Interviews of Tom Dudgeon aged 90

Biographical interview with Tom Dudgeon (b. 1925, Haddington). Tom starts by describing his early working life and being called up in 1943. He served in the Navy as a telegraphist and was part of the first unit who went to Japan where they occupied a base at Kure, 13 miles from Hiroshima. Tom describes the devastation he saw on a visit to Hiroshima and says that although he regrets the use of the bomb, he believes it did stop what would otherwise have been a terrible war. In June 1946, Tom was discharged from the Navy and went to Dumfries (where his parents had now settled). He applied to the Crichton Hospital and began his training there in September 1947.

He recalled that his first day on the ward was tough. After observing an injection being given in the morning, he was then invited to administer an injection only hours later. Tom Dudgeon went on to work on the children's ward at Ladyfield and much of the interview is concerned with child psychiatric care. Subjects covered in this detailed interview include: training schedules; working patterns; life on the ward; the layout of the Crichton - wards etc; the types of illness treated at the Crichton; the role of Dr Rogers - who was at the forefront of children's treatment; the role of social workers; teaching students both on the wards and in lectures.

Tom also talks about how the service changed over time, partly as a result of other specialist units opening in other places (the Crichton unit was one of only 3 in the UK when Tom started there). He relates several anecdotes from his time at the Crichton which reveal what day-to-day life was like for the children and staff. He puts the success of the unit down to the staff and their commitment to provide stability and consistency for the children. Tom still meets up with colleagues he worked with at Ladyfield.