John Bookless was born on 5 March 1878 and received his education at Christ's College, Brecon, and Eastbourne College. In 1897 he went up to Trinity Hall, Cambridge with a mathematical scholarship, but after leaving the University he decided on a medical career and entered Guy's Hospital Medical School in 1900. While a medical student he was captain of cricket and on one occasion had the privilege of taking the wicket of Dr W G Grace. After graduation he held two house appointments at Guy's and then became a partner in a general practice at Sawbridgeworth, Herts. In 1911 he returned to Guy's Hospital where he worked for his Fellowship and at the same time took up ophthalmology. After taking his Fellowship he was soon appointed to the post of ophthalmic surgeon at Croydon Hospital. In 1916 he was commissioned in the RAMC with the rank of Captain, and spent the next two years treating eye casualties at Le Havre. In 1919 he returned to Croydon, and subsequently was appointed to the staffs of Queen Mary's Hospital for the East End and Fulham, Mayday (Croydon) and Purley Hospitals. In 1924 he began practice in Harley Street and continued there until his rooms were destroyed by enemy action in the second world war. In 1929 he took a partner and during 1940-1945 they worked together treating eye casualties from the Blitz. He was a member of the BMA for over fifty years and in 1934 was Chairman of the Croydon Division. He was President of the Croydon Medical Society in 1935. In 1946 Bookless retired to Crowborough, Sussex where he lived for twenty-six years. He enjoyed golf, tennis and bridge and he and his first wife made their home a centre of hospitality. Walking was also a favourite pursuit, especially in the Cairngorms, and in his later years he enjoyed ornithology and bowls. For many years he was a sidesman at Croydon Parish Church, and after his ninetieth birthday continued to be actively involved with the Colonial and Continental Church Society. In 1907 he married Nora Evelyn who died in 1961; they had three sons one of whom became a doctor. In 1964 he married Joyce Proud, a family friend for forty-three years, who survived him. He died at his Sussex home on 26 May 1972 at the age of 94.