John Anthony Rumble was a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Southend General Hospital. Before he attended medical school, Rumble carried out his National Service with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Hong Kong. He subsequently went to Sheffield University to study medicine, qualifying in 1955. He then spent two years as a ships surgeon with P&O, and another two years in general practice before deciding to train as an ophthalmic surgeon. He was a resident surgical officer at Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital, and then a senior registrar to the United Birmingham Hospitals. In 1967 he became a consultant in Southend. He also worked for several ophthalmic charities in Newfoundland, India and Cambodia. Outside medicine, Rumble was an enthusiastic sailor. He learnt to sail in Hong Kong, and was a founder member of the Sheffield University Sailing Club. He returned to sailing when he gained his consultant post on the east coast. He was also interested in classical literature, music and poetry. In his retirement he took up cross stitch. John Anthony Rumble died on 29 September 2011.