Thomas Candler, known to everyone as 'Tom', was a general practitioner and general surgeon in Bideford, Devon. He was born on 3 June 1920 in Exeter. His father, Arthur Lawrence Candler, was a surgeon who learned his craft in Mesopotamia in the First World War, and then became a consultant at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Tom's mother was Lottie Kathleen Hardie, who was an accomplished pianist. Tom's twin brother James ('Jim') was killed in Kenya in 1954. Their older brother, Peter, also qualified as a doctor and became an obstetrician and gynaecologist in Nairobi. Tom was educated at Norwood School in Exeter and was then awarded a scholarship to Sherborne School. He went on to study at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and Middlesex Hospital Medical School, qualifying in 1942. In 1943 Tom became an Army medical officer and was appointed captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving in Italy and subsequently in Palestine, where he was mentioned in despatches. After the war, he trained as a surgeon at Bristol Royal Infirmary, where he met and in 1949 married Stella Christine Hill, a junior doctor there. They had three children: Hilary, who followed her parents into the profession, and Christopher and John. Tom became a general practitioner in 1950 and moved to Bideford, North Devon. He was also appointed as a general surgeon at Bideford and District Hospital, and he had a particular interest in orthopaedics. He was one of the last generation of general practitioner surgeons who would see sick patients in their homes and, if the diagnosis was surgical, undertake the surgery in the local hospital. He ceased operating once a specialist surgical service was developed at the district general hospital in Barnstaple. He maintained his interest in orthopaedics and provided a local outpatient clinic, treated casualties and performed minor surgical procedures. He embraced what were then revolutionary developments in general practice and in 1970 became one of the first general practitioners to take medical students on attachment from Bristol University. He became a GP trainer and helped set up the North Devon general practice vocational training scheme. He also instigated a plan for local doctors to move to a purpose-built health centre in the town. He was a founder member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and was subsequently elected as a fellow. Tom was a family man and was also devoted to his local community in Bideford and supported the local hospital, the St John's Ambulance Brigade and other worthy causes. He was a good singer. The original Bideford merchant's house he purchased for his surgery had a large walled garden where he and Stella had many happy years growing a huge variety of plants. They had a great interest in growing organic vegetables. They were happy to share their garden and it was opened to the public annually to raise money for charity. In retirement, he was chair and subsequently president of the North Devon Parkinson's Society with which he initially became involved as a carer for Stella who suffered from the disease for many years. Tom was skilled with his hands as becomes a surgeon, and loved woodwork in all its forms. In retirement, he made exquisite marquetry pieces, which were sought after by friends and family. Tom died on 25 February 2016, aged 95. He will be remembered primarily as a caring family doctor and a champion for good general practice. His kindness to patients and his pioneering work in teaching students, taking trainees and promoting the idea of doctors working together for the benefit of patients will be his main professional legacy.