army in Cyprus. They made their home in Derby, where Malcolm began his consultant post. They had three children, but tragically Marlene died in 1990.
Malcolm initially worked at the Women’s Hospital and the operating theatres and Maternity department in Derby City Hospital, now the Royal Derby Hospital. He also had outreach clinics in Ashby de la Zouch and Coalville. In the Women’s hospital, at Christmas, the nurses decorated the wards and Malcolm would come in on Christmas day with the family and carve the turkey.
Malcolm developed a special interest in sub-fertility and helped many women to achieve successful pregnancies using ovulation drugs or by restoring the patency of damaged Fallopian Tubes by delicate microsurgery. From his training in Oxford, he was skilled in a variety of pelvic floor surgery techniques. He enjoyed teaching and sharing his knowledge, in particular with Dr Padmalatha in the 1990s, so that she could use her skills when she returned to India.
Malcolm also had a successful private practice initially operating at St Mary’s Convent near Ashbourne, where the nuns were members of a nursing order, before moving to the Nuffield Hospital.
Malcolm was a founder member of The Nuffield Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society for Senior Registrars and later on a member of the Nuffield Visiting and Osprey’s societies. They had meetings to share ideas and experience with specialists throughout the UK and Europe. He was also the President of The Derby Obstetric Group that drew together Consultants, GPs and midwives and a member of Derby Medical Society.
Retiring in his late 60s from a job he relished left a hole in his life, but he loved travelling and was even driving a camper van around New Zealand in his 80s with his companion Ruth. Having an insatiable curiosity, he was an active member of various historical and art societies. He was passionate about heritage and a keen supporter of the Landmark Trust. He enjoyed several investment, shooting, civic and drinking groups with friends.
With his encyclopaedic knowledge, and wise outlook, he was the first source of advice in the family from DIY, car maintenance to any medical issue.
As a sociable individual, Malcolm found the covid19 lockdowns difficult. In his final years, he battled hard against heart and kidney failure and refused “to go gentle into that good night”. He died in December 2023 in the Royal Derby Hospital.
Malcolm was a good and generous neighbour, friend and colleague, an excellent host and a caring and trusted clinician with extraordinary surgical skills. He was a much-loved father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Written by his daughter Rebecca and former colleague Mr Ian Scott