Ronald Rodger Gordon
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Paediatrician who made a detailed study of intersexuality
Ronald Rodger Gordon, former consultant paediatrician Sheffield (b 2 December 1914; q Glasgow 1937; MC and Bar, MD, FRCP), d 6 March 2003.
Ronald Rodger Gordon had both a brilliant war record and a distinguished medical career in paediatrics. He was a graduate of the University of Glasgow, as was his wife, Barbara, whom he married just a few days after the declaration of war in 1939; a short time later he left for active service. During the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk his bravery in amputating the leg of a badly wounded soldier in the street, during extremely heavy dive bombing attacks, and without cover of any kind, gained him the award of the Military Cross. Later, as a volunteer, he joined the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute regiment, where he distinguished himself yet again. In Tunisia his battalion suffered many casualties during November and December 1942; he went forward under heavy fire to tend the wounded and conduct them back to British lines, for which action he received a bar to his MC. Later in the war, at Arnhem, he volunteered to remain behind to look after the wounded knowing that, by so doing, it was inevitable that he would be captured.
After the war Ronald Gordon devoted himself to the study of paediatrics and, after registrar and senior registrar appointments, he became a consultant paediatrician at the City General Hospital in Sheffield—as the hospital was then known. Here he developed an admirable unit with a number of special features. He created a model premature baby unit as well as a unit for adolescent patients, who were regarded as individuals in their own right rather than being just a part of a children’s ward. He also made a detailed study of intersexuality, publishing both articles in the medical journals and, in 1963, a book entitled The Intersexual Disorders, written jointly with a colleague from the department of gynaecology. This book not only clarified a number of aspects of this complex subject but was notable for the study of 21 patients who were reregistered in the opposite sex from that in which they had been placed at birth; a rare collection indeed.
Ronald Gordon was an excellent teacher both of medical students and his junior staff. Many of the latter were from overseas and they took back to their own countries his ideals and dedicated approach. His opportunities for student teaching were increased later when he was additionally appointed as a consultant to the Sheffield Children’s Hospital with its close associations with the university. He was strongly academically inclined and there is no doubt that had he been able to accept the professorship in Edinburgh, which he was offered, but which he declined fearing the effects of the cold climate on his wife’s arthritis, he would have made it an undoubted success.
Ronald Gordon’s distinction in the paediatric field led to his acceptance abroad in many units. He made several visits to Libya, as part of a group under the aegis of Glasgow University, to advise on developments there and he was, on one occasion, summoned to the tent of Colonel Gadaffi, whose son had fallen ill. He spent time also in Brazil advising on paediatric services there.
Ronald was keen on several forms of sport, notably rugby, which he played with distinction as a student, and golf later in his career. Retirement did not bring to an end his medical activities. He applied his inquiring mind to a number of national problems in the paediatric field, often challenging the views of the Department of Health.
He will be remembered by many whom he helped to train in his specialty and by
a host of colleagues. He was married for 63 years to his wife, Barbara, who died
just a few months before him. He leaves a son and a daughter.
[ John Dewhurst ]