Blatherwick, Francis John

He was the longest-serving medical health officer in Canada when he retired in 2007.

He was the President of the Defence Medical Association of Canada and Vice-President of the Maritime Defence Association of Canada.

He was the Provincial Commissioner of St. John Ambulance in BC 1988-1991.

He was the Medical Health Officer of the City of Vancouver 1984-2007 and the Chief Medical Health Officer for the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.

He is (not was) a Clinical Professor at UBC since 1992.

He is the author of nineteen books on medals and decorations, aircraft and public health.

He was given an award as a Canadian Health Hero from the Pan American Health Organization in 2002.

He received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.

He was appointed as a Guardsman (Governor General's Footguards (Militia Ottawa)) (With seniority dated 01/06/1961). (Transferred to RCAF URTP) 1963.

He was appointed as an Officer Cadet RCAF (With seniority dated 01/09/1963) serving in 107 University Squadron RCAF.

He served at RCAF Centralia 1964: RCAF Gimli 1965.

He was appointed as a Pilot Officer RCAF (With seniority dated 01/06/1966).

He served at RCAF Station Winnipeg 1966.

He was appointed as a Flying Officer RCAF (With seniority dated 01/05/1967) in 408 Squadron RCAF. (Released from RCAF 01/09/1970).

He was appointed as a Lieutenant RCAMC (With seniority dated 01/01/1970).

He served in the Service Battalion Calgary as Officer-in-Charge Medical Section 1970, (Released from Militia) 1970.

He was appointed as a Lieutenant (NR) (With seniority dated 01/05/1971).

He served in HMCS Discovery as Medical Officer 1971; HMCS Protecteur September 1973.

He was appointed as a Lieutenant-Commander (NR) (With seniority dated 01/01/1975).

He served in HMCS York as Medical Officer 1975.

He served in HMCS Discovery as Medical Officer 1976.

He served in CFB Massett 1978.

He was appointed as a Commander (NR) (With seniority dated 01/01/1980).

He served in HMCS Discovery as Principal Medical Officer 1980. (He is qualified for duty as a diving medical officer.) In 2001 he served at HMCS Discovery as Senior Naval Reserve Medical Advisor and Principal Medical Officer.

He is now retired.

He was the Honorary Colonel for 12 (Vancouver) Medical Company.

After qualifying as a doctor he had an offer to become a Medical Officer in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps in Calgary. By a twist of fate he ended up as the Officer-in-Command for seven months before moving to Vancouver. Once out on the coast he was appointed as the Principal Medical Officer at HMCS Discovery for the following 29 years.

In 2000 he was appointed as the Senior Naval Medical Reserve Advisor before retiring.

He thinks that his 29 years as Principal Medical Officer is a record and retired as a Surgeon Commander (NR).

He was Canada’s representative to the NATO Reserve Medical Officers’ Congress from 1989 to 1995.

In 2005 he was appointed as the Honorary Colonel–in–Chief of 12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance Unit, a post he will hold until 2012. While he was serving in the Air Force he purchased a couple of medals that had come up for sale – he particularly noticed some George Medals whose origins he researched.

He was struck by the significance of what they represented. Some of his colleagues who were collectors asked him to purchase interesting items as he encountered them in the 1960s and 1970s. But it was the story behind the medals that captured his imagination and he began to collect the stories rather than the objects.

He interviewed veterans and began to accumulate information that no one else possessed. Sharing that information became the end result – he publishes a landmark guide to Canadian Medals and Decorations which is still in print. The book is still available from reputable book sellers and much in demand by enthusiasts.

He has published 22 books in all - including a History of the Airlines of Canada. Blatherwick is a well–known personality in Metro Vancouver from his landmark career in public health.

He was the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Vancouver 1984–2007.

He always appears fearless in public - and in his position he often needed that courage. British Columbia Premier Bill Vander Zalm publicly threatened to fire him – twice – over his advocacy for providing condoms and sex education in schools. Blatherwick has a significant internet presence which is valuable for marine historians, medal collectors and family genealogists. Even if you do not identify with any of these groups it is a fascinating collection of information and well worth a visit.The stories of service and heroism need wider appreciation by the public.

He has been decorated for his own service. John Blatherwick received the Order of Canada for his contributions to public health, his public service and his military service.

He served as the Provincial Commissioner of the St. John’s Amulance Brigade and is a Commander of the Order of St. John.

He is also a recipient of the Order of British Columbia for his contribution to the people of the Province.