Professor WD Tavernor

Abstract

W Derek Tavernor was born and grew up in Stockport, UK and completed his National (Army) Service in the King’s Own Rifle Regiment (Lancaster). He then entered the Liverpool University Veterinary School, where he was President of The Liverpool University Veterinary Society and graduated in 1954. He then entered the general practice of Anderson and Bugg in Aylesbury. In 1957, he left general practice and joined Glaxo Laboratories in the virology department. His next career move was to the post of lecturer in veterinary surgery at the Royal Veterinary College and developed an interest in anaesthesia. During this time, he obtained a PhD and the FRCVS by examination. In January of 1964, he was part of the small group that met in Bristol to initiate discussions on the formation of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AVAGBI). In April of that year, the inaugural meeting of AVAGBI was held in London and Derek was appointed the first treasurer and fixed the annual subscription at two guineas (£2.10). In 1970 he left academia and became an Inspector at Home Office under the legislation relating to animal experimentation. During the 1970’s, he was elected President of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and later President of the British Veterinary Association. When a sub-committee of AVAGBI was formed in 1980 to plan the first International Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia, Derek Tavernor was the obvious choice of Treasurer. This was somewhat of an unknown venture regarding potential numbers and costs, but he used his expertise to great advantage and the meeting finances ended up with a small profit. Professor Tavernor was a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farriers serving as its Master in 1988–89. He served as a member of the Council of the Royal Veterinary College for 25 years and as an elected member of the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. In the area of equine welfare, he was a member of the committee of the Home of Rest for Horses (Horse Trust) and served as its Treasurer and oversaw the award of grants for veterinary research and for facilities at the UK veterinary schools. He will be remembered fondly for his contributions to the formation of the specialty of veterinary anaesthesia and will be missed.