Dr Austin Bain

THE Killyleagh community has been left mourning one of its most notable and best loved residents, Dr Austin Bain. He was aged 94.

Austin was born in Shore Street, Killyleagh on March 3 1922, the youngest child of 10, of Robert and Sarah Bain.

In 1934 he was one of the first pupils to attend the newly opened Down High School. However, at the age of 13, his father died unexpectedly. It was to have a life-changing impact on Austin, as his mother was left to bring up 10 children. It also instilled in him a determination to work as a GP in his home town.

Austin studied medicine at Queen’s University from 1939, graduating in 1945. He then gained experience as a junior doctor at the accident and emergency department of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and then with Professor Lowry, who was keen that Austin should specialise in midwifery.

However, his ambition was to work as a GP in his home town, among his own people. He was encouraged by Dr Alex Wallace and Dr Charlie Sproule.

After six months working in one of the largest practices in Northern Ireland, Dr Bain started his own practice in Killyleagh in 1947. It was just one year before the National Health Service began.

He started with one patient on his books but quickly built up a family practice that made him a household name in Killyleagh, Shrigley and beyond.

He had not only caring hands but a gentle, loving heart for those he was called to help. It was an era when the GP was on constant call. But this was a vocation of love and he made light of the long hours. He was on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Often his house visits did not end until 11pm.

In her tribute at a service of thanksgiving for his life, Miss Zena McAllister, the Clerk of Kirk Session of 2nd Killyleagh Presbyterian Church, said: “Austin gave 100 per cent of loving, tender care to all his patients, night and day, without complaint. He had time to listen and was prompt to appear when called on. He received praise, loyalty and real gratitude from all his patients — and he never forgot them.’’

In 1958 he married Nora MacLaughlin, a member of a well known Londonderry business family. They were married in Rosemary Church in Belfast by the Rev Samuel McVicker, who had co-incidentally baptised them both as he was formerly a minister in Killyleagh before moving to Derry.

It was a very happy marriage that lasted 58 years, as she helped provide the support that allowed Dr Bain to show such devotion as a GP. The family home at Shore Road, overlooking Strangford Lough, at times became a consulting room as patients turned up on the doorstep seeking emergency help.

The couple were blessed with two children, Marianne and David, and, as Miss McAllister pointed out in her tribute, Austin loved them dearly and took great pride and interest in their own progress in the fields of medicine.

After 35 years’ service in the Killyleagh community, Austin retired on his 60th birthday in 1982.

In retirement he had time at last for his favourite hobbies. He liked to play golf and enjoyed playing his favourite Ardglass course with colleagues, such as Johnny Boyd. He was also keen on pottering around the greenhouse.

He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren at the family home at Danesfort on the Shore Road in Killyleagh. And there was finally time for holidays in Switzerland, Wales and England.

The funeral service took place at Roselawn.

Dr Bain is survived by his wife, Nora, daughter Marianne, son David and five grandchildren.