Life of Dales vet, who died aged 98, celebrated

THE life of a Dales vet who saw action in battle was celebrated in Dent and Arkholme last Friday.

John Douglas Parkinson, who had run a practice in Sedbergh,was born on December 2, 1919 in Quernmore, near Lancaster. He attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School from 1931-1938, going on to secure a place at Liverpool University School of Veterinary Studies from where he qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1943.

After a spell in practice in Aylesbury, he volunteered for the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in 1944. He was posted to Burma where he joined the 64th Indian Infantry Division, responsible for pack mules and elephants on the front line.

Mr Parkinson, who died aged 98, saw action in the battles for Mandalay, Kalaw and the break out of Japanese forces from Pegu Yomas.

Promoted to major as deputy assistant director of Veterinary and Remount Services, he remained in Burma until 1947. When he returned home he started a vets practice in Sedbergh.

He spent time as chairman of the housing committee and acquired a small farm in Garsdale. Mr Parkinson was awarded a fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for his work on caesarean operations on cattle and sheep in general practice.

He moved to Plymouth in 1959 after purchasing a partnership in a mixed practice and lived on a farm on the edge of Dartmoor. Mr Parkinson retired in 1985 and moved to live near Carnforth.

He is survived by his second wife, Mary Christina, five children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mr Parkinson’s funeral took place in Dent and a separate celebration of his life took place in Arkholme.

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