Last updated 05:34, Friday, 04 July 2008

He had no high-flown qualifications to his name yet Brys Davidson rose from the bottom to the top in his field of Carlisle hospital administration.

He began with a lowly job in finance and, some 37 years later, retired as general services manager at the Cumberland Infirmary.

He achieved it through a mixture of compassion, efficiency and sheer hard work.

He believed he was there to help patients and staff alike.

Aged 74 when he died, after several years of illness, he leaves his wife and son.

He and his wife, Marjorie, would have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on July 19.

Robert Bryson Davidson was born at Cargo Rigg near Carlisle. He was educated at the village school and at the Gregg College, in Carlisle, before going on to work as a clerk in the Alexandra Sawmills at Byron Street in the city.

Then came National Service in the RAF where it was discovered that he was partially colour blind and so he had to work in the stores. He had wanted to become a policeman but his eyesight problem prevented it.

And so, his service completed, he returned to the sawmills before moving to a job in the wages department of the Carlisle Plaster and Cement Company at Cocklakes, near Cotehill.

Then, at 23, he joined the finance department at the Cumberland Infirmary, moving to the City General Hospital a few years later, where he was appointed the hospital’s assistant secretary. Further promotion followed and he became hospital secretary, before eventually returning to the Cumberland Infirmary as General Services manager. He retired 14 years ago.

He met local girl Marjorie Brand when they were students at the Gregg School and they met again when they were both working for the plaster and cement company. They married in 1958.

A Freemason for many years, Mr Davidson was a member of the Abbey Lodge and had been its worshipful master. In retirement he played bowls: short mat near his home in Warwick-on-Eden, indoor at Carlisle and outdoor with the West End Club in the city and at Linton.

Some time ago he joined the Two Castles Housing Association, becoming a board member and was still a member of the association when he died.

At home, he was a skilled carpenter and joiner.

One of his proudest moments had been when his work in the National Health Service was recognised by an invitation to a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace – an event that he thoroughly enjoyed.

Brys Davidson’s funeral took place at Carlisle Crematorium, with George Hudson and Sons making the arrangements.