SIR REGINALD WATSON JONES

MRCH Orth (LIVERPOOL)

"Reginald Watson-Jones was born on 4 March 1902 and received his medical education at Liverpool University, where after taking the BSc with first class honours in 1922 he qualified in medicine in 1924."

"He was a brilliant student and an excellent speaker, and he won most of the prizes in medicine at his university. He won the Mitchell Banks Medal, the George Hold Medal and the Robert Gee Prize. He won the Robert Jones Fellowship in orthopaedic surgery in 1928 and obtained the degree of MCh (Orth) in 1926 winning a gold medal. "

"After qualifying he held lectureships and demonstratorships in anatomy, physiology and physiotherapy at Liverpool and was then resident house surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and clinical assistant at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London. He returned to Liverpool in 1926 to become senior surgical tutor and registrar at the Royal Infirmary and within a short period of time he was appointed to the surgical staff. He continued to practice with great success in Liverpool and his reputation soon spread to all parts of the country."

"In 1943 he followed Robert Milne, and was appointed director of the orthopaedic and accident department of the London Hospital. He served throughout the second world war as civilian consultant to the Royal Air Force and in 1945 he was created Knight Bachelor for his services."

"His appointments to the Royal Family included those of extra orthopaedic surgeon to the Queen and, in 1946 orthopaedic surgeon to King George VI. "

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"Watson-Jones was a gifted writer and the first edition of his famous text book Fractures and joint injuries appeared in 1940. "

"He was responsible for founding the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British volume). He continued as chief editor of the journal until his death."