Doig, Robert Stevenson (1895 - 1965)

Radio Officer, Royal Flying Corps

Buried at

Commemorated at

Robert Stevenson Doig was born in Govan, Glasgow, on 7th April 1895. His father, Henry, was an engineer. When Robert first matriculated at the University of Glasgow in 1915 to study medicine, the family lived at 13 Gordon Terrace, Craigton, Govan. Although he was successful in his first year, he did not return in October to continue his studies. He joined up. His family recalls that he served for the duration of the war in the Royal Flying Corps.

Robert?s service took him to France, where he was a radio officer, attached to military and spotter aircraft. A war, which was so grim in so many other respects brought happiness to this serviceman in that he briefly met the lady whom he later married when his unit liberated the town of Valenciennes, where she lived. Before they would get married, however, he had to tackle the unfinished business of completing his medical qualifications in Glasgow. He did this in style, as the university prize lists for these years disclose.

In 1919, he made the Honours list in Zoology and picked up a 1st class certificate in Systematic Chemistry. In 1920, he added a 1st class certificate in Medical Physics and continued in the same vein the following year with 2nd class certificates in ENT and Anatomy. In 1922, he earned two 2nd class certificates in Physiology and crowned his academic record in 1923 with 2nd class certificates in the Practice of Medicine and Clinical Medicine. He graduated amongst the brightest stars of his year in 1924.

After qualifying, and marrying, he entered general practice with his older brother, Dr Henry Doig, in Lennoxtown, but he was soon appointed Medical Officer of Health for the Isle of Lewis and served there until his death in October 1965. His interest in medicine continued to be both practical and academic. On 9th November 1929, he was awarded the Diploma of Public Health, again on a very strong academic performance.

On 26th June 1965, at the age of seventy, he demonstrated that his inquiring mind was still at its peak when he graduated MD, with Commendation. One great, and last honour was to follow. Sadly, he died a few hours after receiving his Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) at Buckingham Palace in October 1965.

Reproduced from the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour: http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-intro/