Bertram Nairn was born in Melbourne on 1 August 1901, the son of William Nairn, a wine merchant and MP for the State of Western Australia, and Theresa Bertram. His uncle Walter had been Speaker of the House of Representatives in Canberra. He was educated at Perth Boys' School and the Scotch College, Perth, before going to Ormond College at the University of Melbourne to read medicine. While there he won a full blue for football. After junior posts in Perth including resident surgical officer at the Royal Perth Hospital he came to London to be resident surgical officer at St Mark's and All Saints Hospitals. At St Mark's he was taught by W B Gabriel FRCS (qv *Lives* 1974-82) and at All Saints by Terence Millin FRCS (qv *Lives* 1974-82). He went on to work at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital Oswestry, and was a visiting fellow at the Lahey Clinic where he was influenced by Richard Cahill. He married Freda Wier in 1936. During the second world war he served with the 13th Australian General Hospital in Malaya as major, and was appointed MBE (Mil) for his work with the prisoners of war in the infamous Changi gaol, Singapore. After the war he returned to the Royal Perth and Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, retiring as senior surgeon. Nairn was a member of the Cancer Council of Western Australia and took a keen interest in secondary education, serving on the Council of the Scotch College. His hobbies included game fishing and farming; he bred pedigree sheep and cattle. He died on 12 July 1987, survived by his wife and three sons.