Ambrose Jolleys was born on 25 September 1919 in Ireleth, Westmoreland. He was educated at Urmston Grammar School, Manchester, and graduated MB ChB from Liverpool University in 1942. He was appointed a consultant in 1952, the first full-time paediatric surgeon in Manchester. He was a true pioneer of paediatric surgery and he set up a vast service encompassing all three children's hospitals in Manchester. His special interests were surgery for hare lip and cleft palate, and neonatal surgery. He spent many years striving for the establishment of a single children's hospital, but this was agreed only after his retirement. A founder member of British Association of Paediatric Surgeons, he was its President from 1979 to 1980 and Forshall lecturer in 1984. In his retirement Ambrose went to the Lake District often, where he enjoyed walking, hill climbing and botany. He also enjoyed his garden and woodwork, making reproduction antique furniture. He died of lymphoma on 16 October 1991 survived by his wife, Betty, a son and four daughters, and his grandchildren.