Dr Thomas Terence Parkinson Murphy

Personal Details

Dr Thomas Terence Parkinson Murphy OBE TD BSc MD FFARCS DA

27/07/1897 to 15/07/1989

Place of birth: Burnley, Lancashire

Nationality: British

CRN: 715496

Known as: Terence

Education and qualifications

General education	Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare, Eire; University College, Cork, Eire
Primary medical qualification(s)	MBBChBAO, Cork, 1922
Initial Fellowship and type	FFARCS by Election
Year of Fellowship	1949
Other qualification(s)	BSc, University College Cork, 1919; MD, National University of Ireland, 1924; DA(RCP&S), 1940

Professional life and career

Postgraduate career

After being house surgeon to the Mercy Hospital, Cork he returned to Britain and became a GP in Modbury, Devon before joining a group of Irish doctors in Torquay in 1925. He is described as “always interested in anaesthetics”, but no appointments are listed until 1938 when he was honorary anaesthetist to the Prince of Wales Hospital, and consultant to both the City & Mount Gould (Orthopaedic) Hospitals all in Plymouth. Having joined the reserves in 1930 he was called up into the RAMC in 1940, serving in military hospitals in England, then in Sicily & Italy, commanding a casualty clearing station, and attaining the rank of Lt Colonel. After WW2 he returned to his practice, but within months decided to concentrate on anaesthesia and was appointed consultant to South Devon & East Cornwall (later Plymouth General) and Mount Gould Orthopaedic Hospitals.

Professional interests and activities

Received both the OBE (1945) and TD (1946) for his military service. After the war he was involved with the newly formed Society of Anaesthetists of the South West Region (its second President, 1948-9), and was responsible for establishing a first class anaesthetic department in Plymouth. For the BMA, he helped organise the first post-war conference and chaired the Plymouth Division - made a BMA Fellow in 1963.

Other biographical information

Father was in medical practice in Lancashire. Married to Agnes, they were known for their hospitality and had a son (who died in childhood) & two daughters.

Author and Sources

Author: Prof Tony Wildsmith