Eardley Lorimer Button was born in London on 9 March 1903 the son of Robert Lorimer, a merchant, and Lilian, née Naylor. He moved with the family to New Zealand at an early age, was educated at Wellington College and the Otago University Medical School qualifying MB ChB in 1925 having represented the University in hockey in 1923 and 1924. His house surgeon years of 1926 and 1927 were at Wellington Hospital before leaving for England to continue his postgraduate education. He held house surgeon appointments at the Hampstead General Hospital working under Heneage Ogilvie and Clifford Morson. He obtained his FRCS Ed in 1928 and became senior RMO at St John's Hospital, Lewisham, working with Winsbury White. Subsequent appointments were at Dudley Road, Birmingham, and the LCC Surgical TB Hospital, Lowestoft, and the Royal Masonic Hospital. He obtained his FRCS in 1931 and at the age of 29 applied for a house appointment on the staff of Wellington Hospital, New Zealand. He was surgeon in charge of the children's hospital from 1936 to 1940. He married Isabel Naylor in 1932 and was elected to the Fellowship of the RACS in 1937. Button's war service was as distinguished as his medical career. He served with the second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in 1939 to 1945 in the Middle East and Italy. He was Lieutenant-Colonel I/C surgical division general hospital and CO of a mobile casualty clearing station and eventually Colonel I/C 2nd General Hospital, receiving the OBE in 1944. His civilian appointments and honours included membership of the executive of a New Zealand branch of the BMA 1940-52; Honorary Surgeon to the Governor-General, Lord Freyberg, 1948-50; Surgeon to the Queen in New Zealand 1953; Medical Advisor of the New Zealand Boy Scouts Association 1966-69; Member of National Executive, New Zealand Red Cross Society 1962-72; National President, New Zealand Red Cross Society 1964-72; and medical member of a New Zealand War Pensions Board. In spite of his numerous commitments Eardley Button still had time to play golf, bowls and was a keen fly fisherman. He died on 6 May 1982 at the age of 79, survived by his wife Isabel and their daughter.