Dear Editor,
It is a cruel irony that at the time of publication of my interview with Dr David Tidmarsh MD (Cantab), FRCPsych, DPM∗, the seeds of his cancer had already been planted in his large colon. So malignant was the cancer and so rapidly did it spread that, despite major surgery, chemotherapy, skilled nursing and the care of his devoted wife, Marlen, the outcome was inevitable: he died uncomplaining, at home on 9 July 2007.
The morning of the cremation at Easthampstead Crematorium, 20 July, coincided with a tropical-type rainfall never before experienced locally. Despite the dreadful weather the chapel was well-filled with relatives, friends and colleagues, most of whom had served with David At Broadmoor Hospital. Noteworthy, is that the service was conducted most efficiently by the Revd. Canon Trevor Walt who qualified as a nurse at Broadmoor, where he knew David well, before he took holy orders. I was honoured by being asked to give the address.
The service ended promptly at 12.30 pm by which time the rain had miraculously stopped and the sun shone which enabled the post-service luncheon to be given in the lovely garden meticulously planned by David so as to be in sight of the kiln which he and Marlen had built to fire the pots they had so skilfully created.
The Editors, staff and publishers of the Journal offer their sincerest condolences to David's family. Readers will find an interview with David Tidmarsh in The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, September 2006;17(3):520–523.
Conor Duggan
Editor-in-Chief