One of Kirkheaton’s best-known GPs has died aged 93.
Dr Alexander (Alec) Ingram was born in Glasgow on November 27, 1921, and attended Allan Glen’s School and later, studied medicine at Anderson’s College, part of the University of Glasgow.
In 1946 he undertook his National Service and was ship surgeon in the Royal Navy for two years working aboard the aircraft carrier Athlean.
His first memory of growing up in Glasgow was a memorable one of being taken to the train station in a horse-drawn taxi.
In the mid-1940s he met his wife-to-be Elma George at a dance. She arrived with another man but she soon only had eyes for Alec. They married in 1946, a union which lasted some 59 years.
He worked in Sanquhar is a small market town in the Nith Valley, Southern Scotland before departing for Kirkheaton, in 1954. He was at once noticeable for owning one of few cars in the village.
His surgery was in an adapted garage at his house at the top of Laneside. and he shared cover of duty with Lepton Surgery. He would also perform a regular shift at Casualty at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
As the local doctor he was highly regarded and would go out on house visits at any time. On one occasion he visited one lady three times in the same night, even though her ailments were not that serious as it turned out.
On another occasion, visiting an upstairs flat, he tripped and came down the stairs on his back, being saved injury by the thick coat he was wearing.
His bedside manner apparently left something to be desired, but once people got past his somewhat gruff exterior they discovered a great story-teller, and someone with a good sense of humour.
He had little time for small talk, ‘blethering’ as he called it and preferred to talk about more important issues. He loved history, Greek and Roman mythology and learning in general. There were many books in his house.
As well as a GP he became a parish councillor for a while.
There was a rumour that he was involved in changing the name of the former ‘Cemetery Road’ to Laneside, as the previous name was not the best address for the local doctor.
He was involved with other local councillors and the Rector of Kirkheaton church in setting up two local charities, Kirkheaton Relief in Need and Relief in Sickness, which are still going.
He possessed a dry wit. Having fallen outside church one day and was lying on the ground a woman came up to him saying - “I’ve got nursing experience, I can handle this.” He whispered to someone else: “well, I’ve a fair amount of medical experience myself.”
His family were all important to him and he sadly lost not only his wife in 2002 but also two of his three sons in recent years, Alasdair, his middle son in 2010 and his eldest boy Douglas in 2012.
He lived on his own for many years after his wife died, in a new house at Chimes Court, just next door to his former surgery. He was a faithful member of the Kirkheaton Parish church and became part of a Men’s group for a while. He loved travelling in the UK, owning a caravan for some years, and around the world.
He was a well-known member of St Andrew’s Society, meeting regularly and celebrating Burns night and St Andrew’s day
He leaves a son, Andrew, who lives in St David’s, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who live locally. His funeral service took place at St John’s Church on January 30.
