Dr Arthur Percy Gorham

Personal Details

Dr Arthur Percy Gorham MBChB FFARCS MRCS LRCP DA CStJ

10/05/1903 to 06/04/1970

Place of birth: Bristol

Nationality: British

CRN: 715591

Education and qualifications

General education

Bristol Grammar School; Bristol University Medical School

Primary medical qualification(s)

MBChB, Bristol, 1926

Initial Fellowship and type

FFARCS by Election

Year of Fellowship

1951

Other qualification(s)

MRCS LRCP, 1926; DA(RCP&S), 1935

Professional life and career

Postgraduate career

After resident appointments in Bristol (house physician & resident obstetrician at the General, house surgeon at the Royal Hospital for Children & Women) he went into practice in that city, also becoming anaesthetist to the latter hospital. In 1933 he was recognised as a teacher by the University, subsequently also becoming anaesthetist to the Bruce Wills Memorial Hospital (1935) and honorary assistant anaesthetist to the General (1938). During WW2 he worked with the EMS in Bristol and later became a consultant to the United Bristol Hospitals, seemingly working until his death.

Professional interests and activities: 

An enthusiastic teacher (of professionalism as well as anaesthesia), he published on a range of topics and was a keen supporter of the Society of Anaesthetists of the South Western Region: honorary secretary (1950-3), establishing the society’s constitution; president (1953-4). Outwith anaesthesia he had two major activities, one being serving as a police surgeon for the City & County of Bristol. The other was the teaching of first aid under the auspices of St John’s Ambulance Brigade, becoming a commander and vice-president of that organisation.

Other biographical information: 

Married to Pamela Joan Burkitt, they had two sons (one a doctor, one a dentist) and a daughter.

Author and sources

Author: Prof Tony Wildsmith

Sources and any other comments: Ancestry.co.uk | Medical Directory | Obituary. Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Journal 1971; 86: 61-2 where a photograph may be seen | The History of the Society of Anaesthetists of the South Western Region, 1987 (copy kindly provided by Dr E Morris).