Davies, Raymond Arthur Charles (1933 - 2018)
by
 
Bruce Morris

Asset Name
E009533 - Davies, Raymond Arthur Charles (1933 - 2018)

Title
Davies, Raymond Arthur Charles (1933 - 2018)

Author
Bruce Morris

Identifier
RCS: E009533

Publisher
The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Publication Date
2018-11-20
 
2019-03-06

Subject
Medical Obituaries

Description
Obituary for Davies, Raymond Arthur Charles (1933 - 2018), Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Language
English

Source
IsPartOf Plarr's Lives of the Fellows

Date of Birth
9 September 1933

Place of Birth
Romford, Essex

Date of Death
12 July 2018

Occupation
Trauma surgeon
 
Orthopaedic surgeon

Titles/Qualifications
FRCS 1965

Details
Ray Davies was a consultant orthopaedic surgeon in Gloucester. He was born in Romford, Essex on 9 September 1933 to Arthur Davies, a London dock official, and his wife, Elsie, a chiropodist. An only child, he grew up in Hornchurch. His secondary education was at Brentwood School, where he was an academic high achiever, receiving many school prizes, and leaving with six A levels. He was also an outstanding sportsman and a fine footballer, particularly excelling at athletics, where his principal event was throwing the javelin. In 1953, he commenced his medical studies at the London Hospital Medical School. After the second MB, he completed a BSc in anatomy in 1956 and qualified MB BS with a distinction in surgery in 1959. Throughout his student years he had continued to play football and competed for the university athletics club in the javelin event. His prowess at Amateur Athletic Association meets led to his selection for England and participation in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games at Cardiff in 1958. His early junior hospital doctor posts were at the London and other associated hospitals. In 1963 he moved to Sheffield, where he was first a registrar in general surgery and then held a post in plastic and hand surgery. He gained his FRCS in 1965 and in the same year started his registrar orthopaedic training at Exeter and Torquay hospitals, where he came under the influence of Robin Ling among others. He moved on to a senior registrar post on the Bristol circuit at Bristol Royal Infirmary in 1967. In 1970, he was appointed as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Ray Davies was an orthopaedic surgeon before the advent of significant subspecialisation, a gifted surgeon who could perform expertly most procedures in both the trauma and elective fields. A modest, quiet, kind and knowledgeable man, his was a sound opinion and his good sense was invaluable to the department. His calm, reassuring demeanour was appreciated by both patients and staff. His wry sense of humour also had its place, especially in departmental meetings. He was not one however to push himself forward, but preferred to just get on with the job without complaint. He was a dedicated family man. In 1960, he married Wendy née Hadwen, a physiotherapist. He delighted in his home life with Wendy and their three children and it was there where he was happiest. He imbued his children with his values of selflessness, integrity, fair play, kindness and hard work. Ray had many interests. He was well read with a formidable general knowledge and he was a fine photographer. His principal hobby was gardening and he spent many hours in his greenhouse and tending his roses, especially after retirement. All his life he had a keen interest in sport. He was a supporter of West Ham United since his Essex boyhood and he attended live events such as cricket test matches at Lord’s and later Edgbaston, as well as tennis at Wimbledon whenever he could. He retired in 1998. He remained in Gloucester until his unexpected death from an unanticipated abdominal condition following a total knee replacement on 12 July 2018. He was 84. He was survived by Wendy and their three children – Stephen, Graham and Carol.

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/E009000-E009999/E009500-E009599