John Daniel Henry Bird was born in Longcot, Berkshire on 4 August 1908. His father, Daniel Henry, was a schoolmaster. He was educated at Ranelagh School, Bracknell, where he won a scholarship to King's College Hospital Medical School where he had a notable academic career. He gained a BSc in physiology (1929) and the University Gold Medal on graduating MB BS in 1932, having already won the Todd, Burridge and Legg Prizes and the senior scholarship. He then held the posts of house surgeon, senior casualty officer and surgical registrar at King's College Hospital and then assistant surgical officer at King George's Hospital, Ilford, and senior hospital medical officer at Maryport Hospital. During this period his most memorable post was that of senior casualty officer at King's College Hospital where he had extensive clinical experience, especially in treating fractures and he displayed the scrupulously high standards of workmanship he was to apply throughout his life. It was unfortunate that his hospital career was abruptly ended by a serious attack of pneumonia. On recovery his deep love for the Lake District led him to a post in general practice in Maryport. There the cottage hospital run by general practitioners allowed the full use of his skills especially with trauma among the mining community. John Bird was instrumental in steering together the separate town practices into a purpose-built centre to provide optimum facilities for patient care. He supported the Royal College of General Practitioners from its early beginnings, constantly striving to improve standards and he developed fully with his patients that affectionate and trusting relationship which is the greatest satisfaction of general practice. John Bird had many activities and interests in Maryport. He was Chairman of the Educational Settlement, encouraging the development of further education, and he filled various leading roles in the life of his local church. He enjoyed photography, reading, gardening and foreign travel, especially camping holidays on the Continent. Through his wide-ranging interest in life he was always a kindly, unassuming fount of knowledge and common sense, having a valuable contribution to make to any subject. He married Marjorie Clements in 1936 and they had two sons, one a doctor, and two daughters, both nurses. During his last illness he displayed immense personal courage, combined with calm acceptance. He died on 31 July 1979.