Born in Dublin in 1882 he studied at Trinity College, where he graduated in 1903 with the gold medal in medicine and surgery. He became clinical assistant to Sir Victor Horsley at the National Hospital, London and later assistant to Theodor Kocher in the University of Berne. From 1909 to 1911 Lindsay Sandes was research pathologist and bacteriologist to the South African Government, and in 1912 began to practise surgery in South Africa. On the outbreak of war he joined the South African Medical Corps and served in France and England until 1920, attaining the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. For his services as surgeon in charge of the surgical division of the South African Hospital, Richmond and as surgical specialist to the Wynberg Military Hospital he was awarded the OBE. He returned to practise at Capetown in 1921, living at Bellair, Paradise Estate, Claremont and was appointed lecturer in clinical surgery in the University of Capetown and surgical adviser to the Military Pensions Board. He was secretary of the South African Medical Congress at Capetown in 1924, the first Vice-President of the Medical Association of South Africa in 1926 and President 1932-38; he was chairman of the head office and Journal committee, and was awarded the Association's gold medal in 1939. He attended the BMA annual meetings at Edinburgh in 1927 and Dublin in 1933. He was secretary of the medical committee for planning the Groote Schuur Hospital at Rondebosch and served on the hospital staff. He was a member of the South African Medical and Dental Council, and in 1935 was awarded the King George V Jubilee medal. Lindsay Sandes was a man of cultivation and charm, well-read, much travelled, and a witty speaker. He exerted himself particularly for the poor and for ex-Service men and retired nurses. His health deteriorated and he abandoned active practice but kept in touch with medical problems, and enjoyed painting. He died at home on 25 June 1955 aged 73.