Allan Gillies worked in the Bank of NSW for five years before he entered the faculty of medicine at Sydney University in 1928. He performed brilliantly in the first three years and then diverted to the faculty of science where he completed the honours course in physiology with first- class honours - and, I believe, the University Medal. I also understand that he that he was the first medical student to follow that path. He returned to medicine and it was no surprise when he graduated with first- class honours and the University Medal. He was obviously destined for a brilliant career. After graduation he spent two years at RPAH, was appointed lecturer in pathology to the University of Sydney and moved to the Kanematsu Institute at Sydney Hospital as senior pathologist. He immediately commenced to make his name as a teacher and research scientist, when he contracted the condition then known as malignant hypertension and for which no adequate treatment had been discovered. He died in May 1941 and Australia lost a potential leader in the research fields of medicine.

Apart from his academic ability, Allan was remembered for his calm reassuring manner and his extensive involvement in University undergraduate affairs. He was a director of the Union and on the committee of the newly formed Student Representative Council and, not least, the Sydney University Medical Society. He was elected to executive office on all those bodies.

My personal recollections were all gained during the first three years of medicine when we were in the same year. He was universally and quietly popular with his fellow students. His more mature age gave him an elder brother status and so his advice was frequently sought, willingly given and gratefully received. I heard that when he became aware of his fatal illness he worked uncomplainingly till close to the end, admired, respected and loved by all his colleagues. He had married Jean Hedberg, sister of Eric Hedberg FRACS and niece of WR Page FRACS and Sir Earle Page FRACS, not many years before his death. They had two sons who were very young when he died. The older son, Douglas Donald, is now a general practitioner in Yass. The younger, John David, is a Fellow of the College and is married to Margaret Blacket, who is also a Fellow.