Reforms to the NHS have included changes to the GP contract with doctors no longer required to work unsociable hours.

How ludicrous an idea to a general practitioner or family doctor of the 'old school' like the late Dr. George Penn. Indeed, his style of patient care that demanded so much time and commitment never wavered over 42 years of traditional country practice in Whitland.

In a new publication, aptly titled Beyond the Call of Duty, Roger Penn has chronicled a detailed and amusing biography of his father. As George was a compulsive writer, always scribbling away and making notes and letters, excerpts are included in this publication as well as the memories and stories of many of his friends, family, colleagues and patients.

One patient recalls a conversation: 'Do you want me to call an ambulance, Dr. Penn? 'No, he replied, 'we haven't got time'. Then he took the patient to Glangwili himself, in his little car. His distinctive car, A35, described as a glorified doctor's bag, would travel the length and breadth of his practice area and further afield too in all kinds of weather conditions. People respected his word in absolute terms. If he said they would get better, they believed this fully. And with those whose lives were ebbing away, he would sit with them all night. Another patient described him lovingly as a caring, sharing doctor.

Dr. Penn felt that a doctor should be at the heart of the community - and he enjoyed living out this philosophy. Each year, he took his annual leave to organise the events of Whitland Week, he was president of Whitland Rugby Club, chairman of the Pembrokeshire branch of the FUW, a member or the Royal British Legion and being educated at The Royal Masonic School for Boys in Bushey, Hertfordshire, meant that he would become an active member of the Lodge.

While at school, George noted in his exercise book: "If there was not something to battle against, something to strive for, and something to be sacrificed, life would be valueless. We shall have lost the vital point of life - namely to leave the world a little better than it was upon our entry."

George Penn was an avid campaigner. Promoting and defending the railway lines of Wales was especially close to his heart and his greatest regret was failing to save the 'Cardi Bach' line (Whitland and Cardigan railway). He believed that if the railways were to be further reduced there would need to be a tremendous loss of land for building new roads. He formed the West Wales Railway Action Committee and he was a determined and enthusiastic member of the Teifi Valley Railway Preservation Society.

In medicine, and in life, George Penn was a law unto himself, a true character earning the devotion and respect of the community he cared so much about. Besides portraying an extraordinary life, Beyond the Call of Duty highlights Dr. Penn's personal and political crusade to make a difference - and it is coloured throughout with stories and memories from those who knew him best.

Roger Penn lives in Dolycwrt, Whitland, with his wife, Celeste. A native of Whitland, the author attended the local primary and grammar schools before joining Lloyd's Bank Limited in 1976. He is a former Welsh Rugby Union referee and has an interest in local history. Since retiring, he has enjoyed dedicating more time to writing. Dolycwrt (Gomer, 2011), was his first publication, describing one hundred years of life as seen by the surgery in Whitland.

Book signings: Tomorrow (Saturday) - Waterstones, Carmarthen, 1-2 pm; December 8 - Siop Sian, Crymych 11 am - 12 pm; December 15 - Victoria Bookshop, Haverfordwest 11 am - 1pm.