THE family of a well-known and popular former Melksham GP are mourning his passing.

Dr Roger Whatley died on October 19 aged 84 at his home in Melksham. His funeral was on October 29 at the West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington.

Dr Whatley was born on January 19 1935 and was brought up in Southampton. He moved to Melksham during the war, as his mother and father thought there would be less risk of bombing.

At the age of nine, he contracted jaundice and was visited by his local GP Dr Schofield, who noticed Roger's interest in books and reading.

Dr Schofield invited Roger to his own home to read his books and Roger visited every Saturday. He retained a passion for reading throughout his life.

Roger was encouraged by Dr Schofield to apply for scholarships and he was accepted by Dauntsey’s School in West Lavington. He did so well at A levels that he was awarded a state scholarship.

At the time, Roger wanted to be a biochemist but then his mother became very ill and he decided he would prefer to become a GP.

Dr Whatley was called up for National Service in 1953 and joined the Royal Air Force as a nurse.

He volunteered to go to Singapore and because of his known interest in medicine, he was allowed to get very involved.

During his childhood he had developed an interest in Buddhism and whilst there decided to join a Buddhist Monastery for two weeks, this was quite unusual and the story made some UK papers, his mother asked him not to “shave his head”. He had a lifelong passion for Eastern art, medicine and religion.

He liked unusual cars and with his 'demob' money he bought a Messerschmitt single seater (Bubble Car).

For a time in the 1980s he could also be seen driving a yellow kit car, a Minion Jackal, which was fondly known as the yellow peril.

He studied at Bristol University, where he met his wife Sheila and they married in 1961. They had four children, Martin, Matthew, Richard and Katharine.

After 10 years in practice as a GP in Lambourne, Berkshire, and Brownhills, Staffordshire, he moved to Melksham as a partner with Dr Walker in Place Road.

He and his wife set up the Lacock Practice at Cantax House in the 1980s and later established the Spa Surgery in Spa Road, Melksham, taking on additional partners. He was also member of the British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnotists.

Dr Whatley enjoyed serving the patients of Melksham and Lacock and retired in August 1991.

Dr Whatley later obtained an MA in Theology and was ordained as a priest in the Open Episcopal Church, becoming a Bishop in 2005.

Roger had a wide variety of interests which also saw him gaining Dan grades and coaching awards in the martial arts of Kendo (a Japanese Martial art which is a form of fencing with two handed bamboo swords) and Iaido (a Japanese martial art that focuses on the techniques for drawing the sword). He taught at clubs in Melksham and Shepton Mallett.

He also kept and flew birds of prey, took up wood turning and enjoyed mending old clocks.

He was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, cousin and friend and is survived by his wife Sheila and his children.