Richmond Jeremy was born in Wagga Wagga on 7 August 1899 where his father worked as a stock and station agent. He was enrolled as a boarder at one of Sydney’s Great Public Schools, the Sydney Church of England Grammar School (“Shore”) in North Sydney. Apart from his academic activities, he played football, cricket, tennis and took part in rowing. On completion of his high school studies in 1917 he obtained good, if not outstanding marks in subjects which included Latin. He entered the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney although it appears unlikely that there were any members of the medical profession among his close relatives.

At the University, Richmond Jeremy boarded at St Paul’s College where he felt comfortable and established many lasting friendships. He did his hospital training at Sydney Hospital, graduating MB ChM in 1923 and there gained clinical experience as a RMO. In later years he recalled that chronically ill patients were commonly sent to the Coast Hospital, (later renamed Prince Henry Hospital), where he subsequently worked as a member of the Resident and Visiting Medical Staff. Surgical as well as medical experience gained at the Coast Hospital was excellent; members of the resident staff performed, under supervision, a great variety of operations, including appendicectomies, herniorrhaphies and cholecystectomies. The surgical staff included such well-known and experienced surgeons as Sir Alexander MacCormick and JC Storey.

After completing hospital training Richmond Jeremy commenced family practice in the Eastern Suburbs together with his long-standing friend and colleague Lorimer Dods (qv 2) who later became the first Professor of Child Health in Australia. In 1926 Jeremy took time off from clinical practice, went to London for further studies and gained his MRCP. Fellowship of that College was bestowed upon him in 1953.

Jeremy was appointed Honorary Assistant Physician to St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, which had become the third general teaching hospital of the University of Sydney Medical School. His investigative interests were related to haematological topics, especially red cell abnormalities. Early publications in the Medical Journal of Australia included articles on polycythaemia and the treatment of anaemias. He was accepted as a member of the Haematology Society of Australia.

In 1938 he became a Foundation Fellow of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians and in 1952 attended the inaugural meeting in Adelaide of the Australasian Cardiac Society, which was subsequently renamed Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. At that time he was a respected consultant cardiologist and was frequently asked to give opinions regarding diagnosis and management by younger colleagues. He was a member of the St Vincent’s Hospital cardio-vascular unit from its inception in 1952, consultant to the Women's Hospital, Crown Street, St Luke’s Hospital, Darlinghurst and Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay. When St Vincent’s became part of the new medical school at the University of New South Wales, Richard Jeremy was appointed to the Council of that University.

Following the outbreak of World War II Richmond Jeremy enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces, saw active service in Greece and was evacuated from Crete in 1941. He served as Consultant to the 2/6 AGH from 1939 to 1946. Post-war, his service to the RACP included appointments as a member of the NSW State Committee 1946-52 (Chairman 1959-62), Honorary Librarian, 1944-48, Chairman of the Library Committee 1955-58.

Among the honours bestowed upon him special mention must be made of the OBE awarded in 1978, the presidency of the NSW Branch of the National Heart Foundation and Life Membership of the Australian Medical Association.

Richmond Jeremy was married to Joan Marjorie Wedgewood. They had three sons, Richmond, David and John. David worked for some time in the Cardio-Vascular Unit, Sydney Hospital. His grandson, also named Richmond Jeremy, is Associate Professor in Medicine, currently active at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Richmond Jeremy Senior was a great and a big man by any standard. He died in his 96th year; he remains well remembered and highly respected.