Francis Dominic Murphy was born in Cork on 1 October 1902, and studied medicine at University College, Cork where he took a BSc and graduated MB BCh BAO in 1926. From Cork he went first to the Bristol Royal Infirmary and then to London for further surgical training, obtaining the FRCS in 1935. At the time when many young surgeons were gaining valuable experience in LCC hospitals Murphy worked at Fulham Hospital, and when in 1941 the hospital was bombed he displayed such courage and organizing ability that he was awarded the OBE. In 1943 Murphy was appointed to the staff of the Royal United Hospital, Bath where he continued to work until his premature retirement due to ill-health in 1962. He also served as consultant to the Warminster, Malmesbury and Devizes district hospitals, and as he was wholeheartedly devoted to the care of his patients he became the best known and the most loved surgeon in Somerset. His shrewd clinical sense and his surgical skill and conservation afforded valuable training to his juniors. "Pat" as he was known to his friends was a cheerful companion who was as enthusiastic at his hobbies of fishing, bridge and golf as he was at work. His latter years were marred by illness, borne with great fortitude, and when he died on 8 May 1970 he was survived by his wife, Dr Barbara Murphy, a son and a daughter.