Tribute: Philip Kerslake-Smith

Dad joined the army straight from school and spent the immediate post-war period in the Netherlands and Germany as a driver and interpreter. He then came back to the UK and started studying for his pharmacy qualifications at the Northern Polytechnic in Holloway Road, London.

His first assignment as trainee pharmacist was at Boots in Hertford, where he met mum who worked on the toiletries counter. When they married, they moved to Muswell Hill. Dad then worked at various London branches of Boots for the remainder of his career, with his first manager’s post being at City Road, followed by Stamford Hill, Cheapside and finally Poultry, from where he retired in 1986.

Although retired, he was keen to keep his hand in and worked part-time in an independent pharmacy in Potters Bar, Hertforshire, until he left through ill-health in 1999.

Dad spent the last six years of his life in a care home in Hatfield, located opposite the family home where he grew up. He remained alert and involved up until the end — often surprising the care staff with his detailed knowledge about his medication and asking me to read him articles from The Pharmaceutical Journal!

He will be sorely missed by his daughters and grandchildren.

 

Penny Buckle 

Last updated
Citation
The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, May 2020, Vol 304, No 7937;304(7937)::DOI:10.1211/PJ.2020.20207973

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