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Resource Name:
Resource Type:
External Resource
Metadata
Asset Name:
E004836 - Alton, Francis Cooke (1888 - 1956)
Title:
Alton, Francis Cooke (1888 - 1956)
Author:
Royal College of Surgeons of England
Identifier:
RCS: E004836
Publisher:
London : Royal College of Surgeons of England
Publication Date:
2013-12-20
Description:
Obituary for Alton, Francis Cooke (1888 - 1956), Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Language:
English
Source:
Plarr's Lives of the Fellows
Full Name:
Alton, Francis Cooke
Date of Birth:
17 February 1888
Date of Death:
7 November 1956
Titles/Qualifications:
OBE 1919

MRCS 10 February 1910

FRCS 8 December 1927

LRCP 1910

MB BS London 1914

MD 1927
Details:
Born on 17 February 1888, son of Paymaster Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Cooke Alton CB, CMG, RN, he was educated at Bedford School. After qualifying from St Thomas's Hospital in 1910, he entered the Royal Navy as a surgeon. Four years later he graduated MB BS at London University. During the first world war he served in HMS *Constance* and for gallant service was appointed OBE in 1919; two years later he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal of the USA. He was invalided from the Service in 1919 with the rank of Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander. However he regained his health and returned to the Navy in 1921, but finally retired in 1922. After a period in general practice he determined to specialise in gynaecology and obstetrics. In 1927 he took the Fellowship and went to the Chelsea Hospital for Women and the Prince of Wales's General Hospital, where he was clinical assistant. In 1936 he went into practice at Shamley Green in Surrey and in the following year was appointed assistant surgeon at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford and attained full consultant status with charge of the obstetric and gynaecological unit. He became senior consultant gynaecologist to the Guildford group of hospitals until his retirement in 1954. Alton was held in high esteem by his colleagues. He never spared himself, even when in failing health. He died at the Royal Surrey County Hospital on 7 November 1956, survived by his wife Freda and by one of his two sons. He had lived at Westbury Cottage, Waterden Road, Guildford, Surrey. The elder son, a Lieutenant in the Royal Marines, was killed in a flying accident in 1933. Mrs Alton died on 23 April 1967. Publications: Modern treatment of toxaemias of pregnancy. *Med Press* 1944, 211, 244-246. Uterine fibroids. *Med Press* 1949, 221, 361-364.
Sources:
*Brit med J* 1956, 2, 1374

*The Times* 26 April 1967: Mrs Alton's death
Rights:
Copyright (c) The Royal College of Surgeons of England
Collection:
Plarr's Lives of the Fellows
Format:
Obituary
Format:
Asset
Asset Path:
Root/Lives of the Fellows/E004000-E004999/E004800-E004899
Media Type:
Unknown