Sheila Crispin

The veterinary profession and the veterinary nursing profession in the United Kingdom owe Alastair a huge debt of gratitude. His diplomatic skills, coupled with a keen sense of humour, were exactly what were needed for the challenges the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) faced when he became Secretary and Registrar in 1966. Most notable of those challenges – to update the veterinary surgeons act, to establish veterinary nursing credentials and to nurture and develop veterinary postgraduate qualifications. To this impressive list of ‘local’ activities can be added his crucial involvement in European matters – development of the European Economic Community (EEC) Professional Directive for Veterinary Surgeons, establishment of the Federation of Veterinarians of the EEC, of which he was the inaugural secretary general, and his membership, as a founding member, of the UK Inter-Professional Group.

When Alastair ‘joined’ our profession in 1966 the RCVS register of active members numbered less than 7500 and, in those pre-computer days, keeping the register up to date was a full-time task as it was compiled by hand. Staff members totalled some 20 or so and many of us, early in our careers were welcomed into the grand setting of 32 Belgrave Square as friends and members of the veterinary family, not just as newly qualified and naive veterinary surgeons. Indeed it was not unusual for potential problems to be sorted out on the spot by Alastair with his customary skill and politeness.

My grateful thanks to Alastair for his counsel and friendship and my deepest sympathy to Jenny and the other members of Alastair’s close knit family.