Well-known local doctor dies (From Thurrock Gazette)

Well-known local doctor dies

3:40pm Sunday 17th June 2012 in News

A WELL-known retired Thurrock doctor has passed away.

Michael John Catton, from Little Thurrock, was born in 1926 and brought up in West Thurrock and Grays.

He did two years of national service in the RAF as a squadron leader in several military hospitals.

Mr Catton was awarded the freedom of London in 1957 and returned to Thurrock to practice as a GP in Chadwell St Mary.

He also worked on the Port of London Authority’s medical services based at Gravesend and was a keen supporter of St John Ambulance and became the divisional surgeon.

Mr Catton also served on the research committee for Compressed Air Workers and spent time monitoring workers involved with the Dartford Tunnel and Tilbury power station constructions.

When he came back to England after a spell working in Algeria, Mr Catton worked for Waltham Forest Council as a senior medical adviser.

He went on to be a medical inspector of factories, and carried out research on asbestosis and heavy metal absorption in battery industries.

Mr Catton had a keen interest in history and was an early member of Thurrock Local History Society, inspiring his youngest son Jonathan Catton, who is Thurrock Council’s museum officer and writes the Gazette’s popular Down Memory Lane column.

After the death of his wife Hazel, and his retirement, Mr Catton moved to Little Thurrock and devoted his time to supporting a local animal sanctuary and the restoration of Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury.

He passed away at Basildon Hospital on Friday, June 8, after a short deterioration of health. He leaves behind two sons and two daughters, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.