Maurice Backwell was born in Hull on 21 January 1900, and educated at The Old College, Windermere, and Charterhouse. Towards the end of the first world war he served for a short time in the East Yorkshire Regiment before starting his medical studies at Leeds University. He graduated MB ChB, in 1925 and held surgical appointments at Leeds General Infirmary. He took the FRCS in 1931 and the following year entered general practice at Skegness. Then also began his long association with Skegness Hospital where he practised general surgery. In 1943 he joined the RAMC as a surgical specialist and served in the Shetlands, Normandy and West Africa attaining the rank of Major on demobilization. He returned to general practice and part-time surgery at Skegness. In 1948 he was appointed senior house and medical officer and became a graded consultant a few years before he retired in 1966. He was active in hospital management and was divisional surgeon to the St John Ambulance Brigade. He was appointed a serving brother of the order in 1952. In retirement, he enjoyed foreign travel, walking the Yorkshire Moors and gardening, as well as amateur dramatics. He gained the respect of his colleagues, friends and patients and will long be remembered for his sense of humour, unselfishness and kindness beyond the normal call of duty. He married Olga Birks in 1934 and they had a son and daughter. He died on 27 December 1974.