Robert Ollerenshaw was born in Manchester, the son of Robert Ollerenshaw, FRCS, and Florence Eleanor (née Watson). He studied medicine at Oxford and Manchester (clinical studies) graduating in 1938. He had an abiding interest in the Territorial Army and had enlisted as an other rank in the Royal Artillery in 1930. In the second world war he served 1939-1946 in the RAMC in North Africa, Italy and the Middle East and was twice mentioned in despatches. Afterwards he continued with the territorials finally retiring as honorary colonel to 207 (Manchester) General Hospital, RAMC TAVR in 1972. After the war he trained as a radiologist, was appointed clinical lecturer in radiological anatomy in Manchester and then entered the developing field of medical illustration, becoming director of medical illustration, United Manchester Hospital in 1952 and making many significant contributions to his specialty, obtaining awards such as the Renwick Medal, Royal Photographic Society; the Henry Medal, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; and honorary Fellowship, Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1975. Other interests and contributions to the community included St John Ambulance, being Surgeon in Chief from 1966 to 1976, Commander in Greater Manchester from 1976 to 1984, becoming also a Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem. His public offices included Honorary Surgeon to the Queen, Magistrate, High Sheriff for Manchester and a deputy lieutenant for the County Palatine of Lancaster. In 1939 he married Kathleen (later Dame) Timpson and they had one son, Charles, and also a daughter, Florence, who predeceased him. He died on 16 October 1986, aged 74.