Gilbert Barling

Gilbert Barling
Gilbert Barling
Born	Harry Gilbert Barling; 30 April 1855; Newnham on Severn, Gloucestershire
Died	27 April 1940 (aged 84); Edgbaston
Nationality	British

Sir Harry Gilbert Barling, 1st Baronet

FRCS (30 April 1855 – 27 April 1940) was an English

surgeon.

Life

Barling was born at Newnham on Severn, Gloucestershire and educated at a boarding school at Weston, near Bath. He went to

Birmingham University),^[1]^[2] before going on to study at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London and culminating in his admittance to the Royal College of Surgeons in 1879, becoming a Fellow in 1881. It was at this time he was appointed resident pathologist at the General Hospital which would start an association lasting for 60 years. He became President of the hospital in 1925. He was awarded his M.B. degree in 1879 at St Bartholomew's, and his B.S. degree in 1883 at St Bartholomew's and Birmingham.^[3]

In 1904, Barling was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the

Birmingham University

) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

At the outbreak of the First World War he was 59 and placed his services at the disposal of the

Coat of Arms

some three months later.

In 1923 he had been involved in the setting up of the Birmingham Branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign (now Cancer Research UK) and became its first Chairman. He was a hard worker and talented administrator and in 1936, in recognition of his hospital, university and other public service, he was presented with The Birmingham Civic Society's Gold Medal (a rare accolade given to those who have made a high contribution to life in Birmingham).

Death

Sir Gilbert Barling chaired his last meeting of the Civic Society's Executive Council on 19 March 1940. He died from heart failure at his home (whilst in his garden) at 6 Manor Road, Edgbaston on Saturday 27 April 1940, just three days before his 85th birthday. At the next meeting of the Society's Executive Council, Mr Oliver Moreland temporarily assumed the Chair and it was agreed to send a letter of sympathy to Miss Edith Barling, one of his two daughters, who also sat on the Executive Council.

The funeral took place at

Dr Rosslyn Bruce

lived between 1912 and 1923.

Legacy

On 16 February 2018, The Birmingham Civic Society erected a

Blue Plaque

in Barling's honour, on his former home at 6, Manor Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

The papers of Gilbert Barling and also a collection of material relating to Barling, compiled by his daughter, Edith are housed at the University of Birmingham Special Collections.