CELEBRATIONS

Centenary milestone

John Michael Welchman (MBBCh 1950) was born in September 1920 and celebrated his 100th birthday with the South African Air Force Association Whale Coast branch outside the care centre where he lives in Kidbrooke, Onrus in the Western Cape.

Details of this milestone birthday were communicated through Dr Welchman’s daughter, Jenty Young Welchman, who lives in the UK and was unable to celebrate with him because of travel restrictions.

Dr Welchman was born and raised in Johannesburg. He was a second-year medical student at Wits when World War II broke out. He obtained his wings a year later and was posted to North Africa in the No 40 squadron as a reconnaissance pilot, flying Hurricanes and Tomahawks. His squadron was on its way to Japan when the war ended. He returned to Wits to complete his studies and married Elizabeth (Betty) – his wife for nearly 75 years (pictured above).

Dr Welchman practiced medicine in Soroti, Uganda, where he was primarily involved in treating leprosy and malaria. He later specialised in radiology before returning to work in Durban.

Countdown to 100

MICHAEL HATHORN

Michael Hathorn (BSc Eng 1943, MBBCh 1950), former medical doctor, aircraft engineer, anti-apartheid activist, wrote to Alumni Relations in August this year: “My wife died in 2008. I am still in reasonably good health at the age of 98. Many fellow medical students at Wits have died, including Maureen Dale (BSc Hons 1945, MBBCh 1950), Bernard Tabatznik (BSc 1946; MBBCh 1949) and Sidney Brenner (BSc Hons 1946, DSc honoris causa 1972).

“After qualifying in mining engineering in 1943, I volunteered for the South African Air Force (SAAF) in World War II until 1946.” He trained air mechanics for both the SAAF as well as the Royal Air Force and after the Allied victory in North Africa, he went on to service and repair SAAF planes.

On his return, Dr Hathorn completed his medical degree and married alumna Margaret Cormack (BSc 1946, MBBCh 1949). They both worked at the Alexandra Health Centre and University Clinic from 1951-1955 and then at the Durban Medical School until 1960.

He was arrested on 30 March 1960 under the State of Emergency declared following the Sharpeville Massacre and detained until 28 June. “We escaped from South Africa in 1961, spent four years in Ghana doing medical research, got British citizenship, and lived in the UK ever since.”

Dr Hathorn took up a teaching and research post at the Royal London Hospital, where he completed his PhD in research into breathing problems in newborn infants. He worked there until he retired.

DR MARGARET CORMACK