Born on 11 March 1877 he trained at the London Hospital, qualified in 1902, and studied in Vienna. After serving as assistant surgeon to the Metropolitan Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, he was appointed the first ear nose and throat surgeon of the General Infirmary and lecturer in his specialty in the University of Leeds. During the war of 1914-18 he served as a Captain RAMC at the Beckett Park military hospital, Leeds. After the war he built up a large private practice at 45 Park Square, Leeds, and also served on the consultant staffs at St James's Hospital, Leeds, and the Castleford and Normanton Hospitals. He retired in 1937, but returned to work at the General Infirmary through the war of 1939-45. He retired to Arkendale, where he enjoyed gardening, and became a keen member of the Harrogate fly-fishing club. As a younger man he had been fond of golf; he was a connoisseur of antique furniture. He died at West View, Arkendale on 15 July 1958 aged 82. His wife had died in 1943. Bain was a popular member of the medical community at Leeds and widely known as "Bill".