Born on 7 February 1872 at Tawstock, Devonshire, the fourth child and second son of W H Vellacott, gentleman farmer, and Elizabeth Ann Spear, his wife. He was educated at University College School in London, was a medical student at Guy's Hospital, where he acted as house surgeon, and graduated MB at the University of London, with honours in forensic and obstetric medicine. He went to South Africa during the South African war and remained there until 1933, paying periodical visits to England. During this period he acted as surgeon to the Native Hospital at Bloemfontein, served as a captain in the South African Constabulary (Orange River Colony division), and received a commission as captain, RAMC on 15 November 1915, being promoted acting major, RAMC on 4 January 1918, and serving with the British Expeditionary Force. In the Orange Free State branch of the British Medical Association he was a vice-president in 1914-15 and again in 1922, and was president in 1924 and in 1932. He married Agnes Joslin in 1900, who survived him; their son William N Vellacott was a Diplomate in Anaesthesia of the Royal Colleges, and an MRCS. Vellacott died at Lordswell, Crowborough, Sussex on 24 October 1939, and was buried at the Tunbridge Wells cemetery. Publications: Hydatid in Orange River Colony. *S Afr Med Rec* 1908, 6, 1235. Spinal injury with retention of urine, the avoidance of catheterisation, with note by A Webb-Johnson. *Lancet*, 1909, 1, 733.