Derek Stevenson British Medical Association WW2 Far East Doctor Signed Letter

CHAU3358 Antique 1968 hand signed letter from Derek Stevenson heroic WW2 doctor who served in the Far East and France and presented a medal for his amazing achievements (see below) which the letter is written all in hand by Derek Stevenson and hand signed by Derek Stevenson on page 2 (see image 2) on his official headed paper (you will see it reads From Derek Stevenson below the BMI logo on the top right) folded twice where posted and small places but mostly otherwise great condition (vg+ grading).

".....After qualifying he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving with distinction in the Far East and in France. His posting to oversee medical recruitment at the War Office brought him into close touch with Charles Hill, then BMA secretary. After the war Hill recruited him to the BMA staff. He got there just as Aneurin Bevan introduced the NHS Bill; he retired 30 years later after many of the perennial crises of the NHS. He adapted quickly to the storms of an ultra-democratic association, having several favourable qualities. A man of distinguished presenceonce called debonairhe was a fine judge of the art of the utmost possible; intensely loyal to the association and to his colleagues, to whom he delegated with trust and judgment. Above all, he realised that the NHS and the professions were news; he made and kept close links with the fourth estate, in whose ranks he had many friends. This involved much commitment, well in excess of 9 to 5; figuratively, he lived over the shop. His BMA years involved too much to catalogue. Among the highlights two royal commissions (on pay and on education of doctors); an uprising against the reform of the General Medical Council; the battle of the pay beds; and, domestically, a major reform of the BMA itself. As ambassador overseas, Stevenson was first secretary of the Commonwealth Medical Association, and later chairman of the World Medical Association. On his retirement in 1976, the BMA awarded him its gold medal as an outstanding leader, a tireless champion of the profession, and a great secretary. He had earlier been awarded an honorary doctorate. One might think such a career precluded all else. Not so. Derek was for 60 years married to his greatest supporter, Pam, who survives him together with their daughter, two sons, and grandchildren. His long years of retirement let him devote to them his love and the time of which the BMA had deprived them. And he found time to play good golf, and to sail...."