Our practice was established in Penshurst in the late 1800s by William Crawford. In 1919 his son, John Sydney Crawford, qualified (after serving an apprenticeship) and joined his father’s practice. Sometime in the mid-1920s John Sydney Crawford set up his own practice in the main street of Penshurst (see cool old photo).

In 1953 his son, John Robert Crawford (top right), graduated from the University of Sydney and joined his father practising in Penshurst.

Young John established his own practice in 1957, building on the vacant site at 16 The Strand. In 1962 John Snr moved into 16 The Strand and practiced there until his retirement in the mid 60’s. On March 28, 2001 young John (John Robert Crawford) retired after 48 years of practice.

The Crawford family can thus proudly, and uniquely, lay claim to treating local people in three separate centuries. The present owner, Brett Lucas Taylor (that’s me, looking ridiculously young), joined the practice in 1985. He can claim to have treated the locals in two separate centuries, but is not particularly confident of making it three.

Currently our most loyal active patient is Coral Roberts, who has just clocked up  75 years of continuous care in our practice. Coral first attended as an an 8 year old. I don’t want to reveal a lady’s age, but you can probably figure the maths out for yourself. She’s still got a few years to go to catch Les Riley, who had been attending for just over 80 years when he passed away at age 97 in 2015. Both have/had a full set of teeth thanks to the good work of Johns Jr and Sr (and me in later years).

Here’s John “junior” the day he retired in 2001. Sadly he passed away on January 22nd 2016 at the age of 87. Here is a nice obituary the ADA NSW Branch published on his life.

 “Young Mr Crawford” is still fondly remembered by many of his old patients who still regularly come in. Apart from the good times with John, this photo helps me fondly remember how much hair I used to have. RIP John. We miss you.