Dr John Rowlands (1939-2022 Died 19.11.22)
Goodbye John, your service to Maghull has been second to none from award-winning GP1 who co-founded the Maghull Medical Centre to unrivalled local historian2.
John Kendrew Rowlands was born in County Durham, educated in Middlesbrough, graduated at Durham University in 1963 and had a variety of significant appointments in the north-east and London. He became a GP in 1971 and in 1974 he joined the pioneering Drs. R. Yorke, J. Rowlands and partners, in Maghull, until his retirement in 2002. Alongside his GP role he supported Sefton FPC, was a Medical Officer at Ashworth Hospital, lectured at Liverpool University and much more. The numerous heartfelt accounts on social media from his past patients demonstrates the high esteem he was held in, not only for his professionalism and compassion but the fact that he would often go above and beyond to support and reassure them at all times of the day/night with home visits. One of his many pioneering undertakings, involved establishing links between Alzheimer’s disease and sports related head trauma, almost 20 years before this became the accepted wisdom! He also appeared as a medical expert on numerous TV and radio programs.
Vocationally, John has written more fascinating books on the history of Maghull than anybody, which even resulted in an abundance of blue plaques around the town, indicating where famous historical residents lived. His work has also highlighted the unique pioneering role that Moss Side Hospital played in providing treatment for shellshock now known as PTSD, which prevented countless World War I soldiers being tragically shot for cowardice. He has also been a keen authority and author of many historical books on local footballers and teams.
John was our family GP when his surgery was in a semi-detached house on Liverpool Road South, before co-founding the Maghull Medical Centre. Whilst more recently we had the privilege of sharing time together as part of the commissioning process for the statue ‘Compassion in Conflict’ at Maghull North train station (2018) which commemorated Moss Side Hospital’s (School Lane, Maghull) pioneering treatment of World War I shellshock (see his interview on BBC NW Tonight3).
We will miss John for his incredible intellect, wonderful humour, storytelling, compassion, and kindness. We really can’t think of anyone who has given more to Maghull, consequently we are currently exploring a fitting tribute to commemorate and celebrate his immense contribution.
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
Go to the friends that we know,
Bury your sorrows in doing good,
Miss me, but let me go.
With huge condolences to his family.
Cllr Dr Frank Sharp (on behalf of our grateful community)
(1) http://efcheritagesociety.com/dr-john-rowlands-1939-2022/…
(2) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/…/Doctor-raised-dementia…
(3) https://youtu.be/R-KXAi8GVeE
Pictured: Dr John Rowlands bought a small boy an ice cream in Kathmandu, only to turn round and find a queue of his friends!
Other Maghull local stories:
Maghull Community Magazine:
https://www.paperturn-view.com/?pid=MzE311208
https://www.paperturn-view.com/?pid=MzE311208
Friends of Maghull & District: