Henry Joseph Windsor was born in 1885 in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1909. During the next five years he worked in a number of hospitals in England including Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and gained considerable experience. He emigrated to Australia in 1914 and entered practice in Toowoomba in association with the late Dr Morgan Lane and then started a surgical practice in Brisbane. From 1930 to 1938 he was honorary surgeon to the Mater Misericordia Children's Hospital and held a similar position for adults from 1938 to 1952. During the latter years he developed a particular interest and skill in the surgery of the upper alimentary canal. He was for many years a member of the British and Australian Medical Associations and a member of the medical board of Queensland of which he was both treasurer and deputy President. In 1956 he was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England becoming the first surgeon with three sons who were Fellows of the same College. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College in 1962. Other honours were the Pontifical Order of the Knighthood of St Gregory bestowed in 1956 and the CBE in 1965. In 1975 he made a gift to the College of £2500 for the advancement of surgery by an annual prize. Since that date it has been awarded each year to a young Australian surgeon to assist him in spending a period of training or research in the British Isles or vice versa. The choice is made by the Presidents of the Australasian and English Colleges together with the two Vice-Presidents. Henry Windsor was beloved by his patients and his reputation made him almost a legend in his lifetime. His distinguished service to medicine, and to surgery in particular, and to the Mater Misericordia Hospital were the basis of his recognition not only in official quarters but by his patients and colleagues alike. His whimsical Irish humour and insight into so many aspects of human behaviour endeared him to all who were honoured by his friendship. He died on 3 July 1976.