David Rowlands studied medicine at University College Hospital and qualified with the conjoint diploma in 1933. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in Europe throughout the second world war and then embarked on a long career in the Taunton area. He was on the staff of Taunton and Somerset Hospital, Bridgwater Hospital, Musgrove Park Hospital, and several cottage hospitals. A brilliant diagnostician and magnificent in an emergency, he always demanded high standards and was a great disciplinarian. His approach to problems was positive, pragmatic and logical. He retired from the hospital staff in 1973 when 65 but continued an active career in surgery until 1980 and did not retire fully until 1986. A keen supporter of the BMA, David served as chairman of the South Somerset division and President of the Bristol, Bath and Somerset branch; in 1972 he was elected a fellow of the BMA. He also chaired the South West Regional Consultants' and Specialists' Committee in London and represented the south west region on the Central Committee for Hospital Medical Services (CCHMS) for many years. In 1967 he realised the advantages of a 10 session week for consultants and submitted a detailed memorandum to the CCHMS. This stimulated considerable debate, and the concept was accepted. He argued strongly for early action, but it was many years before the 10 session week was finally implemented. He also represented the CCHMS on the superannuation committee, which he chaired from 1968 to 1973. During that time prolonged and sometimes difficult negotiations with the Department of Health achieved important improvements in pension arrangements for doctors, which gave him great satisfaction. David died on 11 March 1994, survived by his wife Isla, to whom he was married for 44 years, his daughter, Helen, and his grandchildren, Catherine and Christopher.