Born on 26 May 1889 third child and eldest son of John Craigie Fleming, clerk, and his wife Rachel Robertson, he was educated at the Central Foundation School and at East London College, where he graduated in science in 1908. He received his medical training at the Middlesex Hospital. During the first world war he served in the RAMC, and was promoted Captain on 9 May 1917. Fleming settled in practice at Surbiton, Surrey, living successively at 10 The Mall, 353 Ewell Road, and 65 Warren Drive, Tolworth. He married in 1921 Margaret Williams, who survived him with their two sons, Dr Peter Fleming MRCP and Dr John Fleming. He died at home on 3 April 1952 aged 62. Fleming was a member of the British Orthopaedic Association.