Eric Vernon was born on 29 November, 1909, in Marple, Cheshire, the son of Arthur Vernon, furnisher and antique dealer. He was educated at Stockport Secondary School (Hallam Scholar) and Manchester University where he graduated BSc in 1930 and MB, ChB in 1933, winning prizes for pathology and paediatrics. After house appointments at Manchester Royal Infirmary, where his interest in surgery was stimulated by E D Telford, Harry Platt and Geoffrey Jefferson, he spent two years as demonstrator in anatomy in the department of Professor J S B Stopford, proceeding MD with commendation as a result of his research there. He was then successively assistant resident surgical officer at Manchester Royal Infirmary and resident surgical officer at Crumpsall Hospital and in 1938 he became FRCS. In 1939, he married Dr Kathleen Henderson, a fellow graduate, and they went into general practice in Douglas, Isle of Man. During the second world war, he not only served the numerous patients of their practice but acted as honorary surgeon to Noble's Hospital. In 1945, he was appointed surgeon to HM Lieutenant-Governor's household, a position he held until he retired. In 1946 he gave up general practice and became the first full-time honorary surgeon on the island. He was senior surgeon to Noble's and Ramsey Hospitals for many years. As the first Chairman of the Isle of Man Health Services Advisory Council, he played a major part in the introduction in 1948 of a comprehensive health service and he was President of the Isle of Man branch of the BMA. He was appointed OBE in 1972 for his services to medicine in the Island. The Vernons' hospitality in their happy home was memorable. He was a popular and gregarious host and his many friends were saddened to learn that he had developed a fatal disease. He died on 29 August, 1975, survived by his wife, his twin daughters and his son, now a consultant physician.