[Scottish professors in the Polish School of Medicine in Edinburgh]

In 1941, on the initiative of the University of Edinburgh, a Polish School of Medicine was founded at that University for soldier-students in the Polish Forces in Gr. Britain. It was a joint Scottish-Polish academic enterprise, unique in the history of universities. The Polish school of Medicine became an integral part of the University. As only 7 Polish professors were available (apart from associate professors and senior lecturers), a number insufficient to start a Medical School, a similar number of Scottish professors filled the vacant Polish chairs. Such an arrangement had been agreed by the organisers of the School and was included in the Agreement, negotiated between the University of Edinburgh and the Polish Government in London. According to the agreement the Scottish professors were proposed by the University authorities. A special invitation was sent to them by the Polish Government in London. The Scottish professors of the Polish School of Medicine were: Lt col. F.A.E. Crew honorary professor of the Polish School. L.S.P. Davidson (medicine), A.M. Drennan (pathology), D.M. Dunlop (co-examiner to prof. L.S.P. Davidson), R. W. Johnstone (obstetrics/gynaecology), T.J. Mackie (bacteriology), G.F. Marrion (chemistry/biochemistry), C. McNeil (paediatrics) and Sydney Smith (forensic medicine). Replacement due to retirement: R.J. Kellar, R.W.B. Ellis, Sir James Learmonth. Polish lecturers were attached to all the Scottish professors who held the Polish chairs. Thus the instruction in the above-mentioned subjects was given in Polish but the examination was conducted in English by the Scottish professors. But in some subject, both the instruction and the examination, were in English. The students had to learn English quickly as the language was essential for their reading of English textbooks and dealing with Scottish patients in the wards. A typical picture at that time in the wards of the Royal Infirmary was of a group of Scottish students being instructed by their professor at patient's bedside, and at another bed, a group of Polish soldier-students in battledress, being taught in Polish by their lecturer. The co-operation worked very well indeed. Seemingly impossible things can be successfully accomplished in exceptional circumstances for instance in warfare. A total of 227 students obtained the diploma M.B., Ch.B. It was valid only in Poland. By an Act of Parliament the diploma was made valid also in Gr. Britain. The diploma was in two versions: a Latin text of the diploma of the University of Edinburgh, and a Polish text of the Polish universities. In recognition of the invaluable help extended by the University of Edinburgh to Polish science and learning, a bronze plaque was unveiled in 1949 in the Quadrangle of the Medical Faculty.