Leslie (Les) Allen Guile died suddenly at the age of 78 years on 4 February 2000, from a ruptured aortic aneurysm.
At the time of his death he was working on an autobiography of his time as Flying Officer (Meteorologist) in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War Two and hoped to write a biography of the British composer Edward Elgar, whose work and life fascinated him.
Les was born in Wallasey in 1921, attended Wallasey Grammar and then saw war service in the RAF in England (Bomber Command) and later in India, and was awarded a Mention in Despatches. After the war he studied Medicine at the University of Liverpool, where he graduated MBChB in 1952. His interest in psychiatry was aroused early: he worked as senior house officer at Walton Hospital Psychiatric Unit 1953-1955. He moved from England to Melbourne, Australia, in 1955 and took up an appointment with the Victorian Mental Health Authority, working in acute and long-stay hospitals.
He obtained the DPM (Melbourne University) in 1959. In all his appointments with the mental health authority he showed tremendous interest in psychotherapy and proved to be a born teacher in all areas of psychiatry, not only to his fellow medical officers but nursing and other staff too. He was a lecturer at the Victorian Police College, the College of Nursing, the Victorian Hospital and Charities Commission Training Unit and at Melbourne University, for the DPM course. Whether in staff conferences, formal lectures, informally over a cup of tea or waylaid in corridors, he showed grace, immense patience and enthusiasm, characteristics that he never lost.
He became a Foundation Member of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) in 1963. He was appointed Foundation Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1971 and elected Fellow of the RANZCP in 1975. He was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1979. He moved to Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), where he became senior staff specialist at Prince Henry Psychiatric Unit, 1968-1981. He was also clinical director 1968-1975. In addition, he was appointed conjoint senior lecturer, School of Psychiatry at the University of NSW, in 1971 and visiting consultant psychiatrist for the NSW Department of Corrective Services 1969-1973. He especially enjoyed working with the group psychotherapy programme at Prince Henry Hospital from 1978-1981. Later he moved into private consultant practice in 1981, then into the NSW Department of Health as Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on the mid-north coast of NSW in an area from Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie, including Kempsey.
Les was never still; the life force in him until the end seemingly unquenchable. His interests ranged widely, from listening to classical music to the British composers, Delius, Elgar and Britten, while retaining an interest in Jazz and Lieder. He also kept his interest in aerospace matters, photography and rose growing.
Most of all he loved to read widely, and the house is crammed with books. He loved to travel and to reminisce about travelling experiences. A further trip to Paris was on the list for this year, 2000, but was not to be. I believe that he was unique, and certainly he is irreplaceable.
He leaves behind his wife (myself), his three daughters, their children and one great-grandchild, as well as the many friends.
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