Charles Cook was an ophthalmic surgeon in London. He was born on 20 August 1913. His medical education was at Guy’s Hospital, where he qualified in 1939. During the war he served in the RAMC with great distinction. In 1944 he was awarded the George Medal for rescuing two gunners, pulling one from a burning truck, and leading another out of a minefield. Within four months he was again commended for his courage, gaining the Military Cross for his bravery in treating and evacuating the wounded under heavy shellfire during the March 1945 break into Germany. After the war he turned to ophthalmology and was initially appointed consultant ophthalmic surgeon to West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth. He was subsequently appointed consultant ophthalmic surgeon to Moorfields and Guy’s hospitals, and for many years was vice-dean of the Institute of Ophthalmology. He was married to Edna. An intensely private man, he died on 24 December 2003.