Alexander Cruickshank studied at Aberdeen and Guy's Hospital, London. He became casualty surgical officer to the West London Hospital and resident surgical officer to the Miller General Hospital. At the Prince of Wales Hospital, Tottenham, he was surgeon and honorary surgical registrar and was also surgeon to the Royal Hospital, Richmond. He lectured in surgery at the North East London Postgraduate College. He was a Fellow of the Medical Society of London and a member of the West London Medico-Chirurical Society. He died on 6 August 1980 survived by his wife Eileen and his children Andrew and Cynthia.