Donald Sinclair; Veterinary Partner of Herriot

Donald Sinclair, 84, the country veterinarian who hired James Herriot as his partner, spawning a book and television series, “All Creatures Great and Small.” Herriot, whose real name was James Alfred Wight, died Feb. 23. Sinclair appeared in Herriot’s books as the character Siegfried Farnon. The 15 books, the basis of the television series, chronicled the adventures of a trio of veterinarians in the Yorkshire dales of northern England as they drove the country lanes treating various animals. The third member of the office was Sinclair’s brother, Brian, called Tristan in the series, who died in 1968. The practice was in the small market town of Thirsk, disguised as Darrowby in Herriot’s stories. Sinclair once said he set up his office there because “North Yorkshire is simply the loveliest piece of the world.” Sinclair had been despondent over the death of Herriot and that of his wife of 53 years, Joan, three weeks ago. On June 28 in Thirsk.