James Richard Hayes was born at Alfreton, Derbyshire, on 4 June 1933. He was the son of James Alfred Hayes, a mining engineer, and Gladys, née Rusby. He was educated at Mansfield Grammar School for Boys and received his medical education at the University of Birmingham where he qualified in 1957. Following graduation he held various house appointments at Nottingham, Wolverhampton, Bath, Birmingham, Sheffield, Oswestry and Stoke-on-Trent. He was a senior registrar in orthopaedic surgery at the Leeds General Infirmary prior to his appointment as consultant orthopaedic surgeon to Scarborough. He had one brother, a consultant general surgeon at East Glamorgan General Hospital. He married Brenda Baggaley, a teacher, on 29 March 1956 and there were three children, James Michael, Julia and Sally, none of whom entered the medical profession. Due to failing eyesight he was forced to take early retirement in 1977. He devoted himself to the work of the British Red Cross and travelled widely on their behalf making several journeys to Poland and, just prior to his death, had visited Afghanistan to distribute medical supplies. He was awarded honorary life membership of the British Red Cross and their badge of honour in 1988. He was a keen sportsman but, as his sight deteriorated, he found it difficult to play ball games and learned to ride instead. An accomplished musician he played the piano, flute and cello. In 1986 he was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts of the Open University. He enjoyed gardening and was a firm supporter of conservation. In later years he greatly enjoyed the company both of his family and his dog. He died unexpectedly from a heart attack on 1 January 1990.