Cyril Vosper; cult and men's health expert
Hyfler/Rosner
The Melbourne Age
Obituary - CYRIL VOSPER, AUTHOR, MEN'S HEALTH ADVOCATE,
7-6-1935 - 4-5-2004
Cyril Vosper, who established his reputation as an
investigative writer with his 1971 book on Scientology The
Mind Benders, has died in Melbourne of a heart attack, aged
68.
Born in Hounslow, Middlesex, Cyril's childhood was
overshadowed by World War II and an accident that left him
in hospital struggling for his life at the age of nine.
He attributed his survival to the skill of an African doctor
who treated him. The brain hemorrhage he had suffered left
him paralysed for two years.
While Cyril was recovering, one of the final German V2
"flying bombs" of the war fell near the West Middlesex
Hospital, blowing in the windows - and both his eardrums.
The determination and positive spirit that enabled him to
overcome these physical injuries remained with him
throughout his life and were most evident during his final
illness.
This early experience with illness led to another big
influence in his life. In 1954, he read an article on
Scientology that gave him hope that its technique of
auditing could assist his full recovery.
Cyril entered Scientology in its early stages, when it was a
little known form of psychotherapy. He became a senior
official at the British headquarters at Saint Hill in Surrey
and knew the movement's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, well.
During his 14 years in Scientology, he married his first
wife, Rosalie and had three children, but became
increasingly disenchanted with the way the philosophy was
evolving.
He left in 1968 and wrote The Mind Benders, described by
publisher Neville Spearman as "less a book than a stick of
dynamite . . . an inside report on Scientology". Attempts by
the Church of Scientology to have the book banned resulted
in Lord Denning (described by many as the greatest English
judge of the 20th century) setting legal precedent and
allowing the sale of the book on the grounds of public
interest.
Continued litigation by Scientology spurred sales but
prevented further editions being printed. Interest in the
book has remained high but copies are difficult to obtain.
During the 1970s and '80s, Cyril appeared in many British
documentary programs on cult religions. He was approached by
hundreds of people wanting advice and assistance. Generous
with his time, he donated his expertise and services to
raise community awareness of cults.
In 1988, he settled in Australia with his second wife,
Rebecca, proudly taking up Australian citizenship in 2000.
Working as national co-ordinator for Prostate Assist with
the Continence Foundation of Australia, he became a
committed spokesman on men's health issues, in particular,
what is the most common cancer - yet often unmentioned - in
men, prostate cancer.
He established a number of successful men's support groups
in Victoria. His tremendous enthusiasm for this work and his
strong belief in positive action were appreciated by all who
worked with him. His vitality and wit endeared him to a wide
circle of colleagues and friends.