Joseph Arthur Russell Johnson was born on 30 December 1913 and his early education was at King Edward VII School in Birmingham, where he was a foundation scholar. He entered Birmingham University for his medical studies, graduating in 1936 and subsequently serving as house officer in his teaching hospital. He spent some time in general practice before the war and was also resident surgical officer at Birmingham Children's Hospital. Early in 1939 he joined the Territorial Army and shortly after the outbreak of war was called up, initially serving in the Middle East with a Field Ambulance and eventually becoming a graded surgeon. While serving in the Middle East he met and married Mary and in 1944 they returned with their young daughter. Shortly after demobilisation he passed the FRCS and later worked at St George's Hospital. Within a few years he was appointed consultant surgeon to the Royal Salop Infirmary, honorary consultant surgeon to the Montgomery County Infirmary, Newtown, and to the Robert Jones and Afnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry. Although a general surgeon he had a special interest in urology throughout his professional career. He retired in 1978 and towards the end of his life worked briefly in the new Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Apart from his professional work he was an enthusiastic countryman and gardener. He shared a great interest in fine art and furniture with his wife and was an authority on paintings. He died on 26 January 1984 aged 70 and is survived by his wife, two daughters, one of whom is in general practice, and a son.