Dr Robina Marwick/Leslie (Lady Birsay) - Part 1

 Dr Robina Marwick’s story is now perhaps better known among an older generation in Orkney. She was on our initial list of Orkney women doctors when we first formed our group, but with over 50 women to research, we had only gathered some basic information.

Recently, however, we have been delighted to receive a wealth of source material from Dr Marwick's daughter, Thelma Stewart.  We are indebted to Thelma for sharing more about the life of her mother which gives a rich insight into the extraordinary life of Dr Robina Marwick.

We aim to tell Dr Marwick’s remarkable story in a series of blog posts.

Graduation photo of Robina Marwick

WHAT WE KNEW

Rina (as she was known to family and friends) was born Robina Margaret Marwick, in Graham Place, Stromness on 2nd August 1914.  She did extremely well at school in Stromness and won a Scholarship to the University of Edinburgh to study medicine, qualifying in 1937. She briefly worked in Edinburgh and Sunderland hospitals before being asked in 1940 to take over from the island GP on Sanday, as he had been called up.  In 1943 she joined the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) and was posted to various locations in the UK before travelling over to Normandy after D-Day.  She travelled across Europe before arriving in Germany and was one of the first doctors to enter the Belsen Concentration Camp, an event so horrendous she rarely spoke of it.  After the war she married Harold Leslie (later Lord Birsay) and gave up medicine, instead she was involved in a variety of community organisations and was a Marriage Guidance Counsellor.[1][2]

Now with the additional material we learn more about her life and something of her character, sometimes in her own words.

EARLY YEARS

Rina was born on 2^nd August 1914, just two days before war was declared on Germany.  Her grandfather was on exercises with the Territorial Army on the island of Hoy.  Her father was James George Marwick, a tailor and clothier, who took over his father’s business in Graham Place. He served in Egypt during World War I. He was also Provost of Stromness for many years.[1][2]

In a Testimonial from the Rector of Orkney County Council’s Education Committee, J. R. Learmonth, Rina is described, among other achievements, as being at or near the top of her class throughout her secondary course.  Her leaving certificate shows passes in English, Maths, Latin, French, Science and Geography.  She also took a leading part in outdoor sports. “She maintained a fine balance between mental and physical education, thus providing herself with a healthy body and a sound and rigorous mind.” She won a scholarship of £25, tenable for three years at a University”.[4]

Extract of letter from J.R. Learmonth

Rina herself said she had a happy childhood with good teachers and good friends.[3]

TIME AT UNIVERSITY

A number of Rina’s contemporaries went to University in Aberdeen or Edinburgh and many became teachers.  She mentions, in an interview with Radio Orkney, that she thought perhaps teaching was better than medicine as it “gave you more confidence”.  Although she chose medicine, not many women did at that time.  She thought training in medicine was interesting but perhaps “not so good” for some things in life.[3]

Rina chose to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh, along with her school friend, Jessie Muir, another of our Orkney women doctors.  Rina and Jessie graduated in 1937 both with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB. ChB).[5] It is noted that Rina’s medical course included classes in Practical Zoology, Elementary Botany, and Tuberculosis.[1]

Of those that graduated in 1937 only a very small number were to become “women doctors” and she remained great friends with her female contemporaries all her life.  Rina’s younger brother, Harvey, also graduated in medicine (MB, ChB) in 1939.[1][3]

EARLY MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

In 1938 Rina was appointed as a Junior House Surgeon and District Medical officer at the Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh.[1]  [

Copies of testimonials from Senior Obstetricians and Gynaecologists described Dr Marwick as having carried out duties in a conscientious and able manner. Her manner was said to be quiet and unassuming, but she was trusted alike by her patients and staff.   It was noted she was an excellent anaesthetist and operative assistant and had handled many obstetric cases. [6]

Dr Marwick wanted to gain more experience and so moved to The Children’s Hospital, Sunderland in January 1939 where she took up the post of House Surgeon at a salary rate of £120 per annum with board, residence etc.[7]

Letter of Appointment

Again, testimonials upon her leaving say so much about her character.  She is described as having a sound knowledge of her work, conscientious and trustworthy, quietly enthusiastic and interested, and very careful of patients under her care. [8]

But in 1940,  as war with Germany had yet again begun, Dr Marwick was asked to return to Orkney.  This time to take up the practice of GP on the island of Sanday, as the current GP had been called up.[1]  And there begins another remarkable chapter in Rina’s life, which will be the subject of the next blog post.

Blog post written by Sian Thomas

We are indebted to Thelma Stewart, daughter of Dr Robina Marwick, for providing source material. Thanks are also due to Pat Long and Kathleen Ireland for information early on in our project, and to the Orkney Library & Archive for facilitating access to the Radio Orkney recording

 References

[1] Information provided by Thelma Stewart, daughter of Dr Robina Marwick.

[2] Information from Pat Long and Kathleen Ireland.

[3] Robina Marwick/Leslie – Lady Birsay interview with BBC Radio Orkney – Orkney Library and Archive reference OSA/RO7/161.

[4] Testimonial from J. R. Learmonth, M.A., Rector, County Council of Orkney Education Committee (dated 6January 1938).

[5] Various medical directories of the period.

[6] Testimonials from Joan K Rose, MA, MD, MCOG, Snr Hon Obstetrician (dated 24 August 1938), and Susanne J. Paterson MA, MD, FRGSE, MCOC, Hon Obstetrician and Hon Gynaecologist (dated 12 August 1938), both at Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital.

[7] [Letter of appointment M. J. Huntly B.A., House Governor and Secretary, The Children’s Hospital, Sunderland (dated 17 January 1939). 

[8] Testimonials – Stanley Ritson (, dated 19 July 1939), Hamilton Ross, M.B., F.R.C.S.E, Surgeon, Royal Infirmary and Children’s Hospital, Sunderland (dated 14 July 1939).