During his time as a market town doctor, David Mathias delivered more than 1,000 babies in the mid-Norfolk area.
And during his 28 years at the helm of his surgery, Dr Mathias became a beloved figure within the Dereham community.
This accolade was confirmed by his daughter, Helen Rollins, who described her father as being made for the role of a general practitioner (GP).
She said: “He was caring and easy going; always prepared to help others.
“He was also relaxed and respected as a GP and had a good bedside manner.
“I don’t know anyone who did not respect him as a GP.”
Three days older than the late Queen Elizabeth II, David Henry Mathias was born in the seaside town of Tenby in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, on April 18, 1926.
He was both the son and nephew of surgeons and doctors and, as a child, he was very sporty and especially enjoyed playing hockey, rugby, and cricket and he went on to represent the West of England.
Aged 18, he signed up for the army without his father’s knowledge and, after a year, went to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst to train to be an officer. His career quickly came to an end when he was given a medical discharge following an infection in his foot.
He then decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and secured a place at King’s College Cambridge to become a doctor.
Despite contracting tuberculosis and spending more than a year recovering in a sanatorium in Wales, the college kept his place open for him.
After his 21st birthday, and once he was well enough, he returned to his studies and attended a King’s College May Ball where he met his future wife Barbara, nee Tait. She was then working as a nurse at London's Great Ormand Street Hospital and was also the daughter of a GP.
The couple married in July 1956, and had three children; Richard in 1959, Nigel in 1962, and Helen in 1966. In 2020, they celebrated 63 years as a couple before Mrs Mathias’s death on December 23.
After graduating, Dr Mathias spent time working at the London Hospital and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.
After this, he applied for an obstetric position at Crumpsall Hospital, Manchester. He was shortlisted from around 70 applicants and was told he was successful in getting the job as he was the only one wearing a white collar.
Well into his retirement he continued to wear a shirt and tie.
Following many locum positions around the country, including at Bath and the Shetland Islands, they settled in Dereham in 1958. Here, Dr Mathias joined Dr O’Connor at Quebec Road.
Later, he would be involved in the development of Theatre Royal Surgery, which was built in 1978, where he worked until his retirement aged 60.
In 1966, he became a magistrate based in Dereham, until the courts moved to Swaffham. This was a role he carried out for 20 years and one that saw him invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace for his service.
After retiring, he spent a decade studying botany and was involved with a research project with his wife. He also took up golf.
His hobbies included woodwork, watercolour painting, and upholstery, all subjects he attended evening classes for.
Mr Mathias died in hospital on Thursday, January 19 aged 96. He leaves behind his children and eight grandchildren.
His funeral took place at Breckland Crematorium on Thursday, February 9 where donations were collected for Norfolk Accident Rescue Service.
- To pay tribute to a loved one, email norfolkobituaries@newsquest.co.uk
- To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost.
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