Gerald Herbert was born in Liverpool on October 7, 1904, the first son of Lt-Col H Herbert, FRCS, IMS, an ophthalmic surgeon, and his wife Agnes, née Killey. After leaving the IMS his father became a consultant ophthalmologist in Nottingham. Gerald Herbert was educated at Lees Preparatory School, Hoylake, Charterhouse, Selwyn College, Cambridge and St Thomas's Hospital where he won the Cheselden Medal in surgery. He qualified MRCS LRCP in 1929. After holding house surgeon, casualty officer and senior casualty officer posts at St Thomas's he became RSO at Preston Royal Infirmary. He took his FRCS in 1931. He was always interested in surgery and was much influenced by Sir Max Page. After his junior hospital appointments he joined a general practice in Rugby with a special commitment to surgery. He was honorary surgeon to the Hospital of St Cross, 1934-39. From 1939 to 1943 he served with the RAMC, attaining the rank of temporary Lieutenant-Colonel and working in India as a surgical specialist and officer-in-charge, surgical division. After the war he was appointed consultant surgeon to the Chesterfield Royal Hospital, where he worked until his retirement in 1969. He was a careful and dexterous surgeon with sound judgement allied to remarkable intuition. This made him a welcome colleague to those who relied on his loyalty, unselfishness and willingness to help, especially to help the underdog. In 1952 he married Martha Wilson by whom he had a son and a daughter. His retirement was devoted to happy family life and to gardening. He died at his home in Chesterfield on May 23, 1982, aged 77.