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Name: GILKS, John Langton CMG, FRCS, MRCS, LRCP (Dr.)

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Birth Date: 29.8.1880 Wandsworth, London

Death Date: 18.8.1971 Haslingden, Lancashire

First Date: 1909

Profession: Senior Medical Officer Nairobi in 1911.

Area: Nairobi, retired to Bournemouth, Lamu

Married: 1911 Margaret Annie Messom b. 28 May 1881, d. 3 Nov 1957 Bournemouth. She was a well known figure in Nairobi for many years.

Children: John Michael Langton (6 Apr 1925-3 Mar 2003)

Book Reference: Gillett, HBEA, Random, Meikle, Verandah, Debrett, KAD, Red 25, Red 31, Red 22, Carman, Gazette, Harmony, Dominion, Nicholls, Leader14, Foster, Beck, Red Book 1912, Red 19

School: Merchant Taylor's School & St. Thomas' Hospital, MRCS (Eng), LRCP (Lond)

General Information:

Verandah - kept a tame leopard which he took with him when he went visiting his patients. It was called 'Starpit'. The Africans thought that was its name as they had heard Dr. Gilks saying "Stop it, Stop it" to it. One of Dr. Gilks' patients who was ill in bed with a liver complaint claims that she was cured by sheer fright when the leopard came in behind the doctor and leapt straight on top of her in bed .....…..          
Debrett - formerly Major E. Africa Med Ser; appointed Medical Officer E. Africa Protectorate 1909, and Principal Med. Officer Kenya Colony 1921; was a MEC and MLC Kenya 1920-33, Dir. of Med. and Sanitary services, Kenya 1926-33 and Editor of EA Medical Journal 1929-33; became a Governor of St. Thomas' Hospital 1926, and a member of Central Council of BMA 1935
Red 22 - President, British Medical Association, Kenya Branch
Carman - Dr Gilks the PMO had a queer facet to his character which led him to believe that it was undesirable for anyone, except of course the headquarters staff, to settle down comfortably in one place for any length of time, particularly if his station afforded such amenities as those to be enjoyed in Nairobi. He therefore continually moved men around so that the Africans never knew a doctor long enough for him to establish that vital relationship which can only be built up and lead to real trust and confidence over a period of time.
Carman - In 1932 Dr Gilks, the DMS retired and 'the wind of change' which might till then have been described as a gentle zephyr, became very nearly a gale. Gilks who was not more than an average administrator was a very competent clinician. ….. [more]
Gazette - 23/9/1914 - Appt. - To be Captain, East Africa Medical Service - Dr. J.L. Gilks
Gazette - 11/8/1915 - Appt. - EA Medical Service - To be Major - Captain John Langton Gilks
Member of Lodge Harmony - Joined 6/6/27
Dominion - Director of Medical and Sanitary Services - 1930 During the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York in 1924 Coryndon was not looking well. Noticing his grey sheen, Dutton asked what was wrong, to be told, 'I believe I am going to have twins.' In fact, he was having trouble with his pancreas. J. Langton Gilks, director of medical services, visited Coryndon in bed one morning but was not unduly alarmed. Dr P.A. Clearkin visited shortly afterwards, was horrified at what he saw and urged immediate admission to hospital. But this was delayed until the evening even though Coryndon was unconsciousness, because the Chief Justice could not be found to swear in the Acting Governor. Dr H.H.V. Welch, resident surgeon at the European hospital, a drug addict who had been MO at Wajir before the war, operated and found acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis from which Coryndon could not be saved. He died within a few hours and Welch submitted his resignation on health grounds, which was accepted. In fact no surgeon could have saved Coryndon, though Welch later tried to blame his death on the anaesthetic Clearkin had administered, claiming that the Governor's heart could not stand the operation at such a height as Nairobi's.
Red Book 1912 - J.L. Gilks - Lamu
Red Book 1912 - Registered Medical Practitioner
Red Book 1919 - Medical Officer, EA Protectorate 1918 - MO, Nairobi
Red Book 1919 - European Hospital, Nairobi - Doctor in Charge
Red Book 1919 - East Africa Amateur Boxing Association, Nairobi - Hon. Secretary - Dr. J.L. Gilks
HBEA 1912 - Probationary Medical Officer, Lamu. Good friend and doctor to Lady Eleanor Cole. Cared for Mr Meikle in Nairobi in 1912.
KAD - PMO in 1922.
Red 25 - PMO, Kenya Colony 1921 -
Gazette - 28/3/1933 - Departed on Leave pending retirement - Director of Medical and Sanitary Services - Dr J.L. Gilks
Career: House Surgeon St Thomas’ Hospital; Asst. MO Wandsworth Infirmary; Asst. MO Camberwell Infirmary (1904-1909); MO Kenya (1909-20); Seconded to 304 East African Forces (1914-16); RSO, European Hospital Nairobi (1920-21), PMO, Kenya (1921-33); Governor St Thomas’ Hospital (1926-48); Overseas Committee BMA (1935-57); member of numerous other advisory committees (1935-57); retired 1957
1939 England and Wales Register living in Horsham with wife

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