One Hundred Not Out

Dr A. W. Frankland  (FN 1926-1930)

The Society warmly congratulates “Bill” on reaching his hundredth birthday in March of this year. As many readers will know, he is a quite remarkable gentleman. He is probably the world’s oldest active scientist and certainly the most eminent allergist in this country, with a working schedule that is virtually full-time. He has remarked that, “I really don’t know what people do when they retire at 65.” Did you know that the reason why the weather forecasts regularly include a pollen count is thanks to Bill? Some sixty years ago he was a colleague of Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, and during his distinguished lifetime he has revolutionised our understanding of allergy. Many readers of the Bulletin will have seen his appearance on the BBC’s One Show in March when he proudly wore his OSB tie for the occasion. They may also recall the article he wrote some years ago recalling the murderers he has met during his career, including Saddam Hussein!

Bill has fond memories of his years at St Bees School and has described his childhood in the Lake District as idyllic. It was fitting that he was Guest of Honour on Speech Day this year. Wearing his old school tie, he shared some of his many reminiscences of his early schooldays with the pupils and guests. When he left Oxford as a medical graduate in 1934 he went to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington before joining the R.A.M.C. at the outbreak of the second world war. He was captured by the Japanese when they overran Singapore in 1942 and endured “three and a half years of hell” in a prison camp with its attendant brutality, both witnessed and experienced.

After the war, Bill eventually became Director and Consultant of St Mary’s Hospital’s allergy clinic, then Allergist at Guy’s Hospital, and now Consultant at the London Allergy Clinic. It is ironic that he is himself a lifelong sufferer from hay fever!

With four children and ten grandchildren, Bill has a busy family life, which he fits in among conference calls, the writing of learned papers, appearances as an expert witness, and, of course, his daily practice. In addition, he has recently become something of a television personality. Following the appearance on the One Show he has now been filmed for two further programmes.  To reach the age of one hundred is an achievement in itself, though he says that it is “something I always aimed at.” He is an extraordinary individual and we send him our very good wishes. 
Editor.

Speech Day - 26th May 2012

Dr Frankland was invited by the School to speak and give out the prizes on Speech Day.