Deaths: William Martindale Darling

On 12 July 2017, William Martindale Darling FRPharmS, aged 83, of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Mr Darling registered with the Society in 1955.

Mr Darling studied pharmacy at what is now the University of Sunderland, and went on to take over his family’s pharmacy business. In 1962, he was elected president of the Sunderland branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

Mr Darling was the longest serving Royal Pharmaceutical Society council member, joining in 1962 and serving for 39 years. At the time of joining the council, he was the youngest person to have served in this capacity.

He was elected to president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (PSGB) twice, in 1970 and 1971, becoming the youngest person to be elected to the post. He became a Fellow of the PSGB in 1975. In 1985, Mr Darling was awarded the Society’s Charter Gold Medal.

In 1973, Darling was made OBE for services to pharmacy and in 1988, he was made CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Mr Darling also led numerous pharmaceutical and health bodies throughout his career. He was a past president of the International Hospital Federation and of the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union. He chaired the National Association of Health Authorities, the Standing Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee, the National Pharmaceutical Supplies Group and Gateshead and South Tyneside Health Authority.

In 2000, he was made Deputy Lieutenant in Tyne and Wear by the Lord Lieutenant.

Last updated
Citation
The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, July 2017, Vol 299, No 7903;299(7903)::DOI:10.1211/PJ.2017.20203176

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