Born on 18 January 1901, he was educated at Stratford Grammar School and Wadham College, Oxford, where he was an exhibitioner and graduated with honours in history. After a short scholastic career he entered the faculty of medicine of Birmingham University in 1927, where he gained many distinctions including the Queen's and Ingleby scholarships and the Sampson Gamgee medal, qualifying in 1932. During his term as house physician at West Bromwich he was invited to join the anatomical department of the University, where he taught with distinction until 1936. He then returned to clinical work and in 1937 was appointed RSO at Oldham Municipal Hospital, where his life's work was to be done. During the war years of 1939-46 he was resident in the hospital, carrying out the major surgical and obstetrical work and acting as medical superintendent. From 1948 he held an appointment at Boundary Park Hospital and as an employee of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board was asked to sign a contract with the Board over which difficulties arose. Without hearing his case, the Board terminated his services on 30 April 1952. In spite of appeals from Oldham Health Committee, the Hospital management committee and his MP, neither the Board nor the Minister of Health would reopen the case. In December 1957, having taken his case to the High Court, it was ruled that he had been wrongfully dismissed and he was awarded damages and costs. However he was not reinstated, but after public outcry he was offered a contract by the Board, and in August 1959 he returned to the hospital he had served so well. He was a courteous and devoted consultant, who was held in high regard in Oldham and its district. His interests were music, reading and history. He was unmarried and died on 30 October 1962 during the hearing of a regional Whitley appeal arising out of his contract. He was buried privately at Birstall Parish Church.