Francis Edgar Hunter 27th May 1930–30th September 2013

The 12th Century stone-built Parish Church of Saint Mary, Pulborough, West Sussex was the venue for a service of thanksgiving dedicated to the life of Francis Edgar Hunter who passed away on 30th September. The service was conducted by Fr Paul Welch. The Entrance Music was the Oundle School Song, followed by Jerusalem. Tributes from family and friends followed, revealing an interesting and mischievous life. Followed by Glory, Glory Hallelujah – the Congregation was by now in great voice. Then a poem by John Pyle, ‘You can shed tears that he is gone, Or you can smile because he has lived.’ Prayers and Committal.

It was a beautiful, thought-provoking service on which mourners reflected at the Wake held in Pulborough Rugby Club, quaffing Francis' favourite beer, specially installed for the day, and munching on splendid sausage rolls.

The death of Francis Hunter has meant the loss of one of the key influences in the development of the UK veterinary homeopathic community over the past thirty years. His devotion to homeopathy was unshakable, but for him its primary attraction was always that it made him a better vet. Although a traditionalist in his approach, he was no stuck-in-the-mud reactionary, maintaining a lively interest in all the latest developments even in retirement.

Francis qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London in December 1953. His serious involvement with homeopathy began in 1980 with his introduction to Dr David Williams and their mutual farmer client. The farmer was an enthusiastic advocate for homeopathy, himself responding well to Rhus toxicodendron, and Francis was persuaded to try it. Egged on by both David and his client he enrolled on the Faculty five-day course in May 1981, the only vet among forty doctors. From then on homeopathy was always an integral part of his life. In fact Francis was ready for conversion, having met homeopathy when working in Lewisham in 1958. His then principal produced a syrup of his own (no Medicines Directorate then!) which he used with great success on old dogs with chronic coughs and Francis, enquiring about this wonder mixture, was told it was a homeopathic preparation containing Spongia tosta.

His desire to ‘spread the word’ led to his active involvement in the Faculty, the British Homeopathic Association, the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons and the Friends of the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital. He was a Founder Member of the Government's Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products. Francis taught for the Faculty as the veterinary courses were developing and was a faculty examiner, latterly as final arbiter in cases of dispute.

His times at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital were always enhanced by visits to ‘The Lamb’ and the, for him, obligatory Young's beer. As a past President of the BAHVS, chairman of the BHA, chairman of the ‘Friends’ and author of several homeopathic works including Before the Vet Calls: Homoeopathic First-aid Treatment for Pets (Thorsons) July 1984, People are Pets: Homoeopathy for First-time Users and Their Pets (BHA) December 1997 (with Steven Kayne) and Everyday Homeopathy for Animals (Beaconsfield Homoeopathic Library) May 2004, his influence was widespread and his advice much appreciated.

During his national service in the Veterinary Corps he attained the rank of Captain. His self-deprecating dismissal of this as “hang around long enough and promotion comes up with the rations” typified his quiet style of humour and courtesy linked to strong leadership; leading not driving, but usually we did it Francis's way – a very iron fist in an immaculate velvet glove!

In March 2012 Francis came to stay for a few days in Glasgow, Top of the list of sights to see was – of course – the local distilleries. We turned up at one at the midpoint between tours – but not a problem to smooth talking Francis. He charmed a young lady guide to give us a private tour, within minutes. The lady must have suspected that we had already taken one or two glasses of the ‘amber nectar’ with our lunch, for she skipped around the tour and left us in the tasting room with a bottle of their finest for the rest of the afternoon. He was a fine friend, a fine colleague and above all, a fine English gentleman.