Dr L J Vincent

Both the sons of the succesful tailor and journalist, WDF Vincent went to medical school. The younger, Jack, played an active medical role in two world wars.

Jack went to Fitzwilliam Hall, Cambridge, where he also managed to take part in other activities such as rowing.

Fitzwilliam Hall Boat Club 1913 – I wonder how many survived the next 5 years?

In 1917 he married Marguerite.

Jack qualified in 1917 and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps where he was sent to Basrah in Mesopotamia (now Iraq) to provide medical assistance to the Indian Army who were operating in the area at that time.

Dr LJ Vincent RAMC Mesopotamia 1917-1920 — Capt LJ Vincent RAMC Mesopotamia 1917-1920

RAMC Hospital for the Indian Army in Mesopotamia sometime between 1917 and 1920

He seems to have arrived aft.r serious fighting had taken place between the allies and the Ottaman Empire earlier that year Jack stayed in the Basrah area until 1920, when he was sent home having contracted malaria – there were no pills available at this time to prevent the disease. He seems to have spent some time in Bombay (now Mumbai) although I’m unsure if this was working or recuperation.

Capt L J Vincent RAMC - Unfit — Capt L J Vincent RAMC – Malaria Infection on active service

Once back in the UK he set up as a GP in the Acton area of London and had 3 sons.

in 1939 he became involved in another World War. Jack, was an active member of the St Johns ambulance and the ARP – (Air Raid Precautions) in Acton, including this team who travelled to incidents during the blitz to provide immediate assessment of casualties.

Acton ARP Bombing Incident Mobile Flying Squad – 2 Doctors and 3 highly skilled first aiders, driven by a former racing driver all got into this little car and in the blackout and in the course of air raids on West London attended every incident immediately it was reported to assess the rescue teams etc. required and to start immdeiate casualty care.

As the Divisional Surgeon in Acton St Johns Ambulance division he would also give talks at meetings – in this instance a lantern slide lecture on “A Medical Officer in an Indian General Hospital in the last war.” (It seems there’s nothing modern about a powerpoint show!)

Unfortunately health problems exacerbated by his malaria, along with long hours being a Doctor in war time London caught up with him and he died in July 1943, at only 50 years old.

Legacy

To honour his contribution to the community Junction Road next to South Acton Station was renamed Vincent Road. This has since been redeveloped twice and has now been obliterated by Phase 3.1 of Acton Gardens containing Alacia Court, Westley Court, Ravenswood Court and Welbeck Court.

A contribution was also given to a Boys club in the area.