I
was fortunate to work in the St Thomas' Hospital Casualty department
for 3 months in early 1942, then I went to Hydestile Hospital near
Godalming for 3 months in early 1942, where St Thomas's had taken over
a hutted Hospital, previously used by the Australian Military. The
House-doctors were billeted in Nissen huts. The work was not demanding
because it was not an Emergency Hospital. I was House doctor to Sir
Maurice Cassidy, an eminent cardiologist. One afternoon after the Ward
round he took the Registrar, Dr B. Norman and me for a walk up the
wooded hill behind the Hospital. When he heard that I expected to go as
a missionary to Africa, he said, "That will be an adventure!". That, I
think, is an understatement; it was a great encouragement for me.
During my time as Casualty Officer in London, I met a young lady, who
was in the Lady Almoner's department (the old term for Social Services
linked to Hospitals), and I fell in love with her. Although I
visited Dorothy's home in Barnes a few times, and another time cycled
from Hydestile to London and back, this relationship brought some
tension. She didn't make a Christian profession. She admired me for my
intention of missionary service; but it remained in my
semi-consciousness as a distraction to my Call.
After I had worked overseas for some months, and continued to
correspond with her (and she paid a visit to my parents in
Templecombe), I knew that I could not continue, and the relationship
was broken off.
After 2 years missionary service I had a conversion experience; and
came to a deeply personal faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord. This put
all my aspirations on a different path; and after that I had a new and
satisfying perspective.