Page 65 - Eclipse - Autumn 2021
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MEM
RI
O
A
IN COMMUNITYM
IN MEMORIAM he was a regular, popular speaker and
delegate in the UK and abroad.
DAVID JAMES David’s achievements since then are
BARTRAM (1988) too numerous to list completely here.
Highlights included his FRCVS by
In tribute to David Bartram, thesis (on mental health and wellbeing
Jill Butterworth, Paul Crocker and in the UK veterinary profession) in
Clive Kennedy write: 2009, Directorship of the Veterinary
Benevolent Fund (Vetlife) with special
David grew up in Coulsdon, Surrey. responsibility for the Veterinary
During his time at Purley High School Surgeons’ Health Support Programme
for Boys he became interested in a and Visiting Teaching Fellow at
veterinary career. He manned the night University of Surrey. He reacted to his
phones at weekends as a schoolboy at election to RCVS Council (2014-18)
a local practice, eventually becoming with his usual humility. Following the
an enthusiastic EMS student at public announcement of his position
Morton and Sim in Reigate as an RVC he received several messages of
undergraduate. It came as no surprise congratulations from adoring fans of the
to the staff who knew him then that band ‘Showaddywaddy’, whose lead
he went on to achieve so much in his singer shared his name. He took those
chosen profession. good wishes with a smile and viewed
them as an unexpected bonus. Other
He qualified in 1988 with some of the notable posts included work with The
highest marks in the year. He was made Samaritans, with Vetlife, as a Street Vet,
a job offer before finals and started as Prison Visitor and COVID vaccinator.
soon as possible. David’s main interest
was farm animal practice, especially His achievements as a mental wellbeing
cattle work. At Animed in Southampton advocate are all the more remarkable
he found his ideal caseload in a very because they were made almost entirely
busy cattle practice with equine and on a voluntary basis: David continued
some small animal work. his successful career in the veterinary
pharmaceutical industry as well as
After three years he decided to leave giving his time, considerable energy
general practice, turning down the and enthusiasm selflessly to the cause
chance to study for a PhD at the RVC, of better mental health for his adored
and began a career in the veterinary profession. The fact that he found the time
pharmaceutical industry. He rose to to also be a swimmer, cyclist and ultra-
this new challenge successfully and marathon runner gives some idea of just
remained in the sector from then on. He how dedicated and organised he was.
worked for Janssen, Fort Dodge, Eli Lilly,
Pfizer and then Zoetis. Opting to keep up David’s daughter Charlotte can be
his small animal clinical skills, he regularly justly proud of her father’s life and work.
worked as a locum at Alma Veterinary The whole profession will have been
Hospital in Windsor for another 10 years. made better for his input. David was
not someone to shout about his own
In the late 1990s, difficult circumstances efforts but was a remarkable character.
of his own and the tragic death of a Colleagues have described him
fellow 1988 RVC graduate gave David variously as amazing, kind, generous,
a tough, personal introduction to mental positive, encouraging, supportive and
wellbeing in the veterinary profession. inspiring. He was happy to talk frankly
With his customary determination and and engagingly to audiences ranging
strength of character he set about from students to politicians, always
tackling the scarcity of evidence- imparting his knowledge and insight
based knowledge of the subject in the clearly and effectively. He will be sorely
veterinary profession, becoming the missed. Our condolences go to David’s
single most significant contributor in the family and friends.
world, both to academic research and
as an educator. His work and reputation
were recognised internationally, and
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