This information is courtesy of Eve Radford, the granddaughter of Dr Laurence Otway Fuller.
Dr Fuller was the medical superintendent at Three counties Asylum from 1910-
Dr Laurence Otway Fuller (M.R.C.S. Eng., L.R.C.P.Lond) was the Medical Superintendent at Three Counties Asylum and took up his position on 10th December 1910 after being chosen over 42 other applicants. He brought in many changes to the asylum, including cutting the free beer allowance. In its place, the staff were given a pay rise which made him popular as they wanted more money, The old brewery building was converted into a cheese making plant, and Dr Fullers wife Maud took on the job of cheese manufacturing with the help from trusted patients.
He was intolerant of the abuse of patients. Several attendants were dismissed for this offence during his time at the Three Counties Asylum. Also, he would not tolerate drinking on duty - again several staff were dismissed for this offence. He would not abide immoral behaviour among staff and sacked a married male and a single female who 'practically' admitted to this offence.
He was responsible for improving the accuracy of patient records, something that had been somewhat lacking in previous years. Dr Fuller believed that very accurate records must be kept to build up a case for each patient. The patients' well being and the state of their mental condition had to be assessed. This was done regularly and noted in the record books.
It was noted on 31st March 1918 that the cheese making effort was going on very well. There was always a good supply of cheeses and in sufficient quantities. The committee offered their sincere thanks to Mrs Fuller for the great care and trouble she had taken. She was awarded a lovely silver tray for all her hard work and effort:
The inscription on the tray reads:
'Presented To Mrs L.O. Fuller by By the Visiting Committee of the Three Counties Mental Hospital Arlesey. Bedfordshire. IN RECOGNITION OF HER SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS IN ESTABLISHING THE INDUSTRY OF CHEESE MAKING AS A MUCH APPRECIATED AND BENEFICIAL SOURCE OF FOOD SUPPLY TO THE PATIENTS AND STAFF OF THE HOSPITAL DURING THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918.'
The visiting committee recorded with regret the death of Dr Fuller on Friday, 15th March 1935. He had served 25 years as Medical Superintendent. Dr Fuller was laid to rest in the officers cemetery at Three Counties Asylum on the 19th March 1935.
