Born on 14 December 1863 the fourth child and third son of Alfred William Stocks MRCS 1854, surgeon to Salford Royal Hospital, and Annie Makin his wife, he was educated at Town Close School, Norwich, and at Manchester Grammar School and University. He served as house surgeon at Salford Royal Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary. He practised at 59 Wilmslow Road, Withington, and was appointed assistant surgeon to the Northern Hospital and to the Clinical Hospital, Manchester, and surgeon to the Hulme Dispensary. Stocks married in 1900 Edith Marion Railton, who died before him. He died at Ash Lea, Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancashire on 24 March 1953 aged 89.