Blue plaque in honour of James Calvert Spence
A blue plaque in honour of pioneering children’s doctor Professor Sir James Calvert Spence has been unveiled in Amble. The plaque is on the house on Queen Street where Professor Spence was born and brought up, and it was unveiled by his granddaughter Dr Jane Elphick.
Dr Jane Elphick, Dr Paul Creighton, Sir Alan Craft, Matthew Connelly
James Calvert Spence was instrumental in setting up studies which discovered that the health of children was linked with poverty and infection. However for many outside children’s health care, the first time his connection to Amble became known, was when the local school was named after him.
It was at a local history talk on Professor Spence in 2020, that a plan began to formally recognise the birthplace of this pioneering and inspiring man.
The unveiling event on 7 September 2024, was the culmination of four years of planning by distinguished paediatric oncologist Sir Alan Craft, retired Amble GP Dr Paul Creighton, and home owner Matthew Connolly.
Ahead of the ceremony Matthew Connolly said “Sir Alan gained generous support from Newcastle University, Spence’s alma mater and from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (founded by Spence) this along with dogged encouragement from Paul who kept nudging things along, means we have finally got to the point of unveiling the blue plaque.”
Pioneering children’s doctor and war hero
James Calvert Spence was born in Amble in 1892 and lived in the town for six years. He trained as a doctor at what was then Durham College of Medicine in Newcastle before receiving a Military Cross and Bar for ‘conspicuous gallantry’ and ‘devotion to duty’ during WW1.
Professor Sir James Calvert Spence. Image: National Portrait Gallery
After the war Spence continued his medical career with a landmark study of the Health and Nutrition of Certain of the Children of Newcastle. After WW2 a study into infant mortality found the highest levels of infant mortality to be in the poorest areas of the city. The main cause of the excess mortality appeared to be infection.
These two studies led on to one of the first ever longitudinal birth cohort studies, the Newcastle Thousand Families Study known as the Red Spots because of the marking on medical records. The study was the basis of much of community paediatrics for the next 50 years.
Inspirational legacy
The blue plaque is the first in Amble
Professor Sir Alan Craft worked at the RVI and became James Spence Chair of Child Health, teaching undergraduate medical students. At the ceremony he described Spence’s career and attitude to life, explaining how he wrote about the importance of family and education in the care of sick children. He spoke of how influential Spence had been within his department, and for decades after his death.
“He was a children’s doctor and a determined, courageous man with two military medals. He even climbed the Matterhorn. He had a huge intellect, he was a visionary and he cared passionately about children.”
Prof Steve Turner (President of the Royal College of Paediatric Health); Dr Jane Elphick (retired GP and Sir James Calvert Spence’s grand-daughter); Prof Andrew Gennery (current Sir James Spence Prof of Child Heath at Newcastle Uni); Prof Sir Alan Craft (previously Sir James Spence Chair of Child Health, James Spence medallist)
Professor Steve Turner, President of the Royal College of Paediatric Health had travelled down from Aberdeen to be at the event. He explained why Professor Spence’s work had been so groundbreaking.
“One hundred years ago, when there was no NHS, all medicine was private, and there was no financial incentive to look after children [as a separate group]. People like James Calvert Spence realised if you looked after children, and promoted kindness, not only was it the kind thing to do, this was important for a caring profession. The concept of children being [treated] different to adults was not really done back in the day.”
He highlighted how relatively recently paediatric health care had gained importance. “The Royal College of Paediatrics was formed in 1996 out of the British Paediatric Association which was formed in 1928. In comparison, the Royal College of Physicians was formed five hundred years ago. That gives you some idea.”
Spence continues to inspire local people
Retired Amble GP Paul Creighton said “The recognition has been long overdue. Sir James Calvert Spence is absolutely the most famous Amble resident and it’s fitting that the school was named after him. Together with the plaque, his name will live on.”
Far right: Deputy Lord Lieutenant Janette Milburn attended the event on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland
Matthew Connolly said “There are sadly, not as many blue plaques put up in the North East as the people and area deserve but it is hoped this, the first in Amble, will encourage others to recognise their history and celebrate the contributions people have made.”
The unveiling event was attended by eminent doctors local councillors and invited guests
Sir Alan said he hoped the blue plaque and Professor Spence’s legacy would continue to inspire those around him. He described giving a talk about James Calvert Spence at Coquet High School where he met a sixth former who was considering studying pharmacy at Sunderland.
“After the talk he told me he would apply to Durham instead. I kept in touch with him and I had a feeling he would progress further than pharmacy. Just a few weeks ago he sent me a photo of his graduation from medical school. He would have been here today but he’s on duty in Casualty in Cramlington. He said he’d eventually like to become a GP and return to Amble.”
Anna Williams
Photos: Anna Williams and Bart Rippon
The plaque reads:
Professor Sir James Calvert Spence 1892-1954
Kt, MC, MD (Durham), FRCP
Born and raised in this house
Pioneer in the care of sick children and social paediatrics
Founding member of British Paediatric Association, now
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Founded the Newcastle University Department
of Child Health, the first in England
Started Newcastle 1000 Family Study
The Red Spots
