Story

Allan Gordon Russell 1868 – 1926

West Sussex Medical Officer

Heene Hallmark

Allan was born in Demerara, Guiana, the son of Donald Charles Cameron and his wife Mary Ellen. He was the younger brother of Donald Charles Jnr. Allan’s father died in Barbados in 1881 and the boys were sent to stay with their aunt Jessie Cameron in Scotland. By 1891, Mary Cameron was living in Kensington, London with Allan and his two sisters, Helen and Lucretia. Allan was a medical student at St Mary’s University College. The following year, he was studying at Shire Hall, Durham and then went on to Cambridge. In 1901, Allan was working as assistant medical officer at Western Fever Hospital in Fulham. In 1904, he was the author of “Return Cases of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria”. Allan was also employed at HM Prison Dartmoor, Gore Farm Fever Hospital and Smallpox Hospital Ships, Dartford, all as assistant medical officer. In 1905, he was appointed Medical Officer of Health in West Sussex and Chief Schools Medical Officer. Allan moved to Worthing, living at “St Mabyns” in Downview Road. He lived here with his sister Helen, a nurse and on occasions his brother Donald, a naval officer and his sister Lucretia, a lecturer. In 1913, Allan was appointed Deputy County Medical Officer for Durham. He kept a house at 75 Marine Parade, Worthing. In 1920, he wrote “Requirements of the Blind Persons Act”. After he retired in 1923, Allan and his sister Helen moved to “Dawnie” in Ariadne Road. Allan died on 19th June 1926. Probate was granted on 12th August to Helen Theodora Cameron spinster. Effects £5529 14s 8d.

Also mentioned on Allan’s stone is his sister Helen Theodora Cameron who died on 8th May 1947. It is not known if she is buried here. Helen was also born in Demerara in 1872 and moved with her widowed Mother to England after her Father died. She studied nursing and worked as a ward sister at London Fever Hospital in Islington. She was later Matron at the Royal Chest Hospital  in London. By 1911, Helen was living with her brother at “St Mabyns” in Downview Road, Worthing. Between 1918 and 1923, she lived at 75 Marine Parade, Worthing. In 1923, Helen and her brother Allan moved to “Dawnie” in Ariadne Road and she continued living here after his death in 1926. She died at “Marlborough Lodge” in Farncombe Road, Worthing on 8th May 1947. Probate was granted on 13th August to Barclays Bank Ltd. Effects £14550 9s 11d (approx. £455K in 2020).

Researcher: Carol Sullivan

Date of Death: 19/6/1926

Cause of death: Unknown

Address line 1: Dawnie

Address line 3: Ariadne Road

Town: Worthing

County: Sussex

Country: England

Obituary

Worthing Gazette 23^rd June 1926

Death of Dr A G R Cameron

“A Distinguished Professional Career”

It is with great regret that the “Gazette” announces the death of Dr Allan Gordon Russell Cameron a former Medical Officer of Health for West Sussex, which occurred somewhat suddenly from heart failure, at his residence “Dawnie” in Ariadne Road, at midnight on Saturday. For some years Dr Cameron had been in somewhat indifferent health, and it was that which caused him three years ago, to resign the position of Deputy County Officer of Health for Durham, whither he went on leaving West Sussex.

The son of Mr Donald Charles Cameron of Wakenaam, British Guiana, Dr Cameron came of an old and distinguished Scottish family and had had a particularly distinguished professional career. Educated in Scotland and at University College London, he afterwards went to St Mary’s Hospital, London and from there to the University of Durham, where he qualified in medicine and surgery, taking the Diploma of Public health at Cambridge.

His first public appointment was as Assistant and Deputy Medical Officer of Health to the Llanelly and Bury Port (South Wales) Sanitary Authority, a post which he held from 1882 to 1894. He next studied bacteriology under Sir Victor Horsley and sanitary science under the late Professor Corfield and Professor Kenwood; and in February 1886, started upon another important stage of his professional career by joining the service of the Metropolitan Asylum Board. Subsequently he held a number of competitive appointments under that Authority.

In the Autumn of 1897, the Board granted him six months leave of absence in order that he might go out to India at the invitation of the Government to carry out important duties connected with the Plague Administration, and on leaving India, the Government presented him with a resolution expressing appreciation of his services. In February 1901, Dr Cameron was selected from among a number of candidates for the appointment of Medical Investigator to the Metropolitan Asylums Board. This was the post he relinquished, when in January 1905 he came to Worthing to take up the duties of Medical Officer of Health for the Combined Sanitary District of West Sussex in succession to the late Dr Charles Kelly.

In the Summer of 1907, Worthing withdrew from the Combined District and Dr R Heywood Wilshaw was appointed to the position of Medical Officer of the Borough; but Dr Cameron continued his services in the modified Sanitary District until February 1911, when he was appointed from among 79 applicants to the newly created post of County Medical Officer for the whole of West Sussex. The high esteem in which was held by fellow members of his profession in Sussex found expression a few months later at a complimentary dinner to which they entertained him at Warne’s Hotel in May of that year, with the late Mr W S Simpson as Chairman. In 1913, Dr Cameron left West Sussex to take over the position of Deputy County Medical Officer for Durham which he continued to hold until his retirement in 1923. He published several very valuable public health reports and in recognition of his zeal for the public health service, he was elected President of both the Northern and Southern branches of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. He was 58 years of age.

Personal Effects

Money left to others: £5529 14 s 8 d

Current value of effects: £227043.00

1881

1 Campsie Terrace, Gourock Road, West Greenock.

Jessie Cameron aged 64, income from houses. Donald C aged 13, nephew. Allan G R aged 12, nephew. Catherine Blair aged 17, cousin.

1891

11 Cambridge Gardens, Kensington.

Mary E aged 52, widow, own means. Mary aged 25. Allan G aged 23, medical student. Helen aged 18. Lucretia aged 12. Plus 1 servant.

1901

Western Fever Hospital, Seagrave Road, Fulham. Allan aged 32, assistant medical officer.

1911

St Mabyn’s, Downview Road, Worthing.

Allen aged 43, medical officer of health, Combined Sanitary District, West Sussex. Donald aged 44, brother, engineer. Helen aged 37, sister, formerly nurse. Lucretia aged 32, sister, visitor, lecturer London CC. Plus 1 cook and 1 servant.

1921

Living at 2, Field House Terrace, Durham, County Durham.