Born: August 2nd 1927, Leicester
Died: July 23rd 2023, Letcombe Regis, Oxfordshire, of pancreatic cancer
A clinical and forensic pathologist who collaborated closely with his medical and paediatric colleagues, notably in instituting a home treatment programme in London for haemophilia patients. He became President of both the British Societies of Haematology and Forensic Science and a Freeman of the City of London.
George Jenkins followed his elder brother John into medicine. He went from grammar school in Leicester to Cambridge then St Bartholomew’s Medical School, London, graduating in medicine in 1952. He did his National Service in the RAF in 1952-54 and was promoted to Squadron Leader. During this period, he met his wife Elizabeth, then a nurse in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps.
His chosen career was pathology and he trained in London hospitals, becoming a consultant in the North Middlesex Hospital in 1963, moving to the London Hospital in 1965. There he was appointed professor of pathology in 1970. His work with clinical colleagues on the home management of patients with haemophilia was transformative and before its time. He was also an enthusiastic teacher and maintained his interests in the military services, becoming consultant haematologist to the Royal Navy and training many naval medical officers. He was elected FRCPE in 1990.
His distinction in his field was recognised by his successive election as vice president of the Royal College of Pathologists and president of the British Societies of Haematology and of Forensic Medicine. Outside medicine he was a Patron and later Governor of the Home Farm Trust; in 1991 he was appointed a Freeman of the City of London.
George retired in 1992 to pursue active interests in travel, art and theatre with his wife, who sadly died in 2014. He is survived by his son, two daughters and three grandchildren.