John Tertius Morrison was born in Calcutta on 19 January 1888 of Scottish missionary parents. He grew up in Paisley and Edinburgh, where he graduated in medicine in 1911, winning the Ettles Scholarship. After studying in London he gained the FRCS in 1913. He served throughout the first world war in casualty clearing stations and base hospitals in France and was awarded the OBE. His *Manual of war surgery* was a standard work in its day. After the war he went to Liverpool, initially as consultant surgeon to the Stanley Hospital, moving in 1928 to the Royal Southern, which he served till his retirement in 1948. For the next three years he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Liverpool University. John lived a quiet and conscientious and professional life. His careful surgery was mirrored by his interest in botany, drawing and painting. He was also interested in sailing and fishing and was able to enjoy all these when he retired to a remote cottage in the Isle of Bute. In 1964 he moved to Edinburgh and spent the remaining years of his life there. His wife, who had poor health for many years, died in 1969 and he was survived by a son and daughter when he died on 21 March 1974.