James McFadzean was born at Colmonell, Ayrshire, on 22 October 1900 and educated at Ayr Academy and Glasgow University, where he graduated MB ChB in 1924. After appointments at the London Hospital he took the FRCS. In 1927 he joined a general practice at Morecambe, Lancashire, and was soon appointed honorary surgeon to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Queen Victoria Hospital, Morecambe. As time went by he was occupied mainly by surgery, and with the advent of the NHS he severed his connexion with general practice and was appointed consultant surgeon to the Lancaster and Kendal Hospital Group. He retired in 1965. A son of the manse in a country parish in Scotland, his knowledge of a self-sufficient way of life that has virtually disappeared was fascinating, and from this upbringing stemmed his skill and interest in numerous hobbies. He was a keen angler, an excellent shot, an enthusiastic gardener, and skilful at carpentry. In addition he had a wide knowledge of English and Scottish literature, making him an interesting conversationalist and a witty after-dinner speaker. As a young man he was a keen hockey player and played for Glasgow University and in international matches for the Scottish universities. His strong physique was matched by a great zest for life. He was always ready to respond willingly to a call for advice or help from a colleague or a friend. In his time he served on many medical committees. He took a keen interest in the BMA and was Chairman of the Lancaster Division. He also found time to help many voluntary associations, including the Railway Ambulance Movement, to which he was honorary surgeon for many years and for which he was admitted to the Order of St John as a serving brother. In 1932 he married Winifred Atkinson and they had one son and one daughter. He died suddenly on 22 March 1975 after a morning spent fishing on the River Lune.