Dr Henry Doig
1927-2016
East Kilbride has lost a wellknown character and a wellloved doctor following the passing of Dr Henry Doig.
The 89-year-old died from a heart attack at home on October 4. It is a surprise to many that Henry was born in Lennoxtown and not in Lewis and only moved to Stornoway when his father was appointed MOH for Lewis.
He had a Scottish father and a French mother. He had three siblings: two brothers and a sister. He moved to Stornoway at the age of three and grew up there. He attended the Nicholson Institute from 1933 to 1944 and completed his education at Allan Glens School in Glasgow where he lived with two aunts.
During the war he came in contact with military personnel and also the fishermen of Lewis. He was fascinated with guns and explosives and also radio and radar. He built his own radio at the age of 13.
After he finished at school it was difficult to get into medicine because those returning from the war were given preference. While he waited to get into medical school he was employed by Marconi in Stornoway repairing radios and radar equipment for the fishing fleet.
He entered Medical School in 1949 and qualified as a doctor in 1956. While a student, Henry was a clinical clerk in Hawkhead Hospital where he got free accommodation until matron discovered he was working on a car engine in his room. He also did some interesting work with chickens at the old Beatson Hospital in Glasgow – teaching them to smoke.
It certainly put Henry off smoking for life.
Henry had known Mary Kennedy for many years and she certainly knew him by reputation. However, they only began stepping out together after a chance meeting in Renfield Street in Glasgow, a cup of coffee and an exchange of telephone numbers. As they say, the rest is history.
They were married at St Stephen’s Buccleuch Church, Glasgow in 1957. They had two sons: Robert, who is an Optometrist in Stornoway, and John, who is a Consultant Physician at the Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert.
After qualification Henry did house jobs in Hairmyres Hospital, the Royal Beatson Hospital and Stobhill Hospital. He was one of the first GPs to complete a Trainee Year prior to entering practice.
He did this with Dr Barr in Maryhill. He finally came to East Kilbride in 1959 when he joined Dr McLaren and Dr Mullen. He became senior partner in 1968 and remained so till his retiral in 1991. He was appointed a GP trainer in 1969.
He moved from the old village of East Kilbride to the new Hunter Health Centre in 1973. He was loved by his patients even though he always ran late. He often did house visits late in the evening. He maintained his interest in radio and often after he had seen a patient he would repair a radio or a clock or anything else electrical. He was a legend in the town. Henry had a few strings to his bow. He was Police Surgeon to East Kilbride Police; he was Treasury Medical Officer; he was MO to East Kilbride Development Corporation; he was MO to East Kilbride Town Council; he was MO to the Red Cross; he was MO to the St Andrew’s Ambulance and he was a member of the Crossroads Carers support committee.
He was on several working parties. He was on the alphafe to protein working party and he was a member of the National Medical Consultative committee. He was also a member of the SIGN Guideline group looking at peripheral vascular disease.
In retirement he became very concerned over the laxity within the liquor licensing laws. He wrote to Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson, who was leading a group looking at licensing laws in Scotland, and his evidence was noted in the report.
Henry was a Rotarian for many years. He was President in 1988 and was awarded the Paul Harris medal in 1997 for public service. He was very involved with the international exchange of professionals and students. He was a founder member of East Kilbride Probus Club. He was a member of the Allan Glens FP club.
He loved his cars from the threewheeled Morgan he had as a young man to his beloved Morris Minor Convertible which he had fully restored and still sits in his garage. It is still roadworthy and he was taken out in it shortly before he died.
He was a fluent French speaker and he learnt Gaelic after he retired. He attended college in Clydebank for one year.
He was a stargazer and had a powerful reflector telescope and was frequently out late at night tracking planets across the sky. Henry kept bees for many years and his neighbours (including myself) were frequently visited by one of Henry’s swarms in the summer months.
Henry and Mary travelled the world. They made frequent visits to France to keep up with Henry’s French relatives. They took a very dubious Spanish passenger ship to the West Indies. They crossed Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway to Nahodka and over to Japan for EXPO 70. They went round Cape Horn on their way to Easter Island. They were members of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and went on the centenary trip to Greenland. He was a keen photographer and gave many slide shows to local groups.
Henry loved to talk. He always had a story to tell and was a true raconteur.
Henry was very community spirited and was chairman of the local community council and the Doig Family. He was County Vice President to the Girl Guides. He and Mary were stalwarts of the Old Parish Church in East Kilbride, both acting as elders for many years.
We who knew Henry will miss him greatly.
He is survived by his wife Mary his two sons Robert and John, a brother and a sister and seven grandchildren.
Often after he had seen a patient he would repair a radio or a clock or anything else electrical