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 In Memory of 
John Wingrave Landells

 

Former professor of pathology Addis Ababa, 1976-94 (b 1911; q Cambridge/The London 1936; OBE), d 3 November 1998. He started off studying classics but switched to medicine, and at medical school was scrum half playing in the interhospitals cup tie. He joined up in 1939 and was sent to France as regimental medial officer. John was mentioned in dispatches for his work during the retreat to Dunkirk where he barely escaped with his life. He also served in north Africa and Italy. On return to civilian life he started his career in morbid anatomy at The London Hospital, becoming lecturer, senior lecturer, and reader. Within two weeks of retirement in 1978, John was appointed to the chair of pathology in the faculty of medicine at the University of Addis Ababa, which had been closed for two years after the revolution. He spent 18 years building up a department from scratch, training staff and technicians, and teaching his students as he had done in London. He arranged scholarships overseas for many of his postgraduate students. One said that he showed students that "pathology was a science to be loved and if done properly could save many lives." He was awarded the OBE "for services to medical education overseas." John always maintained an interest in music and natural history, particularly ornithology. After giving up playing rugby football, he became a licensed referee. He leaves a wife, Norah, and three sons (one a consultant pathologist). [J F SMITH]

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