Gordon Nuttall Bailey was born in Whitley Bay, Northumberland, on 9 November 1905 the son of William Cooper Bailey, a company director and his wife, Esther, née Lomax. He was educated at Grosvenor House, Harrogate, Uppingham School, Clare College, Cambridge, and St Thomas's Hospital. He obtained MB BCh in 1935, and proceeded to hold posts at St Thomas's Hospital, where he was surgical registrar, and was assistant surgeon at St James's, Balham, and subsequently consultant surgeon to the Harrogate Group. He was a careful surgeon and concerned for the welfare of his patients. He was irreverently known as the "bomber" because he would issue a stream of orders, for the better care of his patients, which had to be obeyed immediately. The result was juniors scurrying in every direction. He served for years in the RAMC, becoming a Lieutenant-Colonel. He was active in the British Medical Association and in 1951 was President and co-founder of the Grey Turner Travelling Surgical Club. After retirement he took part in village life, served on the deanery and diocesan synods and was vice-chairman of the diocesan parsonage board. He was interested in golf, fishing and gardening. He married in 1941 and his wife Isobel, née Leslie died in 1987. His son and two grandchildren survive him.