Due to the tragic turn of events in On a Turning Tide, I had to turn for advice to those whose medical knowledge far outreaches mine. To Dr Paul Frisby MBB, neighbour and friend, thank you so much for spending the evening before going on holiday sending me links to the appropriate websites, and for discussing with me the aspects of what I was trying to achieve. You’re the kindest, most generous man, and certainly know how to make a party go with a swing!
Dr Keith Maybury FRCS, retired Consultant in General and Vascular Surgery, and his lovely wife Sara. Thank you for a wonderful day at Henley – Ollie and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and through Keith’s vast knowledge of rowing, actually managed to learn something! Thank you, too, for listening to my questions about the medical problems relating to my character in the book, and then introducing me to your colleague and friend, Brian Livingstone.
Dr Brian Livingstone FRCS, retired Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. I am hugely indebted to you for your enthusiastic approach to the task in hand. I so appreciated your correspondence setting out the medical situation I was writing about, and the great deal of research you undertook into how the treatment would have been in 1945. These letters included passages from medical books and journals written at the time; photographs and advice on the medicines and treatments available – and the ultimate prognosis. You have been the most marvellous help in all this, patiently dealing with what were probably silly questions, and treating my patient as if he were real and in your care. Thank you too for your very pleasant company at Henley. Any mistakes I’ve made are my own, which I hope you will forgive.