Todd, Thomas Francis
TODD.--Major Thomas Francis Todd, M.S., R.A.M.C., dearly loved eldest son of F. E. and Margaret M. Todd, of Davenpoq Crescent, Stockport. Died on active service, December 1st, 1939, age 31. Catholic Herald 8 Dec. 1939.
By the death of Major Thomas Fraser Todd in France on December 2 as the result of a motor accident Manchester has lost one of its most brilliant gynaecologists. Todd was a student of Guy’ s Hospital and qualified in 1931 with the M.B., B.S. and the M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. He took his F.R.C.S. in 1933 and his M.C.O.G. in 1934 and the London M.S. degree in the following year. He worked as a house-surgeon and later as a demonstrator in anatomy at Guy’ s before being appointed resident surgical officer at the Preston Royal Infirmary. His work as a research fellow at the Christie Hospital and the Holt Radium Institute in Manchester attracted attention, as did several papers on the treatment of carcinoma of the cervix uteri. He became honorary assistant gynaecologists to the Salford Royal Hospital and was also on the consultant staff of Hope Hospital, Salford, and of Crumpsall Hospital, Manchester. For his work on cancer of the cervix he was awarded a Hunterian Professorship by the Royal College of Surgeons in 1938, and he was only recently appointed registrar to St. Mary’ s Hospitals, Manchester. He was one of the examiners in Gynaecology for the General Nursing Council and an active member of the North of England Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society and of the Manchester Medico-Legal Society. Todd volunteered for active service at the outbreak of war and at the time of his death was a major attached to one of the B.E.F. general hospitals in France. His striking figure – he was tall, dark, and always immaculate – and the tremendous energy he brought to bear upon any and every problem soon made him well known. His untimely death at the age of 31will be deeply regretted by many colleagues and friends in Manchester.British Medical Journal, 16 December 1939.
Major T. F. Todd M.S., F.R.C.S., M.C.O.G. The news of Todd’ s death in France on December 1st has overshadowed for many of us this week the more impersonal tragedies of war. I am not qualified to speak of the loss which it has brought to his own special field. It was evident that he had laid the foundations of a brilliant career in gynæ cology and that his reputation was rising steadily higher. It is, however, as one among his friends that I would like to pay a tribute to his memory.
He possessed to a remarkable degree, the qualities of vitality, courage and sincerity. These he gave unsparingly both to his work and his friendships. It was a delight to work with him on any problems however small, and his determined approach to all difficulties was a constant source of inspiration. It was equally a pleasure to turn to higher matters in his company, for the qualities which gave him success in his work brought him also a vigorous enjoyment of life. There were no compromises or half-measures in his nature, and whatever he did he did it to the full.
By his death it is as if a bright light were put out. There are many who will be aware of the shadows which this has left. C.H.R.
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Todd |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Thomas Francis |
| Date of birth | 22 Sept. 1908 |
| Place of birth | Edmonton, London |
| Family details | Son of Frank Ernest & Margaret Mary Todd of Stockport, Cheshire |
| Previous education | Prior Park College |
| College | Guy's Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1925 - 1931 |
| Dept / course | M.B. London 1st year |
| Qualifications | M.R.C.S., F.R.C.P., M.B., B.S. Lond. 1931 (Hons. Dist in Midwifery and Diseases of Women); F.R.C.S. Eng. 1933; M.C.O.G. 1924; M.S. Lond. 1935 |
| Military unit | Royal Army Medical Corps. 6 General Hospital |
| Date enlisted | Outbreak of War |
| Service number | 93591 |
| War / conflict | World War Two (1939-1945) |
| Date of death | 01 December 1939 |
| Age at death | 31 |
| Rank at death | Major |
| Place of death | France |
| Cause of death | Motor accident |
| Burial place | Mount Huon Military Cemetery Le Treport |
| Commemoration(s) | Guy’ s Memorial; Roll of the Fallen, University of London O.T.C. |
| Notes | In 1939 his address was 24, St. John Street, Manchester. |
| Sources | Guy’ s Hospital Medical School Records, King’ s College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; UK Medical Registers 1939, British Medical Journal; University of London O.T.C. |