The re-imagined story …
When Dr Lavery told me I needed to have my tonsils removed I had nightmares for weeks and it was all my granddad’s fault.
My tonsils were repeatedly getting infected and Dr Lavery said it was affecting my general health and they need to come out. No one could understand why I was so frightened. Dr Lavery even arranged for me to visit the Victoria Hospital and talked me through what he said was a very simple operation, but I wasn’t having any of it – the explanation or the operation. In the end dad said everyone should stop pandering to me and a date was arranged.
When it was all over and I had recovered, mum asked me why I had been so frightened.
“Granddad told me when he had to have his tonsils out the doctor did it on the kitchen table with his mother’s carving knife.”
I won’t repeat here what my mum said to my granddad.
The facts …
Swindon’s Oldest Doctor
Solemn Requiem Mass Sung by Bishop
Solemn requiem Mass was sung by the Bishop of Clifton, at Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church, Swindon, on Saturday for Swindon’s oldest medical man, Dr Charles Lavery (72) MB., Ch.B.
Dr Lavery, who was a cousin of the Bishop, had been a medical practitioner in Swindon for 46 years.
He was a member of the British Medical Association, and was a prominent member of the Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church. He was married in 1901, and his wife died in 1924. He leaves four sons, one of whom, Dr Anthony Lavery, carries on his father’s practice.
At the Mass those assisting the Bishop were Canon Noonan (Swindon), Father Louis Valluet (Devizes), Father Sweeney (Fairford), and Father Meynet (Malmesbury). Other priests attending were Dr Staunton (Cirencester), Dr Grimshaw (St Joseph’s, Fishponds, Bristol). Father Judge (Weston Super Mare, and formerly of Swindon), Canon Cashman (Bristol), and Father Chamonin (Malmesbury).
The chief mourners were deceased’s four sons, and others included the Rev. Ronald Royal (vicar of St Mark’s Church, Swindon) and the Rev. J. Tickner (curate at St Mark’s). Dr Dunstan Brewer, M.O.H. of Swindon (representing the British Medical Association) and many local doctors.
The Bishop afterwards officiated at the graveside.
Extracts taken from the Western Daily Press Monday 19th December 1938
Dr Lavery is mentioned in many of the stories in the Radnor Street Cemetery archives. You might like to read the following:
Radnor Street Cemetery 