Born 18 November 1902, the second son of William James McCulloch Ettles, MD, FRCS Edinburgh, ophthalmic surgeon, and his wife, Helen Edith Cotman; Dr Ettles practised in the City, and latterly at 114A Harley Street. Donald Ettles was educated at Marlborough College and Guy's Hospital. He qualified in 1926, was commissioned in the RAMC, and took the Fellowship in 1936. During the war of 1939-45 he served in India and at the end was lieutenant-colonel in command of No 128 Hospital at Secunderabad. Ettles married on 19 November 1932 Hilma Engström, who survived him with a son. He died at Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital, Millbank, on 21 May 1949 after a sudden, severe episode of jaundice due to a prick whilst operating. An active service pension was awarded.