W G Rose was born at Broadwell, Gloucestershire in 1887. He qualified as a pharmacist and set up his own business, but soon decided to enter the medical profession. From St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, he qualified with the Conjoint Diploma at the age of thirty-three in 1920, proceeding to the University of London degrees in 1922 and the Fellowship in 1923. He was a house surgeon at St Mary's and then resident medical officer, first at Park Royal (now the Central Middlesex) Hospital and then at the Royal Northern Hospital. He was appointed assistant surgeon to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary in 1924, becoming surgeon in 1928, and finally senior surgeon. He built up a busy and valued practice at Derby, serving also on the staff of the City and the Children's Hospitals, and was consultant to the cottage hospitals at Ripley, Ashboume, and Whitworth. He maintained most friendly relations with his colleagues and with the general practitioners of the county, and served as President of the Derby Medical Society. Rose retired in 1952 to Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, where he fully enjoyed life in spite of failing health. He died in the Royal East Sussex Hospital, Hastings on 4 February 1969 aged eighty-one, survived by his wife, formerly Gladys Downes, and their son.