George Simpson from Aberystwyth is leading a one-man campaign to win recognition for a local doctor who was a pioneer in the treatment of tuberculosis in the 20th century. As part of his mission, he's written this profile of the late Dr Peter Edwards who treated him for TB in the 1950s.
"Peter William Edwards was born in 1889, 
one of eight children of Evan and Catherine (nee Morgan) at The Laurels, St David's Road, Aberystwyth. Along with his education, football played a big part in Peter's life. He played for Ardwyn School; he was captain of the UCW in 1910 and a team member of the old Green & Blacks - now Aberystwyth Town.
Against family wishes, he left the UCW to study medicine at Edinburgh University, gaining also a blue at soccer and on occasions playing for 'Heart of Midlothian'.
He passed his Bachelor of Surgery and Medicine in 1915. Right away, he enrolled in the R.A.M.C. (Royal Army Medical Corps) at Aldershot, went to France (now Captain), collected five wounds amd was mentioned in dispatches by none less than Sir Douglas Hague. In 1917, he was found to have tuberculosis and was discharged in 1918. TB was to have a profound effect on Peter Edwards' life and future.
His first appointment as Medical Superintendent was at Brancote Sanitorium in Nuneaton where he served for four years in 1923. The next move was to the then new 'Cheshire Joint Sanatorium' near Market Drayton as Chief Medical Superintendent.
His love of football was still evident. He became Honorary Physician for 'Stoke City FC' for ten years.
It was not long after his appointment that the growing name of the CJS spread throughout the UK - and of 'The Chief' as Dr Edwards was now known.
The name 'Cheshire Joint' came about by the amalgamation of the following counties - Birkenhead, Wallasey, Cheshire, Stockport and Stoke-on-Trent. Whilst at the CJS, he was also head of the Wrenbury Hall Colony near Crewe and was Honorary Chest Physician on the Birmingham Hospital Board.
Dr Edwards was a pioneer in 'Collapse Lung Treatment'. Working with Vere Pearson, he introduced adhesion section in artificial pneumonothorax. He also worked with Professor J.B. Haldane to produce a report which influenced legislation on silicosis in coal miners. Dr Edwards' strict regime, rules and regulations would not be accepted today. He could well be described as a Jekyll and Hyde character. On the one hand, sarcastic, outspoken, even cruel. This, however, was The Chief at his best - to terrorise one into a co-operative mood if he and his staff were to put you on the long road to recovery. He would not tolerate fools.
Yet he was a man with great vision, compassion and understanding, who had a great sense of humour. His wit, at times, beyond belief. All of which combined to drive home the fact that TB was a killer illness, not to be taken lightly.
His remarks and quips became legendary. The one remembered most being 'you can fool me but you can't fool the bug'. Also, 'you have two rotten lungs. If you had a third, that would be rotten too', as well as 'you've been flirting with the angels, son' and so many more.
During minor operations to remove adhesions, he would sing to the patient in Welsh - being very proud of his heritage.
Dr Edwards' fame spread worldwide for his knowledge, treatment and dedication to this killer illness. He travelled to the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan to talk and lecture .
His qualifications and positions, provided by the Wellcome Trust Library, are as follows: Medical Superintendent at the Cheshire Joint Sanatorium, Consultant for the International Refugee Organisation, Chairman of the Joint Tuberculosis Council and Tuberculosis Rehabilitation Council, Directory of the Tuberculosis Services of North Staffordshire, Fellow of the American College for Chest Physicians, Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and Society of Medical Officers of Health and President of the Medical Superintendents Society.
He was awarded an MBE by King George VI for services as a Major in the local Home Guard in WWII and to the Blood Donor system in the area. The presentation was in 1945. In 1955, he was made High Sheriff of his native Cardiganshire.
Dr Edwards retired in 1956 aged 67 not 65, having concealed his correct age. He died in Market Drayton in 1983 at 94 years old, where he had remained . Yes, a truly remarkable man. Never to be forgotten."
Written by George Simpson from Aberystwyth.
A leading physician who pioneered new methods in the treatment of tuberculosis.
