Page 48 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Page 48 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2024
P. 48

Peter Lee’s ‘A Hero For All Times’

              Professor Adrian Boswood, Vice Principal for Learning, Teaching and Assessment



                      n Monday 30th of November
                      2023 I had the pleasure of
                      attending the official launch
             Oof Peter Lees’ book “A Hero
              For All Times”. It is interesting what you
              learn about your colleagues once they
              have retired. I have known Peter for
              many years as a colleague at the ,
              but had no idea that, as well as being a
              renowned pharmacologist, he is also a
              budding First World War historian.
              Rather than using his gradual retirement
              from the  as reason for spending
              more time in the garden, Peter undertook
              an MA in World War One Studies
              at the University of Wolverhampton.
              His interest in the history of this period
              resulted in him writing the biography
              of Neville Marshall – a member of
              the Irish Guards who was awarded the
              Victoria Cross in World War One and by
              all accounts a very interesting character
              (read the biography to find out more!).
              The book launch was hosted at the
              London Regimental Headquarters
              of the Irish Guards, including a
              welcome from the Regimental Mascot;
              an Irish Wolfhound. It was a lovely
              venue in Central London overlooking
              St. James’s Park.
              The event was well attended by a
              great variety of people reflecting the
              many different aspects of Peter’s life –
              personal and professional. There were
              several  alumni there and members
              of  academic staff both past and
              present who had been colleagues
              of Peter’s during the many decades
              he worked at the , including our
              previous Principal, Quintin McKellar,
              another pharmacologist by training.
              Peter’s book was introduced, and
              a reading was given. Peter himself
              spoke for a while, outlining his
              motivation for writing the book
              in his usual entertaining, modest,    You can buy a copy online:
              self-deprecating Lancastrian manner.    rvc.uk.com/

              It was really a pleasure to have attended   AHeroForAllTimes
              and learned of another facet of Peter
              Lee’s life. He is an example to us all that   We also have a few copies
              life after retirement can signify the start   of the book available at our
              of a new chapter, rather than simply the    Shop at Hawkshead.
              ending of an old one.

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