Hubert Wallace Symons was born at Bradford 24 November 1890 and was educated at Bradford Grammar School and the University of Leeds where he graduated MB ChB in 1912. His father was a wool-merchant, but his maternal grandfather was Dr J H Lilly who was the first Medical Superintendent of the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, and later practised at Bitteme, Southampton. After an appointment as house surgeon at the Leeds General Infirmary he joined the RAMC in 1914 and served throughout the war both in England and in France attached to field ambulances and casualty clearing stations, and was demobilized in 1919 with the rank of Captain. On his return to Leeds he became resident surgical officer at the Infirmary in 1919, and was surgical tutor from 1922-1926, during which time he took the FRCS in 1924. He became honorary assistant surgeon in 1926 and was honorary surgeon from 1936 till 1955. He was a valued teacher and was given the title of Professor of Clinical Surgery in 1940 and was made Emeritus Professor when he retired in 1955. Though a general surgeon he had a special interest in urology. He was a popular member of the staff, and a delightful host, in which he was ably supported by his wife who was also medically qualified. They had a son and a daughter who both became Oxford graduates. Symons died in London on 24 February 1973, aged 82.