Notes for Leonard Parker GAMGEE Leonard's father was a very eminent Birmingham surgeon but did not conserve his
money, giving much away to the unhealthy poor either straight from his pocket or via
the Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund, a charity that he had founded. Leonard's
father died when he was eighteen; probably soon after Leonard had become a student,
and I suspect his mother's side of the family paid the bills. Once Leonard had
qualified he would have been an earner in hospital but on becoming an Honorary
Consultant Surgeon that money would have ceased. He would then have been paid as a
University Lecturer and later as a Professor. As a consultant, possibly half to
three quarters of his time, he then had to borrow money to set up his Consulting
Room, for all he had was his father's bureau which I still have. The money came in
as fame followed his skill and he mixed financial wisdom with generosity, as did
many of his colleagues, helping to educate several impecunious Doctor's families. He
was also able to guide the generous ears of titled patients to whom it was indecent
to send bills, and also the Cadbury family. I recount this to show that in those
days money and generosity came together, and I was aware that he enjoyed helping
others. The Gamgee name is Hugenot in origin.
David Boddington, grandson. [118]
Regarding Dr David Boddington's notes above referring to Leonard Gamgee's generosity
- my father, Samuel Rodney Boddington was David Boddington's uncle and when
my father wished to buy his farming property, in 1947, Leonard Gamgee provided my
father with the necessary private mortgage. My father was always very grateful to
Leonard for having enabled this important step up in his career. [269]
In Memoriam
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