South Yorkshire Times March 29, 1969
Death of Doctor Greig B. Petrie
Doctor Greig Buchan Petrie, of “Tara Dene,” Adwick Road, Mexborough, who served the district for over 30 years as a general medical practitioner, died on Tuesday at Leeds General Infirmary at the age of 59, after having been ill for two months.
He was taken suddenly ill at his home on January 19th, and was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Subsequently he returned home but two weeks later suffered a relapse, and after returning to Doncaster Infirmary, he was transferred to Leeds pending a heart operation, but his condition prevented its accomplishment.
IN 1938
The news of his death came as a great shock to a host of friends and to hundreds of local families to whom he had devotedly ministered — in many instances, for two generations — since he arrived in Mexborough in 1938 as a young married doctor to take over his first major general practice.
In the intervening years, his gentle care and kindly personality. in addition to his professional skills, had earned him the admiration and appreciation of Mexborough people in many walks of life.
Born at Loanhead near Edinburgh. Dr. Petrie graduated at Edinburgh University in 1934, then served in hospitals at Edinburgh, Darlington and Bath. Subsequently he went into private practice and while at Blairgowrie he married his wife, Mary, in her hometown of Carmarthen, in 1937.
In the following year they moved to Mexborough when Dr. Petrie took over the practice of Dr. H. S. Bhalla.
War Service
Three years later he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, and fur six months served on troopships on the Atlantic run at the height of the submarine warfare. Later he served in East Africa and then in the Burma campaign with the rank of Captain.
He returned home and to his practice in January, 1946, and the demands of the practice grew rapidly. In 1952 Dr. Petrie was joined by Dr H. J. Powell.
Dr. Petrie served as an official of the Divisional Medical Committee, and was appointed to represent the division on the West Riding Executive Council at Wakefield, for whom he also served as representative at national conferences.
He also held an appointment under the Rotherham and Mexborough Hospital Management Committee and supervised the medical care of elderly patients in the geriatric ward at Mexborough Montagu Hospital. The hospital flag was flown at half mast this week.
Although Dr. Petrie was a supporter of several local causes, he was not actively identified with many organisations outside his medical interests, for virtually the whole of his time was unselfishly given to the wellbeing of his patients and he was always available to answer their calls.
Sad Loss
“He was the true type of family doctor, always a friend and adviser as well as medical expert” commented one of his patients. “His kindly disposition and understanding were virtues which endeared him to his patients, and his death is a sad loss to Mexborough.”
Mrs. Petrie has also found time to share his interest in his patients and has done valuable work in many local homes as a Marriage Guidance Counsellor and a member of the Doncaster and District Council.
In addition to his widow, Dr. Petrie leaves three children, two of whom have followed in his footsteps as doctors.
The eldest son, Royce is sales manager for a firm of animal foods and is stationed in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He flew home to stay for a week during his father’s illness, and returned only on Sunday.
The other son, Dr. Ian Petrie. is in practice in 13ramalea, Ontario, Canada, and the daughter is Dr. Gail Kenney, the wife of a Cambridge Don. Dr. Nigel Kenney, Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, and living in Cambridge. There are six grandchildren.
Dr. Petrie’s mother, Mrs. C. S. Petrie, aged 90, is still living at Rosslyn. Edinburgh with her daughter. His two brothers are also doctors.
A service will be held this afternoon (Friday) at Mexborough Parish Church, to be followed by interment at Mexborough Cemetery.